Doña!

[juanita]

What is the real meaning of “Doña”? I always thought it was reserved for addressing older ladies, but lately I have been called Doña way to many times for my liking. I even asked a taxi driver why and he said it was out of respect…to me it feels more like an insult, I’m not ready to be a Doña just yet! This morning for a change I was called muñeca which was a pleasure to hear; before I would hate to be called; rubia, muñeca, linda, Americana, baby, mi amor, amiguita, bruja, preciosa…. But now with the Doña thing, these names are more than welcome!

[carina]

youth is passing, eh?
I often hear Doñacita, here when addressing me..
Maybe I am just a "little" adultish?hehe
My sons friends says Doña though, especially if I correct something, and they appologize..

[Keith R]

The taxi driver is correct: it is a title of respect, not age. But in Latin culture, particularly in the DR, age is granted that bit of respect, which is why you hear it most often said to moms, aunts, grandmas, etc.

When I was growing up my cousins and I used to visit my grandfather's horse farm every summer. My grandfather had a friendly but humble Chilean cook, Eduardo. Eduardo always called me Don Keith and my sister Doña Lisa, and we were just pre-teens. My grandparents didn't order him to -- it's just that he had been raised to show respect to his employer's kids, no matter who employed him. Even when we were diablitos and probably didn't deserve it! LOL

[carina]

It is respect, but it has to do with age in DR.
You are not a Doña at certain ages in DR. Not at all.

[Keith R]

I respectfully disagree. I have been going to the DR since 1986, lived there four years, have traveled most of the country, am married to a dominicana, and have heard it used many times in contexts other than age, Carina. Don't know why you haven't heard it, but I have.

[carina]

Originally Posted by Keith R

I respectfully disagree. I have been going to the DR since 1986, lived there four years, have traveled most of the country, am married to a dominicana, and have heard it used many times in contexts other than age, Carina. Don't know why you haven't heard it, but I have.

Well, I have not.

I have never heard Doña to young girls, kids...
I have heard it only to people who are mothers, who are at a certain age etc etc, and also Doñacita..

It´s fine to have different opinions, that´s what gives life to a messageboard.

I don´t understand why you always back everything up with that you have lived here, your years etc etc.
Alots of us live here too you know, every day, and longer than you have.
That, however is not the topic, nor the point.
It doesn´t mean we know more because of that in all topics.

[Keith R]

Originally Posted by carina

I don´t understand why you always back everything up with that you have lived here, your years etc etc.
Alots of us live here too you know, every day, and longer than you have.
That, however is not the topic, nor the point.
It doesn´t mean we know more because of that in all topics.

I never claimed to know more in all topics. That's one of the reasons why my post count remains as low as it does. I tend to post about what I know. Sorry that bothers you.

In this case, I say it so nobody thinks it's something I heard once in passing, an isolated incident. I have heard it many times, in more contexts than you mention, over the course of many years.

[carina]

Originally Posted by Keith R

I never claimed to know more in all topics. That's one of the reasons why my post count remains as low as it does. I tend to post about what I know. Sorry that bothers you.

In this case, I say it so nobody thinks it's something I heard once in passing, an isolated incident. I have heard it many times, in more contexts than you mention, over the course of many years.

No, it doesn´t bother me at all.
I just noticed it coming from you, when there are different opinions in a topic.
It´s fine to agree to disagree, my point was that it is not important.
Someone being here for 1 day, might have an opinion, as good as any other.

[Keith R]

And my point is that it is not my opinion, it is what I have experienced.

You earlier said

You are not a Doña at certain ages in DR. Not at all.

I'm saying you're being too absolute. It does occur in other contexts in the DR, whether you personally have witnessed it or not.

[AnnaC]

In the DR it's more about the higher social class something maybe not found much in the tourist areas.
I know of a "Lady" that is called doña constantly, and her kids are called “don” by the maid and others. Yes in the Dominican republic.

And since this is the Spanish forum;

Gender:
Female

Ethnic Origin:
Spanish

Meaning:
Lady. Respectful title and female equivalent of the title Don.

Anyone see the movie Don Juan? Every female married or not had the title of doña before her name.