amigo

Question

In the US, is it polite or politically correct to call someone "amigo" if you easily know that they're from Mexico or South America?

For instance, I'm in a restaurant and Latinos are serving food. Is it Okay to call them "amigo"?

Thanks,

Dan² · Accepted Answer

first of all, i have to say, i am not an american nor a latino...

you may know: amigo=normal spanish word for friend...

you say dude to the waiter? don't really think so... and it depends on the way you tell it, i think

if it's provokant, i wouldn't call em that way

Vorpar · Answer

Generally you don't call someone "friend" unless you know them well.

It would be ok if you've had a conversation with him beforehand.

Francesca · Answer

In Italy may happen that someone you don't know can call you "amico" (which is amigo, friend); it's not a bad or unpolite thing here, by the way I guess it depends also on the kind of restaurant you are: for example in a luxurious one nobody dares to call you as "amico"...maybe if you are in "Pizzeria" it is more likely and it's not a thing for which one has to be offended!

Cheers

Ron In Ohio · Answer

I'd say no; it could easily be interpreted as a sign of disrespect.  If you are familiar with other languages, use the same guidelines you would for formal and informal modes of address.

Meantolearn · Answer

Well,

Apparently, "amigo" in Spanish or "amico" in Italian is a synonym for "friend" in English. It's perfectly Okay to address people this way in Latin World. (certain restrictions might apply)

But, things are getting more complicated if it's spoken in the US. Whether it's insulting or not is debatable. Some people say YES, some say NO. That's why I was questioning it at beginning "is it POTICALLY CORRECT"?

I was just trying to show my friendliness when I say "amigo". That's all. Besides, it was not a fancy restaurant. (not a cheap one either)

I wonder why "it could easily be interpreted as a sign of disrespect"?

Thanks for all of your comments.

BarbaraPA · Answer

This is difficult to explain. Like so many things, it could entirely depend on your tone of voice and your smile when you said it whether it could be taken "the wrong way."

If you wanted to be friendly, and you're in the U.S. where English is the official language, and you said "Thank you, my friend," to the waiter, it would be nothing other than friendliness. But if the waiter was obviously Latino and you said "amgio" to him (unless you were a native Spanish speaker yourself), it COULD be seen as "Hey, I bet you don't speak English all that well."

And SOME people might feel like you're calling them "amigo" they way people used to shamefully use the word "Boy" for black people, or "Mick" for anyone who is Irish, etc. Usually, when the waiter takes your order, you just say "thank you." You don't say "thank you sir" or "thank you, my friend" or anything else. So to use "amgio" distinguishes that person - some might feel it was in a friendly way, but others might feel in a derragotory way.

Khoff · Answer

I agree that it could be taken as an insult, even if not intended that way - it would be sort of like saying "thanks, Jose" (or some other typically Latino name) when you don't actually know the person's name - it's like saying "all I need to know about you is that you're Latino."  You might offend someone without menaing to.  It's safer not to comment on someone's ethnicity at all.

MrPedantic · Answer

The waiter isn't in a position to call the diner "amigo" (or "friend"). So it puts him at a disadvantage, if the diner attempts any kind of chumminess. (To some extent, it emphasises the fact that he's taking "orders".)

MrP

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