Surviving Spain

Every country has its own culture and if one is smart, one should study the etiquette of that country before visiting that country. One always wants to show that he is a good ambassador of his own country and one does not want to offend the people of the country one will visit. By knowing what some of the written and unwritten rules are, one can have a successful and enjoyable trip.

 

1. Never touch, hug or back slap a Spaniard you do not know well, unless a friendly Spaniard touches you first.

2. Do not try to stand out by using flashy colors. You will get the wrong type of attention.

3. Do not give lillies, chrysanthemums (yellow or white) as a gift to anyone, because they are the symbol of death, the flowers most commonly used in funerals. Avoid red roses and dahlias too.

4. Do not give flowers numbering 13. It is considered unlucky.

5. Do not sit down until you are shown where to sit and do not begin eating until the hostess starts.

6. Spaniards do not waste food. Do not put on your plate anything you cannot finish.

7. Do not eat with your hands. Not even fruit.

8. Do no over order food for yourself at a restaurant. If you do not finish what you order, it is considered bad manners.

9. One cannot smoke in a business anymore or any enclosed public area. Smoking is forbidden in shopping centers, supermarkets, and airports. Restaurants, bars, and cafeterias are not allowed to permit smoking.

10. Dress appropriately when visiting churches. Do not have bare shoulders or use halter tops or skimpy dresses. Do not wear shorts, applies to both, men and women. It is all a matter of respect and one should respect the religious sites.

12. Do not be noisy in religious places (talk in whispers), because people who are praying may be distracted by you. The same goes for flash photography while a Mass is going on.

13. Do not forget to always carry small change with you as buses won’t allow you to get on the bus if you don’t have the right change. They don’t accept notes.

14. You don’t need to tip taxi drivers, it’s not expected.

15. The Madrid City has banned the consumption of alcohol in the street. Failure to respect this law may result in the imposition of fines.

16. With effect from the 7th March 2011, the national speed limit on all motorways and toll roads in Spain is 110 KM/h.  Many Spanish roads are equipped with speed cameras and fines of up to €300 can be issued for speeds recorded in excess of 111 Km/h.