Comments on: La Señora: Who is she?

By: Monica Belot

Monica Belot — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 16:06:44 +0000

In reply to Rocio Lucero. That's amazing Rocio! Glad to hear you're reclaiming your inner Señora.

By: Monica Belot

Monica Belot — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 15:39:55 +0000

In reply to Bradford Burns. Buenas tardes is probably the safest bet, but if you might think of her as a grandmother you can likely call her Señora!

By: Monica Belot

Monica Belot — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 15:39:14 +0000

In reply to TRUTH. Indeed- Viva Mexico!

By: Rocio Lucero

Rocio Lucero — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:31:45 +0000

I loved this article! I am one of those young, unmarried Latina reclaiming the señora label with pride and joy. It was lovely to read about the larger movement happening around this.

By: Bethany Platanella

Bethany Platanella — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 17:09:58 +0000

In reply to Billy-bob. A friend of mine, a proud Mexican señora in her late 70s, finds it insulting when someone calls her Señorita. I guess to each her own - you'll find out one way or the other!

By: Iggie

Iggie — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 16:57:13 +0000

In reply to Billy-bob. So which is it Señorito.... change over time or the service of memory?

By: Billy-bob

Billy-bob — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 16:45:42 +0000

Interesting article.

While I’m sure that cultural standards change over time, if memory serves, “Señorita” is the correct form of address when one does not know the marital status of a woman.

I remember years ago walking into a country store tended by 2 elderly women behind the counter. I greeted them with, “Buenas tardes señoritas”. They giggled in utter delight, pleased as punch.

By: Jaime Jose

Jaime Jose — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 07:39:07 +0000

Some thoughts. For more than 40 years, I have addressed married women as a senora; however the great change is that most “madres soltera ” prefer to be called a senora versus a senorita. I believe the defining difference is one’s status as a mother that changes one from senorita to mother who is considered a senora. I have asked many young , single mothers whether they want to be called a senorita or a senora and almost all choose to be called a senora.

The status of a girl, young woman in the Mexican family structure is low. Even today check out the pecking order for who eats first and how much is the portion. The young senorita is often seen as a whore by her family when she gets pregnant. However , soon after the child is born things change fast. Babies and their mothers move up on the food chain. If that new baby turns out to be the first grandchild, they go from being a bastard child to the most favored. This quick change does not make the 16 year old magically more than a jovencita, but a young mother is treated far better than her 17 year old senortia sisiter . And the “madre solerta “has voluntarily taken on one of the toughest, highly responsible jobs a society presents, that is raising an infant to adulthood. That can be a fast growth path to maturity.

By: Bradford Burns

Bradford Burns — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 21:14:27 +0000

Please tell me, as a Gringo, if I acknowledge a woman on the street as Señora do I hurt her feelings? As in using Usted, I wouldn’t want to be too familiar or speak down to her as if she were a child by caller her Señorita, but is that the best way or may just not go past Buenos Tardes ?

By: TRUTH

TRUTH — Sat, 11 Oct 2025 15:54:12 +0000

Balance and joy. That’s Mexico alright, and that’s the mindset that makes Mexico so wonderful. America is frantic and uptight, and that’s what makes them so crazy. Viva Mexico!