...he asked camply

britabroad says on Jan 14, 2008, 08:17:

Kalder,
My missus (sancocho queen) tells me that ´quiseria´is used for future wishes/actions etc.
eg: Quisiera vivir en Inglaterra ( mentiroso), Quisiera viajer a Cartagena, or Quisiera ser mas guapo (impossible).
So, I guess, you have been constantly asking for a beer at some time in the future, hence the wrinkled brow reaction.
If you would like something there and then she says to use ´quiero´ - which sounds a bit rude to our highly mannered English ears ( I want a beer!), but is, apparently, correct Spanish.
Glad you asked this cos I´ve been using quisiera wrongly too.
The cold guinness was wishful thinking I´m afraid, but many cold Club Colombias await.

Leave the big stick at home...carry a cannon!

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kalder says on Jan 14, 2008, 09:18:

Thanks for that brit.

I was told however by a Spaniard that 'quiero' is a little harsh and that 'quisiera' is what you should use to request something politely in Spain. But, then again, he was a gay man. Or maybe it's just an Iberian thing. It's all interesting. I'll ask my wife tonight.

Yeah, I thought the cold Guinness thing was too good to be true. You can get the bottled stuff in Cali. Or so I've been told. But cold Club Colombia sounds just dandy. I look forward to working my way through a couple of slabs with you.

"A piece of cheese may entrap a mouse, but a bicycle could ensnare the Imperial Chancellor."~~An Bai Kuang

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britabroad says on Jan 14, 2008, 09:52:

Have you not come across the Colombian belief that THEY speak correct Spanish and that modern Spanish is all wrong? Obviously the Spanish think the reverse.
Like those colonial cousins of ours in ...where is it?...oh yes, the USA. Some say that their incorrect spelling is actually correct because it´s how it was spelt back in seventeen hundred and cold death.
As long as you got your beer (and it didn´t have lime in it and salt stuck to the rim of the glass), who cares anyway? Keep in touch.

Leave the big stick at home...carry a cannon!

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kalder says on Jan 14, 2008, 12:20:

I hear you brit. And I'm with you on that daft lime and salt malarkey.

I'll be in touch.

"A piece of cheese may entrap a mouse, but a bicycle could ensnare the Imperial Chancellor."~~An Bai Kuang

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kalder says on Jan 14, 2008, 12:20:

Oh, and I've just discussed 'quisiera' with La Kalder. It's the equivalent of 'I would like'. Which admittedly does sound a bit poofy. Especially if you imagine using it to order a pint in Kilburn.

"A piece of cheese may entrap a mouse, but a bicycle could ensnare the Imperial Chancellor."~~An Bai Kuang

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manINred says on Jan 14, 2008, 13:02:

Kalder, I do believe that it is 'faggy' in the same way that using 'tu' instead of 'usted' or 'vos' can be (and is) considered as such. It all has to do with over-familiarity and unnecesary courtesy. If I went up to a male in Medellin and started saying 'tu' all over the place, he would probably feel uncomfortable. Just like if I was needlessly polite (quisiera) in an atmosphere that did not warrant such courtesy, as you say, it may sound a bit poofy!

Of course to compicate matters, this will change from region to region.

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curramberochris says on Feb 2, 2008, 09:05:

I would say the use of quisiera would be more suitable in formal situations. I have never used it and I have rarely heard it used in Colombia. Perhaps that´s because I live in Barranquilla and the use of usted is something I find quite foreign!!!!

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Plato says on Feb 11, 2008, 21:08:

Aahh some good posts!

Thanks,

Plato

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those [liberals] who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.--Dante Alighieri, (1265-1321)

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venustimon says on Feb 17, 2008, 13:39:

" Quisiera" is used to express " I would like"

As in "Quisiera verte de nuevo" " I'd like to see you again"
"Quisiera una hamburguesa" I'd like a burger"
If your boss says "Quisiera un reporte en una hora" This could be a bit more imperative" but only in this context.

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Bellita says on May 27, 2008, 14:58:

Quisiera una cerveza is fine, but when I ask for I bear I say "Me gustaria una cerveza por favor" or "Me regalas una cerveza por favor" or just " una cerveza por favor" I am a Native Spanish speaker.
I know "regalas" sounds funny but a lot of Colombians say that.
Diana

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Bellita says on May 27, 2008, 18:17:

Sorry I meant beer not bear hehehe!!

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