The term 'señorita'

Question

I have been told that in Spain the term 'señorita' is not generally used now. Is that true? Is it seen as a sort of condescending remark?

I ask this because I will be going to Spain on holiday in a few weeks and intend to TRY to use my Spanish ................ I dont want to upset anybody lol!

Answer 1

It used to be to politely address unmarried women, and also to any woman in a working environment. Maybe because of this, it is becoming less popular, but it is still in use, I'd say. No one in Spain will take it bad from a foreigner trying to speak our language, don't worry.

Thank you! - billygoat, Apr 20, 2011

estoy de acuerdo - Spain is not France (where by law, unmarried ladies are entitled to be addressed as though they were married as though that had to be legislated!) - Lector_Constante, Apr 20, 2011

Answer 2

I know that your question was not about Mexico, however, just for a further perspective.

I was told that it's very polite to call a woman "señorita" and then let her correct you if she's a married woman and prefers to be called "señora." Similar to the U.S. where it's flattering to call someone "Miss" instead of "Ma'am" no matter what her age.

Thank you. To be honest, as an Englishman, Ma'am sounds a little odd too lol. - billygoat, Apr 20, 2011

"Ma'am" (a bastardized version "Ma dame" / My lady) is very respectful. It's a pity the modern English-speaking world no longer has time to show or appreciate this kind of respect - 005faa61, Apr 20, 2011

Old age starts when people start calling you "Sir" or "Ma'am". . . - lorenzo9, Apr 20, 2011

I knew I had become old when people started calling me "Don". Don Gekkosan, indeed! - Gekkosan, Apr 20, 2011