Quick question here for those of you who speak a language that have a word for formally addressing someone. For example the Spanish "usted" and the German "Sie".



Is this still largely enforced at the societal level or has it been relaxed somewhat in the recent decades? I'm just curious to know so I don't commit any embarassing gaffes whenever I finally visit Europe.


Of course English used to have a formal term of address (Thou) but it went extinct a long time ago.

Well, I would say, that in Germany, the official "Sie" is still very common to adress someone that you don't know and who is older than you/higher in hierarchy/ is someone official (e.g. police officer).

On the other hand, there are more and more parts of the society and every day life that get rid of such old customs. For example, I work at a large software company and our department got a new (young) head of department. First thing she does is to drop the official "sie" in the whole department.

My advice: Keep to the official "Sie" and you won't do any harm. Situations can be much more awkward when you say "Du" to someone and it's not appropriate than vice versa.

Jens

Interesting info there jens. Thanks!

I guess in English today "Mr." and "Ms." are effectively the closest things there are to a formal address.

Spanish is spoken in many different places and cultures, so it varies, but at least in Argentina yes, it's still used... in an relaxed, dare I say Argentine, way.

You use the informal for the most part except an older unknown person. Other than that it's more the setting than the person, like schools will go all formal after certain age (but again, some teachers won't) or the army or politicians stuff like that.

The common folk will usually use informal... you can still use formal words but talk in an informal way, too. That is, you say the words but you're not really addressing the person in a formal way. "Excuse me mister, do you have light?" followed by "Thanks, buddy".

But for the most part you speak informally.

But you won't have to deal with Argentinians in your trip on Europe, you should consider your self lucky.

Heh, in Miami the Spanish speakers never use "usted" unless they're at some really fancy 5 star restaurant or some high level executive business meeting.

In Dutch and French, you normally use the polite form "u" (Dutch) or "vous" (French) for somebody you haven't met before.

In Scottish Gaelic they have formal and informal modes of addressing a person/people, the formal speech is also used for addressing multiple people.

Hello/how are you: informal Ciamar a tha thu? (pronounced Kay-mar a ha Oo) Formal Ciamar a tha sibh? (pronounced Kay-mar a ha shiv)

Merry Christmas and a happy new year: Nollaig chridheil agus bliadhna mhath �r

The very opposite of Costa Rican custom. When I lived there, most people, even co-worker friends - and even relatives, will use the formal way to address you.

Only really close friends and your close family will address you as "t�", which will be seen as very rude otherwise, especially talking to a lady you have not been introduced to yet.

If you refer to an unknown male as "t�", you may even get a rude reply as in "...remind me when was the last time you and I slept together?" - depends on the situation, but usually they will look at you sternly and ask "do I know you?"

the ones used in "polite" (aka posh non everyday gatherings) or official business in England

Master = under 16/18 males
Mr = any adult male
Mrs = any married female
Miss = Unmarried females/underage females
Sir/Madam/Dame = only used if you have them as an official title

If you do come over this side of the pond, just a quick "'scuse me, hi" will work 99% of the time! Unless you want to thoroughly confuse people by going up to them and saying "Excuse me Sir/Madam/Miss"

Thanks for that info meatshield. I can imagine that for some Americans it can be very easy to forget that "Sir" and "Madam" can be an aristocratic title in the UK.

"Nin" is the formal way of addressing someone in Mandarin.
2nd tone, moderate rise please.

When addressing someone you do not know, who is older than you or, in some cases, of higher hierarchy.

Cheers,
Slug

(family name)-san is normal in japanese as a respectful title.

in many cases, japanese people will substitute your family name for your first name if you are a foreigner

there is another

(family name)-sama, this is used if you are in a very high level of social responsibility above the speaker, or if you are a customer at the speaker's establishment. generally used by young staff or retail sales staff, not generally used in normal conversation. if people start calling you XYZ sama you are either in a shop, a serious corporate crisis (as a foreign manager) or a maid cafe..!!

Hard enough to get kids today to say ma'am and sir, I can't imagine trying to teach them anything even more complex like most of the world. LOL

When in a foreign country, I have found that the Universal Greeting is sufficient.

I can't help but think of this:

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/japanese-game-show/n10632?snl=1

I remember seeing that sketch live when it first aired on TV. It was hilarious.

In Newfoundland its still quite normal to address people older than you (who are not related ) as sir or ma'am; and those related to you are 'uncle' or 'aunt' or whatever. Folks of roughly the same age are addressed by their names.

In business situations Mr., Mrs, Dr. or religious titles ( Fr. Br. Sr.) are still used.

He will if he runs into Messi in Barcelona or something...haha

v6,
boNes

Here in the South, sir and ma'am are still very common and acceptable for common use.

One can also add Mister or Miss before someone's first name as a way of showing endearment or respect (regardless of marital status), particularly if they're older.

So my wife is sometimes Miss Sherry.

Yeah, kids call their friends parents "Miss Sandra" and "Mr Bill". I hate that one thanks to SNL.
Sir and ma'am don't really even have to do with age, just showing respect or being friendly.