Pequeña madre?
On my mail route there are a number of young Latina mom's. I'm old enough to be their dad so I don't know if addressing them as Señora would be right (besides, many are single moms). Would it be insulting to call a young mother "senorita"? I think "mamacita" comes across as "lil' mama" and I sure don't want to come across as "hitting" on them. In my area, the English "little mother" is a kindly term an older person (like me) would adress a young woman with a baby or toddler. So what would be a proper greeting? Or should I just keep my mouth shut and just nod at them like an anxious duck?
5 Answers
If a "señorita" looks like she is no spring chicken then she should be called señora. Mamacita is out if you don't feel comfortable with that term. I think that calling an stranger mamacita is ofensive, but some men can get away with it. I would think that a tip of the hat would be enough of a salutation.If you don't wear a hat just act like you are wearing one. I smile at every women I see but most times the ladies won't smile back at me, and they look at me as if I were a ruffian.
Si estuviera entregandolas correo, sería apropriado preguntarles," ¿Es usted La Señorita Lopez? Dejala a Ella hacerle la correccíon. Es simplemente mi opiníon.
I really got the answer this time!!! Forget about señora, señorita and the hat thing,"I would think that a tip of the hat would be enough of a salutation". You should say to the mothers, "Buen dia dama." Dama means lady, there is no way you can get in trouble with this.
Señorita would be my choice, as you say these women are young...though married, this is the term generally used for a young woman.
Look the dictionary says only used for single women, but this is not done in real life...
señorito, ta.
- f. Término de cortesía que se aplica a la mujer soltera.
If you certainly are old enough to be their dad and they are in their 20's than sure Señorita would be just fine, you could even tag on a first or last name to be direct, I'm sure you'd know it.
