"dar un beso"

"dar un beso"
 

I was just speaking with someone from Nicaragua and they asked a friend to "dar un beso" to another person whom their friend was going to visit (he doesn't like the person). It was used in a negative connotation; he was being mean. Can you help me with what it translates to in English?

People normally say "salúdame a Juan", "saluda a Juan de mi parte", to say "give him my regards". A more affectionate way to send one's regards is to say "dale un abrazo" or even more affectionate "dale un beso".

That's an ironic use of the expression, just the same as you would say "give my regards to (someone you definitely don't like)", rather to express you don't mean anything nice at all.

He said it's a saying (un dicho) in Nicaragua. When I asked if that phrase was "malo", he said yes. I have no reasoning in thinking this, but my thoughts went more to an English equivalent of something like "kiss my butt" (to put it nicely). But, like I said, I have no reasoning for this. Any other ideas?

Unless it's a very regional idea or a private joke with friends, there isn't a standard bad meaning for that expression that I know.

hmm...ok, thanks for your help. I'll ask him to explain it next time I talk to him.

Mainly the people in the chat room always used affective words in some examples they express their way to appreciate someone with one virtual kiss, if someone tells you. I send you one kiss it does not meaning that he wants to give you one kiss in your lip, but I believe that the way that each person uses the affective way is different depending the way as you have one relation to friend with the person, then if you turn to adquire to way to express one good bye is correct always that only it be as to say good bye.

I hope you can understand me.

I think the person was just being sarcastic or facetious. People tend to do that.

I believe that the person was being lovable.

Because normally when one person says in one chat room, I send you one kiss does not impolite and less sarcastic, but well, it's took depending of the person who decide if get the kiss or not:D

According to NiCACHICA, these people don't like each other that's why I think one was being sarcastic or facetious!

Then I don't know to me it's indifferent.:)

Agree with Angelica and Elaina.
The sentence itself is normal, and I would say it's affectionate.
If I'm phoning with my wife, I can tell her "dale un beso al bebé", meaning to give my cutie baby a kiss.
The usage here is "bad/malo/mean" because, as stayed, they don't like each other.
So, instead of saying "saluda a Juan de mi parte"/"give him my regards", wich is mean enough for a person you don't like, you're meaner and you say "to give a kiss", so you're really bad, not for the sentence itself, but for the devilish intentions

But the sentence it's rather normal, spanish from Spain usage.
Saludos :D

Thanks to everyone for the replies. Yes, as I stated in the beginning, I know it wasn't a genuine "kiss" or regards. It seems that Nicaragua would be the same as the Spain usage.

I guess we do it somewhat in English, but using a rather normal phrase or sentence, only the person that knows the relationship between the people would understand it as genuine regards or as an insult. Is that correct? And is that very common in Spanish to use a normal sentence for insults or just generally mean statements to someone you don't like?

Exactly, you have gave in the nail, when an group to person or only two person knows the relationship between them, it does not important give a salute or kiss of course for telephone, but if you know to the person who you will give the salute as a kiss therefore I don't see the bad in it.

For example if you have a friend in other place and you phone him and when you going to tell him good bye, you can do the change for the phrase I send you a kiss or a cuddle, but it does not mean that you have something in relation with him.

I hope you can understand me.

Yes Nicachica
For example the following "normal" sentences will be directly as evil understand, unless you explain it (are stereotypes/clichés, but...)
"Mi suegra es un encanto"/"Me lelvo muy bien con mi suegra" (Mi mother-in-law is wonderfull/I'm in very good terms with her
"los niños del vecino son muy simpáticos" (the neighbor' kids are very nice)
"Mi jefe me saluda muy amablemente por las mañana" (My boss greets me nicely everday)

saludos :D

If I remember correctly, I think simply saying "tu madre" is considered bad as well, in certain contexts??

I guess my question now is, when you say those things are taken as evil, is it truly evil? I think of evil as a very strong word. (saying you wished someone would die or something along those lines). But in the sentences you used, it sounds more like sarcasm, at least for the U.S. For example, "My mother-in-law is wonderful" in a sarcastic tone is a "light-hearted" way to say you and your mother-in-law don't get along well with each other. But in spanish, it implies a real insult towards your m-i-l!?
That brings up a good point. Many North Americans use ALOT of sarcasm when they speak. And it's usually not seen as evil. It's just a lighter way of saying what you really think. If those sentences are seen as insults in Hispanic Countries, it would be a good note for all North Americans. Since we constantly use sarcasm without thinking about it.

"Tu madre" at least in Mexico, usually implies a very offensive insult of course.

Although I think sarcasm is universal, its usage about mothers in law depends on individual sensibility and on how the "suegra" fits into the stereotype that they are very meddlesome, rude, gossipy, etc.

Still, sarcasm (for all kinds of topics) can often be charged with a lot more virulence than plain insults. ;)

Yes, I agree with you.

Thinking about the kiss, maybe you can hear something like this:

Me dio un beso que, bueno, parecía el beso de Judas.

When I sayed evil intentions, it was only sayin it was no good.
But the sentences I provided are more sacarms than evil.
True evil sentences comes with rage inside, this sentences are only "a little of evil"/sarcasm. We use a lot this kind of sentences, und when there can be a misunderstanding we try to emphasize the misunderstanding.


---
Saying "tu madre" is a unpolite say to answer "same-to-you" when somebody insults you, so, as Angelica said, usually implies a very offensive insult.
It's like:
-our are a son-of-a-b****
-¡Tu madre! (same as your mother)


saludos :D