Spanish Habits

The Spaniards are cheerful people who like to go out a lot. There are more bars in Spain along that in the rest o European Union together. However, if you are an American you will find most of their habits a little “rude”, for example, the Spaniards like to share their food in the same plate. Don’t get surprise if you see two o more people eating from the same plate. Their are also very affectionate and you can see to men hitting each other, but don’t panic they are just friends, not seriously, you can see people hit others in the back or in their check with not other intention that show their care.

In the table

In the table the Spaniards are not very different from the Americans, only think that there is nothing wrong with share the salad or the “tapas” if they come first. Tapas are like entree that can have jam or cheese or whatever similar. Most of the people like to drink red wine with “casera”, Spanish soda . You will find that wine is cheaper than coca-cola, and do not expect a big coca-cola if you order one.

Meeting someone

When you meet someone in Spain for the first time, if you are a woman you must kiss twice to that person, first on the right cheek and then on the left. Now, if you are a man you must kiss to a woman, consider a woman from 15 to 100..., but do not try with a man, you only shake hands, but do it like you mean it, not like you just try to touch something.

Wait in a line

In Spain it is not exactly like in the USA. You may see that there are like tree or four lines going to the same counter, so do not be to polite o you never will get where you want to. You probably will experience this a the airport in the Spanish counter, so probably that a good place to start getting used to the Spanish “politeness”.

Relationships

There is no such a thing as a date. You can meet some one that you like and you think s/he like you, and find that s/he do not ask you in a date, if just that there is not much of that. If you like some one go where s/he goes and try to establish conversation in general Spaniard feel attractive to foreigners so not a problem. Now, Spaniard are not very romantic, so do not expect much of that if you end in a relationships with someone.

Schedule

The Spanish schedule is a little different that USA schedule, for example, banks are not open on evening as well as anything related to the government. Stores are open from 9 to 2 and 4 or 5 to 8 pm, only big stores, and there are not so many, are open from 8 am to 10 pm no closing. This store schedule is from Monday to Saturday, thought some stores do not open in Saturday evening, do not try to buy anything on Sunday but the newspaper. If you get together with a friend and he or she is late for less than 20 minutes do not panic, is “normal”, for business be on time.