How not to blow your cover as a guiri

[cinnamon]

i see nova's point about the eye contact, though. apart from this i consider it just manners saying hello/good afternoon or whatever, just like please and thank you. in the czech republic it is just common to greet someone who just happens to pass you in a corridor in a house, even you don't know that person. don't know about the uk though, tbh.

[Michael]

I'll say hello to anyone and everyone but, like Nova I wait for the eye contact on the basis that if they're trundling along head down then they obviously don't want to be bothered.

[Janet]

same here ... though even then I might just smile. I find it hard enough communicating with people I know ...

[Perikles]

I do say hello to the street sweepers I pass going to work, but only if they make eye contact.  If there's no eye contact I don't bother

There's a big difference between crossing people in the street and being in an enclosed space such as a lift, something to do with personal space. An acknowledgement of somebody's existence is just being civilised, without any commitment to engage in any more dialogue.

[minesadorada]

I have always said 'hello' to strangers (I'm a friendly chap) but in the UK, it was often snubbed - I like the way the Spanish return the greeting.  Just one of the reasons I prefer to live here.

I can't overcome the overuse of 'P's and Q's' though - even though I know the Spanish find it weird.  It's just built-in to me

Another issue of manners is the language thing.  I always try to use my limited Spanish in conversation with a native spanish-speaker, but I notice that if the spanish-speaker replies in schoolboy english (out of poiliteness), many 'guiris' instantly switch to english themselves.  I think it is better manners to continue to talk in the other's language rather than your own - unless specifically invited to.

[Janet]

Another issue of manners is the language thing.  I always try to use my limited Spanish in conversation with a native spanish-speaker, but I notice that if the spanish-speaker replies in schoolboy english (out of poiliteness), many 'guiris' instantly switch to english themselves.  I think it is better manners to continue to talk in the other's language rather than your own - unless specifically invited to.

Actually this is a very interesting point because I've always wondered what the etiquette is. I was in the local ferreteria the other day and the youth behind the counter answered my Spanish in English, so I continued in Spanish, and he in English! I then asked why he was speaking English in his own country to someone who was speaking to him in Spanish, and he switched back to Spanish to explain that he really really wanted to improve his English and was crap at learning language ... and so at that point I switched to English and we had a simple conversation focusing on correct pronunciation and standard vocab ...

What's the correct thing, though? Is there such a thing as a correct thing?

[Myrtle Hogan-Lance]

I do say hello to the street sweepers I pass going to work, but only if they make eye contact.  If there's no eye contact I don't bother

Good policy.  You don't want to look like a stalker.

Actually this is a very interesting point because I've always wondered what the etiquette is. I was in the local ferreteria the other day and the youth behind the counter answered my Spanish in English, so I continued in Spanish, and he in English! I then asked why he was speaking English in his own country to someone who was speaking to him in Spanish, and he switched back to Spanish to explain that he really really wanted to improve his English and was crap at learning language ... and so at that point I switched to English and we had a simple conversation focusing on correct pronunciation and standard vocab ...

What's the correct thing, though? Is there such a thing as a correct thing?

Good question.  I have no idea.  I nearly always carry on in Spanish, on the assumption my Spanish is better than their English, except when OH is with me.  If someone is speaking English in attempt to include him, I'll go along with it.  I had this several times the other day when we were out looking at cars.  The guys had very limited English, so I did translations and gave them prompts in Spanish so they could carry on.  It was odd. 

Even in France I carry on in French.  Only one time did someone try to override me and carry on in English. 

If there is an etiquette I'd love to know.

[minesadorada]

From the spanish folk I have asked about this, most say that you should try to speak in the other person's language unless asked to do otherwise.  This does lead to a bilingual exchange, which is OK.  Usually, both parties end up mutually agreeing on english or spanish if the weaker linguist has trouble trouble keeping up.

Most of the limited spanish skills I have have been picked up this way, as you recall Janet - such conversations can turn into informal language lessons.  When I play Saturday golf, I ask the starter to group me with spanish-speakers only, to force me to practice.  By far the best way of learning is from a person rather than a book.

Watching spanish telly helps tremendously to educate my tin ear for the language.

[Guanche]

I took me a while to say hello to a room full of people I don't know. Now I do it without thinking. But it does depend on how many people are in the room and how big the room is. Doctors waiting room, yes, large office, no. Cafe with a few people in, yes lots of people in, no. I also got in to the habit of saying 'Adios' when seeing someone we know in the street.
Sounding the car horn as you drive past people having a picnic on the side of the road will always give you a wave and a smile. Same as saying 'Bien Provecho'
If a Spanish person starts to speak to me in English I always ask if they want to speak in English or Spanish and hope they want to speak in English!