“How I deal with disrespectful Gen Z’s” — Shafty Bello

Nollywood veteran, Shaffy Bello, has expressed her discontent with the trend of younger individuals addressing her by her first name, ‘Shaffy,’ considering it disrespectful and discomforting.

The actress candidly shared her sentiments during a recent podcast episode hosted by media personality Stephanie Coker, where they discussed the issue of younger people addressing them casually by their names.

In the conversation, Shafty Bello revealed her disapproval of the trend, emphasizing that she promptly corrects younger individuals who refer to her by her first name.

While acknowledging that differences in upbringing and cultural backgrounds might influence such behavior, she expressed her belief in addressing the matter with love and guidance.

The veteran actress highlighted the significance she places on earning the right to be addressed by her first name, asserting that younger individuals, in her view, haven’t acquired such privilege, irrespective of their upbringing or background.

She elaborated,

“For me, it’s essential to emphasize that respect is earned, and using my name implies a level of familiarity that is not appropriate for our relationship. Even if I didn’t have children, earning that level of respect is beyond what someone at your age could achieve.”

Furthermore, Shafty Bello shared her perspective on greetings, expressing her displeasure when people simply say ‘Hi’ and wave at her instead of offering a more respectful greeting.

She reflected on the cultural nuances, noting that certain communities, like the Igbo people, traditionally use honorifics and terms like ‘aunty’ as a sign of respect, which contrasts with the casual addressing of elders by their first names.

Acknowledging the influence of cultural differences, the actress emphasized her preference for a respectful and traditional mode of address, underscoring the importance of mutual respect and decorum in social interactions.