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Formality in Address

 

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  #1  
Old May 10, 2012, 12:20 PM
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Formality in Address

I have a quick question that's been bugging me regarding formality. I understand for the most part when to use formal over informal, but what about if I meet someone at a bar or something, or in a classroom. Am i obligated to use formal, or can I safely use familliar (assuming the person I am talking to is about the same age as me).

Thank you so much for the clarification on this nagging issue!!!

Last edited by Rusty; May 10, 2012 at 01:09 PM. Reason: moved question to its own thread
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  #2  
Old May 10, 2012, 12:58 PM
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I would say you can use a familiar language. But on second thoughts it may depend on the context, which age you are,...
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Last edited by Rusty; May 10, 2012 at 01:10 PM. Reason: removed unrelated content
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Old May 10, 2012, 01:04 PM
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You may offend if you immediately tutear, but I've done so many times with no apparent repercussions. This was done with people my age and younger, and always with children.

It's better not to use informal speech when ordering services or when speaking to an individual in a formal atmosphere.
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Old May 10, 2012, 01:19 PM
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Thanks for the answers! (very helpful)

It leads to another question though. What is tutear exactly? I hear it in the sentence "podemos tutearnos, no?" which means "we dont have to be formal, do we?" more or less correct? But when i type "tutear" into a translator, nothing comes up and I cant find the use of this word anywhere.
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Old May 10, 2012, 01:23 PM
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tutear = to address another in the second person

http://www.wordreference.com/es/en/t...sp?spen=tutear
http://buscon.rae.es/draeI/

tutear


1. tr. Hablar a alguien empleando el pronombre de segunda persona. Con su uso se borran todos los tratamientos de cortesía y de respeto. U. t. c. prnl.

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Old May 10, 2012, 04:52 PM
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Tutearse se refiere a tratarse de "tú".
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Old May 10, 2012, 05:32 PM
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Sometimes "usted" is used regardless of the age. It's mostly used for showing deference toward other people.

And sorry for quoting myself from here, I think this is a useful hint:

Quote:
Originally Posted by AngelicaDeAlquezar View Post
[T]rust the good manners you were taught at home. Whenever you've learnt to say "sir/ma'am" or when addressing people with their titles (Mr., Dr., Professor, General...), use "usted" and you'll be fine.
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Old May 10, 2012, 06:15 PM
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I have a student from Guatemala who tells me that she NEVER uses "tú" with ANYONE, ever. She calls EVERYONE "Usted". Even her very best friends and her boyfriend. I find this interesting.... I would guess that the choice of tú vs. Usted may be regional.
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Old May 10, 2012, 06:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by laepelba View Post
I have a student from Guatemala who tells me that she NEVER uses "tú" with ANYONE, ever. She calls EVERYONE "Usted". Even her very best friends and her boyfriend. I find this interesting.... I would guess that the choice of tú vs. Usted may be regional.
I have met a few people from different places who routinely use 'usted' to address everyone in all circumstances.
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  #10  
Old May 10, 2012, 08:55 PM
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It's definitely regional, and in the Americas ud. is more commonly used than in Spain.

One easy rule is if you use and the person responds with ud., then it can be assumed that the person expects you to continue with ud.
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