Spain/Portugal/Gibraltar - Madrid-Greeting people

I'm a gal and heading to Madrid for 2 days. I'll be meeting up with 2 girls from Madrid that I met at a New York concert last fall and we've kept in touch through email and Facebook. When I finally meet them again next month, what's the way to greet them or be greeted? Will they approach me and give me a kiss on both cheeks or do I make the move first? Or is kissing on both cheeks among family and good friends? Or do I shake hands, hug? :confused:

Usually it would be a Double Kiss if you were european but if you are american then a hug.

It should be a double kiss - once on each cheek. Don't go for the hug

I'm American but lived over there for several years. Cheek kisses are appropriate for people at this level of acquaintance. A hug would be too much. They will likely make the first move but don't be afraid to do so yourself

I'm female and have met lots of Spanish girls at concerts over the years. When I bump into them again I feel free to greet them or return their greetings in whichever way feels appropriate.

Being Spanish, the kisses come absolutely naturally to me so the 'who kisses first' question never arises - and it's right cheek to right cheek, then left cheek to left cheek. But, if you genuinely want to, then go ahead and give them a hug too. In your situation it's absolutely appropriate. If you feel uncomfortable hugging these ladies, don't do it, your discomfort will be rather offputting. As long as the action is heartfelt and spontaneous it will be the right thing to do. As you invariably kiss first, it's easy to work out from that whether the reunion deserves a follow on hug.

Of course, everyone's different. Just as Redhead's circle of friends in Spain include people with whom one shouldn't hug, mine embrace each other, and me, and my friends from the UK all the time.

I'm delighted you'll be staying in Madrid for a couple of days and meeting up with people you have a genuine connection with, I'm sure you'll enjoy the city much more as a result. Have a wonderful time, chati!

Thanks everyone!! Double kiss it is!

I noticed when watching films from Spain, that women will kiss one cheek once and then the other cheek with a bunch of kisses. I'm assuming this, Spanish kiss is done with family and good friends?

I noticed when watching films from Spain, that women will kiss one cheek once and then the other cheek with a bunch of kisses. I'm assuming this, Spanish kiss is done with family and good friends?

A kiss on the right cheek followed by a flurry of multiple kisses on the left is not really the norm amidst acquaintances. It’s more what you get at the airport from your female relatives after a long absence so you’re not that likely to come across it. It’s been a while since I’ve seen some dear friends of mine and I will probably go into a prolonged kissing orgy of the kind you’ve described at our next meeting, but these are women I’ve known since childhood. The extra hug would be more usual.

As you’re female you can go ahead and give a standard double kiss to just about everybody.