Now that we live in Sevilla, we have learned that the appropriate greeting and farewell to friends (and sometimes acquaintances) is a kiss in the direction of a check. Not just one cheek. Both. When Jerry said good-bye to Margarita Saturday afternoon, he gave her Spanish kisses with a bit of a flourish. Margarita laughed (we seem to have that effect on her) and looked at me and said. "He's so snobby!"
We realized we had yet another thing to learn, so asked why his kisses defined him as snobby, and she explained that he didn't even touch her. His face was somewhere to the right and left of hers as he noisily kissed the air.
So, Jerry tried again. He held Margarita's shoulders and planted a kiss on each cheek. She laughed again.
"Well," she said, "That was like you were kissing granny! Come on, Jerry, somewhere in the middle!"
She explained that one SHOULD touch cheeks, but one should NOT touch lips to cheeks. If you don't touch cheeks, you're being a snob. If you touch lips to cheeks, you're kissing grandma.
Jerry gave it another try and was told he had perfected his Sevillano cheek-to-cheek air kiss.
PARKING, CHEEK TO CHEEK
We took a walk this afternoon in the beautiful sunshine and continuing heat. Granted, it is no longer 40C (104F). But 31C (88F) is still a bit too hot for hours of walking in the city... especially if you're Jerry. I must make it clear, however, that we are not complaining (much). This is a lot better than raw winds, incessant rain, or snow.
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| TODAY'S TREAT. HEAVEN FOR ME (HELL FOR JERRY). |
We stopped for tapasitas (not a meal, just a snack) at what turned out to be a low-end restaurant. The food was nothing to write home (or here) about. Except for the olives. I love olives. Jerry does not.
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| CALLE SOL (SUN STREET) AS IT MEETS PLAZA SAN ROMAN. |
After our tapasitas, while on our walk down one of Sevilla's charming streets, Calle Sol, we passed a temporarily parked car. The picture says it all.
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| KISSING THE WALL. SEVILLANO STYLE. |
I think I would need practice with the kissing...any volunteers? `wink`
ReplyDeleteolives are a fav of mine...and the car, well that is just crazy...how in the hell do they park like that, I fear i would wreck many many a car LOL
Hugs Mr. B
David:
ReplyDeleteI am in awe of that park job! I absolutely love olives. And, as for the kissing... just follow the instructions.
Now imagine the French...in some places it is four kisses...uhm...most places in Latin America that is not done...except in Argentina where the men kiss freely and they do touch cheeks...more like a grandma kiss but I think it also carries some other sexual overtones even if they don't like to admit it.
ReplyDeleteI envy you living in Sevilla
saludos,
raulito
I just met a Spanish woman this weekend, who wanted a hug and kiss, and I cheek-to-cheek'd her on one side, and she said, "No, it must be both."
ReplyDeleteSo I complied.
Then as she was leaving, I cheek-to-cheek'd her again, on both cheeks, and she told me she loved me.
I must have done something right.
You make me smile. That is also very Portuguese. We greet the same way. Our parents we would kiss their right hand. :~)
ReplyDeleteHere in France the issue is more related to how many kisses. Some places, it's two. Others, three. Still others, four! How to know? I saw a map of France on the internet a couple of years ago that delineated the regions of 2, 3, and 4 kisses. Of course, it varies within region and I still never know. I follow the lead.
ReplyDeleteI'd expect that Spanish kisses of greetings, even if 'air' ones, are a bit more meaningful than the awful "Mwah mwah"s we very occasionally see in this country, which tell those around that the 'performers' are definitely at least 'upper middle-class'! They are so comical, and if in earnest, they make me cringe. (This comment may miss you as I know that most Americans are nowhere near as class-conscious as many Brits still unfortunately are.)
ReplyDeleteRaulito:
ReplyDeleteWho would have thought kissing could be so confusing!
Bob:
ReplyDeleteIt must just be the irresistible charm!
Nubian:
ReplyDeleteI love the parental hand-kiss!
Walt the Fourth:
ReplyDeleteNo wonder "French Kissing" was so talked about when we were kids. An instruction manual wouldn't even cover it.
Raybeard:
ReplyDeleteSadly, many Americans are extremely class-conscious. Those snobby air-kisses that made Margarita laugh are actually serious business in the states (right along with the mwah-mwahs)!
Oh my! We kiss three times, left, right, left. And very good friends... left, right, mouth!
ReplyDeleteShould have stopped at th olive stall at Saturdays market for olives marinated in red wine.
I too absolutely love olives my husband does not!
ReplyDeleteKissing seems much more popular here these days, certainly when meeting up with friends.
Peter:
ReplyDeleteThe rules of kissing. Fascinating!
the cuby poet:
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful Jerry has gotten over his distaste for olive OIL. Living in Spain, that would have been awful. I'm glad kissing has made it to Cornwall.
Hey mister.
ReplyDeleteI really like the blog and to see the world through your eyes. Nice pictures too :-)
Jeff:
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for stopping by and for the kind words. I just checked out your website; great images -- can't wait for the showreel. I also look forward to getting caught up on your blog.
Don't you just love olives....mmm....and kisses...close or far...just go for it....besides my big tongue always connects(Sophie wanted to add this!
ReplyDeletesophie...^5:
ReplyDeleteYour comment made me laugh out loud (especially Sophie's tongue)!
Just found you today, Mitch, and I'll be back often. For several years a colleague and I took advanced high school students to Europe for three weeks of travel-study every summer. We fell totally in love with Spain and the kids were crazy about it. Our itinerary began with study in Granada, then stops in Cordoba, Seville and Ronda -- such wonderful sensual overload and such great food!
ReplyDeleteWill:
ReplyDeleteThanks for finding me and for sharing your story. What a great experience to have. We still haven't been to Granada, Córdoba, or Ronda. Can't wait.
DesignerBlog now has a link to Mitchell is Moving.
ReplyDeleteWill:
ReplyDeleteThanks! And I am now following you here!
The Italians are also cheek kissers. I think it is a good practice and should be adopted by gays in the states, especially during flu season, instead of the lip kiss, so common among gay friends.
ReplyDeleteFDeF:
ReplyDeleteYep, I remember all that kissing in Italy when I used to go there in the '70s (and with my Italian -- from Italy -- friends in NY). I love the extravagance of the double kisses (and apparently triple and quadruple in France); Americans should adopt the practice over the lip kiss (cheek to cheek may be less intimate, but it's somehow more personal).
So THAT"S how one does it!!! OMG! Have I made a lasting impression on a few people! OOPPs.....
ReplyDeleteThanks for the 'heads up' Mitch!
Jim:
ReplyDeleteWell, at least no one's been complaining. Besides, where you are, the rules are probably completely different.