Questions for Spanish-speaking and Isrealis.

[sleepwalk]

I'm writing a bit of a short story and would like a little authenticity other than the scraps I pick up from my Dominican pals and at the Kosher deli.

For the Spanish-speaking: When speaking to a man or woman you are intimate with, is the "usted" form ever used for romantic effect? Like in a form of reverence?

For the Isrealis: What are some choice curses/insults in Hebrew and/or Yiddish? Some terms of endearment? When a foreign-born Jew applies for citizenship, what is the standard hitch for IDF (I heard it was two years?)

Gracias and תוֹדָה.

[Strongboy770]

Ben Zona - Son of a bitch (lit. son of a whore)
Quss Ummaq - Your mother's pussy (from Arabic)
Quss Ahta - Your sister's pussy (from Arabic)
Hara - Oh Shit (from Arabic)
Gay kacken in yam - Go take a crap in the ocean (Yiddish)
Gay gehargit - Go get killed (Yiddish)

[bufetadanacara]

for the usted thing... not romantic in my experience although I have noticed that Spanish varies from country to country. Spanish isnt my first language but I consider myself fluent as it is the language I use when speaking to my wife.

[Pythonesque]

Originally Posted by sleepwalk

For the Spanish-speaking: When speaking to a man or woman you are intimate with, is the "usted" form ever used for romantic effect? Like in a form of reverence?

No, not really. "Usted" is only used with people you don't know, especially if they are older than you. You might have to use it as well with people you know if you need to show special respect (for example if you have to speak to your boss; depends on the boss, though). If you're talking with your girlfriend, lover, wife or whatever you don't use that.

By the way, you're aware that the verbs are used differently when you're using "usted", don't you?

If you need any help, let me know.

[Le 7th Samurai]

No, not really. "Usted" is only used with people you don't know, especially if they are older than you. You might have to use it as well with people you know if you need to show special respect (for example if you have to speak to your boss; depends on the boss, though). If you're talking with your girlfriend, lover, wife or whatever you don't use that.

Exacto