Du and Sie

Somewhere in the vast German way of complexity...."you" became a four-star problem. In English, "you" is simple to explain and use. It takes a minute to explain the word and its use...then you move on.

For Germans, Du and Sie....are totally different. I had a language professor try to make it simple, just by saying that you'd only use Du for people that you knew, and Sie was for everyone else. Then someone brought up that you couldn't use Du for the Butcher you visited twice a week, or the bakers wife who took care of your bread sales, or the barber you visited twelve times a year. The professor kinda agreed. You can't define the splitting point of Du and Sie.

If you are ever in a car and the German cops stop you....NEVER use the word "Du", otherwise it could be a ticket for bad language usage. Du shouldn't be used with your associates at work, unless you actually sip beer with them and swap life stories. Don't use Du for your new neighbor until you really get to know them (usually ten years after they move in). Don't use Du for bar waitress that you've known for six years unless she uses the word Du on you first.

Its stupid to have this formal and non-formal way of addressing "you". If you meet some gal at a bar, and actually ask for a real date....then you have to start wondering around the second and third date....is it appropriate to use Du? Should you hold back until the twelfth date? Should you wait until you've done some kinky stuff behind locked doors? Should you wait until you've met her parents? Should you wait until you've actually proposed?

I'm always rather harsh on Germans for their language....but they deserve it.