In the culture(s) where 'your' language is spoken, are there significant differences in the language when you are talking to family rather than strangers? older people rather than younger? men rather than women?
In Korea, there are a lot of differences when talk to elder people, strangers and younger. When talk to elder people and strangers, the most polite and respective form is required. If not, they will feel offensive and sometimes angry. Also, there is a different way to talk with a friend or with an elder. When talk to elder, like I mentioned before, the most polite form is needed. Yet, when talking to a close friend or younger, just use the informal form will be fine. About talking to the men or women, I think there are no significant differences.
In addition, in Korea, whether to use formal form or informal form depends on the age and the relationship between each other as well. If there is an age difference between two people but they are very close, informal form can be used. Yet, if the same age people who are not very close, they will use formal form instead of the informal one. Thus, from my observation, using formal form or informal form depends on how close the two speakers are more than on the age differences.
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