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soetseun

Dec 12, 2002, 4:04 AM

Post #1 of 11 (1734 views)

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Gracias, pero no gracias

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Hi all,

In South Africa when someone offers something to you and you do not wish to accept the offer you can reply with: "Thanks, but no thanks.". This is the short version of "Thank you for offering, but no thank you, I won't accept the offer".

My girlfriend (Mexican) gets so annoid when I say "Gracias, pero no gracias" and says that it is incorrect spanish and does not make any sense.

Can somebody please translate the above extended english version to spanish for me please?

Thank you

Jacques

quevedo

Dec 12, 2002, 9:20 AM

Post #2 of 11 (1658 views)

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Re: [soetseun] Gracias, pero no gracias

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In Reply To

"Thank you for offering, but no thank you, I won't accept the offer".

Can somebody please translate the above extended english version to spanish for me please?

Gracias por ofrecer[me], pero no, gracias, no puedo aceptar [aceptarlo] [aceptarla].

Saludos,

Quevedo

scott

Dec 12, 2002, 11:00 AM

Post #3 of 11 (1639 views)

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Re: [soetseun] Gracias, pero no gracias

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I've been told that just saying "no gracias" isn't really nice. For example if people are offering you food and you always say "no gracias, no gracias... no gracias". So I try and make a point to say something like "estoy bien, gracias", "estoy lleno", etc instead of just "no gracias".

I don't think its because no gracias is rude in and of itself, but its kind of rude to turn stuff down when people are offering it to you, so you have to be very nice about it if possible.

Jim in Cancun

Dec 13, 2002, 5:27 AM

Post #4 of 11 (1612 views)

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Re: [soetseun] Gracias, pero no gracias

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The most common that I have heard/seen is to simply say "gracias" (without the "no") and/ with or without the open hand raised--fingers upward--palm toward you.

esperanza

Dec 13, 2002, 5:36 AM

Post #5 of 11 (1600 views)

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Re: [Jim in Cancun] Gracias, pero no gracias

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If it's food that's being offered, the simplest and most courteous thing to say (and what's most commonly heard), is 'Provecho', usually accompanied by a gracious hand gesture motioning toward the person who's offering, and always with a smile.

http://www.mexicocooks.typepad.com

REY

Dec 13, 2002, 7:02 AM

Post #6 of 11 (1603 views)

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Re: [scott] Gracias, pero no gracias

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I agree. It even sounds a little rude in english. A little explination helps. "no, gracias, ya comí." or "no, gracias. Que hamable."="no, thanks. How kind."

quevedo

Dec 13, 2002, 10:55 AM

Post #7 of 11 (1586 views)

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Re: [REY] Amable (nm)

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Mereja

Dec 13, 2002, 11:06 AM

Post #8 of 11 (1592 views)

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Re: [scott] Gracias, pero no gracias

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I understand what you are talking about. We had someone that came over to visit a lot and everytime we offered him a soda, coffee, cookies or food he would turn us down, he had just eaton or something. Even that his wife had him on a diet. My husband who is Mexican got a little bit insulted after a few times, and told me, he probably thinks we are dirty or he is too good to accept anything from us. He said he should at least accept a soda even if he doesn't drink it at the time, or take it with him. I have seen people do that, accept but not eat or drink. It feels wasteful to me, but it is being polite for them. Even if you tell them you would just like a drink of water or something like that it is better than not accepting. That doesn't mean you have to always accept, just that if you refuse everytime it could cause a problem.

REY

Dec 13, 2002, 1:13 PM

Post #9 of 11 (1580 views)

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Re: [quevedo] Amable (nm)

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¡Ay, que estúpido! hehehe muchas grass snakes :)

quevedo

Dec 13, 2002, 3:56 PM

Post #10 of 11 (1566 views)

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Re: [REY] Amable (nm)

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Nada de estúpido: al revés. Y muchas gracias por su amable participación en nuestro foro, amigo Rey.

Un saludo cordial,

Quevedo

REY

Dec 16, 2002, 7:16 AM

Post #11 of 11 (1581 views)

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Re: [quevedo] Amable (nm)

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jeje...era una referencia al tema anterior del uso de la palabra "estúpido"

an inside joke, if you will ;)