DUGABOYI,i understand what you are saying,maybe its just a question of semantics or maybe a term used in fondness,if so its all fine,but the moment you use the term "old man"in a deragatory manner for your father it indicates not only lack of respect but also lack of upbringing.What maybe right or not so bad in one society or culture might just be viewed as deragatory in another society,i agree with you there,after all as someone mentioned its a term of respect in Swahili.