Greetings and kisses in Spanish-speaking countries

Are you heading to Spain in the summer or do you want to travel around Latin America this year? Have you ever wondered if they have different rules for greeting and kissing? Be careful, the interaction between men and women is very different than in most other countries in the world! But don’t worry, with these guidelines you will be prepared for every situation.

In general, physical contact is much more common in Spanish cultures than, for example, in northern European countries or the United States. People have an open, warm and flirtatious way of conversing.

Spaniards generally keep a much closer physical distance when talking to each other than foreigners are used to. This doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but if Spanish culture is completely new to you, you might feel confused at first and find it a bit difficult to read the signs of the opposite sex.

In Latin America and Spain, men and women greet each other with “besitos,” which means they briefly touch cheeks and make a kissing sound with their lips. It doesn’t matter if you’re good friends or meeting for the first time, the kiss on the cheek is a universal form of greeting. These little kisses are purely friendly and have no sexual significance. In Spanish culture they are considered more of a formality than an attempt at flirting. Wherever you go, be sure to kiss the right cheek first, as this will help you avoid accidentally hurting someone.

In general, both men and women enjoy each other’s company and flirting is a natural way of communicating with each other. This attitude must be considered as part of Spanish nature and can be seen in all age groups. A couple kissing in public is seen quite often in Spain, but is less common in parts of Latin America, where traditional Catholic customs can still be found.

When a pretty woman walks by on the street, men will most likely compliment her or even hiss at her. These flirtatious comments are called “compliments” and often include a simple “guapa” (meaning beautiful) or “my love.” The woman should not acknowledge the compliment and she should try to keep a straight face so as not to encourage the men. These comments are harmless and occur a million times a day in almost every corner of Spain or Latin America. Traditionally known for their macho behavior, Spanish men simply express their admiration for women by acting that way.

Good luck!