Usted vs tú when asking an older man something

Question

Basically, I want to ask this man who owns and runs a small restaurant with his wife if he sells his (amazing) salsa verde. I know how I'd ask it and everything but I'm not sure if I should use usted or tú. Personally I would use usted because he works a restaurant, is a little old, and I kind of respect him, but my friend (Mexican) says he would use tú.

Any input?

Welcome to SpanishDict. Please take a moment and complete your SD profile as it relates to language. Thanks. - rac1, Jul 6, 2015

Answer 1

Use usted instead tu if you dont have confiance with him, especially if you are going to speak with him about a business. He will informe you if he prefers that uses the tu with him using a sentence like "tuteame por favor" or "no me trates de usted por favor".

Your friend cant be from Mexico. There, they always use the usted ;D

Please correct my english

You are right haha. He is Mexican but born and raised in USA. Confidence*, inform*, you use*, other than those your English is fine :). It's completely understandable, just a little spelling/grammar. - Batatas, Jul 6, 2015

Very good Txelis, We would say, in British English if he prefers you TO use the familiar tu form with him - FELIZ77, Jul 6, 2015

"of tú" "don't" "have confidence IN him" "business, no A" "inform" "that you use tú" "can't" - DilKen, Jul 6, 2015

Answer 2

In Mexican socially educated culture you should use formal Usted in this case.