GUY ONLY IN HIS 20S BUT STARTS BALDING, GETS CALLED “UNCLE” BY PEOPLE HIS OWN AGE

At what age do people accept being called “Uncle/Auntie”?

My friend who is balding was complaining of being called an uncle wherever he went, even by people our age. We are in the 20s.

I always called someone like stallholders, service staff, new neighbours etc uncle or auntie when he/she appears older than me. But I notice some of them don’t look very pleased esp those around the 30s-50s.

I thought of calling them Sir/ Mister or Madam but it sounded too formal and rarely used in the local environment.

I’d like to know at what age are people ok with being called uncle/ auntie? Are there any alternative ways to greet or address an older stranger?

Netizens’ comments

1. People call me “oi cb”
2. I am a grown man with a full beard, and I’ve had people call me auntie. Much worse than your friend right?
3. Auntie in 50s I also call xiaojie. Don’t worry about the labels. Nobody means harm. Perfectly ok to be called xiaodi or uncle in 20s.
4. Context is always important.
   If you are in your twenties, but your friends (also 20s) has a kid, of course it is ok for your friend’s kids to call you uncle/auntie.
   If you are a service staff, in sales or trying to do business with the other person, it is never appropriate to call them uncle/auntie even if the person looks old enough to be your father/mother.
   Depending further on the environment, sir/madam may be ok. If it is informal, you can always jokingly call them shuai ge/mei nv if you are a regular customer. If first time meeting them, can call them da ge/da jie or lao ban or lao ban niang.
5. I’ve been called aunty since I was a teen… my my baby niece lol.
   I’d find it weird if some old guy called me aunty in my teens but have accepted being called maam / sister now, I am not a spring chicken
6. there was once i boarded a grab car and without looking i called the guy uncle. he spun his head around and HELLO WHAT UNCLE! I WHERE GOT SO OLD WE LOOK SAME AGE LEIIIIII. i looked up at him n burst out laughing, apologised and called him bro instead.
   now, i address the person as da ge or da jie, uncle and auntie are for elderly, grandparents kind.
7. The problem is not “what age call what”… but rather how good are you at guessing the age. To play safe, unless you are so confident the person is at least 15 years older, don’t call him/her Uncle Or Auntie.