<![CDATA[Comments on: Addressing People]]> Qing Wen, learn an essential tool for dodging name-forgetting embarrassment. But, more importantly, learn an essential part of interacting with Chinese people young and old. That is, the many-varied ways of properly addressing people. Listen in and learn how to keep everyone straight.]]> 2008-08-02 18:00:00 <![CDATA[By: foleadu]]> Very useful review of all the titles.  I was travelling in Yunnan recently and noticed that customers preferred to use 小伙子 xiao3huo3zi  to address young male waiters in restaurants (as well as 小姑娘 xiao3gu1niang2 for the young girls).  I don't know if you can use that everywhere in China.  You're right that 服务员 is still the best all-around title.  

]]> Very useful review of all the titles.  I was travelling in Yunnan recently and noticed that customers preferred to use 小伙子 xiao3huo3zi  to address young male waiters in restaurants (as well as 小姑娘 xiao3gu1niang2 for the young girls).  I don't know if you can use that everywhere in China.  You're right that 服务员 is still the best all-around title.  

]]> <![CDATA[By: houban]]> Excellent tidbits of information.  So much of this rang true for me. I just had this very lesson from my girl friend.  I call her father babo or shushu.  She lives in Fushun and you will on occasion hear xiaojie but it is usually fuwujuan. But to hear them pronounce it, it sounds more like fooya.

]]> Excellent tidbits of information.  So much of this rang true for me. I just had this very lesson from my girl friend.  I call her father babo or shushu.  She lives in Fushun and you will on occasion hear xiaojie but it is usually fuwujuan. But to hear them pronounce it, it sounds more like fooya.

]]> <![CDATA[By: inland]]> a) is fuwuyuan appropriate for salespeople in stores, other situations besides waiters?

b) is there a more elevated term for people like government clerks, police officers, and others who have some form of authority? 

c)  If xiansheng is equivalent to "sir", what's the equivalent to "Madam" or "lady:?  That is, what's the BROADEST respectful address?

]]> a) is fuwuyuan appropriate for salespeople in stores, other situations besides waiters?

b) is there a more elevated term for people like government clerks, police officers, and others who have some form of authority? 

c)  If xiansheng is equivalent to "sir", what's the equivalent to "Madam" or "lady:?  That is, what's the BROADEST respectful address?

]]> <![CDATA[By: cjhawk7]]> I think you can also say shou4huo4yuan2 for salesclerks, but I'm not sure how common it is.

]]> I think you can also say shou4huo4yuan2 for salesclerks, but I'm not sure how common it is.

]]> <![CDATA[By: suburbanite]]> Inland,

Check out Dear Amber (http://chinesepod.com/lessons/gifts-chinese-people-like-and-chinatomy-premiere) to see the names for various officers.

I really liked this lesson.   And it sounds like Amber and JP may have found a new BSR.

]]> Inland,

Check out Dear Amber (http://chinesepod.com/lessons/gifts-chinese-people-like-and-chinatomy-premiere) to see the names for various officers.

I really liked this lesson.   And it sounds like Amber and JP may have found a new BSR.

]]> <![CDATA[By: maoxian]]> I miss the old days when you could use Comrade (同志）to address everyone.  Apparently now it's only used ironically among homosexuals.

(Amber does bear a striking resemblance to Daisy Duke.)

]]> I miss the old days when you could use Comrade (同志）to address everyone.  Apparently now it's only used ironically among homosexuals.

(Amber does bear a striking resemblance to Daisy Duke.)

]]> <![CDATA[By: laokan]]> When do you use 老师? I have noticed that this form of address is used to non-teaching people.

]]> When do you use 老师? I have noticed that this form of address is used to non-teaching people.

]]> <![CDATA[By: John]]> Suburbanite,

Hmmm, good point. Where is the BSR now? I don't even know. I feel so left out!

Enjoyed the 朱老板 thing. Heh.

]]> Suburbanite,

Hmmm, good point. Where is the BSR now? I don't even know. I feel so left out!

Enjoyed the 朱老板 thing. Heh.

]]> <![CDATA[By: RJ]]> John,

would it be 猪老板 instead of 朱老板? Is this a typo, or did I miss something here?

Useful lesson. I believe I have heard general managers addressed as simply surname 总. Is it acceptable to shorten the title from 总经理 this way or does this have another meaning? Maybe I am hearing it wrong?

]]> John,

would it be 猪老板 instead of 朱老板? Is this a typo, or did I miss something here?

Useful lesson. I believe I have heard general managers addressed as simply surname 总. Is it acceptable to shorten the title from 总经理 this way or does this have another meaning? Maybe I am hearing it wrong?

]]> <![CDATA[By: John]]> rjberki,

Well, "Boss Hog" would be 猪老板, yes, but Amber mentioned in the podcast that some bosses are surnamed 朱, which I guess is what was going through my mind when I typed 朱老板.

Sorry for the confusion! I wasn't really thinking...

]]> rjberki,

Well, "Boss Hog" would be 猪老板, yes, but Amber mentioned in the podcast that some bosses are surnamed 朱, which I guess is what was going through my mind when I typed 朱老板.

Sorry for the confusion! I wasn't really thinking...

]]>