It’s Romance Awareness Month, and this week we’re sharing some tips for how to be romantic in other cultures. Visit here for more tips from other cultures.
Latin Americans and Spaniards are known to be very open and expressive compared to other cultures. As we celebrate Romance Awareness Month, it’s good to take a look at some customs related to courtship, love and romance.
In Latin America it’s very common for men to send flowers to new friends that they feel attracted to. They can either send flowers or other small gifts with the help of friends or even members of the family. This type of courtship can go on for a while they establish trust. It’s not uncommon for men to go meet and talk to the friend’s parents before officially asking them out.
A typical date could simply entail going for a walk around town and simply be seen by others as taking a stroll together. A more formal date would include dinner or going to the movies. In most cases, holding hands wouldn’t happen until after a few dates.
It’s important to pay attention to body language as well. In Latin America and Spain it’s very common to greet friends of the opposite gender with besos (kisses) or a besito (a light kiss). But be aware that this doesn’t necessarily have a romantic connotation. In fact, young people in Spain kiss each other when they are introduced to each other. Latin Americans give a single besito, a light touch of the cheeks while Spaniards give two kisses.
There is another tradition in Spain that has survived from older times: pelar la pava, which means for a boyfriend and girlfriend to hang out, without really doing anything, kind of letting time pass by, but together. It used to happen with the girl at home, through the window. These days it can be done anywhere.