Addressing someone in the 3rd person

[WineIsMyCarb]

Had a small glass of something and am idly wondering... which, if any, modern foreign languages still frequently use the 3rd person to address people formally, particularly at work.

In English we might address a taxi driver as "driver" ("cheers drive" if in Bristol, obvs), an MP with portfolio as Minister, a vicar as Reverend, Permanent Secretary, Headmaster, Chef, etc.

It's rare that I might he addressed as "madam".

A family member was a native Polish speaker, and I've heard disagreement about whether one would address their Babcia in the 3rd person (husband never did). I spoke decent French as a teenager but never had an office job in France - would you use tu or vous for your immediate boss these days? Big Director?

I understand Germans have always addressed colleagues as Mr/Mrs SoAnd So (Herr/Frau, etc - relying heavily on Year 9 German here!). Is that still true?

All clarifications and any other languages welcome!

We're talking about using the third person to directly address a person e.g. "Would His Majesty like to take his tea now?"

"2nd person" refers to the form of the verb you are using. It is a purely grammatical term. "You" is 2nd person. The "you" form of the verb "to be" is [you] "are". 3rd person singular [he/she/ it/ the dog] of the verb to be is "is".

In the sentence "is the patient comfortable?" the verb is "is" and therefore 3rd person. The questioner is not asking the patient the question [that would just be "are you comfortable?"] and is not expecting the patient to respond.

In the sentence "is your majesty comfortable?" the verb is "is" and therefore 3rd person. The questioner in this case is asking his/her maj the question and [by use of "your majesty ] is expecting his/her maj to respond. This is therefore an example of addressing someone in English in the 3rd person.