When should you use the (capital) Sie form of 'you'?

Question

(German)
a) always
b) only with strangers
c) older people/at businesses
d) either form as you please
...please help!!

Answer 1

I would go with b and c

There used to be a rule, that the older one (or the higher on in an hierarchy level, like at work) offers the "Du" (Das Du anbieten) to another one. In most of the cases the younger one would accept it (even if the reason is only not to offend the other one). In former times the "Sie" form was always used except for children (while children would even use the Sie when talking to their own parents).
Nowadays the Du is more and more frequently used. Some people use it exclusively, because they think the Sie is old fashioned, others are offended if someone uses it without offering the Du first.

So unfortunately there is no a-b-c-d answer for your question, but although it is old fashioned for most people the "offering the Du" rule would be the best answer.

One funny story was told about the old chancellor Helmut Kohl who wanted to be polite to an English speaking guest in offering the Du to him. He just didn't realize that "You can say you to me" doesn't make any sense in English :o)

Answer 2

Always, (except with people who you are familiar with, like family, close friends, schoolmates, fellow students, children even if you don't know them), but especially with older people and people in positions of authority.
For most Germans to be adressed in the familiar manner by a stranger is equivalent with a serious invasion of personal space and resented.
It is slowly changing among young people, but most revert to being more formal once they grow up.

Answer 3

Allways when Sie is used politely, and sie (no capital) is only used
in plural (kids/youths).

The impolite/popular word du can only be used for kids and young people at an informal occasion.

Möchten Sie etwas trinken?
Ich sagte, sie sollten die Hände waschen.

Answer 4

With your boss, teacher, strangers, well, you get the point, don't you? Basically, it's used during a formal conversation or you want to be polite. So, I'd say a)always.