Usted, as Second person or third person

Question

Is usted being formally taught as second person anywhere in the Spanish speaking world?

Answer 1

This article on the origins of the word might shed some light onto the question of third person vs second person: Vuestra merced: The history of usted

Answer 2

I was taught that it's 2nd person formal singular when I was in school. The verb conjugations are 3rd person singular, and it came originally from a 3rd person phrase. The Real Academia Española calls it 2nd person, so I guess that makes it 2nd person.

usted.

(De vusted).

1. pron. person. Forma de 2.ª persona usada por tú como tratamiento de cortesía, respeto o distanciamiento.

Answer 3

It is used everywhere as a third person when it comes to conjugating the verb, although it is used to politely address people, as if it was a second person.