¿Qué?

I've decided to do some shorter entries with those little 'ah, Spain' moments that I have, instead of trying to do longer and more serious ones.  Because, when I try that, I never end up doing any blogging...

So, today's thing is: Spain, possibly the only country in the world where it is considered friendly to greet someone with ¿Qué? ('What?')

This turn of phrase rather amuses me.  I think it's possibly a contracted form of ¿Qué tal? or ¿Qué pasa? (What's up?/What's happening?).  Anywho, I've had it said to me a number of times, pretty much as a conversation starter.

I can just imagine if I tried this in NZ.

*friend walks up*
Me: What?
Friend: What? *looks around* What?  What do you mean, 'what'? *backs away*