Teacher Liu, when I was living in Beijing, I noticed that people of different ages address strangers very differently. Young people say ‘handsome guy’ or ‘pretty girl’, while middle-aged people say ‘master’. Why is that?

This reflects the changes in forms of address over time. In the past, people commonly used ‘comrade’, which meant people with the same ideals. Later, ‘master’ became popular, showing respect for people with skills. Now ‘handsome guy’ and ‘pretty girl’ are the most common, focusing more on praising appearance.

That’s interesting! Then why do people rarely say ‘comrade’ nowadays?

‘Comrade’ used to be a very formal form of address, but now it’s basically not used in daily life, only occasionally in formal settings. Also, the word has taken on a new meaning and now refers to the LGBTQ+ community.

I’ve also noticed terms like ‘dear’ and ‘big sister’ online. Where do these come from?

‘Dear’ comes from online shopping platforms. It’s a shortened form of ‘dear’ that makes buyers and sellers feel closer. ‘Big sister’ is a cute way to address young women, sounding more friendly than ‘pretty girl’. Internet culture has created many new forms of address.

It seems that forms of address are really like a mirror, reflecting changes in society.

Exactly! Changes in forms of address reflect shifts in social psychology—from the revolutionary era, to a commercial society, and then to the internet age. Learning to use appropriate forms of address helps you better fit into different social environments.