Do you actually use the ''usted'' form?
Hi everybody,
Today I was having a little chat with a Spanish speaker I think she's a young girl, and I was very confused whether to use the ''usted'' form or the ''tú'' form!
So what do you think?
When you have a chat with someone new who's in your same age do you actually use the usted form?
10 Answers
Being reared by Mexican grandparents, you always used Usted when in doubt... by that I mean, if you suspect the other person is much younger than you, then even if you were to address him/her with Ud., many times they will make the adjustment if the situation allows... using Ud. is a sign of respect in México and showing respect can never be faulted! 
I tend to agree with Cristalino and Usarenzo, although I think Afowen is perhaps exaggerating a bit. Anyway I have already stated elsewhere that I find the use of "usted" in Colombia to be rather confusing.
I don't particularly like to use "usted", because I prefer informal relationships. But being in business, I must use "usted" every day. And as Cristalino and Usarenzo indicate, whenever the (business) relationship is new - sometimes personal relationships as well - it is always safer to start out with usted. It quickly becomes evident when switching to "tú" is agreeable to both parties.
Now going back to Colombia and other cultures: the use of "usted" does not necessarily mean that the relationship is formal. I am currently waging a battle of wills with my assistant, for example, because she was reared in a culture where everyone treats each other as "usted". So she uses "usted" with me, even though our relationship is pretty friendly and informal. I absolutely hate it, but she feels very uncomfortable using "tú", so I have resorted to addressing her as "usted", also.
In short, there is no hard and fast rule. When unsure, I agree that it is safer to use "usted". If "tú" is more appropriate, you will soon be corrected and everything will be fine. But it is much better to be corrected and asked to please use "tú", than to be told that "tú" is inappropriate and that you must use "usted".
Well, in Costa Rica it seems everyone is usted, even the dog!
i'm puerto rican raised to use "usted" as a show of respect, until the other person allows you to "tutealo" meaning they ask you to use "tu".
Most of the time, yes. The rule here is that if in English you would address this person as Ms. X, then you would use usted.
I am just in my forth week in Spanish and my teacher says to use Usted most of the time, especially if you don't know the person or an authoritative person, it does show more respect to use it. To be safe only use the Tú form with family or friends. 
No, you don't lovely, NOT in Spain.
However, it is always used when you talk to doctors, funnily enough, the doctors often talk to their patients, even when they are old ladies and gentlemen, with the "tú" form
But it is a fact that in Spain, we hardly ever use the usted unless it is a work atmosphere.
All the time, indubitably yes, when I am addressing someone older than me whether I know him or not.
Well, in Costa Rica it seems everyone is usted, even the dog!
I'm a bit older than my Costa Rican friend, and she refuses to stop using usted with me. I hate it 
Depends where you are.
In Colombia, loads of guys use usted with their mates, they tell me it's pretty gay for men to use tu when addressing one another.
