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Enjoy your trip.
Sub machine gun toting soldiers in Nepal used to call me grandfather and wave me through roadblocks without even asking to see my papers and, when I told a young Chinese chap that I had been a schoolteacher he replied: "Ah! then I must treat you with great respect".
I feel really guilty doing it, but I do take advantage of the fact that Air Asia passengers over 65 are allowed to board the aircraft first. Sometimes the cabin crew ask to check my passport for proof of age and that certainly gives an ego boost.
Oooooh - that's worth knowing. I'm thinking Cambodia in a couple of years' time maybe. So I'll put that little tidbit in my travel notes.
6 years ago, I spent 6 months in Quepos Costa Rica.
My handle turned out to be "Abuelito."
(cute little grandfather.)
Although one young man in India who took me on the back of his scooter said he would be as careful with me as with his grandmother, and another young man confidently proclaimed that I was 87 (!)
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as others see us.
I am a 66 year old lady traveling on my own around Cambodia , feeling full of vim and vitality.----But -- Thought you might be amused to hear that everywhere I go I am called grandma! My white hair gains me tremendous respect and courtesy. How different from home.1
You from Lancashire, UK? In which case I quite agree (I'm from Wiltshire, UK) that the respect you get in Cambodia is quite different from being invisible at home. Though I was called auntie, so maybe I need more white hair to graduate to grandma status!Enjoy your trip.
2
Yes. Chronologically we seem very old in Cambodia. A moto driver, surprised when I told him my age, explained to me that his parents, both some 15 years my junior, were crippled with arthritis and could hardly move. If I'd lived the life they'd lived I'd almost certainly be the same or worse.Sub machine gun toting soldiers in Nepal used to call me grandfather and wave me through roadblocks without even asking to see my papers and, when I told a young Chinese chap that I had been a schoolteacher he replied: "Ah! then I must treat you with great respect".
I feel really guilty doing it, but I do take advantage of the fact that Air Asia passengers over 65 are allowed to board the aircraft first. Sometimes the cabin crew ask to check my passport for proof of age and that certainly gives an ego boost.
3
They have their affecionate ways of addressing people. It's 'uncle' or 'grandma', depending on your gender, looks and age. It's common in that part of Asia.5
Air Asia passengers over 65 are allowed to board the aircraft first.Oooooh - that's worth knowing. I'm thinking Cambodia in a couple of years' time maybe. So I'll put that little tidbit in my travel notes.
6
I travel frequently to India where I am variously referred to as 'Uncle' or 'Guru'.7
I was "Mama" in SE Asia and I'm always "Mum" in Kenya. I guess both are signs of respect in those places.8
Another phrase I hear a lot on the Sub Continent and in S E Asia is 'old is gold!', a very refreshing attitude from the young people there.9
I was only 55 or so when I was constantly referred to as "Grandpa" in Nepal, mostly because so many men do not live to be old there. I was amazed in China at how many people stood up to give me their seat on public transit even tho I am tall, thin and in great condition. There are not many Asians living in Europe but in Prague and Berlin, the only people who stood up to offer me their seats were Asian. In fact, I was pretty shocked at the huge number of Germans who sat in the aisle seat and blocked the window seat with a purse or jacket and would not remove same even in a fully packed bus. One time I would say one-third of seats were blocked while the aisles were full of standees.10
I am regularly addressed as "bapu" in India. I tried to have my two year old grand daughter call me by this honorific, but alas her emphasis was on the last syllable.11
I'm 72.6 years ago, I spent 6 months in Quepos Costa Rica.
My handle turned out to be "Abuelito."
(cute little grandfather.)
13
I've been called Papa Noel in Madagascar. I've a grey beard and hair and was carrying a large backpack. I thought it was rather nice.14
I'm usually called 'ani' (auntie) by the youngest members of families I've stayed with. My hair is blonde and not yet turned white, so I guess I don't qualify for full-blown venerableness yet.Although one young man in India who took me on the back of his scooter said he would be as careful with me as with his grandmother, and another young man confidently proclaimed that I was 87 (!)
