Say what? Local TikToker dares boyfriend $100 to call her mother by her name, US counterpart asks what's the big deal

Speaking to your significant other's parents can be terrifying at best — imagine addressing them on a first-name basis.

That was the challenge local TikToker Lielnicole had for her boyfriend. But for others far away from Singapore, they didn't see it as a challenge and asked, "Isn't it normal?"

The 20-second clip posted on Thursday (Nov 11) has now amassed almost 100,000 views.

"Hundred dollars to call my mother by her real name?" Lielnicole asked, waving a $100 bill at him.

[embed]https://www.tiktok.com/@lielnicole/video/7029245199968652546?_d=secCgwIARCbDRjEFSADKAESPgo8TWwLjfcZDrik4pbbVjT12knBklkEQETqov2du[/embed] 

Her boyfriend immediately agreed and was soon creeping up to a room door before whispering: "Hi Judy."

He tried to escape but ended up smacking into the TikToker's phone, causing her to crack up. Her mother broke into a smile and asked in Mandarin, "Jeremin, who are you talking to?"

He hastily replied that her daughter coerced him to behave so impolitely — not revealing the $100, of course. Netizens were surprised to see him take that risk while others thought he was gung-ho enough to not hesitate.

A TikToker from the US was confused by the hullabaloo. They asked what was the correct term that Singaporeans use when addressing a partner's parents, and so began this TikTok cultural exchange.  

For TikToker NeemaNaz, who is Persian-Canadian, he uploaded a video sharing that growing up, some of his Caucasian friends would call their parents by their first names.  

He said: "Dude, if I ever did that, I'd get a sandal to my face."

[embed]https://twitter.com/yashar/status/1359966311321718786[/embed]

Not sure if any Singaporean kid would give that a go, even if $100 was on offer.

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This article has been edited for clarity.

amierul@asiaone.com