Two kisses, a handshake or nothing: how to greet people in Spain

Key rules

• Friends and acquaintances: Greet them with two kisses, starting on the right cheek.
• Men with men: Men usually shake hands, or hug if they are close, rather than kiss.
• Formal first meetings: Shake hands in business, official and service settings.
• When unsure: Wait for the other person to move first and match them.

The short answer

Friends and acquaintances greet each other with dos besos, starting on the right cheek. In formal or first meetings, a handshake is the safe choice. Everything else is a variation on those two, so when in doubt, watch the other person and match them.

How to give dos besos

Lean in and touch cheeks lightly, your right cheek to their left. Make a kiss sound in the air. Then switch to the other side for the second one. Nobody actually kisses the cheek. The checklist below walks through it step by step.

Who kisses whom

• Women with women, and women with men: dos besos is normal, even the first time you meet in a social setting.
• Men with men: a handshake or a hug is usual. Kisses are for family and very close friends.
• Younger people: they kiss more freely and often skip handshakes.

When to shake hands

Use a handshake in business and professional first meetings, with officials, and in service situations. Between a man and a woman at work, a handshake is common. A kiss can happen if the woman starts it, or once you know each other better.

Greetings since 2020

During the Covid period of 2020-21, kisses were widely replaced by handshakes, elbow bumps and waves. Among friends and family, dos besos has largely come back. With strangers and new colleagues, a handshake or a simple "hola" or "buenos días" is now more common than before 2020. Many people wait for the other person to make the first move. Do the same if you are unsure.

Regional differences

Dos besos is the norm across nearly all of Spain, so regional differences are small. In casual settings, some people in parts of the north, the Basque Country, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands give just one kiss. Watch what locals do and follow them. Moving in for two when they offer one is a small mistake, and people will not mind.

If you get it wrong

A clumsy greeting is forgiven fast. If you go for a kiss and the other person offers a hand, shake it and smile. For a choice between kiss, handshake and hug, use the decision guide below.

Choosing between options

Should you kiss, shake hands or hug when you greet someone in Spain?

• Two kisses: You are a woman greeting a woman or a man, or a man greeting a woman, in an informal or social setting, even on a first meeting.

• Handshake: The meeting is formal, business or professional, or you are dealing with an official or in a service situation. Men greeting men usually shake hands too.

• Handshake or hug between men: You are a man greeting a man you know well.

Use a handshake in formal or first professional meetings and two kisses in social ones. Between a man and a woman at work, shake hands unless she offers a kiss or the relationship has warmed up. Younger people kiss more freely.

Checklist

• Offer two kisses to friends and acquaintances in social settings, starting on the right cheek.

• Switch to the left cheek for the second kiss.

• Watch the other person's lead before moving in, especially with a colleague of the opposite sex, and match what they do.

Quick answers about greetings and everyday manners

Should I say "que aproveche" to people who are eating?

Yes, saying "que aproveche" (enjoy your meal) is polite when you pass a table or walk into a place where people are eating, but you don't have to say it to strangers in a crowded restaurant. It is a clear occasion when a colleague or acquaintance is eating. The usual reply is "gracias".

Is it an insult when a shopkeeper calls me "cariño" or "guapo"?

No, "cariño", "guapo/guapa", "corazón" or "majo/maja" from shopkeepers, market sellers and waiters are normal friendly words, not insults or flirting. They are more common with older staff and in Andalusia, the Canary Islands and Madrid, and less common in Catalonia, the Basque Country and formal settings. If the tone feels leering or the setting is professional, answer neutrally, or politely ask them to use your name, and move on.

What do I do if someone greets me and I don't catch it?

Say "¿Perdón?" or "¿Cómo?" with a smile, or "¿Cómo dices?" if you know them well ("¿Cómo dice?" is the formal version). Asking people to repeat is normal and not rude. You can also just repeat the greeting back with "Hola, buenas" or answer "Bien, ¿y tú?".

Do I need to greet people when I enter a shop or lift?

Yes, a brief "Buenos días" or "Buenas" is expected when you enter shops, lifts and waiting rooms. It is the safe default in any of these places. Practising a few stock phrases makes it automatic.