THIS is fundamental in Latin America.

You've learned enough Spanish where you feel comfortable trying to converse with native Spanish speakers. But why would anyone want to speak to you if they think you are rude? "Rude??? What are talking about? I'm not a rude person!" Well - here's the deal. If you don't follow this very basic cultural advice I'm going to give you, you will be considered a very ill-mannered person (or 'maleducado/a') But, more than that - you will offend people without intending to. Ah HA! Now I have your attention!

Drum roll, please...I am talking about the very simple act of greeting people.

The first time I become aware of this was when I popped into the office of a newer co-worker's office. "Hey, Daniel - Did you have a chance to look at that report I put on your desk yesterday?" Easy question. Daniel, who was from Mexico, didn't immediately answer. He paused, then looked at me and said very deliberately in heavily-accented English, "Good morning. How are you?" Because of his tone and demeanor, I took his lead and, of course, replied "I'm very well. How are you?" And he said that he was fine, too. And then he decided that this was a "teachable moment" and explained to me exactly what I'm sharing with you right now.

It seems that we've forgotten this in the U.S., but, in the not-so-distant past, greetings were fundamental here, too. It's an acknowledgement that I see you, and you see me. If you don't acknowledge me - does that mean I'm invisible? If I don't acknowledge you, does that mean you don't exist? So that's why, in Latin American culture, it's insulting when you don't greet someone.

I'm not talking about anything elaborate - just a simple "Buenos días" when you walk into a shop, or "Buenas tardes" before you ask that question at the hotel. When I was in Spain, on the hotel elevator, I observed that every single person who boarded said "Buen día" as they got on. So, I started doing the same. Just pay attention, and you'll catch on.

Now - I will tell you that in more personal settings, it can be more involved. For example, if you're invited over to a Latin American friend's house and there happen to be five other people there, you should greet every single one of them individually. The American-style of a head nod along with a wave to the group doesn't cut it.

So, show your cultural awareness and greet people properly! I guarantee that you will stand out from the crowd of American tourists around you.