Read news from:
Austria
  • Europe
  • Austria
  • Denmark
  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Norway
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
Spain's news in English
The Local
  • News
    • War in Ukraine
    • Travel news
    • Brexit
  • Covid-19
  • Practical tips
    • Moving to Spain
    • Living costs
    • Reader questions
  • Learn about Spain
    • Travel – Discover Spain
    • Food & Drink
  • Spanish language
  • Jobs
    • Working in Spain
  • Property
    • Renting
    • Property sales
    • Find rentals

Sections

Latest newsCovid-19Practical tips
Learn about SpainBrexitTravel news

Membership

My accountLog inStudent accessCorporate
NewslettersNewslettersHelp centerGift voucher

The Local

Search siteContact usWho we are
Send us a storyAdvertise with us

Editions

AustriaEuropeGermanyNorwaySweden
DenmarkFranceItalySpainSwitzerland

Services

Jobs in SpainNoticeboard
Apartment rentalsProperty sales

SOCIAL

Twelve ways tourists annoy Spaniards

Twelve ways tourists annoy Spaniards

Spaniards are generally a pretty easygoing bunch, but even the most tolerant of locals can get frustrated with tourists in their country. Here are 12 things tourists do that get on the Spaniards’ nerves.

Back to Twelve things tourists do that annoy Spaniards
×
❮ ❯

WEARING SOMBREROS: Mexico and Spain are separated by some 9,000km (5,600 miles) of ocean but remain indistinguishable in the eyes of some tourists. Wearing a huge 'comedy' sombrero, referring to 'gringos' and calling everyone you meet 'compadre' will mark you out to locals as 'tonto' (stupid) no matter how well you otherwise speak the lingo. Photo: Cory doctorow/Flickr
SPENDING YOUR WHOLE HOLIDAY IN AN IRISH PUB: Spain: land of culture, cuisine, history, romance... and Irish theme pubs.  You don't have to spend every waking moment visiting museums and churches but spending your holidays eating pie and chips in the nearest place with a Guinness sign while watching Sky TV all day seems a wasted opportunity. Get out and enjoy a taste of the real Spain instead.Photo: Charles Roffey/Flickr
IGNORING QUEUE ETIQUETTE: It may not look like it, but Spaniards are actually hardcore about queues. Whether it's a bus stop, a local market, or even a lottery stand, people in Spain seem to have a sixth sense for where they are in the 'line', even if this looks more like a random crowd of people. Spanish queuing is a hard phenomenon to get to grips with but if you have any doubts just ask ‘¿Quien es el ultimo?’ (Who is the last in line?) when you arrive. Then you can place yourself behind that person.                       Photo: Pierre-Philippe Marcou/AFP
COMMITTING CRIMES AGAINST FASHION: Tourist attire is the cause of much sniggering among Spaniards. You don't need to match Antonio Banderas or Penelope Cruz in the style stakes but at least try to avoid wearing socks with sandals.  Spanish fashion tends towards the understated and elegant so take a leaf out of the locals' book and leave your lurid sportswear at home.Photo: Felipegontijo
NOT SPEAKING ANY SPANISH: Locals in Spain don't expect you to be fluent in Spanish. They're very forgiving of mistakes and could even appreciate the chance to practise their English/French/German etc. But learning a few basic Spanish expressions ('Buenos días', anyone?) will go a long way to helping you win amigos and influence people. Apart from which, you'll just get more out of your trip. Comprende?   Photo: <a href="http://shutr.bz/1q838DK">Shutterstock</a>
WEARING INAPPROPRIATE CLOTHES: Just because you're on holiday and feeling the heat doesn't mean it's OK to go everywhere in Spain with acres of flesh on display. Save the flip flops, tank tops and budgie smugglers for the beach and cover up in town, especially when visiting churches and upmarket restaurants.   Photo: fleurbleue75015/Flickr
COMPLAINING ABOUT THE NOISE: Lots of tourists come to Spain for the energy and the nightlife — then they end up complaining about the decibels. Yes, Spain is a noisy country, and yes, people stay up late and have very loud conversations on the street just outside your hotel bedroom. But as the old saying goes: don’t get mad, get even. And join in the fun. Photo: <a href="http://shutr.bz/1sBDgXl">Shutterstock</a>
SNAPPING AWAY: Sure, photography is the sincerest form of flattery, and Spain is a beautiful country with something to take a picture of everywhere you look. But if you are going to take 47 shots of the Sagrada Familia take a look around you and try and make room for the poor people trying to lug their shopping home down a crowded pavement.Photo: Rafa Rivas/AFP
WHINGING ABOUT HOW EXPENSIVE SPAIN HAS BECOME: Back in the 'good old days' of the weak peseta, you may have been able to live like a king when holidaying in Spain but complaining about the rising cost of having fun here won't endear you to locals. Without a favourable exchange rate to boost their spending power, Spain has always been expensive for Spaniards and the economic crisis has only made matters worse.Photo: Robert Wallace/Flickr
DRINKING TIL YOU DROP: The fiesta may be in full swing and the cold beer (or 'gin tonic') tasting great but Spaniards stay out until very late so remember to pace yourself. Tourists who can't hold their drink and end up staggering around town, starting fights and vomiting are despised and mocked by locals.Photo: Steve Winton/Flickr
COMPLAINING ABOUT THE HEAT: Yes, it's hot. It's midday in mid-August in Spain, what did you expect? Going on about it incessantly, while saying 'I bet it's not like this back home' will bore Spaniards into a siesta... which is after all the best response to soaring temperatures. Get off the tourist trail at lunchtimes and join the locals in the shade.Photo: Gogo Lobato/AFP
SPORTING A SUNBURN: OK, there's nothing wrong with a healthy glow, but getting burnt to a crisp is not going to win you any brownie points Spain-side. If you're a pale tourist in Spain, don't even try to compete with the olive-skinned locals. Be smart and do what sensible locals are starting to do anyway: cover up and stay out of the midday sun.  Photo: Totordenamuf/Flickr
<a href="http://bit.ly/1uP3zr4">Are tips for tourists old hat to you? Think you've gone native in Spain. Read on to take the test</a>Photo: David Goehring


More galleries

Ten amazing reasons to visit Spain’s Canary Islands
Discover Spain’s breathtaking national parks
Spain’s ten most photographed places on Instagram in 2015
Astronaut’s view: 15 breathtaking images of Spain from space
Your stunning autumn photographs from across Spain
Ten beautiful Spanish seaside towns
Spain’s most charming undiscovered towns
Ten amazing reasons to visit Girona
Ten best UNESCO sites in Spain.
Top stops on Game of Thrones Spain tour
Top ten things to do in Castellón
Battle of the cities: Madrid vs Manchester
Top Ten: Spain’s best beaches for 2016
Top travel highlights in Spain for 2015
Twelve best things to do in Spain at Christmas
Eight great Spanish ski resorts
Ten of the best autumn travel destinations in Spain
Top ten amazing activities in Tenerife
Top ten: the best bike rides in Spain
Spain’s top ten natural pools
Top ten: Spanish tourist traps you should avoid
Top ten Spanish tourists stereotypes
Spain’s best restaurants 2014
Spain’s best beaches 2014
Top ten: Spain’s coolest hotels 2014
Ten houses where you can plan an amazing Swedish summer
Top 10: Spain’s best Valentines Day getaways
The Local Europe AB
Vasagatan 10
111 20 Stockholm
Sweden
  • Contact us
  • About us
  • Become a member
  • Advertise with us
  • Post a job ad
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy policy
App store App store
modal logo Please whitelist us to continue reading.

So this website can function correctly please whitelist The Local with your adblocker, antivirus software or browser add on.

Please visit the help centre for more information