Gestures
I went to the Hotel Santa Cruz to reserve a room for my folks and the receptionist (owner I guess) started speaking in German, when that met with a blank stare she asked if I was English. Then she said I had a German face, which I didn’t really mind… I’m not sure what it means. The only German I know is Hans in the walking group and he looks like an emaciated Alan Rickman (also he’s been here since 1991 so he’s practically Asturian).
Then she was very clear about how closed the English were. We got to the point where I realised the best translation was reserved, rather than cold, closed, dificult or any of the other Spanish words she used. I agreed with her and said that, for example, an English person would never touch your arm while conversing (two strangers that is). Whereas here, any time someone says oye (listen), mira (look), hombre (mate) they tend to touch you to reinforce that they’re talking to you. If I were sticking to my culturally assigned role we’d end up with them chasing me round the room as I reestablished my personal space and they re-re-established a perfectly normal conversation.
I’m used to it now, but I never do it, I don’t think I can. I can practice all of the little conversational tics to replace ‘erm’ and ‘uh’ but I don’t see that I’ll ever reach out to someone and tap them on the arm as I say ‘well mate…’
Tags: hotel, visitors
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
