A
female
age
41-50,
anonymous
writes:Hi friends,I m a female of 30 yrs.but look short of my age. People in my office find me as of 25years only. I am unmarried, reserve by nature and professional. But sometimes my boss (who is around 37 but unmarried) calls me 'auntie'... and smiles over it. I want to know why he uses this word for me. What exactly he wants to convey?
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Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (19 December 2012): Auntie in Indian offices is used for someone who is married and looks old.I am sorry.Are you attracted to this guy?Is this why you are wondering?
A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (19 December 2012): just want to make clear that he once or twice has used this word... like teasing way..otherwise he is polite and respects and trust me for my work.In fact his family is also friendly with me. Sorry for not writing it clearly in first attempt.
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A
male
reader, CMMP  +, writes (19 December 2012):
Yeah, Hawaiians often say that as well to mean someone close to the family, so It may be nothing. I don't think it sounds like he's talking down to you, it sounds more like a term of endearment in a friendly kind of way, certainly nothing to worry about.
It doesn't sound like he's hitting on you either if you were wondering.
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A
female
reader, Abella +, writes (19 December 2012):
 hi
It is over-familiar but it is also a cultural thing.
He might think he's being kind or generous, but in fact he is reinforcing that you are his servant and he's the boss.
In Indian families female servants who are in the long term employ of a family as family servants are often called 'Auntie'.
In many societies it would not be seen as a compliment, for the reasons behind why the servant is called 'auntie'.
But in Indian culture it may not bother many people in the Indian culture.
Calling a servant Auntie means the employer does not need to remember the servant's name.
The servant must know their place in the Indian household.
And be available for household duties when and if asked or required.
A servant in an Indian home must know their 'place' in the hierachy of things.
Perhaps he has always been brought up in a household with servants aand so he thinks it's normal to refer to females in his household as 'Auntie' and so now he also thinks it's ok in the workplace.
And if he is very old fashioned like this, and you dare to remind him of your real name, then he might be taken aback and regard you as insubordinate.
Yet if you put up with it then he might think he can be more demanding and push you around when it suits him.
Observe if he refers to any other female employee as 'auntie'
If he calls them all 'auntie' then you know you have a boss who stuck in a old fashioned time warp.
But if he only calls you that then ask a female employee who you trust if he has ever called any previous employee 'auntie'
and what happened when the boss did that.
If you have great courage you could ask him to call you by your real name. As calling you 'Auntie' seems strange to you.
If he becomes even more over familiar to a worse degree or becomes nasty then leave the job and go elsewhere.
Of course he may just be a fool. In which case you are still better finding a job elsewhere. You'll learn more and prosper better with a boss whose smart, and not a fool.
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