When ‘Auntie’ and ‘Uncle’ Are Not Actually Related: Decoding Asian Familial Titles

In the American context, ‘Aunt’ and ‘Uncle’ are titles reserved for siblings of our parents or for the partners of those siblings. Clear and simple. In Asian families, however, things are a bit different. Here, ‘Auntie’ and ‘Uncle’ are terms of respect for anyone who is around your parents’ age. Yes, you read that right. Your next-door neighbor? Auntie. Your dad’s best friend? Uncle. The woman selling fruit down the street? Probably Auntie. But why? It’s a matter of respect and courtesy, but it’s also deeply rooted in the notion of community as an extension of family. <a href="https://medium.com/be-open/when-auntie-and-uncle-are-not-actually-related-decoding-asian-familial-titles-d5273a04dd4e">Website</a>