Los Sentimientos

If you are too lazy to google translate it, it means feelings.

This title is kind of a lie. Sorry. Instead of talking about feelings, I will talk about divergent characteristic between the lovely USA and the lovelier (sorry founding fathers and Obama and stuff, love you guys) España and you can infer how I feel about them. 

Peeing (sorry Mom, Dad, grandparents, polite people)

There is this unwritten rule that you can't let your kids pee openly on the beach after they turn 5-years-old, right? Good, we agree- but WAS IT EVER OKAY TO LET YOUR KIDS PEE ON THE STREET OR IN PUBLIC PARKS? Apparently, in Spain it is. 

• Example 1: Natalie and I saw a mom inverting her child forward to pee at El Parque de Buen Retiro. This kid was probably 6. 
• Example 2: The following day, I guess anther madre wanted to one up the previous example and allowed her daughter to drop trou on the side of Calle Serrano (the equivalent to your Newbury street or 5th avenue). 

While I knew Europeans were lax about nudity, I had no idea they were so open about nudity AND bodily excretions.

Unfortunately I don't have pictures of these events, not because I am a sensitive or classy, but because I did not have la cámara in my possession. 

Bumping and Grinding

Get your mind out of the gutter. 

I am talking about people bumping into you on the street. Americans are always walking on eggshells to please each other. If I bump into someone on the street I apologize to the victim as many times as I possibly can, averaging 3 "sorry's" per bump. 

Madrileños will bump into you, hard, and continue walking as if nothing happened. They certainly are not doing it to be unkind or aggressive. I am sure every person that has bumped into me has done so on accident. They are not in a hurry, they just do not see the need to say anything. It is kind of refreshing since, really, what good does saying sorry do in situations like this? Call me insensitive (well, I am, but that is beside the point), but I like it. 

Kissing

Get your mind out of the gutter again. 

You know about the double kisses on the cheek. You are probably thinking Italy or France right now. Well, give Spain some credit too. They love their cheek-kissing greeting just as much. Our program directors warned us about this, going as far as acting out an American introduction and then a Spanish one. I REALLY wish I had caught a video of this occasion but alas, I did not. 

I guess I thought people did not actually do this. Well, they DO. I learned and reviewed this the hard way.

Example 1: I meet my host sister's boyfriend. He starts to approach me, I suppose to shake my hand, so I immediately extend my arm in a typical cheerleader fashion. He continues to lean forward, sees my hand, and shakes it. Oh, he was going for the kisses. I see now.

Example 2: I meet my host brother. He starts to approach, I suppose to shake my hand, so I immediately extend my arm in a typical cheerleader fashion. He continues to lean forward, sees my hand, bypasses it, and gives me one kiss on each cheek. Oh, he was going for the kisses. I see now.

Hopefully next time I can get it right.

I will talk about Public displays of affection, smoking, and food later. Stay tuned!