Nicknames

In Peru, a complete stranger can get a person's attention by calling him fat and no one takes offense. First of all, Peruvians are fairly unconcerned with political correctness. Case in point, during the recent soccer match between Paraguay and S. Korea, a Korean man's face flashed up on the screen and my host-dad literally said, "Oh, the Chinos...," and started laughing at the man's face. However, in Peru, it is also commonplace to refer to people by their physical characteristics. General nicknames which describe a particular attribute are used to address both acquaintances and strangers. The following examples are all frequently heard in Peru:

Gordo(a) - fat one
Flaco(a) - skinny one (also used as a term of endearment, regardless of weight)
Chato(a) - shorty
Negro(a) - black person or darker-skinned person
Zambo(a) - curly-haired person
Pelado(a) - person with little hair or buzz-cut
Colorado(a) - light-skinned person
Paisano(a) - light-skinned person from the Sierra
Gringo(a) - white person
Chino(a) - person with Asian characteristics or not

Other names, which are less descriptive, are also used to address people:

Joven - young man
Chibolo - young boy
Niño(a) - child
Amigo(a) - friend; used to address pretty much anyone in casual situations like at the
market or in a restaurant; not used to address professionals or the elderly.
Tio(a) - uncle/aunt; used to respectfully address anyone old enough to be your aunt or uncle.
Hijo(a) - son/daughter; used to talk to someone who is sufficiently younger than you; used
without regard to relationship
Mamita - woman
Seño - short for Señora
Cholo(a) - mestizo; used to refer to anyone, but specifically used among lower classes and
working class.
Pato(a) - slang for friend; used frequently among younger males
Huevon - tool; offensive but used infrequently among males in an inoffensive way

Certain names are acquired with professional status such as:

Profe - teacher
Maestro - master; used to address people of skilled trades like contractors
Licenciado - licensed professionals
Ingeniero - engineers

Of course, general names used to address women must also be included:

Guapa - pretty
Preciosa - precious
Princesa - princess
Reina - queen
Muñeca - doll
Nena - babe
Mamacita - woman