5 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
5 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Addressing your elders

by Michael Motley
4 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
    • |
Is it just me, or do you think that addressing your elders by their first name is disrespectful?

I have a cousin that addresses our grandparents by their first names instead of grandma and grandpa. He does the same thing with his parents. Now we are both adults, but even now, i'd never call my parents or grandparents anything but mom/dad/grandma/grandpa. I called dad 'pops' and grandma 'granny' sometimes, but never in a disrespectful tone.


god im getting old. i'm starting to sound like my dad. i feel like i should be out yelling at kids to get off my grass.
  • Profile picture of the author christftw
    I agree. I also think it's rude for someone to ask their elders to call them something else (seriously, not in a joking way, like "Call me Dr. Moore now grandpa!" if they had recently got a PhD/medical degree/whatever, that would be cool unless it went to their head and they were being serious).
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1379398].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Thomas
    Do you mean your older relatives, or your elders (i.e. anyone older than you, related or not)?

    I don't know about other countries but, in Ireland, people generally address their elders by their first name. Even professionals like doctors and Gardai (police officers) often do so. It would probably arouse suspicion if you didn't.

    As for older relatives, most people address their parents as "Mam" (not "Mom") and "Dad", and to their grandmother as "Nana". Although, for some reason, I've rarely heard anyone refer to their grandfather as anything other than his first name. I never did either.

    Tommy.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1380638].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
      In your relative's case, it doesn't sound like he is being disrespectful intentionally. His parents clearly allow it and so do the grandparents. My parents would have knocked me on my ass if I had tried that and be willing to bet so would my grandparents.

      In other words, if the people allow it without taking exception, then it's not disrespectful.

      Tina
      Signature
      Discover how to have fabulous, engaging content with
      Fast & Easy Content Creation
      ***Especially if you don't have enough time, money, or just plain HATE writing***
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1380689].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author dcrannik
    Growing up, I would never address my parents or any other relatives by their first name. Still don't even to this day. It was just the way I was taught from a small child. As a parent myself, I feel there is a significance to having my kids call my wife and I Mom and Dad. In my opinion it is part of the bonding process between children and their parents, and of course their other relatives. It makes me feel good to hear my kids call me Dad instead of by my first name. If they addressed me by my first name I would feel like they view me as just an accuaintance instead of their proud parent..
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[1382822].message }}

Trending Topics