The Culture
The English writer and avid traveller, George Orwell, wrote: “How easy it is to make friends in Spain.” He was right. Travellers who immerse themselves in Spain’s social culture will surely have a rich experience, especially if you follow the Spanish schedule of “delaying the day” as Ernest Hemingway said of the Spanish custom of staying up late and getting up late. The Spaniards seem to instinctively know how to balance work and play. Stores close midday for a break, restaurants often begin their dinner service at 9pm and there are more bars per square mile in Madrid than any European capital city, placing social connections on top. All this makes for a wonderful vacation for the visitor who can succumb to the Spanish way of life.
What is the visiting etiquette in Spain?
The Spanish saying mi casa es tu casa, my house is your house, actually rings true for many Spaniards. They are known for being welcoming and hospitable at their homes, but visiting with friends at restaurants or bars is more common in urban settings. A slightly more casual approach to punctuality is typical of Spain, arriving a couple of minutes late to a dinner is acceptable. Just don’t expect dinner to start anytime before 9pm. If you have been invited to someone's home, unless your shoes are wet or muddy, it's acceptable to leave them on. Arriving with a small gift for the host is welcome. Staying to socialize after a meal has been served for relaxed conversation over coffee or drinks is called la sobremesa. But as soon as the host stops offering up beverages, it's time for you to leave!
Best to avoid physical contact for a first time encounter, and instead use the more simple handshake. For women who know each other well, a quick hug and double kiss on the cheeks is the norm, while men tend to go in for a hug and handshake. Greeting people by their first name is typically acceptable, unless it is someone older, best to address them by surname and don or dona.
What is Spain best known for?
It can be surprising to many travellers, but in Spain the siesta is not just a nap, but a part of everyday life. While the siesta varies by region, it is commonly a time in the afternoon when businesses close for a few hours in the afternoon, from approximately 2-5pm. It reflects Spain’s approach to a balanced life inclusive of relaxation, leisure, and socialization. Just remember to plan around it when visiting Spain, as finding open restaurants or grocery stores may be hard in less tourist centric locations.
Regardless of the region in Spain, fútbal or football, is a unifying sport that nearly the entire nation is passionate about. Knowledge about local teams such as Real Madrid or FC Barcelona will undoubtedly lead to a fun interaction with locals. When an important game is being played, it is said the entire country will stop to watch for a couple hours. You may even notice large screens placed on streets for people to pause and enjoy. Otherwise locals squish into their neighbourhood bar to wildly cheer, or get into the spirit of the game at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
What are some Spanish traditions?
The passionate traditional dance of the country is the flamenco, which is enjoyed by the people of Spain as much as by visitors. It is an expressive dance representing love, passion, sadness and joy through clapping, bailaora foot beats, music and body movement. It is near impossible not to start tapping your feet and moving to the rhythm. Part Latin, part Roma with Jewish influences, this dance embodies the Spanish spirit, and is showcased at flamenco festivals and performances across Spain.
The tradition of man subduing bulls continues to this day. Bullfighting was inspired by the invading Moors and this symbolic challenge continues to run from the spring to the fall in most cities on Sundays. The bullfighter, known as the matador or diestro, wears a traditional traje de luces, an elaborate and colourful silk embroidered uniform, including a rigid jacket, vest, sash and cape. You can still see this event at the oldest bullrings in the country, El Castañar in Bejar or in Seville, although many people choose not to supports bullfights due to objections over animal rights.
Spain is home to dozens of festivals and holiday celebrations. Apart from religious holidays such as Christmas and Easter, there are important annual events including Spain’s National Day in October. One of the most fun is La Tomatina, when during the last week of August the residents of Buñol, just 39 kilometres (24 miles) from the city of Valencia, have an hour-long tomato food flight. Don’t worry, none of these tomatoes are not fit for eating!
What are Spanish people like socially?
The Spanish people are regularly sociable with family, friends and acquaintances. Being out late into the evening is the norm. In casual environments, you can expect Spanairds to be talkative and polite. They will often chat and accommodate any questions you have willingly. They are typically proud of their country and regions, so chatting and asking them about this topic is safe and encouraged.
Their conversation style uses terms of endearment habitually used to express friendliness, and compliments are given generously. When speaking with close friends and family, they’re known for their passionate conversation style, speaking with their hands and gesticulating even more wildly when they get excited. Gentle acknowledgement touches on the arm or shoulder in conversation is common. Maintaining eye contact while conversing is important, as it demonstrates you are interested and paying attention. People stand close to one another, expect to endure little personal space while taking public transit or socializing in a bar. You may encounter the odd interruption when conversing with someone. These interruptions aren’t to be taken personally, it is them showing enthusiasm, rather than being rude.
What language(s) do Spanish people speak?
The official language of Spain is Spanish, though the majority speak a variety of Spanish, known as Castilian Spanish. There are five regions that speak their own variety, with Castilian Spanish as a second language. In Bilbao of the Basque region they speak Basque, and in Galicia, they speak Galician. Then there are Asturian, Leones, and Asturian varieties spoken in other regions.
When travelling through Spain, you may find tourist attractions and hotels that can transact using some English, but it is not commonly spoken. Around 25% of the population knows some English. Studying some Spanish phrases may be useful, such as hola (informal hello), buenos dias (good morning) and politely asking someone ¿habla usted inglés?, do you speak english?.
