10 UNSPOKEN RULES Tourists Keep Breaking in Spain
people always tell me that they don’t
want to look like a tourist when they’re
in Spain look there’s nothing wrong with
being a tourist but I always say to
people that you’re going to have a much
more memorable less stressful and
probably cheaper experience if you can
get in sync with the locals and local
rhythms so in this video I’m going to
give you the 10 unspoken rules that
tourists keep breaking when they come to
Spain and so by the end of this video
you’re going to be ready to have a trip
in Spain that’s more memorable and
importantly more authentic okay our
first unspoken rule is about eating out
you have to be assertive if you want to
get service in a Spanish tapas bar or
[Music]
restaurant you know In some cultures
people are used to the weight staff
being really attentive you know asking
if they need another drink a top up more
food or even kicking them out of the
restaurant you know once they’ve paid
their bill but here in Spain it’s much
more hands off so that means you have to
be assertive about your needs so if you
want to get a drink if you want to get
the menu or if you want to get the Bild
you really have to ask for it you have
to kind of Chase that waiter
down finally I have my photo on a wall
in a Spanish restaurant or bar in
[Music]
Katon so whether you’re standing at the
bar or sitting if you want to get the
waiter attention just put your hand up
catch their eye and say something like
dise or now and they might not come
straight away because often waiters in
Spain have a lot more tables to take
care of than you might be used to back
home but you know if they forget or if
they don’t come in the next few minutes
just gently the SC just ask them again
be be polite but be assertive and
remember generally they’re not going to
bring the bill unless you ask for it and
until you ask for it you know here
they’re not as focused on Turning Tables
so it’s not like the minute you finish
eating they’re going to put the bill
down and kick you out
okay one of my favorite dishes in all of
Spain it’s like a vinegary slap across
the
[Music]
face okay so you finished your meal
youve fought for the bill and you’re
wondering if you have to leave a tip and
if so how much well let’s get one thing
clear waiters in Spain are paid or
should be paid a living wage so there’s
no obligation ever to tip it’s up to the
diner at the diner’s discretion if the
food and the service was
good however warning I have seen reports
of some restaurants in tourist departs
of Spain that are putting suggested tips
on the bill literally on the bill it has
a 0% tip if you want to leave 0% and it
has a sad face and then next to a 10%
suggested tip it has a happy face now
that is not normal and it means
effectively you’re in a tourist
trap but you might be wondering if
you’re paying with a credit card or
debit card can you leave a tip if you
haven’t got change on you can you add
that tip onto your bill and yes you can
so sa the bill was you know €48 you
might just say charge me 50 and I’ll
charge 50 on your card and ideally that
extra €2 goes to the waiter oh and these
days you can ask for your food to take
away a doggy bag just
say so I often hear people complain
about bad customer service in Spain and
I get it customer service can be really
bad here particularly if you’re dealing
with a bank or bureaucracy or or some
shops but here’s the thing sometimes
customer service in Spain that’s
actually good is misinterpreted as bad
by people who don’t understand the
Spanish culture that happens in a busy
place like this
[Music]
one there’s always a million people in
here there’s no time for pleases and
thank yous or even Smiles often but
doesn’t mean the service is
bad smells amazing here in the May orina
the focus for the waiters and the staff
is on efficiency they’re trying to get
through these crowds as quickly as
possible don’t expect them to be taken
care of your feelings they’re just going
to try and get through the crowds Plus
in Spain and in Spanish pleases and
thank yous are often implied in in how
we say things and not stated explicitly
as a result you get served faster
ideally and your napit comes out hot it
doesn’t have time to get cold and that’s
really what you came here
for so perfectly warm and delicious
caros guys if you didn’t already know
I’ve written a travel guide to Madrid
it’s the guide I wish I had when I moved
here it’s full of all my favorite places
to eat and drink it’s got full
neighborhood guides secret stops shops
transport tips scams to avoid full
cultural coverage on the best museums in
Madrid everything to make sure you have
a more memorable and authentic time in
the city and inside the guide is an
exclusive Google map that has all my
favorite places plotted my favorite bars
and restaurants everything so when
you’re walking around Madrid you can
just pull out your phone and you can see
if there’s a great place to eat or a
cool shop nearby it helps you plan your
trip guys if you’re curious to check out
my city guide Madrid reveal check the
link in the description all right let’s
get back to it okay the next unspoken
rule is all about how to be in sync with
the locals it’s critical to understand
if you want to be going to restaurants
when they’re actually open you don’t
want to be going to shops when they’re
all closed it’s about how the Spaniards
kind of schedule their lives and how you
should think about scheduling your day
as a tourist okay so first up shops in
the morning morning are often going to
open later than maybe you’re used to
they possibly won’t open till about 10:
10:30 or even 11:00 a.m. but look if you
want to get breakfast somewhere early
you want to search on Google or look
around for a cafeteria a cafeteria will
look like a tapas SP on the outside but
it’s actually somewhere that’s going to
open earlier often around 8: 9:00 a.m.
so you can grab breakfast cup of coffee
and start your day that way oh and by
the way this place this c t is closed
today’s Monday so lots of restaurants
also close on Mondays be aware of that
and then once the shops are open about
10:00 a.m. and the big cities and in the
center they’re going to stay open all
day till maybe about 8:00 p.m. or so but
in the neighborhoods like this
neighborhood in Madrid or in the small
towns shops are going to open about
10:00 then they’re going to close again
at 2: for about 3 hours for a long lunch
break and then they’ll open again at
5:00 until about 88: so right down the
street it’s it’s now 3:00 all these
shops are closed because they’re having
that 3-hour lunch break so that’s one of
the reasons why it makes sense to have
lunch when the locals are having lunch
at 2: p.m. p.m. because then you’ll have
a big long lunch maybe after that have a
walk or a siesta and then by 5:00 p.m.
you’re up and about again and
everything’s open and if you’re an early
eater really the earliest that the
kitchens will open here is 1:00 p.m. and
they’ll usually serve food until about
4:00 p.m. and then when it comes to
dinner Tapas bars and restaurants
usually aren’t going to open them till
about 8: 8:30 and they’ll serve food
right through till till midnight but
beware you might see on Google that some
tapas bars say they’re open all day from
say midday till till midnight but it’s
doesn’t necessarily mean that the
kitchen is open the entire time the
kitchen might only be open from 12:00 to
4:00 and 8 onwards so you want to call
them up and
say what time does the kitchen open then
you can make sure and finally there are
all day kitchens where tapa Spas will be
serving food all day generally those are
a little more touristy but look if
you’re traveling with kids or whatever
it makes sense right feel free to use
them you have my permission okay next up
let’s tackle some unspoken transport
rules that’ll help you get around the
cities that you’re visiting first up
when you’re on the escalator make sure
you stand on the right so that people
who want to walk up and down can do so
on the left that’s really important and
if you see an elevator only use it if
you need it I.E you have mobility issues
or you’re with a child or you have
suitcases they’re reserved for people
who really need
them and remember when you’re getting on
the train make sure you stand back and
let people to get out first otherwise
someone might give you a little shove or
at least they might say uh
sorry I almost broke my own
roll and if you’re thinking of not using
public transport and you’re going to
jump in a taxi or an Uber maybe think
twice I’ve seen people walk out of a of
a tapa SP and jump right into a cab to
get back to their hotel and it takes
them longer in the cab to get there than
if they were just going to walk or take
public transport because of the the the
compactness and the traffic in these
historic centers all over Spain so wine
and beer play a big part in Spanish
social culture which might lead you to
believe that we’re constantly drinking
alcohol anywhere and everywhere well yes
and
no here’s the thing day drinking is
generally accepted in Spain so if you
order a or a glass of wine or a beer at
11:00 a.m. which it is right now
nobody’s going to think you’re a raging
alcoholic you know one of the things I
love is that in Barcelona you can go to
a market and have a big hearty cooked
breakfast and order Cara with it people
are doing it having Cara sparkling wine
with their breakfast it’s a beautiful
tradition and you’ll still see people
sitting down in the middle of their work
day you know for a big lunch and
enjoying a glass of wine but there are
some butts you see Spanish attitudes
around drinking alcohol and and Customs
are changing so you’re less likely these
days to see people drinking wine uh with
their lunch on a workday people still do
it but it’s just not as common plus
Spain is now one of the largest
consumers of zero alcohol beer in the
World 133% of Beer sold is zero alcohol
which means when you’re at the tapas bar
at any time you know during a workday
but on a Friday night you’re going to
see a lot of people drinking stuff like
this if you want to order a zero alcohol
beer just ask for una theoo which just
means zero zero like 100% zero alcohol
beer and taste isn’t quite the same but
it’s pretty
good and while we do like wine with a
meal and maybe a gint tonic afterwards
you won’t find Spaniards getting really
really drunk very often you know
Spaniards drink slow and steady and when
you’re drinking together and and or
having a meal with wine the focus was
really on the company and on the food
and on the time spent together rather
than knocking back as much booze as
quickly as possible and you might be
wondering if you can drink in public in
Spain well that’s kind of regulated at
the city level and technically in Madrid
for example no you can’t uh but really
that is a law more focused on big groups
of people getting Drunk Together on a on
a Friday night in a square so look here
here’s the deal if you’re walking around
the historic center of a Spanish City
you know knocking back a big can of beer
and maybe being a little unruly you
might have some trouble with the police
but if you’re sitting in a park having a
picnic with a with a bottle of wine
nobody’s ever going to bother you and
lastly remember that the legal drinking
age in Spain is 18 and while drinking
age laws might be a little bit more
laxly enforced in Spain than other
countries you know keep in mind that the
owner of a bar or restaurant can get in
trouble you know if there’s a minor
drinking on the premises so understand
if they don’t let your 16 or 17 year old
child you know have a small glass of
wine with their
lunch so I come from New Zealand where
we have mastered the art of always
having a public toilet a clean public
toilet within a few meters of wherever
you are see in New Zealand we have
competitions to see which is the best
public toilet in the country and public
toilets are even tourist attractions
Spain however has focused its creative
energies in other areas
so when Nature Calls what are the
unspoken rules about where you can find
a toilet yeah we do have public toilets
in Spain but they’re really few and far
between and to be honest I don’t know
anyone who uses them for fear of what
they’re going to find inside and I
wanted to get in here and check it out
but this one’s out of order there is
another one here in the historic Center
we’re going to go and check that one out
cuz I do want to go in and see if it’s
up to my standards as a
kiwi I thought the other public toilet
in in the Madrid Center was in this
square but now I can’t find it literally
this is according to the map of public
toilets in Madrid this is a public
toilet but it no longer is it it once
was I’m sure there was a public toilet
here I feel like I’m going a little
crazy but really that tells you this
experience tells you everything you need
to know about the public toilet
situation uh in Spain what do the locals
do when they need to go to the toilet if
they’re out and about here well in short
you go into a bar a tapas bar a
restaurant you order a cup of coffee uh
and use the toilet that’s what we do so
I’ve recently started driving in Spain
after getting my driver’s license
switched over to a Spanish one and doing
so has been an eye opening and sometimes
life-threatening experience are you
ready for the ride of your life yolly
I’m not quite sure let’s see get ready
buckle up baby okay so first up
Spaniards never indicate they just don’t
use the indicator hey I indicate that’s
true correction yolly is the only
Spaniard who indicates when driving none
of the rest of them do so you have to be
aware of of Lane Changers constantly the
second one is roundabouts roundabouts in
Spain are a total Wild West people are
weaving and changing lanes and coming at
you from all directions combined with
the fact that they don’t indicate means
that you have no idea what’s happening
so all I would say is just be hyper
aware of people coming at you from the
left when you join a roundabout and once
you’re in it it’s like a rushing rapid
just go with the flow and who knows
what’s going to happen and get out of
there as quick as you can the third one
is so complex I don’t even understand it
myself so I have to pull over so I can
explain it to
[Music]
you okay and the third one and this is
the one I struggle with the most try not
to run anyone over you see at certain
traffic lights sometimes they will be
flashing orange and this is because
there’s a pedestrian Crossing there and
you have to look and see if the
pedestrian who might be about to cross
has a red or green light for themselves
which means craning your neck around to
see their thing while you’re trying not
to you know run anyone over on the road
and and then depending on what you see
for The Pedestrian then maybe you have
to keep going or maybe you have to stop
as you can see I don’t really understand
it and I’m very nervous about running
someone over yolly do you understand
this rule I do perfectly y understand
processing Yol will do the driving when
you come and visit all right let’s head
home obviously it goes without saying
that while you’re on holiday your
neighbors in the apartment are living
their lives so you want to keep noise to
a minimum and the things to keep in mind
mind are when you’re going up and down
the stairs uh you know with suitcases
late at night or early in the morning
try not to make a lot of noise you know
often people’s living rooms are right on
the other side of that front door just
as as actually in my apartment here in
Madrid two remember that walls are often
very thin between apartments in Spain so
your neighbors may be able to hear
everything you’re doing and three the
other thing is that although we don’t
really have siestas so much anymore it’s
not that common it’s generally
considered still that on the weekends
from say 4: to 7:00 p.m. that’s kind of
a quiet time where people are resting
particularly older people maybe before
the evening kicks off so keep noise to a
minimum during those times and a pet
peeve of mine is how many Airbnb owners
don’t give tourists enough information
about how to properly dispose of their
trash so each City in Spain handles
separating out recycling a little bit
differently but at its most basic you’re
going to want to separate out Plastics
paper glass and just general trash so
there should ideally be a separate bin
in the apartment for each one so if the
owner hasn’t given you information about
how to do that make sure you ask them so
this one really took me by surprise when
I moved to Spain see Spaniards are very
comfortable holding your gaze for what
might feel like to you a slightly
uncomfortable amount of time if you’re
walking down the street and somebody
walks past you they might lock your eyes
for what feels like a few seconds too
long or you’re sitting on the Metro the
same thing might happen if you lock eyes
with someone you see Spaniards are super
comfortable in that situation and I love
it but I stare back too sometimes but
Yoli tells me I stare for too long so
obviously non-s Spaniards can’t do it we
can’t get away with it so this does not
give you cut blanch to stare at people
but just know that if someone’s holding
your gaze if someone’s staring into your
eyes it doesn’t mean that they love you
I mean they might love you but it
doesn’t really mean anything it’s just
kind of how they do it here okay so now
that you’re an expert on Spain’s
unspoken rules it’s time to start
planning where you’re going to eat when
you come here to visit so check out this
playlist that’s appearing up here uh
where I show you some of my favorite Tas
bars and restaurants in the country
we’ll see you over there in a moment
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46 Comments
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WE DO INDICATE. Spain is not to blame for the fact that your driving experience is in Madrid, a city that always got really wound up and is the only city where I have had my only two accidents (driving and as a passenger). Don't get me wrong, Madrid is not the worst, but there are dozens above it driving better. Madrid breaks records for pedestrians injured or killed according to the DGT (Department of Traffic).
Where I live, drivers (+95%) stops in a zebra passing and are respectful with the traffic rules, keep a safe distance and don't drive to work as they do in the Isle of Man.
BTW/ por cierto dear: SPAIN IS IN THE TOP 10 OF THE BEST DRIVERS IN THE WORLD. Spoiler alert: USA is Top too… among the worst.
I only disagree with two parts. 1-Service is not bad at all, it excels compared to most of europe. If oyu compare to the US, the service in the US can seem exagerated for europeans, as if they are faking kindness to try and get a tip. In spain waiters are good, have a sense of humour, don't forget what you ask for and can take a lot of orders at a time. If you understand Spanish ways and humour you'll laugh a lot and get nice conversations. The service in hotels and good restaurants in Spain is top level as there is real education, careers in university for this. Unlike some european countries where they really are doing it just because. Spain is a hugely touristic country and they know how to work on hospitality. It's just that you are comparing to americans who are used to a quite intense way of waiting tables, sometimes a bit too much. 2- I disagree about the driving, A LOT. i have lived in most of Europe (currently in Belgium) and the US and very few drive as well and politely as spaniards. Quality teaching and quality roads. Maybe you had some experiences in some parts of Madrid, and extrapolated to all of spain. But for people who travel around Europe (again, and the "let's stick to the middle lane of the freeway US") spain is quite surprising. Seems a bit patronizing to be honest. This is the point I disagree most about. Spaniards indicate A LOT compared to most places (where else have you driven???), you are generalizing and sharing a very wrong idea. It may sound folkloric to your anglo audience but it is a bit misguiding. Yes, as you say it is clear that you have just begun to learn to drive in Madrid, but please go around spain and Europe for a ride and then do a video. (This southern europe stereotype, including Spain in that equation is common yet untrue, go to italy or greece and then we can talk about it). Regarding the crossing, if you don't know the rules, don't blame spaniards… if a street light is orange it means be careful. Read the rules, take the test, and go to driving school for a year like all spaniards go. Sorry, but i have driven in several anglo countries and it feels way too bold to hear this coming from one, specially one thta does such amazing videos and research.
Regarding toilets… Madrid is a city made to consume, they are basically forcing you to go to a bar and pay, it's ultra neolib. If you go to other cities like smaller Logrono, there are some free toilets, and bars usually don't care if you go inside and use them. But Madrid and Barcelona they are mostly made to cash out people.
Sorry but you are very misguided and do not understand, when we are likely only in the country for a week, for some much deserved sun and vitamin from our rain soaked country, a six month hibernation period from dark nights, we don’t have the time or energy to learn a full language. Pleasantries of course cost nothing. The nasty rhetoric across the media against tourist will backfire.
Haha! I live in Spain but not in Madrid. Indicators seem to be somewhat optional here…and roundabouts do seem rather chaotic. It appears that there are two methods, the one taught to learners is to stick to the right and stay there until your turning, while others will often use the UK method…so yes, rather confusing. It is not uncommon to see older men having a brandy with breakfast…or seeing toddlers out with family late at night or at firework displays. As for firework regulations, UK safety regulators would have a fit but the Spanish know how to throw a party!
James, you look more fit man! And drinking zero zero is part of it? Inspiration to us dads around the world.
Accurate, I'm spanish and I can confirm pretty much everything. I would point out 2 things. First, the long lunch break does not apply to most workers and I would say it's 2 hours more than 3. For most companies it's 1 hour, that's it, 2 hours is for smaller retail shops. Second, the long stare is called "cotilleo" (gossip kind of), people are curious and if something catches their eye they will stare, not because of something negative necessarily, but it's just uncomfortable if you are not used to it (I always hated it). Overall, good video and good tips
Rephrase that!
Cos-
You're gonna have potential visitors thinking dining in a restaurant in Spain is stressed & lax ! Stick to saying, "Tapas bar."
I'm of British origin with Spanish nationality. The hospitality in "table cloth Restaurants" in Spain is far superior to that of the UK or the USA.
Don't scare them!😂
Toilets- Most bars if you simply ask first if you can use the toilet, most owners say yes and there's no need to consume.
You can also use the big chain type of hotels restrooms, found off the reception lounge areas or its bar areas.😊
aproved!!! apruebo tu review. xD
I’m a late eater and when I was in Seville center, I could not find a restaurant that served hot food after 10:45pm. Beer, yes, but food, no. Maybe in Madrid is different.
It’s interesting about the alcohol free being drunk more and more. One thing I really liked was the clara – or shandy (sort of) as it’s called in the UK. But whereas here in the UK it’s made with beer and lemonade – in Spain it’s with Fanta lemon or another equivalent (like Kas Limón). Often in the UK with a group you’re not seen as having a “proper” drink if it’s a shandy. Spain though – no problems – during the day or at night – no one bats an eyelid. Claras are refreshing, go great with Spanish food and a great way to enjoy a drink but also stay hydrated because of the real lemonade used.
Question, during the “stare down” is it ok to say hello or nod your head?
I'm Spanish and shy, and it's always hard to me to ask for payment in bars and restaurants 😂
As a Spaniard, I can say all your videos are brilliant.
After years of living in Latin America, customer service in Spain seems terrific to me!
I looked it up: "No obstante, ese mismo estudio ofrece datos que ayudan a saber cuál es la provincia española en la que hay más accidentes con víctimas respecto a su población. Y en este caso es Cádiz la que tiene unos niveles más elevados, con 89 víctimas por cada 10.000 habitantes. Le van a la zaga Sevilla, Pontevedra y Murcia." It transates that provinces with more accidents are Cádiz, Seville, Pontevedra, and Murcia. That is official data from the Traffic Department, not an opinion. Do not bash us madrileños, please. 😘
Two unspoken rules not listed here, of which I've fallen foul. Firstly, do not leaf through books and magazines in a bookshop. This seems to be frowned upon although I'm not sure how you're expected to know whether you'd like an unknown book without doing this. Secondly, do not handle fruit and veg in a shop/supermarket to check how firm, ripe or fresh they are unless you're going to buy them. I've been reprimanded for doing this, in Spain, although it's commonplace in the UK.
If they are unspoken rules, how do you know what the rules are that are broken?
The "being assertive" thing is apparently true even in Italy, from my experience in Rome recently. I actually find the constant "Is everything ok?" and "Can I get you anything else?" in the US annoying. Leave me alone and let me eat. 😂
Siesta is 2-5 pm, you shouldnt call nobodys phone… Its rude
Some good tips overall. Obviously a few exaggerations and hey it’s YT have to keep it zippy.
Generally speaking cars indicate but not 100% and probably not so much as Commonwealth English speaking countries.
Probably the biggest problem is amber gamblers. Far more cars will jump amber and red lights compared to many English speaking countries. Even police cars. So be careful crossing the road.
During the day in typical bars it is true that you don’t always have to pay when ordering. It’s not a dine and dash culture but at night, in clubs (discotecas and late night bars, bar de copas) yes you do pay on the spot, not going to let you walk away with a €15 gin and tonic and hope you’ll remember to pay later.
Regarding sin alcohol (alcohol free beer) not everywhere will sell 0% as depends on which brewery the bar/restaurant is part of but unless you are Muslim sin alcohol has around 1%, you can’t get drunk and pregnant woman drink it.
As a spaniard, this info is gold and worth soaking in. This dude definitely is inmersed in our culture
When you have an orange crosslight that means that, even though you're allowed to go, you are NOT in priority (may be a crosswalk but can be other things that have priority, like bycicle lanes, other car lanes and even metro, public bus, train, etc.) Basically, it's a "give way" light.
If a crossing's lights are not working properly, or if it's really low traffic, the lights might always flash orange, which means that you do NOT have priority but you're allowed to go. Most likely nobody has priority, and you need to watch for vertical signs like a stop sign.
The fact someone has an applicable license and can't explain that to you is a bit worrying, but oh well.
Im planning on moving to spain and work as a Carpenter.. what can i expect as normal workdays/hours
yeah i mean most eating out places are modern places or restaurants; is not like all places are like casa toni. you can tell from the name (normally a plain person name, like "casa paqui", "tabasca manuel" and so on and so forth) and from how it looks like, if it is a traditional place where you have to go forward and say what you want (in spanish, obviously) or if you are in a modern place where they ask you, and they speak english.
Moroccan here (I live in Morocco)! The part where you mention how Spaniards don't indicate while driving and use roundabouts horribly was quite shocking to me because in Morocco, Spaniards complain about the same thing. So I grew believing that Spaniards are perfect drivers. I guess it's all relative after all because we, Moroccans, are indeed horrible drivers.
Customer service is what it is, bad but not terrible, this guy is romanticizing the fact that they treat you badly just because of "culture", I live in Madrid and there are few non-congested places where they treat you well (even if you are the only person at the time), I think it comes from the fact that the waiters perceive that they are poorly paid and that almost no one leaves a tip (vicious circle). The good part is that in general the food and drinks are cheap so one thing for another.
Mi gusta mucho
My favorite trait of americans when they go abroad, is that they expect everyone to smile all the time. In other parts of the world, that's a sign of stupidity.
How much of these Spanish things are actually Madrid things? I've been all over the Andalucia and I've never experienced many of these types of behavior.
"weird" roundabout rule: on a two lane roundabout you can only exit the roundabout from the outiside right-hand lane… so, if you try to exit from the left-hand (inside) lane, and there is a car in the outside continuing on to the next exit and about to "cut you up", they have priority. regardless of indicators.
Only thing I find strange about driving here is when people want to stop at a ship quickly but there's no spaces outside so they'll just stop the car on the road and everyone else has to filter round them. Haven't seen it in central but tons in the outer barios. Seems a particular Madrid thing as i can't recall it happening much anywhere else I've been in Spain.
Agree with the roundabouts, but people do indicate :p. For me the worst rule tourists break is to walk around the city shirtless, for us Spaniards is quite shocking, you only go shirtless in the beach or a pool or something like that, not walking around the city :p. However I live in Ireland and people do the same here, I find it so weird :p
they dont automatically bring the bill in Australia either depends on the place, i usually have to ask for it. confused about the public toilet situation especially if you have kids and need to go multiple times whilst youre out and about.
I would say thats Madrid traffic is a bit different for the rest of the country . I struggle as well when i go to Madrid. Im from Spain.
So always say these superior beings who live there to the rest of us… yawn
The meal time thing about brought me to tears when I went to Palencia in December 2022. Luckily I found Deimos restaurant and this guy in there humored me by cooking a meal for me anytime I would show up there. I have since learned how to manage my meals and I’m a pro at it now. Bought my house in a small Pueblo and I can actually just cook my own food now. It takes a great adjustment. I also have learned the Spanish sense of humor now. They are indeed hilarious!
It's funny that in different places things can be pretty different. In Czechia, waving or signalling to the waiter with your hand is considered incredibly rude 😆
Its all much overrated. Just do not pee in their flowerbeds and show some respect.
I've been living in Spain for 24 years, and I still dont get used to the stareing 🤣
Actually most of this is true all over Europe. Ok, the tipping culture differs but from not-constantly-smiling customer service to waiters you have to actively talk to over the toilet thing to recycling most of the list is daily life for me here in Austria as well and not only there.
Untrue: ONLY Madrileñians DO NOT use SIGNALS.
I indicate James, I indicate.
I've been here over 3 years now, and tipping is my single biggest headache from the subjects covered in this. Tipping for Brits is an ingrained habit that's hard to kick, but definitely marks you out as a tourist, but it causes me more strain NOT to tip, and on occasions when I don't, I just feel guilty, so I do. I KNOW it's not universal, and in some places positively frowned upon. In restaurants I'll generally leave 10%, but I'm gradually learning to leave just small change in bars/cafes
… btw, and especially in smaller towns, I generally take staring as an invitation for a "Buenos Dias", especially in streets with low footfall… it's more often than not returned with the same, and a smile
😮😮😮 all rules are just for Italy
THIS IS AN ADVERT FOR HIS GUIDE……….. truly the worst 10 unspoken rules i've ever heard. Almost ALL are common sense
1. You have to ask for your bill….. REALLY! I was in Barcelona and i was sitting there for 6 hours because i forgot to ask for the bill lol
2. Tipping is ALWAYS voluntary and NEVER compulsary………. anywhere in the world… even the US
3. There is no time for pleases & thank you or even smiles……… hahahaha if you can't be bothered to do those 3 things DON'T interacting with people
4. It's a well know fact mediterranean countries open late & have siestas. Google maps will give you the opening times……… it's 2024
5. Every country has an escalator rule, not difficult to work out, just follow what people in front r doing. And lifts are for EVERYONE to use, regardless
6. What the Spanish drinking culture is…… has nothing to do with tourists. Just do what u want, just be discrete & quiet
7. You need a toilet…….. GO TO McDonalds…….. Worldwide Fact
8. Just drive & be aware……. "try not to run anyone over"?????? REALLY…… thats your advice????? dumbest thing i've ever heard 4 driving
9. Don't make noise & watch your rubbish……………. hahahaha where in the world is it okay to make too much noise.
10. It's okay to stare a bit hahahahahahaha………. he could only think of 9 tips, so had to make number 10 some BS
THIS IS AN ADVERT FOR HIS GUIDE……….. truly the worst 10 unspoken rules i've ever heard. Almost ALL are common sense