NON-VERBAL

COMMUNICATION IN
SPAIN

Darina Piskunova
1st year student
FIANSP
 INTRODUCTION

• There is a certain aspect of culture that is

important to learn about because it can be
unintentionally put into action when visiting
another culture: non-verbal communication.
• Non-verbal communication is prevalent and
far-reaching in Spanish culture.
 AFFECTION
• Spaniards traditionally show great affection for
family and friends, greeting one another with hugs
or touching cheeks while making kissing noises.
• Even male friends usually embrace when meeting.
• The Spanish also frequently touch one another
while speaking, and tend to stand more closely than
Americans.
• When meeting for the first time, people
traditionally shake hands. Men sometimes shake
with two hands, placing their left hand on the other
person's forearm.
 BODY LANGUAGE
• This culture relies heavily on body language.
• People often talk over one another, using their hands wildly to make
a point or contorting their facial expressions to reflect their thoughts.
• Interrupting someone shows interest in what they say.
• When talking in Spain, your stance and facial expressions will
convey your message as much – and possibly more than – the words
you say.
 GESTURES

• Another nonverbal action to be careful with when having a

conversation or interaction with other people is pointing
your finger.
• Pointing your finger is considered bad manners and might
be a bad habit to break for someone who’s native culture
does not have that assumed rule.
• Almost in contrast to that nonverbal action, staring at other
people is not immediately taken as rude in Spanish culture.
• There is also a variety of hand gestures that can be used as a
way to efficiently convey an emotion or a statement.
 GREETINGS

• Men greet each other with a handshake

and close friends will also exchange a
hug.
• It is also common practice for men to
place their left hand on the other person’s
right forearm while shaking their hand.
• Women greet their friends with a kiss on
each cheek, starting on the left, and also a
small hug.
Here are some of the most common Spain gestures and greetings...
 HOLA AND ADIÓS
• Meaning: “Hello” and “Goodbye”
• How to do: This type of greeting is pretty
common. You just need to put one of your
hands up, not completely open, and shake
from left to right and back at least a couple of
times.
• When or where to use: You can use this
gesture to say hello to someone you see, or
goodbye when they’re leaving. If you’re
really happy to see them, you can do this
movement more energetically and repeatedly.
 DOS BESOS

• Meaning: “Two kisses on the cheeks”

• How to do: Kiss a person twice, once on each
cheek. But keep in mind that you won’t actually
be kissing them, but only pretending to. You must
always start by leaning to your left side, which is
their right cheek. Notice that in other countries,
such as France, they start on the other side.
• When or where to use: This greeting is typically
used between a woman and a man, or a woman
and another woman—or between kids. If you’re
two men, but you’re from the same family, you
can also give him dos besos.
 DAR LA MANO

• Meaning: “Handshake”
• How to do: Shaking hands in Spain is easy: it’s
just a normal handshake. We’re sure you’ve
seen this one before, but just in case, all you
need to do is hold and shake someone’s hand
while facing them.
• When or where to use: Shake hands if the
greeting is for professional reasons or between
two men. It can also mean you’ve just made an
agreement.
 FACIAL EXPRESSIONS

• In Spain, your stance and facial

expressions will speak stronger
than your actual spoken words.
EYE CONTACT AND SMILES
• Direct eye contact is expected during conversations in
Spain.
• Spanish people smile more and avoid making frequent eye
contact. Too much eye contact in Spain is considered cold
and threatening.
 TOUCH
• The Spanish tend to be quite tactile and expressive with physical touch.
• Open displays of affection between couples are common and acceptable.
• It is common to see people walking hand-in-hand, or friends walking together with their
arms interlocked.
• Among friends, people may nudge your arm, elbow, or leg to reinforce their points in
conversations, put an arm around your shoulder in camaraderie or hold both your
shoulders to show deep appreciation.
• All these moments of physical interaction are meant to signify friendly affection and
approachability.
• Spanish men tend to be less guarded about physical contact with other men than those
from English-speaking countries.
 PERSONAL SPACE

• Spaniards prefer proximity to long distances when they talk

to each other, which may extend to a maximum of 18
inches.
• (Non-Spaniards may be distanced from each other even as
wide as 32 inches when talking.)
• Men are less protective of their personal space.
• Nevertheless, women are generally more comfortable with
closer proximities.
 AVOID CERTAIN ACTIONS

• In America, "come here" can be expressed by extending the

index finger and pulling it toward the person gesturing. In
Spain, however, this gesture carries sexual overtones.
Instead, wave with your whole hand.
 THROWING THINGS IS NOT
ACCEPTABLE

• In English-speaking cultures, it is common to toss small

objects such as keys to each other. In Spanish-speaking
cultures, however, throwing small objects to one another is
considered rude.
 VOICE

• Consider that Spaniards can struggle to stay quiet for long durations of time. They are not
particularly comfortable with silence in social situations. If a conversation does fall quiet,
it may be perceived to reflect badly on the relationship with the conversation partner.
• It is common and acceptable for friends to interrupt and talk over one another as people get
excited about the conversation. In some cases, people may shout to be heard. This is not
necessarily rude but indicates full engagement with the discussion.
• Paralanguage – the way in which you say words: volume, pitch, speaking rate, and voice
quality.
• Speak very loud: friends or family speaking or having fun.
• Speak very softly: if they want to show respect.
 CLOTHING

• Spanish men and women generally have a more

“European” taste for fashion, and comfort is often of lesser
importance.
• They usually dress modern and conservative because to
them, fashion conveys social/business status.
• Brands Loewe, Dior, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton are popular.
 CONCLUSION

• Spain's way of communication without words is both very

similar and very different from our methods of
communication; we both shake hands in greeting, we both
enjoy popular name brands, and we both have gestures that
stand for certain phrases. However, we have different ideas
of personal space. In order to respect those around us, it is
our job to educate ourselves in the customs of other
countries so we can communicate effectively and
respectfully when the time comes.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!