Just curious. Because I think it’s very “rude” in the Chinese Culture where I grew up in, to use the real names of people older than you. You have to address them by relationship like “father/dad” or “older brother” or “oldest aunt” “2nd aunt” “3rd aunt” (ordered by who was born first). Like I don’t think you are supposed to say Aunt [Name] or Uncle [Name]. Names are never used, only the relationship.
I’m under the impression that some Westerners, particularly Americans, apparantly are on first-name basis with parents… like either because they are very close, or very distant… is that really a thing irl, or is that just the media? I think I saw TV/Movie scenes where the kids (or maybe adult children) called their parent by their first names.
I’m an American. There definitely are some people who call their parents by their first names, but I have never done so (in a serious manner). I used to have a friend who would call her adopted mother by her first name, but that’s the only time I’ve ever witnessed it personally. If someone were to refer to their parents by first name, I would assume they’re very distant.
Even though I’ve had complicated relationships with both my parents (as they were both abusive), I would never consider calling them by first name. I did so once in a joking manner with my dad many years ago, and his response scared me into never doing that again, lmao. It’s strictly “Mom” and “Dad” for them, even if I were to go no-contact in the future
It’s different with other family members, though. I similarly call my grandparents “Grandma” or “Grandpa,” but I’ll say “Grandma [First Name]” for example if I need to clarify whether it’s my maternal or paternal grandparent. I’ve only ever called aunts and uncles by their first names, but I’ll also clarify with “Aunt [First Name]” if the person I’m talking to isn’t familiar with them by name.
There’s definitely some level of respect expected to those of older generations, especially when blood-related, but I’m really against the whole idea. I despise the entire maternal side of my family; like, if I don’t like them, then I don’t like them. I’m not gonna put up with someone who’s a dick just because we’re “related.”
As an American, I can second that family outside of immediate family is often called by nicknames to differentiate, as you state. Especially Aunts and Grandmothers. GG gets used here (Great Grandma). As people live longer is pretty necessary or it gets quite confusing.