{"id":160,"date":"2016-09-13T17:30:20","date_gmt":"2016-09-14T01:30:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/?p=160"},"modified":"2022-09-01T17:29:22","modified_gmt":"2022-09-02T01:29:22","slug":"unusual-spanish-habits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/unusual-spanish-habits\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Unusual Spanish Habits"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Spanish<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the best part of learning another language or spending time in another country? That\u2019s easy! Learning the quirks and oddities that make that culture special. <\/span><\/p>\n

When thinking about Spain, the first thing that comes to many people\u2019s mind is\u2014\u201c\u00a1Fiesta y Siesta!\u201d While it\u2019s true that these two elements make up part of the Spanish culture, there are a lot of other interesting and noteworthy things that one may notice upon spending time in the Iberian Peninsula.
\n<\/span>
\nThat\u2019s where this article comes in. Below you will find a short list of some of the unique and interesting things about the Spanish people and culture.<\/span><\/p>\n

1)<\/b> \u00a0\u00a0<\/span>Siesta\u2014or \u201cla hora de comida\u201d<\/b><\/h2>\n

\"Spanish<\/p>\n

Via <\/span>Pixabay<\/b><\/p>\n

So, we should start with the obvious\u2014siesta. \u201cSiesta\u201d means \u201cnap.\u201d But don\u2019t be fooled! This is the time of the day, usually running from 2pm-4:30pm (more or less, this can change on the region, city, etc.), during which most of the shops close, and people go home to have lunch with their families. It\u2019s a long-standing tradition, and one that many people who are visiting the country find either utterly annoying, or blissfully amazing.
\n<\/span>
\nThe truth is, most people don\u2019t actually nap. It\u2019s rare to meet a Spaniard that does sleep in the middle of the day. This is, in reality, just a time for people to relax with their families, eat, and maybe watch a little TV. And if you\u2019re wondering, many people do go back to work after the \u201csiesta\u201d and continue their working day until roughly 9:00pm.<\/span><\/p>\n

2) Meals and Eating and the wonderful world of the \u201ctapa\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Spanish<\/p>\n

Via <\/span>Pixabay<\/b><\/p>\n

This leads us seamlessly into our next topic of conversation\u2014meals and mealtimes. While in most countries dinner is the largest meal of the day, in Spain it\u2019s actually lunch, and lunch starts at 2:30 (it\u2019s good to remember this). This can be a big adjustment for anyone who\u2019s used to eating a smaller meal in the middle of the day, as your appetite might not be ready to consume large portions and hefty food.<\/span><\/p>\n

And then, after lunch, you\u2019re expected to wait until 9:00 or 10:00 at night to eat again? That\u2019s right, dinner in Spain is usually between 9pm-11pm. How is that possible? Don\u2019t worry! Another long-standing and world famous tradition in Spain has the answer to your question\u2014the \u201ctapeo\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

The \u201ctapeo\u201d is an integral part of Spanish culture. Most people have heard of the Spanish \u201ctapas.\u201d And with good reason. It\u2019s a wonderful custom, and fits into the Spanish lifestyle perfectly. It\u2019s the process of going from one bar to the next, enjoying one tapa here, another there, and spending an evening relaxing with friends.<\/span><\/p>\n

Depending on what region or city you\u2019re in, the tapa scene will vary. Each place boasts its own take on the Spanish \u201ctapeo\u201d No matter where you are though, one thing is for sure\u2014no matter what, you haven\u2019t experienced Spain until you\u2019ve indulged in the amazing world of the \u201ctapeo!\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

3) Did he just throw his trash on the FLOOR?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Spanish<\/p>\n

Via <\/span>Visualhunt<\/b><\/p>\n

This is something small, but somehow it still leaves a little bit of an impression. If you go to any local bar or caf\u00e9, you\u2019ll notice that a lot of the clients who sit at the bar to enjoy their ca\u00f1a (small beer) and tapa will wad up their napkin when they\u2019re done and toss it on the floor. Yes, right there, in the middle of a busy caf\u00e9, they\u2019ll throw their trash ON THE FLOOR!<\/span><\/p>\n

At first, you may only notice the effect\u2014the messy, unkempt look the balled up napkins give to the place. But, if you\u2019re ever in the caf\u00e9 when the rush has calmed, you\u2019ll see the bartender come out with a broom and quickly sweep it all away.<\/span><\/p>\n

The reason why people throw their trash on the floor is simply for convenience to the people working. It lets them grab the cups, plates, etc. quickly, dunk them into the water in the sink to be washed, and not have to worry about scraping off the trash in the process. This is very helpful during the busy periods.
\n<\/span>
\nThese places will quickly become packed, and more often than not, there\u2019s only one, maybe two people trying to serve all the clients at once. And, as mentioned before, when there\u2019s a lull in the action, the mess gets quickly picked up.<\/span><\/p>\n

4) \u201cHola\u201d\u2026 I mean \u201cAdios\u201d<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Spanish<\/p>\n

Via <\/span>Visualhunt<\/b><\/p>\n

When walking down the street and you walk past a Spaniard that you know, you may be taken aback when they don\u2019t greet you with a friendly \u201chello\u201d but instead with a quick \u201cgoodbye.\u201d It\u2019s not always an \u201cadios\u201d but can be a \u201chasta luego\u201d meaning \u201cuntil then\/ later.\u201d Don\u2019t worry, they\u2019re not being rude, or just trying to avoid talking to you\u2014it\u2019s just another odd, but wonderful part of the Spanish culture.<\/span><\/p>\n

It takes a little while to get used to, but it\u2019s actually quite nice. For one, it cuts out the needless small talk that so often detours one from their daily routine. This way, your friend, colleague, whoever, will know that you see them and acknowledge them, but that you\u2019re going to continue on your way, and you\u2019re perfectly fine with them doing the same.<\/span><\/p>\n

5) Stare, but don\u2019t smile!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Spanish<\/p>\n

via <\/span>Visualhunt<\/b><\/p>\n

Spaniards are curious people. They like to stare at things, and often they\u2019ll do so without hesitating. This is more common with older people, but it\u2019s still not unusual to see people gathered together to stare at or gawk in the direction of something going on. It\u2019s perfectly acceptable, and just another aspect of the Spanish culture that may strike some as odd. <\/span><\/p>\n

Be careful though! Smiling at strangers is weird here, and that does make people feel a little uncomfortable. So, if you awkwardly make eye-contact with someone, and they continue to stare at you blankly, do the same! Or, just look away, and act like nothing happened.<\/span><\/p>\n

6) Announce your arrival and departure!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Spanish<\/p>\n

Via<\/span> Visualhunt<\/b><\/p>\n

When walking into a store, elevator, or anywhere really, it\u2019s expected that you greet the people around you. Yes, the strangers working in the shop or the other patrons at the bar, it\u2019s polite to let them know you\u2019ve arrived. Just a quick \u201chola\u201d will do, and while not everyone will turn to face you eagerly to reply, it\u2019s still an important aspect of Spanish society. In certain situations, \u00a0it\u2019s even considered rude if you don\u2019t! <\/span><\/p>\n

And, you guessed it—you have to announce that you\u2019re leaving as well. This is where a very useful phrase, mentioned in the point above, will come in handy\u2014\u201chasta luego.\u201d In reality, it more often sounds like \u201cta lugo,\u201d but it\u2019s all the same. After checking out at the grocery store, or enjoying their morning coffee, Spaniards will bid farewell to the people around them before departing.<\/span><\/p>\n

7) Kiss kiss!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Spanish<\/p>\n

Via <\/span>Visualhunt<\/b><\/p>\n

As is done in some other European countries, Spaniards greet each other with a kiss\u2014or two really. Whether it\u2019s the first time you\u2019re meeting someone, or \u00a0you\u2019re getting together with a friend you see daily, it\u2019s expected that you start your interaction with two quick kisses\u2014one on each cheek.<\/span><\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t as cut and dried as it would appear on the surface though. There are a few \u201crules\u201d that go into this. One, a pretty obvious one at that, is that you don\u2019t kiss your boss, or people you don\u2019t know in a professional setting. That would be very uncomfortable for everyone. It\u2019s important to know, however, whom you kiss, and whom you don\u2019t (outside of the aforementioned profession realm). <\/span><\/p>\n

Women, it\u2019s okay to greet other girls and guys with the traditional \u201c dos besos.\u201d However, men, you don\u2019t want to go in to give the \u201cbesos\u201d to another man\u2014just a friendly handshake will do. But with women, it\u2019s normal to say hello with two quick pecks on the cheek.
\n<\/span>
\nSo, pucker up!<\/span><\/p>\n

8) Would you like your water to be room temperature?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Spanish<\/p>\n

Via<\/span> Visualhunt<\/b><\/p>\n

If you order a coke, or any other drink that would normally have ice in it, in Spain, you\u2019ll usually get one, single, lonely ice cube. This can be a little frustrating if you\u2019re really craving a cool, refreshing drink in the middle of the blazingly hot Spanish summer.<\/span><\/p>\n

This concept of not-very-cold-drinks is extended even a step further when you order water. For starters, getting just a simple glass of water is pretty rare. Usually it has to be ordered, and even then some places won\u2019t serve it. It\u2019s more common to get bottles of water, and when you do order one, you\u2019ll be asked \u201cfr\u00eda o de tiempo?\u201d\u2014meaning \u201ccold or room temperature?\u201d
\n<\/span>
\nIt may seem a little unusual to some, but it\u2019s very common in Spain to get your water not warm, but not cold either. Many people will tell you they do this because it\u2019s better for you. Whether that\u2019s true or not, it\u2019s definitely something that takes a little getting used to! <\/span><\/p>\n

9) No tips necessary!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Spanish<\/p>\n

Via <\/span>Visualhunt<\/b><\/p>\n

If you come from a culture that\u2019s heavy on tipping, this will be a pleasant surprise for you. No need to pull out the calculators to figure up the added percentage you need to pay on your bill! Just pay the amount you have in front of you.
\n<\/span>
\nA lot of times a service fee will be pre-added to your check for you. If you like your waiter, or want to do something to brighten up someone\u2019s day, you can leave the change you got back, or a little extra if you\u2019d like, but it\u2019s not expected, so don\u2019t fret!<\/span><\/p>\n

10) Party till the sun comes up\u2014and then some, if you have it in you.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Spanish<\/p>\n

Via<\/span> Visualhunt<\/b><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s finish this list with something that was mentioned in the introduction\u2014FIESTA! If one group of people knows how to have a good time, it\u2019s the Spanish. They\u2019re known for being loud, energetic, and having a great endurance when it comes to going out. No one in Spain will go to the \u201cdisco\u201d or \u201cdiscoteca\u201d before 3:00am. That\u2019s borderline social suicide.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meetings with friends will generally start at around midnight, and consist of the pre-game known as the \u201cbotell\u00f3n\u201d This is when groups of student-aged Spaniards get together, go to a park, or some other place (could even be a friend\u2019s house) and drink. After spending a few hours \u201cwarming up\u201d they will move to the next step\u2014the clubs!<\/span><\/p>\n

The clubs (or \u201cdiscos\u201d) will fill up around 3am-4am, and stay packed until 6:00, or even later! It\u2019s not uncommon to go out at 11:30pm and not make your way back home until 9:00 the next morning. That\u2019s some real \u201cfiesta!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This list has been just a little compilation of some of the wonderfully odd things about Spain. At it\u2019s heart, Spanish culture is laid-back and relaxing, with a lot of focus on family, friends, and enjoying the little things in life, but learning to navigate your way through the intricacies of the day-in and day-out life can be an adventure! <\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, like with any culture, there will be exceptions to the aforementioned things. In major cities the siesta isn\u2019t practiced hardly at all, and you\u2019ll surely come across a friendly Spaniard that will smile at you as they pass. In addition, there are definitely other unique aspects to the culture. Keep in mind that this article is meant to serve more as a guide and not a definitive list.
\n<\/span>
\nWant to understand Spanish conversations better? Learn Spanish expressions!<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/span><\/span>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What\u2019s the best part of learning another language or spending time in another country? That\u2019s easy! Learning the quirks and oddities that make that culture special. When thinking about Spain, the first thing that comes to many people\u2019s mind is\u2014\u201c\u00a1Fiesta y Siesta!\u201d While it\u2019s true that these two elements make up part of the Spanish […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":174,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","tve_updated_post":"","tve_custom_css":"","tve_user_custom_css":"","tve_globals":{},"tcb2_ready":1,"tcb_editor_enabled":0,"tve_landing_page":"","_tve_header":"","_tve_footer":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[20,21,16],"class_list":["post-160","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-spanish-culture","tag-spanish-habits","tag-spanish-traditions","tag-travel-tips","post-wrapper","thrv_wrapper"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=160"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13792,"href":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/160\/revisions\/13792"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=160"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=160"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=160"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}