When you shouldn't use "¿Que onda?"

Question

With my Mexican barber.

I used it the other day to greet him, but he very pointedly replied "Hola," as his usual great smile melted away. I knew at once I'd violated a rule of good manners with this polite young man.

And so I asked.

To learn:

1. I'm far too mature to use a greeting that's used by young people, mostly men.
2. It's used by "cholos," (or "jóvenes malos," he explained when I asked what "cholos" meant).
3. It's very popular among "los traficantes de las drogas y las armas." In fact, in Sonora, it's their trademark greeting, he said.

Never again shall I use "¿Que onda?" (And I was just trying to be "cool!")

Have you ever had a similar "real-life" lesson?

Answer 1

I didn't know that. I just thought it was Mexican slang for "What's up?"