I’ve always had a divergent view on a matter that makes many uncomfortable or confused.

In Romanian we have a group of pronouns that show politeness - dumneavoastră (you), dumnealor (they), dumneaei (she), dumnealui (he), etc. There are also the informal options - tu (you), ei (they), ea (she), el (he), etc.

Generally, even nowadays it is still a courtesy to use the polite version when you speak to a stranger. Yet there are so many sides to the story.

First of all, I find it weird that youngsters.. 20 and bellow.. call me by the polite pronouns when in public. I’m not talking about my friends, but about people that you near you when using public transport, for example. If I stay between them and the door, while they will need to get off at the next buss station, they will say “Coborâți?” (eng. Sir, will you get off?) or “Îmi faceți loc?” (eng. Sir, would you make some space for me?)

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