How to be Polite in Spanish

When traveling to a foreign country when you aren't fluent in the language, it is extra important to be on your best behavior and act with good grace and manners. Learning a few polite phrases and cultural etiquettes can make the difference between a good or bad experience in your host country. Mexico is a formal country where manners are expected.

Instructions

1. Say "pardon?" politely. While the Spanish word for "what" is que, it isn't polite to say that when you want someone to repeat something they've said. The proper expression is "mande" (mahn-day) and can be used when you didn't catch what someone said or to answer them if they call your name.

2. Respond properly to introductions. It's common to hear "mucho gusto" (much pleasure) as a reply when you are introduced to someone but there are other appropriate replies as well. Encantado or encantada (female) means "enchanted" and igualmente means "likewise."

3. Acknowledge a sneeze. The proper thing to say when someone sneezes is the same phrase used for toasts, salud! If someone offers you salud after a sneeze, it's polite to say "gracias."

4. Learn how to excuse yourself. The phrase "con permiso" or "with permission" is used for many purposes including getting up from the table, before entering someone's house, or when you need to get by and someone is in your way.

5. Say you're sorry. If you step on someone's toes or jostle them, it's polite to offer an apology in the way of disculpe or perdon. You will also sometimes hear "lo siento" used as an apology.

6. Wish someone a good meal. It's proper when you see someone eating a meal to say "provecho." This is similar to Bon Appetit. If someone says it to you, the proper response is a 'gracias."

Tips & Warnings

• Smiling and being friendly goes a long way towards good manners as well.

• It's proper to greet people on the street in passing with a "buenos dias, buenas tardes or buenas noches."