"Tu" or "Usted" when speaking with a boss/manager in Spain
I know in Latin American Spanish it would undoubtedly be "usted", but I'm not as sure with Spain. I've asked Spanish people before and they said I only should use "usted" when talking with people a lot older than me (like 60+) or in rather formal situations, and that "tu" is more common in general.
Would it be rude to address someone as "tu" that's higher up than me at my new job? I don't know how old she is and have never spoken to her before, but she sent me an email that had a fairly friendly tone (it opened with "hola" and she called me "tu"), so should I reciprocate?
2 Answers
Probably better to use the "Usted" form. She is your boss and you're not familiar with her. I think she might be calling you "tú" not just because she's being friendly, but because you're younger and lower in the business that she is.
Would it be rude to address someone as "tu" that's higher up than me at my new job? I don't know how old she is and have never spoken to her before, but she sent me an email that had a fairly friendly tone (it opened with "hola" and she called me "tu"), so should I reciprocate?
Based on this, I would use tú as well. In areas where "tú" is used more than other places, it is a reciprocal usage. If for some strange reason she expected you to respond using "Ud," this would be very condecending and unprofessional on her part.
