In a Russian-speaking environment, a person has a choice: how to address the interlocutor. The polite form of address "you" is gradually losing ground, but is still used in certain situations instead of the democratic "you". However, in some cases, the transition from "you" to "you" is quite appropriate and logical.
Who is addressed to "you"
In our country, it is customary to address "you" to any stranger or unfamiliar person, regardless of his age and social status. The exception, perhaps, is children. This is where opinions differ. Some believe that only an adult citizen is “worthy” to call “you”, while others argue that children after 9 years of age, especially in an official setting (in a classroom, for example), should be addressed exclusively to “you” - this helps to form a young man's sense of self-esteem.
In an official setting, addressing "you" is also accepted among people who know each other well. This allows you to emphasize the business nature of communication, to create a more serious and strict atmosphere. For example, it is strange for schoolchildren to hear when teachers within the walls of an educational institution turn to each other on "you" in their presence.
Adopted an appeal to "you" and to older people, regardless of the circumstances. The exception, perhaps, are members of the same family and cases when people with a large age difference are very close friends. Although, for many, such exceptions are unacceptable: there are families in which even the mother and father are treated with respect to “you”.
In other cases, the choice of the form of address remains fairly free, but for some there is still a certain barrier in the transition from "you" to "you". Some may perceive too quick change of official address to unofficial one as disrespect for themselves, while for others the appeal to “you” seems too cumbersome, and it is unpleasant for them to hear it addressed to them.
When to switch to "you"
If you feel that your relationship with a person from the "official" area is moving into a less formal one, if it is easy and pleasant for you to communicate with him, and you feel that the interlocutor has similar feelings for you, you can directly invite him to switch to "you", especially if he is the same age and gender as you. As a rule, such an offer is not rejected.
When communicating between a man and a woman, the transition from “you” to “you” should take place only at the initiative of the woman, especially if this relationship is not business, but friendly or even more than just friendly. The fact is that women feel more acutely the degree of intimacy with a man, and a sensitive and polite gentleman will allow his lady to switch to a more trusting address “you” when she herself is ready for it. True, many believe that such conventions are inappropriate in a business setting, and both a woman and a man can initiate the transition to "you" between colleagues.
Turning to "you" in relation to subordinates or people of a lower social status, and even in some way dependent on you, can be perceived by the latter as a manifestation of "lordship", disrespect for their personality, and very painfully hit their pride. On the other hand, a person who is in a subordinate position is unlikely to offer to go to "you" himself, fearing to show disrespect or be branded as ignorant. In such cases, the transition from "you" to "you" is hardly justified. An exception may be situations when, due to various circumstances, trust and unofficial relations develop between these people.
