Originally Posted by fionamw

I'm not sure the 'hello haven't got time to talk so goodbye' analogy is quite right. If we were to see someone we know in passing, both driving, in a small village in the UK, or one driving the other walking/biking or whatever, it's my firm belief we would both say 'hello'. Knowing we weren't going to stop and chat, merely acknowledging each other's presence. Not one say 'hello' (or 'hi', or 'good afternoon' or any other greeting variant) and the other say 'goodbye' or 'bye' or any other leaving variant. We would both say hello or hi. (or, etc...!) I don't think I can recall any occasion whatsoever in the UK of passing someone and the greeting being just goodbye.
That, however, seems the case in my neck of the woods. It's rare to see someone as you drive past, window, down, etc,. and have them say Hola. I would say it's 85% plus I say hola they say adios. I remain mystified by this!

As to WCs, I don't know anyone in the UK who would say may I use your bathroom, or where's the bathroom. If you mean the toilet/lavatory/WC/conveniences, you say so using whatever is your chosen word. Bathroom is very US? No?
I'd always (maybe mistakenly) thought cuarto de bano was more a loo request/description than a bathroom. Which of course may not contain a W.C...............

Originally Posted by ononno

Geriatrics at work again. I always; wherever I am , at home in Italy or abroad; in English always use or ask for "the bathroom".
When around Colmenar when I visit invariably greeted by, and greet with " 'lluego". Never quite sure whether it should be 1 'l' or 2.

'o nonno

Originally Posted by dorishaslop

I think when I come over I'll just smile at everyone,, it will either raise a greeting of some sort, or they'll be very confused.

I smile at people on the tube in London and I'm sure they think I've just landed from another planet

Originally Posted by jimenato

Although the Spanish in general are very friendly, they don't seem to smile as much as us Brits. I get the impression they think we're a bit strange grinning at them all the time.

Also, avoid saying 'gracias' all the time at places like the supermarket checkout. Each 'gracias' demands a 'de nada' and they find it a bit of a pain.

Originally Posted by dorishaslop

I'll try to remember that,, I have heard that the Spanish are not very forthcoming with niceties but not because they are deliberately being rude it's just the way they are..

Originally Posted by steviedeluxe

More a difference in etiquette. If you enter a lift in Spain it's normal to say "Hola", even if you don't know anyone. If you remain silent (the normal British behaviour) you are seen as rude, if only in a minor way. The same if you enter a bar or shop - Spanish clientele will almost always greet the staff with "Hola" and/or "Buenas..." Don't do this, and again you'll be seen as rude and possibly arrogant. Also, if there's a queue in a shop it's customary to ask who the last one in line is (Quien es la ultima? or even Quien da la luz?). The British concept of measuring your spot in the queue physically doesn't really exist - I suspect this is the case in other European countries too. Probably why Brits know how to queue at bus stops so well!

Originally Posted by jimenato

Although the Spanish in general are very friendly, they don't seem to smile as much as us Brits. I get the impression they think we're a bit strange grinning at them all the time.

Also, avoid saying 'gracias' all the time at places like the supermarket checkout. Each 'gracias' demands a 'de nada' and they find it a bit of a pain.

Originally Posted by jimenato

Although the Spanish in general are very friendly, they don't seem to smile as much as us Brits. I get the impression they think we're a bit strange grinning at them all the time.

Also, avoid saying 'gracias' all the time at places like the supermarket checkout. Each 'gracias' demands a 'de nada' and they find it a bit of a pain.

Originally Posted by dorishaslop

I'll try to remember that,, I have heard that the Spanish are not very forthcoming with niceties but not because they are deliberately being rude it's just the way they are..

Originally Posted by steviedeluxe

More a difference in etiquette. If you enter a lift in Spain it's normal to say "Hola", even if you don't know anyone. If you remain silent (the normal British behaviour) you are seen as rude, if only in a minor way. The same if you enter a bar or shop - Spanish clientele will almost always greet the staff with "Hola" and/or "Buenas..." Don't do this, and again you'll be seen as rude and possibly arrogant. Also, if there's a queue in a shop it's customary to ask who the last one in line is (Quien es la ultima? or even Quien da la luz?). The British concept of measuring your spot in the queue physically doesn't really exist - I suspect this is the case in other European countries too. Probably why Brits know how to queue at bus stops so well!

Originally Posted by JuanSolo

Sure, but take in account politeness is always appreciated. It's very unlikely that you annoy any one by saying too many por favor or gracias. A Spanish proverb says "Un 'por favor' o un 'gracias' nunca sobra" (A 'please' or a 'thanks' never is unwanted).



If there are only women at the queue, you can ask ¿Quién es la última?, but if you're unsure whether there are men, then the correct question is ¿Quién es el último? However, my favourite question is ¿Quién da la vez?

We Spaniards never say luego alone. It's always said hasta luego. When said very fast it may sound ta'luego.

If you're unsure when crossing along in the street with someone, it's always safe to say hola,buenos días/tardes/noches or simply buenas (informal).

HTH

Originally Posted by JuanSolo

Sure, but take in account politeness is always appreciated. It's very unlikely that you annoy any one by saying too many por favor or gracias. A Spanish proverb says "Un 'por favor' o un 'gracias' nunca sobra" (A 'please' or a 'thanks' never is unwanted).

HTH