Hi,
I'm learning Spanish to keep up with my family (mixed origins from spain, latin america, south america, etc.) and I've noticed that I don't quite understand when the people I'm talking to prefer that I use formal or informal.
Are there any general guidelines or standards as for when one is more appropriate? Like if it's someone who is your senior or based on how close you are to each other? Or is this maybe not as big a deal these days as it might have been in the past?
Thanks, Dawn.
Hola Boros
Here is a lesson that will clarify this for you:
I hope it helps
Saludos
Inma
When in doubt be polite and use the formal. IF they then respond with the familiar use that from then on. IF the person is a romantic interest and uses "tu" with you from the beginning, and you are interested answer in "tu". If you are not interested use "usted". This will tell him/her you are not interested. Likewise, if the start with usted" and you wish to say hey I am interested you can answer with "tu". If you only want to be friends, use "tu" but find a way to throw "amigo/amiga" into the sentence.
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