In Spain, a "Spanish kiss" refers to the common greeting and farewell custom of lightly touching right cheeks together and making a kissing sound, then repeating on the left side. It is not a romantic or intimate kiss on the lips.
While often called a "kiss," it's more of a cheek-to-cheek greeting with an air kiss sound. It is a standard social custom between people who know each other, even casually.
Here's a breakdown of what to expect:
- Non-Romantic: It's important to understand this is a friendly gesture, not a romantic advance.
- Cheek-to-Cheek: You'll gently touch your right cheek to the other person's right cheek, and then repeat with the left cheeks.
- Air Kiss: As your cheeks touch, you typically make a gentle kissing sound near their ear, rather than actually kissing the cheek.
- Who does it? It's common between women and women, and between men and women. Men may greet each other with a handshake, a hug, or even the cheek kiss, depending on their relationship.
Understanding this cultural norm will help you navigate social situations in Spain with confidence and avoid any potential misunderstandings.
