What is offensive?
What are some of the actions or words that we as non Spanish should avoid in Spain or Latin America that would be very offensive. I would like to know prior to a visit.
10 Answers
Don't demand the house key after someone tells you "Mi casa es tu casa."
Don't wear sweat pants unless you're actually exercising or going to Wal-Mart.
The verb coger (look at definition #18) has some very rude connotations in Latin America. Use "tomar" (to take) instead.
Tomo el autobús / tren / un taxi
In Spain, the verb "coger" is perfectly fine and used in everyday speech.
Hm.. most of what you say as everyday slang in Venezuela is probably offensive in most other Spanish speaking countries. 
And most of what you say particularly in Maracaibo is offensive even in the rest of Venezuela!! 
It's offensive to tap the "shave and a haircut two bits" rhythm in Mexico.
The verb "coger", used widely in Spain to "take", "pick" or "catch" (voy a coger un taxi, for example), is vulgar in Mexico. Use "escoger" or "tomar" instead. (I made this mistake once with a very nice lady who luckily understood what I was trying to say- she told me :"¡Eso NO se dice en México!" It sure was embarrassing, although I will never forget again!) 
If a non-native makes a mistake the natives are more likely to laugh at him/her than become offended. I can think of a lot of words that are common in some places but rude in others. If you accidentally use one it's not a big deal. Just don't say "fanny" in Australia.
I wouldn't worry too much about that. Tourists can say anything they please around here (Copan Ruinas), and they are simply ignored. After all, how can you take some one seriously, who is here today and gone tomorrow?
Cajeta in Mexico=Dulce de leche. Cajeta in Argentina=offensive Also, Argentinians don't like to be hit or slapped for no reason.
tonto
