Who's my uncle and who's my nephew ?
By 19jasmine73
@19jasmine73 (121)
China
June 8, 2012 11:05am CST
I'm 39 this year and have a friend who is about 12 years younger than I'm . We knew each other because of shared interests in English . He likes to address me as his aunt and whenever I hear this title I am a bit confused over the define line between generations: is 12 enough to make him my nephew ? What do you think about the defintion ?
4 responses
@ryanong (9665)
• Vietnam
9 Jun 12
In here, a child is 12 years old, if you are older than him 1-10 years, he will call you as an elder brother/sister
if you are older than him 10 years+, he will call you as an uncle/aunt
If you are around 60 years old, he will call you as a grandma/grandpa
I really don't know how is your place, but in here it is right when he calls you as an aunt.
@19jasmine73 (121)
• China
9 Jun 12
I'm just wondering how must I address his parents . For a kid of his age, his parents are more likely to be more than 12 years older than I am . In my understanding over the concept of a generation, I think the difference in age must be at least for the older one to reach the minimum age for conception. We all know that girls reach puberty at the age of 14,so i think the minimug generation age division should be 15 or plus...What do you think about my logic ? anwers welcomed!
@19jasmine73 (121)
• China
9 Jun 12
What kind of a culture is it(where are you from). In China, it's a commom psychology for women to be addressed young ,also very easy to see people address people who are older than them as sisters or brothers when they are not sure of the other older people's age ...Although aging is inevitable,but not one likes to be old ,right?
@triplejazzm51 (1373)
• Philippines
9 Jun 12
Hi jasmine, i think it would be fine if your friend treat and call you as her big sister. 12 years for me is not a big age gap to make her call you aunt, besides, maybe you look like your of the same age. Nevertheless, don't be too particular with that just be confident that you are still young and maybe you can ask her to call you sis instead of aunt.
@musicscout (269)
• Canada
8 Jun 12
In my culture "Canada" it is often like that. Many younger people will refer to an older person as a uncle or maybe aunt. it's just a term of respect and the feeling that friends can be close like family. I don't think age should matter 12 years can be a lot.
I know in my girlfriends culture "philippine" they have names that use to refer people that are older then them that they respect.
@19jasmine73 (121)
• China
9 Jun 12
Thanks for all of the respondents. So I have to admit that I'm too old to be his elder sister and be more ready to be his honored aunt :P
