Miss Manners

The other day I had an interview for an English teaching job with a language school in Buenos Aires. The school is located in the Microcentro, which is the downtown area. I dressed appropriately (black pencil skirt, cream shirt and a lightweight black sweater and black peep toes, for those wondering), and arrived early in case there were any problems finding the place.


Once I found the building, I wasn't sure about the protocol with the door man. Did you have to sign in, as is often the case in big U.S. cities? Did you have to tell him who you are going to see? I explained to him (in Spanish) that I had an interview with xyz co. in the building and flashed him a big smile. He asked me if I knew the floor, and I told him the number. He looked at me like I was a little off but smiled and told me to take one of the elevators (that were right in front of my face).


Once upstairs, I stepped off the elevators and found a hallway with identical doors in either direction. It was like a scene from an old movie, all the doors looked as if I would find a mustachioed P.I. smoking a cigar on the other side of it. The doors were just numbered and I did not see any labels. Once I finally figured out the door, I had to wait outside because no one was there.


A few minutes later, a woman started walking down the hall toward me and said Buenos Dias. I did not know if this was someone from the language school or just a person in another office being polite. I responded and then awkwardly waited for her to make the next move. She continued to walk straight for me so I introduced myself and began to reach out my hand. She smiled and introduced herself and went in to kiss my cheek. I quickly retracted my hand and kissed her hello.


Unfortunately, the interview was not with her and I had to go through this process again once inside the office. Once again, I instinctively stuck out my hand but pulled it back. It was too late though and she had already seen me do it. For the next few seconds, the two of us stopped and started to lean toward one another a couple times. It was like an awkward date when you don't know how to say "goodnight". Finally, we did a quick cheek kiss and sat down.



The problem is that you never know. Are they going to maintain their customs? Or, are they going to use your customs because they think you will be more comfortable? I'm still not sure what to do for my next meeting.