Is the 'usted' form of Spanish widely used these days?

Question

I am about to start using a Spanish Course on CD. I notice that the polite form is used in these lessons.

A South American friend has suggested that if I use this form, then I will be the most polite man in Spain! lol

So how useful is the polite form and in what situations is it used? Would I be better to concentrate on the familiar form instead?

I can easily adapt this myself without buying another course, so this is no problem. Any insights for me folks? Thank you.

Answer 1

You can use usted when you are talking to old people or people you don`t know. It is a more formal way of talking to people. But if your talking to friends or family you use ´tu´

Answer 2

I'm pretty sure "usted" is still used in formal situations, such as job interviews, formal business meetings and when meeting older people to whom you wish to show respect for the first time (Eg girlfriend's parents)

Answer 3

i speak spanish but not the one used in spain obviously. they are very proper when it comes to speaking their native language. here in the US i have learned that "usted" is used to address a person who is older than you or an elderly person while the word "tu" is used to address those younger than you. I don't really know if that is the case in Spain. Now i find myself addressing as such cause i had someone tell me that was the proper way.

Answer 4

If its not formal, dont use it. It is more like a respect thing...like calling someone sir...or mister....etc.....more for formal situations or situations in which you want to show someone respect

Answer 5

It really depends on what Spanish-speaking region you're interested in.  In Spain, the informal 'tú' is much more common than 'usted', and the use of 'usted' in casual situations will sound strange to native speakers.  

Answer 6

Gar, I don't have any talent for learning a foreign language but I've found the Michel Thomas tapes very user friendy.

Lo quiero y lo quiero a hora!!!

P.S. I think in every day speak they just say: "Como esta", and leave off the usted.

P.P.S. It means 'I want it and I want it now', can come in very handy in my social circle!

Answer 7

Usted is used less in Spain than, say, "vous" in France or "Sie" in Germany, but it is still widely used, especially in Spain.

Moreover, in some South American countries it is used as the normal way of saying "you" rather than "tú", whilst in others they seem to switch between "tú" and "usted" at random: as a Bolivian lady once said to me: -

"A ti siempre te digo usted"

Answer 8

I think that a safe rule of thumb would be to use tú to anyone with whom you are on first name terms. Usted should be used for any person whom you address as Mr, Mrs, etc.

The Spanish are very apt to use tú and there are even some who use that form to everyone they come across, but it is best for you to steer a safe course in these things. I agree with Graham that sometimes people older than yourself get offended if you are too formal, as you appear to be treating them as old fuddy-duddies. However, I don't think it would go down too well if, for example, you addressed a friend's grandmother as "tú". Just keep learning what they tell you and make sure that you can decline either form. The Usted plural is particularly useful in South America, where people who address you as "tú" will use the Ustedes form in the plural.

Answer 9

My Spanish teacher, who is from Barcelona, claims that you should use the informal "tu" rather than "usted". Depending on the person, they tend to take offence to it because it implies that they are old (given that around the time of the dictatorship they were made to use usted instead of tu).

However, in France it is different. The formal is used much more often, even between lovers. If you go up to a Frenchman you don't know, and use the informal, they may get offended. So with those ones it is best to wait until THEY start using the informal before you do.