Basic Etiquette Say hello and goodbye when entering any shop or establishment. Greet people when they enter an elevator/lift. If you need to give an object to someone, pass it to them. It is rude to toss it in their direction.
Shake hands with everyone present--men, women and children--at a business or social meeting. Shake hands again when leaving. Men may embrace each other when meeting (friends and family only). Women may kiss each other on the cheek and embrace.
No sorbas (Don't slurp): While in other countries such as Japan, this is considered polite, it's rude to slurp in Spain. No eructes (Don't burp): Just like slurping your food, burping is considered rude in Spain. Some people definitely burp in public, but trust us, no one likes those people.
Some of the first things that might come to mind when a person thinks of a Spanish tradition include the bullfight, the siesta and flamenco dancers. For some, the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona also tops the list.
Spaniards live life to the fullest, taking an open, carefree attitude to everyday events. It is this laidback approach that underpins life in Spain, whether it's the country's famous outdoorsy culture or the fact that the Spanish are so gregarious and welcoming of foreigners and expats.
The common verbal greeting is “Buenos dias” (Good day), “Buenas tardes” (Good afternoon) or “Buenas noches” (Good evening/night) depending on the time of day. People may also say “¿Como está?” (How are you). A more casual greeting is “Hola” (Hello).
Body language
– In conversation, the Spanish aren't likely to stand uncomfortably close, but they may still pat your arm or shoulder. – Yawning or stretching in public is considered vulgar.
People and Values
Personal character and integrity are highly valued traits, as is modesty. The family, both nuclear and extended, is the central social unit in Spain. Like many collectivist cultures, Spanish society deeply values group affiliation – to a family, an organization, or a community.
Spain, the third-largest country in Europe, has a majority of its 43,484,000 citizens belonging to four major ethnic groups: Basque, Galician, Castilian, and Catalan. Other ethnic minorities exist as well: Andalusian, Gitanos, Levante, Magyars, and Jews.
Best known among Spain's folkloristic traditions are certainly Flamenco and bullfights. You will find bullfights indeed throughout the country, the most popular event perhaps being the "Running of Bulls" during the Sanfermines in Pamplona.
Common taboos involve restrictions or ritual regulation of killing and hunting; sex and sexual relationships; reproduction; the dead and their graves; as well as food and dining (primarily cannibalism and dietary laws such as vegetarianism, kashrut, and halal) or religious (treif and haram).
The culture is famous for having a strong social dimension, with many fiestas (celebrations) punctuating the year. Spaniards are renowned for being proud people with a deep love of Spain and a strong awareness of their personal honour.
From barrel-aged Rioja to fortified sherry, Spain is one of the top wine-producing countries in the world. Spain is also famous for producing Cava, a sparkling wine made in Catalonia that is loved for its crisp effervescence and for being far cheaper than its French rival, Champagne.
Spain is famous around the world for Flamenco music and dance, bullfights, fantastic beaches, and lots of sunshine. But what people sometimes forget is that Spain has been one of the cultural centers of Europe for thousands of years. Spain has an extraordinary artistic heritage.
The average house price of a home in Spain is $400,000, or $200 per square foot. Real estate prices in Spain in 2023 are steadily appreciating, having increased by 7.3% compared to one year prior.
Can I live in Spain without speaking Spanish? Sure. If you're living in a major city, studying a course taught in English, interning or working at a company that requires English, or are living in expat areas such as Costa del Sol or Malaga, you can get by with just English in Spain.
That Spain is currently the number one country for expats in terms of quality of life! As well as being rated the number one nation for quality of life, Spain was also ranked fifth overall. That means that of all the 52 countries included in the rankings, Spain was considered to be the fifth best country to live in.