Is beckoning someone with your finger polite in Spain?

Disrespectful and dismissive. In Spain, beckoning someone with a curled index finger is considered rude and condescending, as it is typically used to call animals or children. This gesture is seen as disrespectful to adults, implying a lack of equality or dignity. A more polite approach is to use an open hand with the palm facing down and fingers together, moving them toward you.

Instead, gesture with your whole hand, palm down, and wave your fingers toward you in a scooping motion.

While this is consistent across most of Spain, in the Canary Islands the open-hand gesture is also preferred, but the finger beckon may be slightly less offensive among close friends.