52217
Would it be considered rude to suddenly start calling someone by their given
name, like, should you ask permission to do so first? if you don't ask
permission, and this someone only wishes to be called by their family name, is
it seen as though you're mocking them, or intentionally being rude?

edit: i mean, how rude would it be seen as? is it seen as taboo, or just
generally greatly frowned upon in society?

edit: I have looked at the posts addressing politeness, but it doesn't answer
my question here.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-11T20:35:59.350
52215
2017-08-12T06:05:24.960
2017-08-11T21:32:41.627
25385
25385
question
names formality
When is it rude to call someone by their given name?
For example, his name is Taro Okamoto. Taro is his first name and Okamoto is
his family name.

In formal settings, for example, you're on business, in a company, or in a
class at school, you should call him "Okamoto-san."

"Okamoto", "Taro", "Taro-san", "Taro-chan", "Taro-kun" are not appropriate.
"Okamoto" and "Taro" are even rude and offensive. No matter how close you and
Mr.Okamoto's relationship is, you should call him "Okamoto-san" in a formal
setting. It is a matter of Japanese grammar, the Keigo-system. It's more like
in English you should call him "Mr. Okamoto" in a formal setting.

In informal settings, for example, in a private party, or in a conversation
between friends, you can call him:

(The higher the number, the closer your relationship would be.)

  1. Okamoto-san
  2. Okamoto-kun
  3. Taro-san
  4. Taro-kun
  5. Okamocchan _or_ Okamocchi
  6. Tarocchi _or_ Tarochan
  7. Okamoto
  8. Taro

First, you should start calling him "Okamoto-san" and I think it's safer to
ask him the permission about what number you may call him.

Hope this helps!
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-12T00:28:29.230
52217
2017-08-12T02:18:41.237
2017-08-12T02:18:41.237
16159
52215
answer
> Would it be considered rude to suddenly start calling someone by their given
> name, like, should you ask permission to do so first?

Yes. If the someone's name is Barack Obama, it's natural to call him Obama-
san.

> if you don't ask permission, and this someone only wishes to be called by
> their family name, is it seen as though you're mocking them, or
> intentionally being rude?

Before answering this question I have to say that there seems no custom in
Japan to propose others how you prefer to be called.

Anyway, it's a very difficult question, because Mr. Obama would very soon
understand that you're not a Japanese judging from your appearance and/or the
ability to use Japanese.

If you are a Japanese, what is asked by the question is very rude. But, in the
situation you are understood as a people from other country, Mr. Obama would
try not to make you annoyed and also he would try to understand your behaviors
including how you call his name. So, even if you call him Barak abruptly, he
is sure to understand that it is the natural way to call one's name in your
culture without thinking you are rude.

If you would like to have a nice time with Mr. Obama, I recommend you that you
call him Mr. Obama and you would propose how you prefer to be called by Mr.
Obama at the meeting. If you propose Mr. Obama that you want to be called with
your given name, he might possiblly propose that he also prefer to be called
simply Barak only in the meeting.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-08-12T01:41:37.997
52218
2017-08-12T06:05:24.960
2017-08-12T06:05:24.960
20624
20624
52215
answer