My sweet-pie of a tiny little niece is in Sg-land to visit. At the age of 5, she's rather discerning of people, way in advance of her age. Each time we meet, her mom reminds her to greet me with the title 'Aunt', and GooeyGecko 'Uncle'. She's usually uncomfortable to do this on her own initiative, and she can tell that we don't actually mind when she doesn't.
Speaking to strangers is already a little task for her to accomplish. Calling strangers 'Aunty' and 'Uncle', and then being hugged by these strange people is way out of her comfort zone. She stares, wide-eyed, with curiosity when we chatter animatedly in an unusual Sg accent. Observing her expressions, you can tell she's trying to tune-in to the conversation.
Half an hour into our rendezvous, the princess warms up and gets her dance engine going. Grabbing the mic, she stands up front and shakes, shimmies and stomps her feet in tempo with the latest American pop hits. With half naked men and women flashing up on the MTVs, my mind goes - Aiyaiyai, why's a 5 year old watching Taylor Swift making out, and then singing well-rehearsed to the lyrics of Call Me Maybe?
But truth be-told.. It doesn't matter. There's full of sex and gore on American TV anyways. And guess where's the little one gonna grow up?
So back to the calling of titles in the family. Should I be bothered if the little lady doesn't address me as 'Aunty'? I would like that, but it really doesn't matter. It will already be a great thing for me if she remembers me in a year or two to come. If she remembers the time we spent together singing and shaking our booties, that would be really awesome.
It doesn't matter that we have different cultures and habits, or like different things. The fact is we live 12 hours apart from each other and there are bound to be differences. So I disagree with the thought that my sweet-pea niece ought to be taught how and always make it a point to address the elders. 'Aunty', 'Uncle' calling doesn't even mean much. Not addressing elders this way doesn't equate to disrespect. More importantly, I just wish for her to grow up treating everyone with equally good manners, and being a kind and useful person.
Good night, sleep tight,
And don't let the bed bugs bite,
My sweetheart L.
With a heart full of love for dear L,
Polly.
❤
Speaking to strangers is already a little task for her to accomplish. Calling strangers 'Aunty' and 'Uncle', and then being hugged by these strange people is way out of her comfort zone. She stares, wide-eyed, with curiosity when we chatter animatedly in an unusual Sg accent. Observing her expressions, you can tell she's trying to tune-in to the conversation.
Half an hour into our rendezvous, the princess warms up and gets her dance engine going. Grabbing the mic, she stands up front and shakes, shimmies and stomps her feet in tempo with the latest American pop hits. With half naked men and women flashing up on the MTVs, my mind goes - Aiyaiyai, why's a 5 year old watching Taylor Swift making out, and then singing well-rehearsed to the lyrics of Call Me Maybe?
But truth be-told.. It doesn't matter. There's full of sex and gore on American TV anyways. And guess where's the little one gonna grow up?
So back to the calling of titles in the family. Should I be bothered if the little lady doesn't address me as 'Aunty'? I would like that, but it really doesn't matter. It will already be a great thing for me if she remembers me in a year or two to come. If she remembers the time we spent together singing and shaking our booties, that would be really awesome.
It doesn't matter that we have different cultures and habits, or like different things. The fact is we live 12 hours apart from each other and there are bound to be differences. So I disagree with the thought that my sweet-pea niece ought to be taught how and always make it a point to address the elders. 'Aunty', 'Uncle' calling doesn't even mean much. Not addressing elders this way doesn't equate to disrespect. More importantly, I just wish for her to grow up treating everyone with equally good manners, and being a kind and useful person.
Good night, sleep tight,
And don't let the bed bugs bite,
My sweetheart L.
With a heart full of love for dear L,
Polly.
❤
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