Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 or Nikkor 50mm f/1.8?

Using for general shots of people. Which one?

Portraits, 50mm more than head and shoulders 35mm IF you are shooting with a crop sensor. If not, stick with the 50mm.

If you are on a cropped body (like the D3100 or D5000) and have no plans on ever upgrading to a full frame. If you are planning on upgrading or you are already on a full frame, get the 50mm.

But really, you can't go wrong with either.

"Using for general shots of people." Is a fairly broad sort of a question. For portraits I have found that a lens of 80 - 135mm (normalized to full frame) is the best. For capturing people in a room you will need a much wider lens say 50-35mm.

Tutorial - Understanding Focal Length
http://ricklionheart.com/photography/understanding-focal-length/

Tutorial - Field of View & Sensor Size
http://ricklionheart.com/photography/field-of-view-and-sensor-size/

this photo was taken with a 100mm

There's several videos on youtube you may want to view first. In a digital camera, the 50mm will be closer to
a 75mm, while the 35mm will be closer to a 50mm as film camera would be. The 35 is about 52mm.

Only you can answer this question. If you have the 18-55 kit lens, try shooting at 35mm for a week, then shoot at 50mm for a week. Use blue tape to set your zoom ring so you aren't tempted to zoom.

For me, using a 35mm lens on a crop sensor camera is my choice.

Ok, Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

I swear by my 50mil, i love it, its never off my camera, it depends though, of course with the 50, it will be a tighter frame than the 35mm, so then think what are you using it for? Street photography, its said 50mm is too tight, but i beg to differ, i guess if i was you it'd be down to price (very professional of me) haha