Would anyone who's not my grandchild call me "abuela"?

Question

Could the host/owner of a small Mexican restaurant I recently visited possibly have greeted me as "abuela"? Yeah, I'm of a certain age, over 50. And his tone was friendly and respectful, and I may have misheard, as he was adressing me in Spanish, which I don't speak. On the other hand, it kind of makes sense. I've heard older men called "Pops" in a casual, friendly way in English, so "abuela" kind of makes sense. Just how old does a lady have to be to get this honorific, though? If it even is one.

Answer 1

To a young child 15 is old.

• I dont beleive she is talking about a child here, she is saying the owner called her abuela ! - albert-fabri Nov 4, 2009
• Oh I'm sorry! Well that makes more sense. - 0068e2f4 Nov 4, 2009

Answer 2

Yes, although it is shocking when it first happens! You sort of look around, and then realize that the child is looking directly at you.

Es el momento de la verdad, y a veces la verdad es difícil de comprender!

Answer 3

I would take it as a term of endearment, and the next time you patronize there, tell him the tab is on him being that you are family.

• jajaja - 0068e2f4 Nov 4, 2009
• My neighbor's child calls me Grandpa. The first elder people children meet are usually grandparents so that's the name they associate with older people. I've always liked the nickname "viejo". Maybe I'll change my user name. - qfreed Nov 5, 2009
• Q - Someone asked awhile ago what you would call a gray haired boy. I suggested "Viejhijo". That could be you. Forever young! - Moe Nov 5, 2009

Answer 4

To me that is a huge honor. I hated when other kids called my grandmother grandma, but I knew it was out of love and respect. I was just jealous 'cause she was MY grandma.