Good question. In the Netherlands we also have both formal and informal you’s, namely, U (formal), and Jij (informal). Lately I have been addressed more and more in the formal manner, which saddens me, as it can be seen as a sign of aging. My new neighbor keeps calling me U, even after I told her there’s no need to do so (any longer). For the rest, I am the same as you, @Sneki2, I get very uncomfortable if I am allowed by an elderly person to call him Jij, feels very impolite. What is ‘against nature’, almost, to address a younger than myself person with U, sometimes I do that; with doctors/medical personnel, and authority figures. Must be my upbringing… Obviously formality and informality exists in English (spoken) cultures, yet I do wonder too whether they experience a certain feeling when addressing a person, based on age, job, familiarity. I don’t expect special treatment, by the way. Don’t care for it.