Differences in greetings and basic knowledge.

One of the things I have found most interesting about Spanish culture so far is the importance of greetings. Having to choose between the informal and formal tenses makes me more conscious of whether I am showing proper respect to my elders. This is sometimes lost in my American culture. I also find it interesting how much more open and inviting Spanish greetings are. I have been brought up to always shake someone's hand when I meet them whether they're my age, older, or younger. I like the idea that Spanish people sometimes give a kiss on the cheek, or a hug. To me, this seems much more personal; something I'm not used to.
Something I also found very interesting is the number of continents in Spanish culture. I remember, in third grade, making a globe out of a balloon and paper mache and labeling the seven continents. That was ten years ago. In class the other day when I heard that Spanish students instead learn that there are only five continents; I was definitly surprised. To learn that millions of people across the world could disagree with something I've always been so sure of was a major culture shock. It's weird to think how different Spanish and American cultures are.
So far, I've liked learning Spanish. Not only would I like to speak the language one day, but I'm also excited to become more educated on different cultures around the world and how they differ from my own.