Taking Bromance to a Whole New Level

The tremendously prestigious and reliable source that is Urban Dictionary defines the term bromance as the complicated love and affection shared by two straight men. I was definitely familiar with the term before coming to Spain, but I cannot claim having actually experienced any bromance with my own eyes. However, that is probably due to the fact that I have very few straight guy friends, none of whom really know each other well enough to merit bromance.

Therefore, I was rather shocked--and confused--when I began noticing the relationships shared by the guys in my dorm, and probably in all of Spain. Despite the entertainment value of this Spanish bromance, it is actually incredibly refreshing to see males show their heterosexual affection for each other, without chest bumping and trying to one-up each other in physical activity. In Spain, guys not only slap each other on the back, but also hug. A lot. At clubs, they dance with each other, jokingly, yet fearlessly. They adore taking hundreds of pictures together, on any occasion, and always have their arms around each other in said pictures. Kissy faces are not a rarity either.

One of my friends, upon observing Spanish bromance, once commented, "Spain is one big gay bar!" That may be partially true, considering the straight guys here are generously more physical than in the United States. It is also definitely more difficult to spot the actual gay guys here. I'm friends with several boys whose orientations I still have not yet figured out (help is appreciated). Nevertheless, does it really matter? I have come to the conclusion that it does not. Boys will be boys.