Prevelance of use of informal Spanish. Native speakers especially?

I think it totally depends on which Spanish-speaking country you are talking about. Spaniards, so I've heard, are much more direct in their speech and/or how they approach someone, even a complete stranger. For example, when buying a cup of coffee, they'll say: "un café", maybe they'll throw in a please, idk. In Mexico and other Latin American countries, it would be more common to hear: "Could I please have a coffee? / I'd like a coffee, please / Would you be so kind as to bring me a cup of coffee, etc." This was something one of my teacher's mentioned once, she was from Spain.

I would say that in most Latin American countries, we usually address strangers, our elders, or anyone we wish to show our respect or keep a distance from as "usted". It is also generational. When I taught elementary school a few years ago, my students would use "tú" with me, something I would have never-ever done as a kid. The funny thing is that I am still in touch with some through Facebook and they use "usted" now.

Then you have Colombians who use "usted" a lot, even among siblings, close friends, boyfriend- girlfriend. I don't understand exactly how that works though.

The Spanish are particularly known for calling people tú at the drop of a hat and if you insist on the formal Usted, it can seem as though you reckon the other person is over the hill. I think that it could be said that in Spain you will find yourself using the informal to far more people than those to whom you use the formal Usted. Obviously there are exceptions, where you feel that you have to treat another person with extreme respect because of age and status or because relations between you are strictly on a business footing. When I receive e-mails from Spain it's always "tú", even thoughI've never met the people in question and probably never shall. If someone asks you to use "tú" then you most certainly should.

I stick with Usted to be safe unless the other person uses tú. Like others said, Spain seems to be much more relaxed on this. With Mexicans I've found conversation to be quite formal, not just with tú/Usted but also phrases like "con permiso".

So it certainly varies from country to country.

Another thing I keep hearing is that in Spain they still use "vosotros" a lot, but sometimes spanish speakers tell me nobody uses that anymore and you don't have to learn it.

One thing I can't figure out is that the Bible uses Tú for speaking to God. That seems completely opposite to what I'd expect. With all the language of "Lord", etc, wouldn't you speak to God like you speak to a king, as formally as possible?

I had similar experiences many years ago. Most of my Spanish conversation and correspondence is in business and I find that, these days, it's almost expected that on a one-to-one basis you address each other as tú. I do it automatically and haven't yet been chided for it!

In hotels, etc., it's more common to use the more formal Vd. (or Vds. as if referring to the hotel as a whole) with reception clerks, etc.

I'm speaking of Spain ~ don't know much about S.Am. usage.

In México, we use the formal when speaking with a unknown person, or when we speak with a older than us. Also when speak with a respectable person (for example, my boss). Two oldmen speak with informal forms (tutear). Also we speak using the informal forms, even the listener are older, in cases of exessive familiarty (family, or people living in my house). If the unknown person is (apparently) more younger than me, usually speak with informal use. Some oldmen prefer that speak them using the informal forms, because believe that are younger. When any respectable person insisted that you use the informal ("tutéame" or "háblame de tú"), it's any invitation to be intimate friends, he wants than you not viewed as superior. But the formal forms are still used: the news, and other tv or radios programs using formal (usted), except the programs targeting to youth.

Young unknowed to young unknowed = informal

young friend to young friend = informal

old unknowed to old unknowed = formal

old friend to young friend = informal

young unknowed to old unknowed = formal

young friend to old friend = formal

young intimate friend to old intimate friend = informal

old to young = informal

when unknow to whom speak (for example, in a radio, tv o telephone) = formal

At this moment, I think than you realized than I not speak much english, but I hope you understand my explaination...

Randy P: The reason to the Bible use "tú" to speak with God is the form used with any intimate friend elder or boss. It is a friendly relationship...