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| So, it seems logical to assume that as boss (superior) it was your call to instigate the switch to du, ...
Is it the same in other social settings? If I'm talking for the first time with a colleague who is of the same vocational rank but older, is it taboo for me to use "du" first? Would it be the same if talking to an older person but outside of a working or formal situation? | |
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As a general rule, the older person or - in a job situation - the "boss" instigates the switch to Du. At work, if I'm on the same vocational rank but younger than the other person, it all depends on the situation (type of company, type of person, how closely you work together etc. etc.). If I felt that the other person would be offended, or if I didn't know him/her very well, I probably wouldn't suggest the Du. But, if we had close contact on a daily basis and if the "chemistry" is right, then there's no reason not to offer the Du.