Culture Note:  the importance of gestures

What would happen if your father's boss came to dinner, and when you were introduced, you held out your hand to shake hands, but the boss did not shake hands?  What would you think of the boss?  That he was rude?  Cold?  Would you take it as an insult?

Every culture has gestures, that an outsider must learn.  If we fail to do the gestures, we're considered rude and cold.

When Spanish speakers greet each other or say good-bye, there is always a gesture.  This is true whether you are being introduced, or if you are greeting a person for the first time that day.

Two guys shake hands.

Two girls or a guy and a girl do the cheek rub. (This is often described as a 'kiss,'  but there is no sound. It's mostly just almost touch the cheeks to almost touch.  The guy should approach the girl to do the cheek rub, not vice versa.)

If you fail to do the gesture, you will be considered rude.  You'll also lose the credit on the daily task, and you'll lose points on the test.

Assignment:  notice how Spanish-speaking ESL students greet each other.  Notice especially how the guys shake hands.  Report on this cultural habit to your teacher for a bit of extra credit.