Nigerian media personality Toke Makinwa has cautioned younger people against using terms of endearment such as “dear,” “love” and “hun” when addressing her, especially when they are not familiar with her.

Makinwa made the remarks while reacting to the ongoing debate sparked by Tony Elumelu’s viral interaction with a young woman who addressed him by his first name.

Toke Makinwa sets boundaries

The media personality said that when someone is significantly older and there is no existing relationship between both parties, she prefers a simple greeting or being addressed by her name.

She wrote:

“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.”

Makinwa added that people could simply greet her politely or call her by her name.

‘Sis irritates the f@ck outta me’

She also revealed that she dislikes being addressed as “Sis,” saying she finds the term particularly irritating.

According to her, some people begin by calling someone “sis” before eventually becoming opponents.

“A polite hello. You can even call me by name cos everyone knows I’m not hung up on Aunty or Sis.”

Makinwa concluded by asking people to avoid calling her “hun” or “dear,” stressing that she prefers straightforward and respectful forms of address.

Her comments have added another perspective to the ongoing online conversation about respect, age, familiarity and how people address others, particularly in Nigerian social and professional settings.