The title “dear” is very common in the West according to my knowledge. Possibly it is used mostly for ladies; ladies well known to you for that matter, and not for every one.
Whereas in the Southern part of India where I live, every female could be addressed by the title Amma , both known and unknown. So versatile is this term.
Accordingly, Amma could mean ‘mother’ when it is directed towards a lady by her children and when used in the reverse direction it assumes the title “daughter”. If the father uses it to his wife, it would be ‘darling’. See what a multiplex word this one is?
Even small children say, beyond the age of 3, is hailed as Amma. College going maidens may not call each other by this title. But if a young gent falls in love with a classmate, he would go in for ‘amma’ after some days. The moment she hears the word ‘amma’ suffixed to her name, she would float in cloud 9 and dwell on dreams of the future !
One young school going young boy, used this title to an young girl studying two classes lower than himself. She knew what it meant. But wanting to make sure, Rani told her mother that evening, “Amma, amma, Suresh called me ‘ Rani amma’ today. What did he mean by it, Amma?” The mother was horrified and wanted to nip it in the bud. “Nothing. Probably he wanted to say, you are’ mental’…” Then raising her voice she warned, “Will you concentrate on your studies, you stupid girl. And stop moving around with boys. Understand? “
It’s not at all difficult to talk to any lady here. You don’t have to feel embarrassed either. All you have to do is to address a stranger, ‘Amma’. And presto, she would go head over heels and oblige you. This is a magical word to get anything done by the fair sex.
While this honorific title could be used for ladies up to middle age, a small prefix is added for the elderly types, such as Patti amma, which in normal English would mean ‘granny’. She indeed would be thrilled at hearing this phrase and she would go all out to do anything for you.
Persons well versed in English and British manners would draw the attention of a stranger with the phrase, “Excuse me.” But here, if the person being hailed is a woman, you can straightway go in for ‘Amma’. She wouldn’t feel hurt at all.
If an organization is headed by a lady, she would become Amma to every staff. And there would be no mistaking about it either. You say, “Amma wants this. Do it fast.” And the person concerned will know who exactly wants the thing.
A particular political party in my State is headed by a veteran bachelor woman. Every party worker would refer to her as Amma and it is a very powerful title too. Nobody would check back, “Which Amma? ” The other person might in his turn tell you off saying, “There is only one Amma, dammit…”
Next time if you ever happen to visit my city Chennai, do remember this little tip. Call any feminine gender simply by the title, “Amma, could you tell me the place where I could get my passport endorsed…?” Take it from me, she would spend at least the next half hour ministering to you in all possible ways. In the bargain, she may not even mind missing her own flight!
----------
Share this article
Tags:
Politics
Factzone: The truth about Kim Jong Il
Kim Jong Il, the leader of the free world, has decided to move on to more fertile grounds, leaving with us just the memories of 8-color rainbows, singing Korean women and couple of nuclear weapons. But who was this man whose next ambition would have been to get the next Nobel Peace prize? Here are just a few facts you should know about.
more
Top 5 Conspiracy Theories Related to John F. Kennedy's Assassination
26.Aug 2011
Since just after the assassination of John F. Kennedy, conspiracy theories abou...read
ISRAEL KEEPING GHADDAFI AFLOAT
10.Mar 2011
...read
Glen Beck Is NOT the Anti-Christ!
10.Mar 2011
Hurtful and fiery rhetoric is now media’s default setting! This slippery and m...read
Recipe for A REVOLUTION! (10 easy steps - try not to get burned!)
28.Feb 2011
Rebellion is cooking in the air. People are mad as hell, and not going to take...read
Opinion
World governments charged with criminal negligence (in response to Megaupload case)
EARTH (thecheers.org) - Federal authorities of the universe have charged the governments of all the countries in the world as well as the operators actually in power in these countries with operating a criminal enterprise, the Galaxy warriors announced Today.
more
The Great OSCARS 2011 – or so it would seem
5.Mar 2011
So, how exciting......a morning off, the Academy Awards. I wish I could say the...read
Top 7 Expensive Bordellos. Prostitution: Shakedown, Tier Down, and Priced Out
31.Jan 2011
According to a report of the Washington DC-based US Department of State, The Ph...read
The Great Secret and Reason for the JFK Assassination
11.Oct 2010
The great question is why the great secret? On June 4 1963, President Kennedy s...read
Don't Do it! The 3 Worst Times to Get Tattoos
4.Oct 2010
As a general rule, tattoos gotten after 2 am are a bad idea. But in a bigger pi...read
|
Travel
Travel Warning 13 September 2010 - DO NOT TRAVEL TO IRAN
13.Sep 2010
TRAVELWISE has been watching the situation in Iran for some months in relation ...read
more
TRAVELWISE TRAVEL ADVISORY 5th June 2010. DO NOT TRAVEL TO ISRAEL.
5.Jun 2010
Given the recent incident whereby the Israeli intelligence agency, Mossad, used...read
TRAVELWISE. 16 APRIL 2010. EUROPEAN TRAVEL ALTERNATIVES
16.Apr 2010
Travelwise issues the following advice in relation to cancelled flights to, fro...read
TRAVELWISE 6 APRIL 2010. AUSTRALIAN AIR TRAVEL. THE BEST WAYS TO TRAVEL BY AIR IN AUSTRALIA.
5.Apr 2010
Regular readers might have seen and read the various advisory and no-fly notice...read
TRAVELWISE 2 APRIL 2010. QANTAS.
2.Apr 2010
Some concerns have been raised in relation to some of the maintenance practices...read
No Payoff From the Playoffs
$16.50 will Get Anyone in the Hall Mr McGwire
Stupid Athlete Tricks
Think Big! Think the World's Largest International Trade Show
Top 9 cool laptop accessories for laptop geeks
Twittering: I'm not that interesting
Cheers
|
