Nigerian entrepreneur and media personality Toke Makinwa has spoken out against what she considers overly familiar forms of address, urging people to be more mindful of the language they use when interacting with her.
Makinwa, who shared her thoughts via her Instagram page, said she would rather be greeted politely or addressed by her name than be called terms of endearment such as “dear,” “love” or “hun,” particularly by people significantly younger than her or those with whom she has no personal relationship.
The media personality made the remarks while weighing in on a wider conversation about how people address one another in both casual and professional settings.
‘A Polite Hello’
Makinwa explained that she has no problem with being addressed by her name and does not consider titles such as “Aunty” or “Sis” necessary.
However, she drew a distinction between respectful familiarity and what she considers unwarranted intimacy, especially when there is no established relationship between the people involved.
She wrote:
“Thank you Mr. Tony for opening the floor, while we are at it, if I am significantly older than you and we are not familiar in any way, resist the urge to use terms of endearment such as ‘dear, love or hun’ while addressing me.”
According to her, a simple greeting would be sufficient.
“A polite hello. You can even call me by name cos everyone knows I’m not hung up on Aunty or Sis.”
Her comments highlight the different expectations people may have regarding respect, familiarity and personal boundaries when communicating with others.
‘Sis Irritates the Fck Outta Me’
Makinwa also singled out the word “Sis”, saying she particularly dislikes being addressed by the term.
She joked that the word is sometimes used by people who later become opponents, turning what initially appears to be a friendly form of address into an ironic label.
“Sis irritates the fck outta me cos first they call you sis, next they are the opp.”
She ended her message by making her preference clear:
“Keep that sh!t and don’t call me hun or dear. Thank you.”
Setting Boundaries
Makinwa's remarks have added her voice to an ongoing conversation about personal boundaries and the way language can influence interactions.
Terms such as “dear,” “love,” “hun” and “sis” are commonly used in everyday Nigerian conversations, often as expressions of friendliness or respect. However, their appropriateness can vary depending on age, familiarity, context and personal preference.
For Makinwa, the solution is straightforward: when there is no close relationship, people should keep things simple and respectful.
A polite greeting, or simply calling her by her name, she suggested, is enough.