Aunty Aunty .. I Hate This Word.

Ha ha! I usually say, "just call me <guesshoo>" the second someone I consider far too old calls me aunty. In fact in India in my early 20s I had older friends in their 30s with kids and I used to ask the 4 and 5 year olds too to call me by my name.

It always works. Best is to tell people what you want them to call you before a pattern sets in.

 

Repeat the same incessantly making eye contact and without a smile the second time, raised eyebrows and and stern face the third time and an impatient sigh the 4th. Roll your eyes the 5th time if need be. And add a growl the 6th time? I must say I haven't come across people who needed anymore prodding! I haven't let the pattern set in the first place. Also don't give a choice. Choose name or akka. And stick to it.

Also works if you dramatically freeze with raised eyebrows when you hear the word uttered until they correct themselves. When they do, nod and say thank you.

Be relentless. Stop her mid sentence if it bothers you so much. They will eventually get it.

My annoyance is more with the parents of some teens and 20 year olds who insist to you their child should give you respect by calling you aunty. Duh!

 

haha....dear OP,

I too used to be frustrated with this. college going kids think they can call me aunty and get away with it!

Trust me I don't take it fine at all!!

I tell in the first meeting only to call me akka, I tell them that I hate to be formal so let us maintain an informal wonderful relation...

if they still continue to call me aunty, I also call them aunty/ uncle in return and answer them.

In your case, reply to the music lady by telling your daughter to call her aunty! IF she still doesn't get it, you make a joke 'how do you remember the complex music notes when you cant remember to call me akka' ... and if she still persists, call her junior aunty!

 

Please do not get your kid involved in this as suggested by another poster.

I think in India this issue is common. I don't think it is done intentionally. They don't think much about this issue as you. Deal with it directly. You cannot expect ppl to understand you by being rude or by ignoring them. I suggest Next time u go to her class, tell her u want to talk to her in person and make a simple short conversation about just this topic. She will most likely get it

 

Hmmm... I wonder why ?
I mean why is there so much negativity with this word ?

I found it strange as a child too about who to call aunty.
A 25 year old unmarried girl is akka or didi but a 22 year old married girl would be aunty to all the kids. Strange, no?

Where I live the word "aunty" is almost an insult.
"Dont dress like an aunty" , "why are you so aunty" - typically being old fashioned, traditional is associated with aunty.
So a 50+year old woman would feel offended to be called an aunty

 

ahh...point...

try calling her aunty yourself!