Spain is one of the most popular destinations of tourists from around the globe. The history, the culture, the people and of course the amazing Mediterranean weather, draws millions of people to Spain throughout the year. Eating free Tapas in Granada, watching a flamenco show and a bullfight, being enamored by the architecture of Antoni Gaudi are some of the activities that must be there on your bucket list if Spain is the destination of your next trip, but these are what you can do in Spain; there also exists a list of things that you must not do in Spain. As with every other place, Spain also has certain customs, beliefs and procedures that the tourists should follow to respect its culture. Here is a list of what not to do in Spain.
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1. Don't expect shops to open in the middle of the day
Taking a siesta or a short afternoon nap is a tradition in Spain. Spain would not be Spain if this afternoon nap is removed from their lifestyle. This nap is usually taken early in the afternoon, just after lunch, and it continues till evening or late afternoon at the earliest. This means shops and small businesses would be shut for the most part of midday, as the shopkeepers would be enjoying their short, salubrious siesta at that time. You should not be peeved at this and consider it a nuisance. As it is said that one must be a Roman in Rome, you could also try this siesta and enjoy the relaxation of comfortable sleep in the balmy afternoons of the Mediterranean climate.
2. Don’t bring too many clothes
Some of the most famous fashion brands around the world have originated from Spain. These brands include fashion giants like Mango, Zara, Bershka, Blanco and many more. Thus, if you visit Spain, you would be foolish to carry a lot of attires as you would literally be surrounded by stores of these world-famous clothing brands. On top of that, if your visit coincides with rebajas or sales, you could get some exciting bargains. Chic and high-end brands aren’t the last talk when it comes to fashion in Spain. It is a versatile country in that aspect and offers style pertaining to various tastes and budgets. So whether you are a Diva and are fashion conscious, or low maintenance, you need not bring too many clothes with you as you will easily find them there.
3. Don’t worry about drinking in the daytime
It is Happy Hour throughout the day in Spain. It is not uncommon to see a group of old men huddling together in various public places in midday, enjoying their cans of beer. One thing has to be kept in mind that Spaniards do not drink themselves senseless as they drink in moderation. So, even though they drink regularly, there is no problem of drunkards walking around the town.
4. Don’t drink your hot chocolate
This is not a diktat which if you fail to abide by would lead to your prosecution. This is so because Spanish hot chocolate simply cannot be drunk. It is not a drink in the true sense of the term but rather, a pudding. It is thick and creamy and the locals usually savor it with a side of churros. So, drinking it with a straw or gulping it down is simply out of the question.
Spain Tour Guide
Asier Garmendia
Hi! I’m Asier, welcome to Granada, the most wonderful and charming city in the world. I am a licensed tour guide, with a degree in Art History and specialized in the Alhambra. Let me show you as a local our traditions, food and heritage. The city of the Alhambra will not disappoint you !. Please don`t hesitate to contact me for private and flexible tours. My job is my passion!
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5. Don’t flash your belongings
Spain is a beautiful place with amazing people, culture, history and natural beauty. Thus, it is no surprise that it is a hotspot for tourists and with it scammers and pickpockets. Scammers are rife in places of tourism where they dupe unsuspecting tourists of their money while pickpockets target these people taking advantage of them being new to the place. So, it is advisable not to open your bags in public to fish out a map and be engrossed in it or carry bags with no chains.
6. Don’t pass the salt shaker from hand to hand
The people of Spain are a superstitious lot and they take their omens and traditions seriously. They believe that passing the salt shaker from hand to hand would bring in bad luck. It might seem silly to you but when you are a guest, you need to respect the culture and tradition of your host. So when you visit Spain, make sure you don’t put the salt shaker in someone’s hand while dining; just put it on the table for the other person to pick it up.
7. Don’t expect everyone to understand English
English is one of the languages spoken in Spain and it is not the native tongue of Spaniards. The level of English spoken by the Spaniards varies from one geographic region to another. In some places, you might find many fluent English speakers while in other places you will hardly find anyone who can understand beyond a few syllables and phrases. So, it is highly important that you learn a few necessary Spanish words and phrases for you to get by smoothly.
8. Don't hit the streets in your swimsuit
Though this is not what we usually do at times when we are living in a town or city that is just beside the sea, we do not bother putting on regular clothes while we are commuting to the sea for a swim. We consider a swimsuit is sufficient for the purpose. This is completely unacceptable in Spain, even in seaside cities like Palma De Malorca, Barcelona and Malaga. It is considered indecent, disrespectful and uncultured by the locals and you can be fined to the tune of USD 120 to USD 220 if found guilty.
9. Don't be surprised at being greeted with a kiss
Each and every culture around the world has its own specific way of greeting someone and when it comes to Spaniards, they do so with a kiss on the cheek. So do not be surprised if you find people pecking each others’ cheeks upon meeting or if a new acquaintance of yours in Spain, lunges forward for a kiss on your cheek when you meet for breakfast.
10. Don't make any important plans on Tuesdays, especially Tuesday the 13th
En martes, ni te cases, ni te embarques, ni de tu casa te apartes, is a Spanish saying warning people to not get married, board a plane or a ship or get out of the house on a Tuesday, especially if that Tuesday happens to fall on the 13th day of the month. This is another testament to the superstitious nature of the Spaniards. They consider Tuesday to be a very unlucky day and highly inappropriate to begin to do something on that day lest the bad luck seeps into the activity you are performing. So, as a tourist, do not plan any sightseeing or outing or any activity whatsoever on a Tuesday in Spain, for the locals will not be cooperative.
11. Don't get involved in discussions about regionalism
Another rule of thumb when having dinner or sharing a meal with a local is to avoid discussions on politics. When traveling to Spain, a particular topic of controversy many people tend to pick on is regionalism, which is highly frowned upon by locals when it’s the topic of discussion in a gathering or a meal.
Be respectful and mind your manners when dining with locals as it is a sensitive topic that harbors many opposing opinions that leave people riled up or even upset, you wouldn’t want to do that especially when you’re a foreigner visiting the country. Keep things copacetic and mellow and talk about the finer things in life, maybe?
12. Don't expect to see flamenco everywhere
If you’re traveling to Andalusia in Spain, seeing a Flamenco show is a must as it is a traditional Spanish dance that the city takes pride in birthing onto the world. However, in spite of its strong influence in many cultural landmarks in the country, flamenco isn’t commonly seen in other parts of the country so manage your expectations and itineraries wisely.
An authentic flamenco dance is truly a sight to see and it is best to plan ahead of your trip to Spain to know where to see the most authentic ones available to attend. Seville, Granada, Cadiz, and Madrid are also great cities to check out the performances of the dance.
13. Don't stick to the main cities
When you think about Spain, the first cities people usually mention are Madrid, Barcelona, and Cordoba. What about the rest of teh country’s pristine and historic landmass? Keep in mind that when planning a trip to Spain, it’s ideal to see what other cities have to offer apart from the main urban ones.
Madrid and Barcelona are true, lovely cities to explore, but set your eyes further and plan day trips or two in underrated cities like Girona, Cadiz, Alicante, Pamplona, and Malaga among many others. Every city has something unique to offer, and many of which are rural and non-commercialized, giving you a taste of even more authentic experience to the most historic countries on the planet.
Know the local culture
An avid traveler or not, you should visit Spain at least once in your lifetime to savor the unique experience. Apart from the usual knowledge that you must gather as a tourist to make the most of your trip, you must also be aware of what you must not do, for a safe and sound vacation. Do not commit yourself to these 10 sins in Spain and you will be fine.
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