Dear reader,
Spaniards differ from Americans perhaps the most in regards to levels of directness. In American society so many things cannot be said, and so many more are packaged in specific ways to be more buttery. You don't just walk up to a bar, and half shout at the bartender "Listen! Two beers!" in the states (at least I think not?), but here that exchange would be normal.
The other day I was on the receiving end of this cultural difference. The wife of one of my host family's sons was around the house, and asked to see my costume for Carnaval. (Two posts down there is a picture.) On spying it, she asked me if I was gay in a conversation translated roughly as follows:
Wife: Is your friend gay?
Me: No.
Wife: Are you sure?
Me: Yes, he has many pretty ladies in his life. (Positive trait)
Wife: Wait, so are you gay?
Me: No.
Wife: Are you sure?
Me: Yes.
Wife: You could tell me if you were.
Me: I'm not gay.
Wife: Alllright.
As you can see, when someone wants to know something, meandering and beating around bushes seems to be minimal. I'm trying to picture this in America unsuccessfully.
Just wait until I get back and take my newly acquired conversational habits with me,
Tim
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