What does the newbie need to watch out for?

[Wind In My Hair]

But with the respect it is a bit tricky. At work, all our nice elderly cleaning ladies are called aunties but I've never heard anybody calling uncle our boss

Ha ha, good point! Okay so this is where it gets complicated. There are two reasons why you don't call your boss Uncle.

1. There needs to be a sufficient age gap for Aunty and Uncle to apply. Your boss would be Uncle to the kids of his employees, but not to the employees as they are his peers. Does that make sense?

2. Aunty and Uncle are used for strangers or people we don't know very well. For me to call my father's sister Aunty instead of Aunty Mary would be considered rude.

Does that make sense?

[sundaymorningstaple]

And, if you are an Ang Mo here long enough, you will also find yourself using it as well. The first time my neighbour's kids called me uncle I had to ask my wife why as well. Of course, I call my boss (who's the MD) Uncle Harry but then again, he's 5 years younger than me! But then again, he also calls me his token AngMo so I guess we're even. You'll get used to calling the kopi aunty and the toilet aunty who take your 10 cent coin at the bus terminals (or is it 20 cents now?)

[nakatago]

using "spoilt" to refer to anything that is broken or non-functional.

oso can.

izZzit?

[The Ref]

SMS when Singapore gets a good TexMex restaurant I will agree with 1st world infrastructure. Until then it’s just a nice, modern place to live with a great infrastructure.

Actually your right Calmday

[Wind In My Hair]

The first time my neighbour's kids called me uncle

The first time I was called Aunty I knew I had reached middle age

[Strong Eagle]

The first time my neighbour's kids called me uncle

The first time I was called Aunty I knew I had reached middle age

I can absolutely guarantee that you are not middle aged.

[sundaymorningstaple]

That's fur sure! SE's middle aged!

[longstebe]

I'm guessing if you were to say to a man "dont be so aunty" that would mean dont be a moaning old bag, stop being a tart, stop being a fanny, I could continue but I think you know my interpretation of it by now.

Ang Mo, the first bit gives it away I think. Is ths refering to the White Western folk? Like the word Farang whilst in Thailand?

[Wind In My Hair]

I'm guessing if you were to say to a man "dont be so aunty" that would mean dont be a moaning old bag, stop being a tart, stop being a fanny, I could continue but I think you know my interpretation of it by now.

Ang Mo, the first bit gives it away I think. Is ths refering to the White Western folk? Like the word Farang whilst in Thailand?

Good guess on the first point. Yes Ang Moh generally refers to caucasians, though the literal translation is "Red Hair". The correct pronunciation is Ung More, to rhyme with "lung" and "ore" and not with "bang" and "oh" which is how most Ang Mohs say it

[Wind In My Hair]

I can absolutely guarantee that you are not middle aged.

Aw...

I can absolutely guarantee that middle age officially begins when children call you Aunty. Old age begins when adults call you Aunty.

[Strong Eagle]

I can absolutely guarantee that you are not middle aged.

Aw...

I can absolutely guarantee that middle age officially begins when children call you Aunty. Old age begins when adults call you Aunty.

No, no... the moment of dismay comes when the hot babe you have your eye on calls you 'sir'.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Ain't it the truth!

[Wind In My Hair]

Will you two uncles stop moaning?

[Strong Eagle]

Will you two uncles stop moaning?

At least you didn't call me 'sir'.

[carteki]

For ang moh to call local friends parents uncle and auntie seems uncool to them....Never heard an ang moh saying those words....unless its their relative maybe.

Really depends on where you're from - Aunty and Uncle are commonly used back home and I have some US parents here who request that their kids call me (and other adults) "Aunty". I'd prefer not to be called Aunty, but that would just cause confusion...