If Spain is the next destination on your travel list, you probably already have a good idea of what to do and where to go. What about improper behavior, though? What if there were things that no one told you about that wouldn’t discourage visitors from visiting this stunning nation? Here is our list of things you should avoid in Spain so that you are aware of them in advance and avoid any unpleasant shocks.
Do not anticipate anything soon.
The Spanish have developed a reputation as a nation that is perpetually late as a result of observing a different time zone than they should. Because your life doesn’t follow a timetable, it would be unjust to suggest that Spaniards are always late, but you shouldn’t count on things happening when you expect them to. For instance, breakfast will begin there at 9 a.m. rather than earlier. Around 3 pm, lunch is served, and around 10 pm, dinner is served. Both events take place late in the day.
Never Address a Catalan in Spanish
The people of Catalonia, an autonomous area of Spain, are fiercely independent and most proud of their own language and culture. The majority of their identity is based on their ability to speak Catalan, which is spoken by about nine million people. Therefore, refrain from referring to them as Spanish because doing so would make you seem uninformed and impolite, and Catalans are very offended by statements of this nature.
Never restrict yourself
Although visiting Spain’s most well-known cities is always a good idea, you should also consider visiting some of the less-visited little towns and rural villages that you might have missed while making your itinerary. Think beyond the box; there is always something to see that is not as advertised. The busiest attractions are busy for a reason.
If you do some investigation, you’ll discover that SpanishTrains can take you to the majority of these far-off locations.
Avoid going shopping during the day.
In Spain, siestas are reserved for the midday hours. A siesta is a brief nap that is taken in the early afternoon, typically following lunch. In the country, this is a hallowed period when the cities become calmer and many stores even close for an hour! Why not take a siesta like a true Spaniard? Siestas are a prevalent tradition not only in Spain but also in many other Mediterranean nations. If sleep does not overtake you in the afternoon, though, we advise spending it at the beach or simply walking around.
You Can’t Count on Everyone Speaking English
Spain is a fairly developed nation with kind people that make an effort to communicate with visitors. However, this is still an issue in some places. In the largest cities, such Madrid, Barcelona, or Seville, you will be able to communicate in English. However, there aren’t any towns or villages that are more remote yet. We advise putting anything together in advance of your trip because of this. For your own benefit and, of course, to comport yourself well, learn the most typical Spanish phrases. When foreigners strive to communicate in the local language, the locals always feel honoured and respected.
Don’t skimp on your clothing.
Although it may seem entirely acceptable to don a swimsuit and hit the town—especially given how hot it is in Spain most of the time—it is actually strongly discouraged. Not only that, but if you don’t careful about what you wear, you may get into big trouble! It is considered impolite and insulting by the locals, and if you are reckless with that, you might even incur a $200 punishment.
Don’t try to fit everything into a single week.
While on vacation, you undoubtedly want to see as much as you can, but be sensible. Instead of trying to cram as many activities as you can, carefully plan your itinerary so that you can properly explore each location. Do not rush, and keep in mind that you may always return to see anything you missed the first time around. In any case, quality is more important than quantity.
Don’t tip excessively
Tipping is completely unheard of in Spain, which can be difficult to comprehend. Both bartenders and waiters don’t expect you to tip more than the customary 20% in exchange for friendly service. The same principle is followed by restaurants even in the largest cities, including Barcelona and Madrid. It is only really unusual and superfluous, not hurtful or disrespectful. Taxi drivers and other service professionals are subject to the same rules. You can leave some spare change if the maintenance has been exceptional, but try not to go overboard.
Expect not to be able to use your card everywhere.
Naturally, museums, large malls, and restaurants will accept a card, but if you want to spend some time visiting smaller markets or neighbourhood businesses, you’ll need to have some change on hand. Of course, doing this also serves as a safety measure in case your card experiences a problem. But once more, common reason should prevail! Additionally, you will have to pay in cash if you take a cab. In some locations, the same is true when buying bus or rail tickets.
Before departing on your trip, take a moment to read through this list of things not to do one more so that you are well prepared. Of course, you’ll undoubtedly forget something, but the important thing is to make an effort to respect Spanish culture and important to them items!
You can also read about: 8 Pointers for Moving Out of State
