When is it rude to call someone by their given name?


Would it be considered rude to suddenly start calling someone by their given
name, like, should you ask permission to do so first? if you don't ask
permission, and this someone only wishes to be called by their family name, is
it seen as though you're mocking them, or intentionally being rude?

edit: i mean, how rude would it be seen as? is it seen as taboo, or just
generally greatly frowned upon in society?

edit: I have looked at the posts addressing politeness, but it doesn't answer
my question here.




For example, his name is Taro Okamoto. Taro is his first name and Okamoto is
his family name.

In formal settings, for example, you're on business, in a company, or in a
class at school, you should call him "Okamoto-san."

"Okamoto", "Taro", "Taro-san", "Taro-chan", "Taro-kun" are not appropriate.
"Okamoto" and "Taro" are even rude and offensive. No matter how close you and
Mr.Okamoto's relationship is, you should call him "Okamoto-san" in a formal
setting. It is a matter of Japanese grammar, the Keigo-system. It's more like
in English you should call him "Mr. Okamoto" in a formal setting.

In informal settings, for example, in a private party, or in a conversation
between friends, you can call him:

(The higher the number, the closer your relationship would be.)

  1. Okamoto-san
  2. Okamoto-kun
  3. Taro-san
  4. Taro-kun
  5. Okamocchan _or_ Okamocchi
  6. Tarocchi _or_ Tarochan
  7. Okamoto
  8. Taro

First, you should start calling him "Okamoto-san" and I think it's safer to
ask him the permission about what number you may call him.

Hope this helps!




For example, his name is Taro Okamoto. Taro is his first name and Okamoto is
his family name.

In formal settings, for example, you're on business, in a company, or in a
class at school, you should call him "Okamoto-san."

"Okamoto", "Taro", "Taro-san", "Taro-chan", "Taro-kun" are not appropriate.
"Okamoto" and "Taro" are even rude and offensive. No matter how close you and
Mr.Okamoto's relationship is, you should call him "Okamoto-san" in a formal
setting. It is a matter of Japanese grammar, the Keigo-system. It's more like
in English you should call him "Mr. Okamoto" in a formal setting.

In informal settings, for example, in a private party, or in a conversation
between friends, you can call him:

(The higher the number, the closer your relationship would be.)

  1. Okamoto-san
  2. Okamoto-kun
  3. Taro-san
  4. Taro-kun
  5. Okamocchan _or_ Okamocchi
  6. Tarocchi _or_ Tarochan
  7. Okamoto
  8. Taro

First, you should start calling him "Okamoto-san" and I think it's safer to
ask him the permission about what number you may call him.

Hope this helps!

