Use of usted

Question

I´m in Barcelona, and I have only ever used tú. Shopkeepers, strangers, anyone. I´ve had a couple of funny looks but 98% of the time I get cheerful responses and they use tú too. Have you ever used tú and really had it totally backfire? I remember always being warned not to use it with strangers and now I totally can´t see why.

Answer 1

I said "¡Siéntate!" to someone and they replied "Siéntate usted."

:) - 0066c384, Aug 17, 2011

Answer 2

Not so much that its backfired on me, it just makes it even more clear to the other person that Spanish is not your native language and you are unaware of the rules or don't care about formality. In a business setting it would be totally inappropriate.

Answer 3

I've had bad experiences using tú. I don't use it any more, even if someone uses it with me.

what you just usted someone who persistently tús you? Wowee, what happened? - mistermouse, Aug 11, 2011

I'm a gray haired gringo. No one tús me. :) - 0066c384, Aug 17, 2011

Answer 4

I always use tu....unless its someone really old, or if its someone who i am assisting as part of my job (when I am working i tend to be more formal) but if i am meeting people outside of work, or neighbors or at the market, I would most def NOT use usted. Most people dont seem to care which you use, but growing up in mexico usted was reserved for formal occasions, written work, or people like teachers and pastors (although many pastors now do not like being refered to as usted as it makes them sound superior)

Very interesting! Much different than in other languages. - territurtle, Aug 10, 2011

That´s interesting! - mistermouse, Aug 11, 2011

Answer 5

I don´t know what happen in other countries with spanish languages, but here in Spain you must use the "usted" when you don´t meet the person, in a interview, or in a formal conversation until permission from the other person.

But there is a lot of people that tend to confussed kindness with the informal. Depends on what you want.

But with the informal you are in risk that the person abuse of you. (I don´t know how can translate it, I gona try to write in spanish)

Corres el riesgo que en una conversación con tuteo, el otro se pase de la raya y te trate mal, lingüisticamente hablando. For example, he can say to you words like "tio", "cabrón", "no me jodas", "dejame de una puta vez en paz", "Qué pasa chavalote"...

It´s better defend yourself with the kindness

I think the word "politeness" works better that "kindness" in this context. If you address the person politely, then you do not open the conversation to impolite levels of conversation. - 0074b507, Aug 17, 2011

The formal tone is often referred to as the "polite" tone or the one used by "polite society". (doesn't include coarse language) - 0074b507, Aug 17, 2011

Estoy de acuerdo. :) - 0066c384, Aug 17, 2011

Answer 6

Hi, I don't really use tú. I mostly used usted but they mean the same thing but just one is formal and the other is informal. Personally, it hasn't backfired on me. Some people really don't care which one you use.