Habits you may pick up if you are living in Spain

If you are planning to move to this wonderfully cultured country or you live in Spain already, the chances are you may pick up some of the Spanish habits through living everyday life and mixing with the locals.

Here are just a few with some that may even take you by surprise!

IT STARTED WITH A KISS!

The two cheek kissing is very much embraced as a form of greeting and introduction in Spain,  a concept preferred over the firm handshake or nod of the head. Unless you want to seem rude, lean in and lightly touch both cheeks of the person who you are meeting or saying goodbye to. After living in Spain, you’ll soon become accustomed to greet everyone you meet this way.

GOL GOL GOL GOOOOOOOL!!!

Football is the most popular sport in Spain with a widespread passion among the Spanish people. Spain is home to some of the most intense of football rivalry in the world where daily life is affected beyond what many would consider to be normal. Avid Spanish fans, male and female know the names of all the starters, match schedules and goal scorers of their favorite team. To experience this first hand, find a bar on a game day in any Spanish town or city and try not to be amazed by the level of commitment Spaniards have towards the game.

FOR THE LOVE OF COFFEE!

The only thing that comes close to the love of football is their love for coffee. The quality of coffee in Spain is simply outstanding and the country is filled with cafes, terraces, restaurants, bars, clubs and pubs that you can choose to relax and have one. It is very common for a Spaniard to drink three to four cups per day during the working week, a shot of adrenaline after every meal. If however your stomach cannot handle such quantities, then you can order a decaffeinated coffee and load up on sugar to blend in.

WHO NEEDS A BABYSITTER? 

It is perfectly normal to see a family (baby in stroller, toddler and the dog) all out for a walk or on their way home late at night. Children are treated like royalty here and it is common to see total strangers stop on the street to make a fuss over newborn babies and young children, pinching their cheeks, smothering them with kisses and affection. It is totally acceptable to wheel a stroller into a loud bar or to hang out at the local festivities into the early hours with your children right by your side.

DAYTIME DRINKING

Spaniards are smart and classy drinkers, always making sure to enjoy any little tipple with some food. It would be rare to see them falling down drunk  as with many foreigners who visit the country’s popular resorts. That does not stop them though! Spaniards enjoy a drink throughout the day and it’s not uncommon to see little old men enjoying their first caña (small beer), even a brandy well before 12pm. A glass of wine with lunch is perfectly acceptable and you’ll soon adopt to the locals’ laid-back attitude towards the consumption of alcohol during the day.

EATING LATE

After living in Spain, the eating times in the UK and practically everywhere else in the world seem far too early. Spaniards typically eat lunch between  2pm – 4pm and they will not even think about dinner until 9pm. With work days ending around 8pm, Spaniards save their social lives for the later hours. The Spanish eat late, go to bed late and are often late to arrive for everything. They are however happy and relaxed people with simply no rush to do anything.

Spaniards are passionate people, they enjoy life and love to indulge in lengthy discussions, hearty meals, and enjoy a delicious glass of wine. So, whilst some of us may initially think that their habits or quirks are a little radical, weird or unorthodox, you will soon come around to their way of living after being here long enough. Slowly but surely, these quirks start to seem normal!

Kudos Villas are not just another estate agent in Cabo Roig – we know what’s going on in your community too.

written by Kudos Villas – 20 March 2018