Using the word "DON"

[johne]

Perhaps someone with a solid knowledge could help me with this:

I have a good friend that is a professional woman here in the DR. I have had both professional and informal conversations and meetings with her. We (including my wife) had dinner with her last week. In messages to me last week she used as a salutation "Don Johne" several times. So... are there several ways that salutation can be used?

 

[keepcoming]

I also thought using Don/Dona was a way to show respect when addressing someone.

 

[johne]

I also thought using Don/Dona was a way to show respect when addressing someone.

Yes...my question goes to where is the line drawn to make it sound less formal...if there is such a thing.

 

[Jan]

It is formal from what I understand. Form of respect especially for the elderly. If you don't like it ask them to be less formal. I always get called Dona now that I'm an old lady. Funny note - I call my dog Buenagente by his formal name, don Keys (my last name is Keys ). It always makes me chuckle. Donkeys.

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

I can simplify this. When you are doing well/have wealth, etc and have a following of lambones, you are called Don. When you don't have money or a job or a Jeepeta and don't give money to the lambones, you are called chico/hombre/gringo etc.

 

[Marianopolita]

Perhaps someone with a solid knowledge could help me with this:

I have a good friend that is a professional woman here in the DR. I have had both professional and informal conversations and meetings with her. We (including my wife) had dinner with her last week. In messages to me last week she used as a salutation "Don Johne" several times. So... are there several ways that salutation can be used?

Yes, there are several ways it can be used and many are situational.

Don and Doña are old nobility titles that evolved into titles to show respect and are considered the highest level of formality. It’s higher than Señor/ Señora and Usted.

If your friend is addressing you using Don in formal and informal settings then it’s to show respect and in my opinion, she will definitely use it in writing if she uses it when speaking to you.

If you think it’s too formal given the relationship/ friendship you have with her you can tell her ‘you can call me Johne’. Depending on her age and your age she may not want to but at least you put it out there as a suggestion.

 

[cavok]

If there's a fairly big age difference and/or a perceived difference in class, Dominicans prefer to use Don or Doña. It's a cultural thing.

 

[Jan]

I find it interesting that they usually use the respectful title with the person's first name and not the last name.

 

[cavok]

I think Don and Doña before the first name are more commonly used when there is some familiarity or working relationship with the person. Otherwise, Señor and the last name would be used.

 

[Manuel01]

If somebody calls you Don or Dona; get your things organized ! You are old and about to die soon !

 

[bob saunders]

If somebody calls you Don or Dona; get your things organized ! You are old and about to die soon !

LOL. My wife has been called Doña Yris for 30 years and she is only 63. It is more a term of respect or position. I get called Don by complete strangers, Senor Bob usually though.

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

LOL. My wife has been called Doña Yris for 30 years and she is only 63. It is more a term of respect or position. I get called Don by complete strangers, Senor Bob usually though.

Bob, "Señor" is for respect. "Senior" is what you had to check off on your Medicare B application.

 

[bob saunders]

Bob, "Señor" is for respect. "Senior" is what you had to check off on your Medicare B application.

Ooh, I made a mistake, thanks for being anal in the way you responded. Did you actually read what I wrote - Senor without the accent.

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

Ooh, I made a mistake, thanks for being anal in the way you responded. Did you actually read what I wrote - Senor without the accent.

Bob, just busting your chops! I was alluding to your "seniority" as in many years.

 

[bob saunders]

Bob, just busting your chops! I was alluding to your "seniority" as in many years.

Fact of life, we all get older until we die.

 

[johne]

If somebody calls you Don or Dona; get your things organized ! You are old and about to die soon !

Have you always been dumb as a stick? Complete axe hole.

 

[malko]

I don't know about everybody else, however I tend to be a " Don" when I wear real clothes but a " primo" when I wear shorts and a t-shirt...... Go figure.

 

[El Hijo de Manolo]

Lighten up John. We all got it coming says Bob

 

[NALs]

Fact of life, we all get older until we die.

Not all... Just saying...

(The getting older part.)

 

[cavok]

I don't know about everybody else, however I tend to be a " Don" when I wear real clothes but a " primo" when I wear shorts and a t-shirt...... Go figure.

I usually get called "Papi" when I'm out and about.