funny how a generic name like Mwanawakike generates a negative conotation yet mwanamume doesnt . i frequent a kaplace where i do not know the actual names of some of the actors. strange names like, "kawaya, main, masta,mathutha, blackie, kavoucher,are all too common. I guess it depends on which school of etiquette one went to.

In Mombasa if you wanna witness tongue lashing try saying mama habari yako to a woman and that day you will feel like running away

I absolutely see no problem being addressed as mama so and so.... what i find unacceptable is when you dont know where and when to address someone in a certain manner. there is the context where you call someone mama so and so in the estates and in the office, use the official address... i doubt there is any office in town where people address each other as mama nyokabi, baba sheunda etc etc! those ones we leave them at the estates... when in office, you maintain the professionalism... thats what i think. If you come to office and address me as Bi so and so or by first name, i have no problem with that... if you address me Bi so and so or by first name when i have changed to the "mother gear" and am running around with kids and family stuff then it wont sound very nice.... That is, know when and how to address the same person depending on the situation/circumstances.

Or those people (friend, other colleagues or relatives) who will meet you with colleagues/friends and they switch direct to mother tongue disregarding whether the other person can understand that language or not.... its offensive

it doesn't go well with gals when you call them mama, a friend told me that the age of women stagnates when they get to 23yrs old. lol