Virgin Mary, oops! (Slovak)
We were leaving my husband's grandparents' house in Slovakia. I had already passed through the gate and was waiting on the other side of the street when his Aunt Maria came to wave goodbye from the garden. In a loud voice so she (and consequently the neighbours) could hear from across the street, I shouted Do videna, Panna Maria. She gave me a look an idiot deserves, but quickly smiled and answered, Uz davo, nie. Instead of saying 'Goodbye, Mrs (Pani) Mary', I yelled for all to hear 'Goodbye, Virgin Mary' and her quick response was 'Not for a long time'.
Sent by: Catherine
Next time, you can try to call her Aunt Maria (Teta Maria) and nobody's most private memories are evoked. Even if she is not directly related to you she won't mind if you call her Aunt, as I've seen is acceptable to address the elders this way. :)
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