Using Chica, Querida And Amiga

[MyArgentina]

Help a newbie, please ... I have been in BA for 5 months and am having a great experience. Love it!

People are genuinely warm, friendly and helpful. However, I have had a few conversations with some female others, including my Spanish profesora, and they say that my using 'Chica, Querida and Amiga' is considered too overt (or is not considered common usage) ... For context, I suppose I am talking about some of the cafes that I have frequented and I see some of these people (the wait-staff, for example) often. And to be clear, I would use the same, 'Chico, Amigo' for guys as well, often with a touch on the elbow on the way out the door as if to say, 'Thanks'.

This confuses me because I lived in Salta for about 4 years and there these things were very common to me. Mis amigas have said that while it is probably ok (since I am a Yankee) that it is not common here.

Can you guys help a Yankee, please? And if this is not common usage, then what better words might I substitute? I am friendly by nature and that is my only intent - to exude friendliness, warmth and appreciation.

What to do? God forbid I need to revert to 'Señorita' ... Ufff. That's like crying out, 'Miss!' en EEUU.

(Learning. Little by little. That's part of the adventure, isn't it?)

 

[nikad]

Help a newbie, please ... I have been in BA for 5 months and am having a great experience. Love it!

People are genuinely warm, friendly and helpful. However, I have had a few conversations with some female others, including my Spanish profesora, and they say that my using 'Chica, Querida and Amiga' is considered too overt (or is not considered common usage) ... For context, I suppose I am talking about some of the cafes that I have frequented and I see some of these people (the wait-staff, for example) often. And to be clear, I would use the same, 'Chico, Amigo' for guys as well, often with a touch on the elbow on the way out the door as if to say, 'Thanks'.

This confuses me because I lived in Salta for about 4 years and there these things were very common to me. Mis amigas have said that while it is probably ok (since I am a Yankee) that it is not common here.

Can you guys help a Yankee, please? And if this is not common usage, then what better words might I substitute? I am friendly by nature and that is my only intent - to exude friendliness, warmth and appreciation.

What to do? God forbid I need to revert to 'Señorita' ... Ufff. That's like crying out, 'Miss!' en EEUU.

(Learning. Little by little. That's part of the adventure, isn't it?)

All three words are common, I am not sure how you are using them though ( context )

For example if you say: Me gusta esa chica / hoy sali con una chica que conoci / mi chica es la mas hermosa
Now if you say: Tu chica es muy inteligente ( gringo alert!! ) Su chica era linda ( no no no ) it makes the word chica sound like she is a sex worker / escort.

Querida you will mostly use when writing to start a letter. When talking referring to somebody as querida means lover. So get rid of it.

Laura es mi mejor amiga / La amiga de mi vecina es rubia / las dos son amigas is fine.
But: I want to meet amigas ( gringo alert!!! don't use ) Hola amiga! ( gringo alert 2 don't use ) Quiero salir con amigas... nop, makes them sound like sluts.

 

[gracielle]

I was born in CABA. Grew up in Calif. where I spent most of my adult life. Not considered a "yankee" by locals as I speak Castellano fluently with a neutral accent. I frequent many cafes here. I address waitresses as "linda" if I don't know their names and waiters in general as "caballeros". Always accompanied by a warm smile. I avoid any physical contact, such as "a touch of the elbow" although it may be acceptable as I am a senior.

 

[nikad]

I was born in CABA. Grew up in Calif. where I spent most of my adult life. Not considered a "yankee" by locals as I speak Castellano fluently with a neutral accent. I frequent many cafes here. I address waitresses as "linda" if I don't know their names and waiters in general as "caballeros". Always accompanied by a warm smile. I avoid any physical contact, such as "a touch of the elbow" although it may be acceptable as I am a senior.

ahh but coming from a female is a totally different story

 

[MyArgentina]

Thanks for your helpful reply, Nikad,

So If I want to say thanks to waitress in a cafe whom I have seen often for some weeks, please, what it the best way to refer to her?

 

[MyArgentina]

Thanks Graciellle. Caballero is a usual part of my lexicon. And that plays well.

What is the best salutation to women, though, without sounding like a creep?

 

[gracielle]

It's acceptable to ask what is her name and CASUALLY address her by name in the future. Creeps (Latins having a greater proclivity) tend to give the "once-over looks" when addressing women who are employed in the hospitality industry. Enjoy your stay!

 

[nikad]

Thanks for your helpful reply, Nikad,

So If I want to say thanks to waitress in a cafe whom I have seen often for some weeks, please, what it the best way to refer to her?

You could say " Gracias a mi camarera preferida " for example. But simply Gracias! or Muchas Gracias! should suffice. If you know her name, you could say Gracias Maria!

 

[MyArgentina]

OK, guys. Thanks much!

 

[Ceviche]

I was born in CABA. Grew up in Calif. where I spent most of my adult life.

Gracielle, you are one of the MOST respected members of our small community. thank you for being here.