More Introductions

• Between friends, there is hugging and pressing of cheeks as if they were kissing the air just beyond your head.  Anglos usually don't touch each other, so you will probably do this awkwardly at first.  Get used to it.  Latins touch because they feel friendly toward you.  It isn't sexual.  It is obligatory.

• Names in Hispanic societies include both the patronymic (the father's last name) and the matronymic (the mother's last name).  Here's an example: Juan González Aranda.  González is Juan's father's last name, and Aranda is his mother's maiden name.  Let's imagine that Juan marries María Hernández Luna.  Their adorable daughter Elena takes both parents' patryonymic names, so she is Elena González Hernández.

• A married woman can, if she wants, add her husband's name by putting de with his last name after her own.  For example, Maria could, if she wants, be Maria Hernández Luna de González.

• There are two ways to say "you" in Spanish.  "Usted"  is used in formal situations.   This is what you should use with your clients.  "Tú"   is used in informal situations like your family, friends, children and God.

     Here are some import introduction phrases:
An Example Introduction