Cultural aspects of greetings in Spanish-speaking countries and United States culture have many similitaries and differences.
Among the similarities it is worth to mention the following:
1. In both cultures we use to say hello, how are you? or hola como estás? in informal conversations whenever you meet someone you already know.
2. In formal conversations when you arrive to a place both cultures use to start greetings with good morning, good afternoon, good evening which in Spanish mean buenos días, buenas tardes and buenas noches.
3. Also in both cultures we tend to say goodbye when we leave a place.
Differences
Latin Americans will usually greet friends and relatives more personally than do Americans.
1. They give hugs - even the men! Men usually also greet woman with "besitos" meaning they touch cheeks while making a kissing noise with their lips.
2. Woman also greet other woman with "besitos." These little kisses are purely friendly and have no romantic meaning.
3. in Argentina and Uruguay, men will also kiss men on the cheek when saying hello
Non verbal communication
1. Nonverbal language in Spanish culture is different from nonverbal culture in the United States. Be careful with hand gestures when visiting other countries. A thumbs-up to someone in the United States might mean something else in a different country.
For example, the hand gesture we use for "come here," the hand palm up with the index finger extending in and out three or four times, has a very different meaning in Latin America. It means that you are very romantically interested in the person and is considered a solicitation. To motion to someone in Latin America "come here" extend your hand palm down and move all four fingers in and out together three or four times.
