preloaddefault-post-thumbnail

Visiting Spain can entail any number of new and exciting activities from eating tapas and watching flamenco to admiring Alhambra and driving through the mountains of Andalucia. While you take in the sights and sounds of Spain, there are a few things to bear in mind.

Don’t Look Down

The best bars are the dirty bars, not in any kinky sense of the word, but literally. The more toothpicks, peanut shells and olive pips you find scattered about the floors, the more genuine your experience. So if you hear a distinct crunch underfoot, you’re in the right place.

Life in the Right Lane

If you’re renting a car and hail from the UK, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, or any country where driving means sticking to the left-hand side of the road, be prepared for an adjustment. Driving in Spain means you’ll be switching to the right-hand side. You’ll soon realise how strong your muscle memory is after the 100th time you check for cars coming from the wrong direction; but you’ll just as quickly realise how fast we can adapt and what our bodies are capable of, and before you know it you’ll be driving like a pro.

Artful Dodging

Pick-pocketing is a popular pastime. Whether strolling down Las Ramblas or attending one of the numerous Spanish fiestas, make sure your bag is closed and your pockets empty. This doesn’t mean you should regard every stranger suspiciously or nervously dart your eyes about – the more obvious you are, the easier a target you become – just be sensible and remain vigilant.

When it comes to shopping don’t be shy. The Spanish can be loud and boisterous and shopping often becomes an exercise in shoving, as people jostle for position in lines. Keep your cool, and don’t be afraid to nudge back.

 

Football Fetish

The Spanish are mad about their football, and they’re certainly not the only ones in the world. Since the love is practically universal it makes for a great conversation starter and a fantastic way to connect with the locals. You’ll go far if you engage those around you in discussions about their favourite clubs. Throw around words and names like Atlético Madrid, Xavi Hernández and cazgoles, and you’ll soon get a conversation going. If you feel the need to discuss the FIFA World Cup, either employ tact or stick to 2010. If you’re South African, you should definitely bring up the latter, because they’ll love the opportunity to reminisce about their victory.

 

Local Lingo

When visiting a country where you don’t know the language, it’s always a good idea to learn useful words and phrases. Once you’ve selected what you need to get by, or if you already speak Spanish, stick to pronouncing the “ll” in words like pollo (chicken), calle (street) and cigarillo (cigarette) with a “y” sound instead of a “j”. You’ll be understood irrespective of which you use, but most people stick to the former.

Navigating the people and places of Spain will be much easier once you’ve mastered these tips, and you’ll  flamenco through your holiday like a true Español from the heights of the Sierra Nevada all the way down to the coastal panorama of Costa del Sol.

 

Search and compare cheap flights to Spain.

Featured image by Innovacionweb.com Diseño Web

About the author

Claudia HauterLover of literature. Fundi of film. Mad about music. Proudly Mzansi. You can also find her blogging at Dinner and a Movie.

Explore more articles