There is confusion at my house regarding the use of true names and nicknames.
1. There is a grown man I know in Baja, has a good business and is respected in his town, that I only know his first and last given names. This is
what I call him by and have never been told his nickname that I assume everyone else calls him by. Am I being rude by not using his nickname, too
formal?
2. There is a man I really like who does some work for me and we often sit around at the end of the day having a beer and just chatting. I only know
his nickname. Is it rude to only use it at all times? Is it pejorative, am I treating him like a child and not the equal he really is? In this
case, I am called 'Santiago' by him so I'm guessing it's OK? Still, it seems rude not to know the guy's real name.
I worry about stuff like this as those that know me say I am not the most sensitive guy around.bajagrouper - 8-27-2015 at 08:25 AM
I have a friend who's name is Santiago and they just call him Santi...shari - 8-27-2015 at 08:36 AM
good question!! It depends on the nickname and as you mentioned...your relationship with the person. Some people are only known and called by their
nicknames...take your lead from others...if you hear everyone calling him that...then it's Ok.
For example there is a ..for lack of a better phrase..unattractive man in town everyone knows as Feon (super ugly) but nobody actually calls him
that!!! they call him by his name Manuel but because there are so many Manuels, in a conversation that refers to him, everyone uses Feon...so if the
nickname is not very polite, one doesnt use it to his/her face...likewise a rotund woman is called Pez Sol...sunfish...but nobody call her that to
her face.
But many people are known and called by their nicknames so it's OK...especially if it is a common one that is short for their names like Chepe.
But being a gringo, one should generally defer to the more respectful names unless the person is a real amigo. Also can depend on the situation and
the position the person holds..for example when Pelon became the mayor it felt inappropriate to call him that...although most people still did...then
one uses the position name like Delegado, or Licenciado, Doctora, Maestra etc. which is useful when you cant remember someones name. It's OK to call
them by their title....or like Juan calls some fellows...mi estimado!
There are people I dont even know their real names after knowing them 20 years! And I especially like "compa" or comadre y compadre for those who are
fortunate enough to carry that title!
Like many things Mexicano there are so many nuances and exceptions to the rules!
[Edited on 8-27-2015 by shari]woody with a view - 8-27-2015 at 08:50 AM
there is a guy named Pepito. he hates the name yet everyone uses it. i respect the guy having only known him a short while and use his given name.jimgrms - 8-27-2015 at 09:24 AM
Why not just ask your friends what they prefer to be called. it has always worked for Me !fdt - 8-27-2015 at 12:48 PM
I don't mind Flowers but only from you Santiago - 8-27-2015 at 01:03 PM
