“You haven’t earned the right to call me by name” — Shaffy Bello tells young people

Nollywood actress Shaffy Bello has told young people that they have not earned the right to address her by her first name, insisting that elders should be greeted with respect.

Speaking on the issue, Bello said she corrects children who call her by her name by pulling them closer and explaining why they should address her appropriately.

“When a child calls me by my name, I pull them closer and tell them, ‘You haven’t earned the right to call me by name.’ I have a child as old as you are.

“Even if I don’t have children, you haven’t earned the right, and you will never earn that right, at your age, to call me by name. Whatever happened to ‘Ma’am’? Good afternoon, ma’am,” she said.

The actress also criticised the casual use of “Hi” when young people greet older adults, saying there are more respectful ways to communicate.

“There’s something about this ‘Hi.’ I can’t stand it. Good afternoon, good morning, good evening, hello, ma’am. I mean, come on, we can’t be quite cordial. And this is Africa, after all,” Bello added.

She described some young people as rude but noted that disrespectful behaviour is not limited to children, as some adults also fail to show proper courtesy.

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