Russian names
If it is normal to use the diminutive form of Russian names, is it considered rude to use them before you have confirmed how a person prefers to be addressed?

e.g. Anya (from Anna), Nadya (from Nadezhda), Tanya (from Tatyana), Katya (from Ekaterina), Vitya (from Victor), Vova (from Vladimir)

Question

Russian names
If it is normal to use the diminutive form of Russian names, is it considered rude to use them before you have confirmed how a person prefers to be addressed?

e.g. Anya (from Anna), Nadya (from Nadezhda), Tanya (from Tatyana), Katya (from Ekaterina), Vitya (from Victor), Vova (from Vladimir)

Answer

Yes, you a right, 
Before using the diminutive forms of Russian names you should make sure that a person accepts such address. Usually a person says about his/her short name by own.

e.g. 
 - Hi! What's your name? 
 - Hi! My name is Anna. You can call me Anya.

Answer

It's definitely bad form to use the diminutive form of a name before you know for sure that it would be appropriate.

Answers · 4

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