These are the words I hear daily when people call for my attention.  The Khmer version is on the left (spelled in the way I think it sounds).  The English equivalent is on the right.

Both of my host sisters, our live-in maids, some of my students and a lot of my friends call me “bong pro” (big brother).

My host mother calls me “cone” (child or son).

Strangers (adults and children) shout “barang” (foreigner) as I ride my bike or walk through town.

Some of my co-teachers and students call me “lo kru” (teacher).

And, at other times people try hard to pronounce my real name but it always sounds like “Travie” or even “David”.

Titles are serious business in Cambodia.  Age and family are everything.  When I walk down the street I don’t just say “Hello” to strangers.  I look at them and determine where they are in the pecking order of life.

If the stranger or friend is elderly I say the equivalent of “Hello grandmother” or “Hello grandfather”.  If they’re in their 40s or 50s I say the equivalent of “Hello aunt” or “Hello uncle”.  If they’re my age I usually say, “Hello older brother” or “Hello older sister”.  And if they’re younger I say “Hello younger sister”, “Hello younger brother” or “Hello child- student”.

Sometimes it can be a real guess.  But, being called “old” isn’t such a taboo here, so it’s okay to assume someone is older.   There’s a pride in age.  This is one reason why grandmothers usually just shave their heads.

As you can imagine, being friendly here gave my brain a real workout during the first few months.  I’m glad I’ve gotten the names down now.  And, being part of it all makes me feel good because no matter who you are, whether you’re a stranger or not, Cambodians not only treat you like family (most of the time), they also call you family to your face.