Key Players: Tone, Infliction, Custom, and Intent. On a literal level (the literal words you say) - why not? I think irony/disrespect/humor works well when you can play in-between the lines and project what is being implied or not being said. This often happens with close friends. I have found that mastery in English, for example, is when I can sense what is NOT being said and have a whole parallel conversation playing with the empty spaces of speculation between parties. So, when my friends and I joke around - we play with English on several levels: (1) the literal meaning; (2) the timing and spacing between irony or joke; and (3) what is not being said or what is implied (usually a joking insult). So in essence, we are having three parallel conversations. I would assume that Spanish or any other language would be no different. But, I would suggest being extremely familiar with either the language or person before attempting.

I live on the Canadian side of the border. I study Spanish for personal interests. I have several Spanish friends. The closest of these friends have explained that I would not use usted with them unless I was being sarcastic. For example, during a heated argument if I used usted it's like commenting "yes sir" but sarcastically. I once interacted with a Spanish tutor from the country of Spain. I asked her a question and used the usted form. She was quite offended and upset about it. I am a retired senior and she was a younger adult. I had to remind her that I was a student so "lighten up." But, not all Spanish native speakers are so sensitive about it. I mean, it's a learning curve folks.

I guess you should not insult or disrespect anyone, but here are some examples: "Tú eres un bastardo falso." "Usted es un bastardo falso." So yes, it can be used in a very derogatory way. Hope this helps!

This has crossed my mind before lol but i never thought of asking. I remember watching a show in spanish and this guy kidnaps this woman and has a gun pointed at her and he talking to her using the usted form and all Im thinking is why is he being polite yet he kidnapped her? 😆

En México es usual mantener el usted aunque quisiéramos ofender a la persona. Es algo curioso, pero el uso del usted nos ayuda a mantener la distancia con la persona, no tanto por el respeto.