In the ninth century B.C., the Celtics migrated to Spain from the middle of Europe. Since the eighth century B.C., Iberia was invaded by other nationalities, and has been governed by Roman, Visigoth and Moorish for a long time. In order to fight for the alien invasion, the Spanish had been in the long-term struggle. The victory of Reconquista in1492, making it turned to establish the earliest unified central kingship in European countries. In 16th century, Spain grew into a marine power, but its glory gradually fades away. In 1931, the monarchy was overthrown, and the republic was founded. In 1936, a coalition government led by people's frontline was established. In 1936 Franco started civil war to seize power and announced the monarchy in Spain. In July, 1976, the King appointed A. Suarez as the Prime Minister, and began the transition to western democracy.
As the official language of Spain, the Spanish is originated from ancient Latin. So far, it has a history of more than 1000 years. Spanish is the universal language of some countries in South American, Guinea in Africa and several countries in North Africa as well as some parts of Philippines Regions. The number of people using Spanish around the world is about a total of 230 million at present. And the Spanish is one of the eight general working languages of the United Nations. In spain, wherever you go, as long as you meet the acquaintances or friends, even the strangers pass by, they alwsays say HOLA to you. The meeting courtesy of Spain is near to other western countries, especially Italy, France, Portugal and Holland, which use the three ways of hands-shaking, kissing and hugging.
Hands-shaking is the most regular gesture. When two people meet for first time, they would shake hands and say hello to each other. Commonly speaking, the older should poke hand firstly when shaking with the younger. The senior officer should take a lead when shaking with the junior. And, the master should do it intially when shaking with the guest. Women should stretch out first when meeting men, however, men should not grasp the hand; If women don't intend to shake hands, men can say hi to show your kindness. In daily intercourse, Spanish mainly kiss and hug their acquaintances, friends and colleagues. The most common etiquette is for men and women to kiss each other. This etiquette in Spain regarded as an ancient ritual.Usually, the different relationship is taken consideration in showing the greeting of kissing with the different part to kiss.
The lips are for the husband and wife or between unmarried lovers; kiss on forehead is the way for young and old generation; as the family members or close relatives and good friends, kissing on the cheek is allowable. Nowadays, lots of male or female friends or relatives choose to kiss by the latter way when meeting or saying goodbye to each other. This cheek-kissing gesture could show their amicable relationship and trust. At present, male and female as friends and relatives mostly use the last way which the kissing is showing the mutual friendship and trust. Front hug could be commonly seen between couples, sweet lovers, brothers and sisters or the parents with their adult sons and daughters.
Shoulder hug usually occurs among men, i.e. two men walking side by side, one of them reaches out a hand and put it on the shoulder of the other. This action could be done at leisure, and no care about place, time or situation. It could show your friendly enthusiam to the co-workers, friends and relatives.








