Cultural Differences

I never tire of observing the cultural differences between Canada and the UK. Between Canada and Spain. Between the UK and Spain.

I am caught in a weird world where I have to balance and be aware of the differences between the place I was raised, and the place I live; between the place I live, as well as the place I was raised, and the customs of my husband and in-laws.

It never gets boring.

I finally realized the other day, why my husband has always believed, since he first met him, that my brother kind of didn't like him.

Our friend - from California - had mentioned in passing the rather barbaric practice that North American men have, of hitting or teasing each other if they like each other.

My Spanish husband observed that he really didn't understand such behaviour.

The penny dropped. I asked him if this was the reason he thought my brother kind of dislikes him.

"Well, yeah. He always punches my arm and says insulting things about Spain and being a Banker."

I couldn't stop laughing.

In Spain, if they are friends - and, probably, even if they are not -  Spanish men are inclined to pat each other on the back, even give each other a hug, and verbalize quite a bit of encouragement. The closest similarity I can draw is that they are like North American women.

I don't say that insultingly or disparagingly. It's just a fact - Spanish men tend to be more verbal and outwardly affectionate than North American men, traits which tend to appear more in North American women.

I had to explain to my poor, befuddled Spaniard that if my brother didn't like him, he would probably ignore him completely, and if he had to pay attention to him, be excruciatingly polite. Violence and insults are signs of affection from the North American male.

"So, I just have to insult him next time I see him and he will know I like him?"

"Yep."

So, I should stop hugging him when I see him?"

"He'd probably feel more comfortable if you punched him in the gut."

The Spaniard stared into space for a moment. "How strange."