The use of 'watashi' in Japanese

[Trouble]

Using "ore" makes you sound a bit standoffish if you ask me. It can go both ways, as in you can make it sound like the "me" in "How dare you insult ME" or you can make it sound like "I can take those two on."

[Trouble]

Originally Posted by MMM

I would never use anata with someone whose name I didn't know unless they were clearly much younger than me.

I've heard that using anata with little kids makes you sound like a paedophile. My friend told me to just ask their name at the beginning of the conversation or close to the beginning so that you don't sound like you're talking to someone you're about to propose to.

[KyleGoetz]

@Trouble: I don't see how オレ could seem standoffish. To my ear, if I were with friends and used わたし, that would sound standoffish. Recall that "standoffish" means unfriendly in an aloof or reserved way. It does not mean unfriendly in a rude way.

Using オレ is, if anything, too unstandoffish in certain situations.