Puedo decir "¿cómo está? sin "usted"?

Question

I know that you can say just "¿cómo estás?" But can you say just "¿Cómo está usted?" without saying usted, and just saying: "¿Cómo está?"

Spanish textbooks seem to always add usted, and the people I normally speak with or listen to speak all refer to each other as "tu." I was just wondering if it is okay to drop the usted. My gut feeling is it's fine, but I don't want to end up saying something stupid.

Answer 1

Yes.

The usted is already built into the conjugation of the verb. With or with out usted is fine. I only add it if I want to be extra respectful, like if I'm talking to a police officer.