David Beckham on the Spanish hug.

David Beckham, who spent four seasons at Real Madrid two decades ago, shared his observations about the local welcoming culture:

When I moved to Madrid, I was surprised at how naturally men here express warm feelings when they meet, hugging and kissing each other on the cheeks.

At first, it looked unusual: team stars like Roberto Carlos or Zinedine Zidane came up and kissed both cheeks or hugged tightly. Within a few days, I began to greet my friends.

It’s more than a formality, it’s a nonverbal way of saying, “You can count on me.”

A funny moment happened when I flew into the national team training camp and automatically reached to kiss Harry Neville on the cheek. He literally pushed me away and said, “What are you doing?”

# What do the researchers say about this?

The Spanish custom of kissing at a meeting is a deeply rooted cultural practice dating back to the era of Ancient Rome.

In the fourth century, a grammarian named Elius Donatus, who taught the elite of Roman society, created a classification of kisses reflecting the strict separation of emotions and social contexts:

osculum – a welcoming touch of the lips to the cheek among friends and relatives, expressing respect and belonging to the general circle

Basium – a kiss between husband and wife

Savium – Passionate kiss intended only for intimate surroundings

It was the osculum that laid the foundation for the modern Mediterranean greeting.

In Spanish villages and small settlements, physical contact was a quick social indicator. A hug and a light kiss instantly signaled: this man is one of ours. This contrasted with northern Europe, where the aristocracy developed more formal rituals such as bowing.

Modern research shows that residents of Scandinavian countries, Germany and the UK prefer to keep a distance of about 120 centimeters when talking with unfamiliar people. In Spain, this zone is reduced to almost a meter.

It is believed that the Spanish style of communication stimulates the production of oxytocin, a substance responsible for the formation of trust between people. When a Spaniard hugs a business partner, it can physiologically reduce tension during negotiations.

It is important to note: such tactileness is completely devoid of erotic overtones. This echoes the Roman understanding of physicality: a man could be a warrior and an athlete, but this did not prevent him from openly showing affection for friends.