Manners
When speaking to the elderly, or to strangers, Cubans speak more formally as a sign of respect. They shake hands upon both greeting and saying farewell to someone. Men often exchange friendly hugs (abrazos) and it is also common for both men and women to greet friends and family with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Informalities like addressing a stranger with 'mi corazón' (my heart), 'mi vida' (my life), or 'cariño' (dear) are common. "Mi amor" (my love) is used, even between strangers, when at least one of them is a woman (for example when being served in a shop).
Read more about this topic: Cuban Spanish
Famous quotes containing the word manners:
“The faults of the burglar are the qualities of the financier: the manners and habits of a duke would cost a city clerk his situation.”
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)
“She found his manners very pleasing indeed.—The little flaw of
having a Mistress now living with him at Ashdown Park, seems to
be the only unpleasing circumstance about him.”
—Jane Austen (1775–1817)
“Good manners protect the privileged, but leave the unprivileged more vulnerable.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)