Cacorc
Senior Member
Spanish (Argentina)
I can tell you what people usually do and say here in Spain and in Argentina.
You can perfectly call a waiter/waitress by saying "camarero/a" (Spain) and "mozo/a" in Argentina. In Spanish we don't say "por favor" when asking for sthg. (in English it's normal to say "please"). As regards "chófer", it's how Spaniards pronounce this word; in Argentina we say "chofer" (/cho'fer/) when addressing a taxi driver, for instance. It is also acceptable to say "disculpa", "discúlpame" (Spain) or "disculpame" (Arg.) to catch someone's attention, I beleive we don't say "señor/señorita" in this kind of situation as it sounds akward and outdated.
Hope this helps.
Cheers!
I never say camarero/a or conductor in these situations.
Although I’m aware the usted form isn’t as frequent as it used to be, I normally try to catch someone’s attention (waiter/waitress, clerk, shop assistant, pedestrian…) by saying disculpe/perdone,…
I also use the tú form, disculpa/perdona, when I don’t want to sound too formal/polite.
The good thing about that is that all people fit in these words 
inib
Senior Member
British English
I never say camarero/a or conductor in these situations.
Although I’m aware the usted form isn’t as frequent as it used to be, I normally try to catch someone’s attention (waiter/waitress, clerk, shop assistant, pedestrian…) by saying disculpe/perdone,…
I also use the tú form, disculpa/perdona, when I don’t want to sound too formal/polite.
The good thing about that is that all people fit in these words
I think yours is the perfect solution. I'm a bit "anti-Usted", so wherever possible I use the "tú" form, but that will obviously vary according to situations and geographical zones. As you say, it avoids having to know the exact position of the employee (maybe he's not a "camarero", but a "maitre", or the owner) and sounds less condescending. You don't even have to worry about gender.
When I first visited Madrid nearly 30 years ago, nearly everybody addressed the waiters saying "¡Oye!". This sounded extremely rude to me (not only because it sounded horribly like the brash "Oi! You!" in English). Fortunately, I have heard this less and less over the years.
I agree with Cacorc that nobody is offended in Spanish if you forget the "por favor", but I certainly can't see what harm it does. At the most you will be considered polite and a bit quaint. Just don't use it both at the beginning and the end of every sentence.
Another thing to remember is that body language exists and predominates over here. A slight movement of the hand or a facial gesture often get more response than shouting your head off in a noisy atmosphere!
NB:All these comments are regarding Spain
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I feel uneasy to say "camarero!" in a restaurant, o "chófer!" in a bus. I say "señor" or "señorita", instead. What is a normal and polite way to address people in this and similar situations in Spain and in Latin America? Thank you for the help.
To catch a stranger's attention I would say oiga, perdone, disculpe, etc, and if I had to use a name then señora or caballero would work perfectly well. I can't use señor or señorita in this part of the world or else people would laugh at me. That can vary a lot from one place to another of course, but I think that as far as señorita is corncerned, it's safe for you not to use it at all while in Spain.
Santiago.
As someone deeply immersed in the intricacies of linguistic and cultural nuances, I can assure you that the question posed by "zetem" about addressing people in Spain and Latin America requires a delicate understanding of social conventions. The individuals contributing to this discussion on a language forum, notably "Cacorc," "murciana," "inib," and "SantiWR," exhibit a commendable grasp of the subject matter, providing insights into the preferred modes of address in both Spain and Argentina.
"Cacorc" adeptly points out that in Spain, addressing a waiter or waitress as "camarero/a" is acceptable, while in Argentina, the term "mozo/a" is more fitting. The absence of the English "please" in Spanish requests is emphasized, and alternative expressions like "disculpa" are offered as polite ways to catch someone's attention.
Contrastingly, "murciana" and "inib" express a preference for avoiding formal titles such as "camarero/a" or "conductor." Instead, they advocate for the use of "disculpe" or "perdone," demonstrating a shift towards a more informal and personable approach. The use of the "tú" form, as opposed to the formal "usted," is also endorsed, providing a versatile means of communication without sounding overly polite or condescending.
"SantiWR" contributes valuable insights, suggesting phrases like "oiga," "perdone," or "disculpe" to attract a stranger's attention. Notably, the caution against using "señorita" in Spain underscores the cultural variations in linguistic norms between different regions.
In conclusion, the rich tapestry of advice woven by these contributors reflects the evolving nature of language and cultural norms, offering a comprehensive guide to addressing individuals in diverse situations across Spain and Latin America.
