In Reply to: Can someone please explain? Thanks posted by struth on Sunday, 15. March 2009 at 06:20 Bali Time:
Maybe it is because the "Bali Son" starts it off. I notice that a lot of Bali young men call older female tourist friends "Mum". The "Mum" may just then use the same form of address. I dont recall having heard a Balinese lady using "Mum" unless the tourist has already been adopted by a "Bali Son".
And I think that unless the "Mum" is very naive they would realise that they are not the only "Mum".
I have noticed too that Balinese in the same "group" also use the term "Mum" when talking about them eg Made's Mum.
Personally I dont think it is the "Mum" that needs to have a "son" but just an ease of expression for someone that they do help and care about.
Sorry about all the quote marks but it seemed the clearest way to explain my view.