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Ezgoing

Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 06:43 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I did a google search on Hispanic culture and terms of endearment which gave the following relevant information. Apparently, the term 'mamma' or variations of it are quite commonly used as affectionate terms when speaking to one's children. Remember how Dana used the term "Papi" as a friendly term when speaking to Robert (emphasizing the Hispanic/Cuban connection they shared)? Anyway, I wanted to share this with the board because I felt it was an odd nickname to use for one's child...now I understand its significance to Robert.

http://www.yforum.com/race431.html
THE QUESTION:
R439: I've noticed that many of the Hispanic mothers/nannies at our local playgrounds address their children as "mama," as in "Come here and drink your juice, mama." It's used as a term of endearment, the way I might say "sweetie" or "honey." But doesn't "mama" mean "mother" in Spanish, as it does in English? If so, it seems a strange thing to call a child. I'm curious if the word has a special cultural significance. Or, am I just misunderstanding what they're saying, and it's a word that sounds like "mama" but isn't?
POSTED AUG. 31, 1998
Cynthia, 37, white mother of two preschoolers, Pasadena , CA


ANSWER 1:
You're right. You have indeed heard mothers call their little girls "mama" and, if you listen closely, their little boys "papa." It's nothing more than a term of endearment. There are a number of variations: "mami" and "papi" or "mamita" and "papito" (diminutive). They are the same words you might use when addressing your parents, but they are interchangeably used for children (or spouses!) with great affection.
POSTED SEPT. 21, 1998
N., 33, Cuban-American female, Miami, FL


FURTHER NOTICE:
My father used to call me "mamas" when I was younger. I used to wonder why he would call me this if I were not his mother. Now I call my own daughter "mamas" as a term of endearment. I believe it is a term passed on to generations.
POSTED OCT. 6, 1998
Juliet M. 25, Hispanic female <marxarchive@hotmail.com>, San Antonio, TX

Prisonerno6

Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 06:47 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks for the info EZ.

Isn't it interesting that at a place where we bash Ali for being culturally unaware, so many people assumed Robert's pet name for his daughter was "icky" instead of being a cultural term of endearment?

Heck, if we look hard enough, we may find a culture where calling women b!tches, wh*res and sl^ts is really complimentary. :)

Fabnsab

Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 07:00 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I use "papi" for my two nephews. I grew up in a hispanic community where that was the norm. Seeing Robert made me cry. I think he is the true winner in this game because this will bring him closer to his daughter and thats always a good thing.

Ezgoing

Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 07:05 am EditMoveDeleteIP
LOL, Prisoner! If someone does find one like that, PLEASE share the info with the rest of us so we can AVOID that particular culture :). Or target them to learn an alternative view!

Who'd have thought watching a reality game show could offer such cultural enlightenment? Oh good...now I have another justification for my obsession! Yippee!!

Justshirley

Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 07:10 am EditMoveDeleteIP
"Isn't it interesting that at a place where we bash Ali for being culturally unaware, so many people assumed Robert's pet name for his daughter was "icky" instead of being a cultural term of endearment?"

Big. Fat. Word.

Kalekona

Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 07:55 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I'm glad people took the time to find out about the use of "mama".
The Seattle Mariners have a player Edgar Martinez and he is called Papi by his teammates and the fans. So i understoond the latino use by Robert.

And not only did i cry (it remeinded me of being 7 and talking to my mom on the phone, i was raised by my grandparents in another state) but my 91/2 year old snuggled up to me with tears in her eyes.

I agree with Jun it is different side of Robert, one i enjoy seeing.

Earthmother

Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 07:59 am EditMoveDeleteIP
My niece calls her daughter "mama" as a term of endearment..

I'm not a mushy person, but I cried last night watching the exchange between Robert and his daughter...

Whit4you

Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 08:17 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Learn something new every day :) I've heard 'papita' (pappa) used alot but not the mamma term. I guess I've just seen alot more Latino son's been addressed then daughters :)

I didn't vote but had I done so it would have been for Robert for the same reason others have mentioned.

Cliotheleo

Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 09:07 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Yep, that's right, not any more weird for Robert to call his daughter "mama" than it is for my father to call me "babe." The line for the "multi-cultural appreciation" classes forms over there to your right, you all can line up behind Ali. :)

(Clio then donns Jun's ugly "Mexican" skirt and begins to sing "It's a Small World Afterall.")

Kellirippa

Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 09:15 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Calling her mama wasn't "icky", it was just a little odd to hear him saying it every 3rd word...but the phone call was lovely, I thought it was wonderful the way the girls were all tearing up, I was tearing up...it was sweet. I also loved it when, immediatly after the call, Robert turned to the girls and was just about to apologize for winning again and Jun came and hugged him... I don't care who has been nasty or acted ugly to this point, it was a very nice moment for BB and the remaining hgs..

Galelia

Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 09:31 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Ezgoing - thanks for posting that. I retract my thinking that it was weird.

The phone call had to be the most emotional thing I'd seen on BB. Very touching. I'm glad Robert got it.

Earthmother

Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 09:55 am EditMoveDeleteIP
actually prisoner my friends and I do call each other b**ches as terms of endearment..lol

Maybe we will create our own culture..

Kellirippa

Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 10:00 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I believe that culture already exists Prisoner and Earthmother...isn't it called the "Rap culture"?

Happymom

Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 10:02 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I know many Hispanic families with young children. Most of them call their young girls "mama" or "mamas". I even know one family where the sons are also called mama. Some of them do use it every third word. It is very common. They use it the same way I use "honey" with my girls and even some of their friends and classmates.

Ezgoing

Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 10:16 am EditMoveDeleteIP
YW, Galelia and others. I just thought others would benefit from the same lesson I learned.

I have to say that Robert has shown us more favorable sides of himself since he's been the sole male in the house. Although he did show compassion for Jee regarding his father's ceremony, and was loyal to his pals Justin and Jee.) With this latest peek into how he interacts so sweetly with his daughter...well, I'm actually starting to have hope that Robert is just in the process of evolving into a more mature human being. Everyone has to start somewhere, and he has undoubtedly learned a lot from his overcoming alcoholism. He just has a ways to go before I'd call him 'mature'. Maybe if/when he sees the tapes and how harshly and unfairly he condemned an entire gender, he will see for himself another area which needs growth and attention? We can only hope.

I am unashamedly an optimist, and this is just my opinion :). I prefer to think when I encounter someone who could rightfully be considered somewhat of a jerk that they simply aren't all that far along on this pathway we call life. That's my choice and I accept the consequences of abiding by it :).

Cliotheleo

Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 10:17 am EditMoveDeleteIP
"They use it the same way I use "honey" with my girls and even some of their friends and classmates."

Yep, you know when the word "ma" has trickled down all the way from Latinos living wherever to white kids in Tennessee it's a pretty common word. I hear it all the time.

Eeyoreslament

Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 10:23 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Lesson of the day? Word of the day? ETHNOCENTRISM.

We have to try to not look at OUR culture as the right one and theirs as the wrong one. No matter whose culture we are looking at.

The WORST case of public/celebrity ethnocentrism I've seen recently was on the Jay Leno show, when he had Al(?) Brooks on from the movie the In-Laws. leno actually SET HIM UP with a lead in question so that this Brooks guy could tell the people in China that SARS wouldn't be happening if they would just stop eating cats and dogs. That comment has made me boycott the Leno show since then.

Honestly, the culture in India is well-known for their holding the COW as sacred, and most won't eat beef. However Westernized cultures LIVE for beef. Also, THEY worship the rat. There is one temple in India (which was featured on the original Amazing Race) where there are gazillions of rats running around, and people come there to worship the rats, eat with the rats, feed the rats. They are all barefoot with the rats. Now how many of you shuddered at that story? In China many years ago, there were so many rats around, that the government suggested they were edible, and further went on to publish recipes for rat dinners etc. Now, rat-atouile is normal over there!!

I personally will try to walk a mile in someone else's shoes before I consider myself a worthy person to pass judgement on them.


Whoa....this is a high soapbox to be on.....can anyone bring me a ladder?

Neko

Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 11:04 am EditMoveDeleteIP
*Passes Eeyoreslament a ladder*

I only found the "mama" comment odd the fist time he said it, then I was like, "Oh, endearment..gotcha." and then focused on the phone call.
Which I admit, made me a little teary eyed.

Kady

Wednesday, September 10, 2003 - 12:02 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
At first I thought he thought it was his Momma cause his little girl was crying so much. After awhile I figured out it must be a term of endearment. I noticed she called him Pops and not Daddy. I was crying along with her and was totally surprised Robert didn't lose it too.