Cab Driver
The other day I experienced a cab ride in Singapore like never before. In my 5 min drive home the uncle used the F word in every sentence, made references to Geylang, China girls, Orchard Tower, transvestites and last but not the least his ‘virgin ass’. He also gave some interesting interpretations of some common abbreviations used here ERP (Everyday Rob People), MOS (Man On Sex) and SENTOSA (So Expensive Nothing TO SeA).
I have had a few rides like that myself in Toronto. Sometimes they just get into a little too much in the way of personal information. (Especially this one driver who kept telling me how horrible his wife was. That was a long 20 minute ride!)
Une questionne si tu plait? Why do you refer to the driver as “uncle”?
Thanks!
We use the term “uncle” as a general term of respect over here. Similarly as “auntie” for a female, both terms are used as a term of respect for someone usually older than you. Hope that answers your question =)
Thanks! I wondered if it was the same thing. Of course in Toronto we don’t technically do that. But in South Africa I learned to call everyone I met (from a French family from the DRCongo) Tonton (uncle) or Tontine (auntie) as well as those from other places like Trinidad etc…
Yeah we say “CHA-CHA” for male and Auntie for female, “BHAI” or “O LARKEY” for boys and “BACHI” for girls..