15 Things Tourists Should Never Do in Spain, Ever

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https://theculturetrip.com/europe/spain/articles/15-things-tourists-should-never-do-in-spain-ever/

Barcelona | © jarmoluk / Pixabay

Spain is one of the world’s top tourist destinations and is used to welcoming millions of visitors from around the world every year. However, although the country is expert at tourism, there are some key cultural differences that are worth remembering before you go. Here are 15 things that tourists should never do in Spain.

Waiting | © JESHOOTS / Pixabay

Yes, it’s a stereotype but it is, in most cases, true. Spaniards’ relationship with punctuality is, shall we say, laid-back. If you are invited to a party that starts at 8pm, it’s best not to turn up until at least 15 minutes later… actually, best make it 30.

A quiet Spanish street | © larahcv / Pixabay

Many small businesses in Spain open in the morning, close for a couple of hours over lunchtime and reopen in the afternoon. Times vary, but in general, small businesses tend to close between around 2pm and 4pm. Check opening hours online or, to be safe, plan to visit in the morning or evening to avoid turning up when the shutters are down.

Spaniards really appreciate it when tourists try out some Spanish, and they are usually very kind and patient with learners. It’s also worth learning some key phrases, especially those that have to do with eating and drinking, so you can explore some off-the-tourist-trail places with confidence.

Spaniards eschew the firm handshake for a kiss on each cheek, so don’t be surprised if a newly made friend lunges towards you to greet you or bid you goodbye. And a top tip: kiss the person’s right cheek first (the cheek on your left).

Spanish men enjoying a drink | © Willy Verhulst / Flickr

Spaniards enjoy a tipple at all hours of the day, and it’s perfectly common to see little old men propping up their neighbourhood bar with a caña (beer) before midday. One key point to remember, though, is that Spaniards seldom get fall-down drunk, because they drink in moderation and, usually, with food. So don’t forget to order some tapas to go with that round of beers.

A free plate of tapas at El Tigre | © Rubén Vique / Flickr

Talking of tapas, many places in Spain will offer you a free little plate of food when you order a drink. It can range from a plate of olives or crisps to an impressive plate of different tapas, depending on the bar. Don’t worry about incurring an extra charge – the food is complimentary, so tuck in.

Spaniards’ level of English varies wildly between people and geographic location, so don’t expect everyone to understand English, and make the effort to learn a few key English phrases that will help you get by. And if not, sign language is always a winner.

Flip-flops are a no-no | © Free-Photos / Pixabay

Spaniards are a smart bunch and would not be seen walking around the city in flip-flops or a bikini top, so leave them for the beach. There have been cases of tourists in Barcelona being told to cover up, so avoid that ultimate embarrassment and make sure you throw on a shirt when walking around the city.

Restaurant | © PublicDomainPictures / Pixabay

Many restaurants in Spain don’t open their doors until 8.30pm, so this is really the absolute earliest you should be planning to eat dinner if you want to blend in with the locals. Eating after 9pm will mean places are busier, with a lot more atmosphere.

Beware of pickpockets | © Daniel Lobo / Flickr

Pickpockets try to scam tourists in Spain, just like anywhere else, and they look out for ones who make silly mistakes, like fumbling with a map or walking around with a half-open bag. Make sure you consult maps in bars or restaurants before you leave them, when possible, and keep your belongings secure in a zipped bag, worn towards the body.

Coffee | © kulinetto / Pixabay

Spaniards have a light breakfast, usually just a coffee and a piece of toasted bread with tomato and olive oil, or a croissant. Don’t expect a full English breakfast or pancakes, unless you go to a place that specialises in international fare.

Spaniards are suckers for seasonal rules when it comes to clothing, so even if it still feels pretty warm in October, you won’t find many Spaniards wearing shorts. Similarly, Spaniards get properly wrapped up in winter, so don’t go out in short sleeves if you want to blend in.

Don’t overtip in Spain | © WerbeFabrik / Pixabay

Waiters in Spain earn a living wage, so do not reply on tips. Tipping is just not a big thing here; people might leave a few coins of loose change, but there is no pressure to leave anything at all.

This is essential advice, especially when it comes to tapas bars. You can tell which are the best from how busy they are: if one is teeming with people, that’s the one you should try out. Don’t be afraid to elbow your way to the bar and confidently order some drinks. Hanging back shyly will likely mean you will never get served.

Spaniards can be rather blunt and direct compared to their northern European cousins, so don’t be offended by probing questions or comments. Spanish as a language is also very direct and doesn’t feature all of the pleasantries of a language like French or English. If someone says ‘pass me that’ without saying please, they’re not being impolite, they’re just being typically Spanish.

If you’ve been living in Spain for any length of time, you may have noticed that you’ve picked up a few local habits. You might have suddenly become used to loud noises, with even your own voice’s volume getting louder, or perhaps you have found yourself enjoying an ice-cold beer much earlier in the day than you would at home. From daytime drinking to getting serious about sportswear, we explore some traits that you just can’t help picking up if you live in Spain.

While in many cultures, removing your shoes when you go into someone’s home is a sign of politeness, not so in Spain, where you will be hard-pressed to find a shoeless Spaniard anywhere, be in in the home or on the beach. At home, most wear slippers and at the beach and by the pool, flip flops are the order of the day. Stay in Spain for any length of time and you will soon find you have a growing aversion to bare feet.

It might be a gross stereotype that Spaniards are loud, and we’re sure there must be plenty of shy and retiring types in Spain… we have just yet to meet them. Spaniards love chatting and getting enthusiastically involved in conversations and the popularity of apartment living means you can often hear exactly that your neighbours are discussing. Many bars and restaurants have a television on, its noise just slightly too loud for most foreigners, but providing a comforting background din for Spanish patrons. Live in Spain for long and you’ll soon find you can’t even think without a radio blaring or the TV cranked up loud.

Don’t even think of chucking on an old pair of joggers in Spain, where many locals treat their sporting attire as if they were heading off to the Olympics. Gym bunnies have all the latest clothing, while cyclists – some of the biggest culprits of this trait – are always dressed head to toe in the latest lycra sportswear. Spaniards love to have the latest gear, be it apparel or equipment.

Visit Madrid in August and you might be forgiven for thinking you have wandered into a ghost town; most of the city’s residents take the entire month off and leave, swapping the baking heat of the city for the cooler climes of the Spanish coast. A similar thing happens at weekends in Spain; many people leave the big cities for their pueblos, or home towns. So if you find yourself escaping the city on a weekend, or for the entire summer, you’re blending in pretty well.

Spaniards are classy drinkers, always making sure to enjoy a tipple alongside some food, they rarely become falling down drunk like many foreigners who visit the country’s popular resorts. But Spaniards enjoy a drink throughout the day; it’s not uncommon to see little old men enjoying their first caña (little beer) well before 12pm. A glass of wine with lunch is perfectly acceptable, and live here for any length of time and you’ll soon adopt the locals’ laid-back attitude towards alcohol.

Us Northern Europeans are used to keeping our opinions to ourselves, it is the polite way to behave… isn’t it? In Spain, it is completely normal for anyone and everyone to give you their opinion on what you are doing. Head into the pharmacy and the lady next to you in the queue will try to diagnose you, the man behind you in the supermarket will give his view on the contents of your basket and the little old lady in the park will approach you and let you know your child will be far too warm in that blanket you’ve put around him. While it might seem a bit of a shock at first, you will soon get used to this no-holds-barred opinion offering; it actually means you get talking to a lot of people –Spaniards are easy to strike up conversations with – and, once you start giving strangers your own advice, you know you’re becoming a true Spaniard.