Quote:
Originally Posted by KyleGoetz
One thing I've wondered about あなた: I know wives can refer to their husband as あなた, akin to "dear" in English. Like, to get her husband's attention, a wife might softly say あなた. Do husbands ever do that toward their wives? I guess I could look at my wife and say おい, but that's not so nice, now, is it? 
Also, I never had to talk about my own wife in Japanese before, but on the anniversary of my wedding, I figure I might as well confirm: I say 家内 to refer to my own wife, right? |
Hubbies seldom, if ever, do that toward their wives in everyday situations. They use the wives' names, nicknames and believe it or not, even words like お母さん and ママ if they have kids.
Regarding wives addressing their husbands as あなた, it is rarely done out in public, either. They mostly do that at home where there is no one around. That would be because showing affection on the street is not a very Japanese-like practice.
Using おい is not too nice but then many husbands do and many wives do not seem to care..
You use 家内 when talking about your wife with others such as neighbors, colleagues, and not-too-close friends. With close friends, blood family and in-laws, you can (or rather , you must) use her first name.