Un beso and other greetings

Question

I've been dealing with a female shop owner from whom I'very bought various pieces of furniture. She doesn't speak English. At the end of phone conversations she will sometimes finish with the salutation "Un beso". I have no idea what the appropriate response is. I'm male, if it has any bearing on the answer. Also, how best would you end an email in Spanish to a business-type contact, with whom you are quite friendly, with the equivalent of "very best wishes". Muchas gracias por os/sus (?) respuestas

Muchas gracias a todos por las respuestas - mojac, Sep 8, 2015

Answer 1

Un beso is very common on the phone and in pivate e-mails. If unsure, say Un saludo or saludos.. but there is no problem if a man says ' un beso' to me, or vice versa, it's normal, if it is a person you know.

I agree.. it is common .. I too have a venezuelan friend who always says .. muchos besos at the end of her conversation .. but my mexican friend never says it .. perhaps it depends on the country .. - Joydeep_Singh, Sep 8, 2015

Maybe she doesn't like you as much as the Venezuelan does.. - annierats, Sep 8, 2015

well, no Annie, its actually the other way around .. jeje .. - Joydeep_Singh, Sep 8, 2015

Answer 2

Though "un beso" means "a kiss" (a flying kiss that she flings your way at the end of the conversation).. so I don't think there should be any problem responding her with the same greeting . or you could say .. un abrazo fuerte (a tight hug) .. or simply "besos" "muchos besitos" etc.

For formal business emails you could use .. "mis saludos mas cordiales" (my most humble/cordial greetings)

Answer 3

One common ending that I use all the time, though I've never gotten this response from my male friends is. "Besos y abrazos." Sometimes shortened down to "B y A" I have noticed that the male members say some very nice things to me. And I love it. Winkfish's suggestion (after correcting a minor error) "A ti también" seems most appropriate after the woman has sent him a "beso"

Thanks, Daniela! B y A !! ;-) - Winkfish, Sep 8, 2015

:) - Joydeep_Singh, Sep 8, 2015

Para que los recibas por primera vez de los cuates, te mando besos y abrazos, y que los sigas recibiendo - 005faa61, Sep 9, 2015

Answer 4

I agree that Saludos is a good way to end a written conversation with someone not well-known but not a serious business conversation, which then would be something like Atentamente,

It´s also important to remember that, unless you are involved romantically with the person writing, Besos / abrazos is like a kiss on the cheek / hand-shake, and nothing more.

Answer 5

I would think it depends a lot on the people. Here in New Orleans, it's hard to have a conversation even with a total stranger without some calling you "baby" or "dawlin' " or "sweetie." There is no intimacy or condescension intended. Now in certain situations, that would be frowned upon, like in a professional office setting.

As to a response to your friend's statement, I might say "A usted tambien" or "A ti tambien."

In Devon it is ' love'. - annierats, Sep 8, 2015

Yes, I've heard that a lot in London. - Winkfish, Sep 8, 2015