Aunties and Uncles

"When you're here, you're family." So, says Olive Garden. I don't like to dwell on American restaurants with amazing salads and breadsticks.......for too long.....but I think their little slogan is true of the community here. Not the country as a whole, no. But I feel like we are really becoming good friends, like family, with so many people here.



A cool family thing about here is that kids call any adult older than them "Uncle"or "Auntie". For my American readers, here's the formula:

For people you know: Name+Uncle/Auntie (Manoj Uncle)
For people you don't know: (just) Uncle/Auntie
For people you don't know and are not addressing but want to talk about: Descriptive Adjective+Uncle/Auntie (Ironing Auntie, Fish Seller Uncle, Big Mustache Uncle)
This also applies to adults referring to older adults with respect. It can backfire though. Once a twenty-something called me "Auntie"....









Anyways, my kids have this formula down. It's normal life for them to interact with uncles and aunties every day. Kids, in general, seem to "get" community and welcoming quicker than I ever do. I love this part about being here. They learn to enjoy being with Brian and I as we interact with adults. We do most social things as a family, with other families. We have people in our home and are welcomed into other homes.

Of course, that means Brian and I are "Uncle and Auntie" to some kiddos here too. I, uh...don't know how that is going to turn out. :)