What are the Spaniards like...?
Spaniards are considered a lively, sociable and very communicative people who are loud in their speeches and like to have fun often. Pretty much anything can be a reason to celebrate, and the Spanish Fiesta is an international phenomenon that attracts many people to Spain every year.
Fiesta not Siesta!
fiesta = celebration
siesta = rest
Greetings...
Good morning - Buenos días (ideally used from morning until 2pm).
Good afternoon - Buenas tardes (ideally used from 2pm to evening).
Guiris
Tourists in Spain are called "guiris". This word dates back to the wars for the Spanish throne in the first half of the 19th century, when it was used to refer to members of military units that had "GRI" in their emblem, often foreigners.
And what is the best way to recognize guiri? By ordering a sangria, of course, which the whole world considers to be the Spaniards' favourite summer drink and they just smile because it's the perfect marketing product, but the Spanish drink "tinto de verano". Sangria is said to have originated somewhat as a virtue of necessity among students when they wanted to throw a party and processed leftovers from the fridge (various fruits, leftover wines from previous parties, lemonade, etc.). They mixed it all up and the low-cost fiesta could begin. On the other hand, the tinto de verano is a really popular summer drink among the locals and is made with red wine, slightly sweetened soda water ("gaseosa") or lemonade, lots of ice and lemon pieces.
Typing
The Spanish mentality has one essential characteristic, and that is the ticking. It is a complete shock for a Central European when he goes to the dentist and the doctor gives him a nod and expects him to give her a nod too. You nod to waiters in a restaurant, to shop assistants, to pharmacists, to your potential boss at a job interview, just automatically and almost everywhere. By some tradition, perhaps only the elderly are booed. It's very refreshing and liberating, it removes a lot of unnecessary barriers, and it's a certain element that brings a more relaxed and friendly atmosphere between people.
Name and surname
Spaniards have two surnames: one from their mother and one from their father. In official intercourse, the paternal surname is used and stands in for the first name. The first name can also be a compound (of two first names - e.g. José Antonio). In addition to our two-word classic consisting of one first name and one surname, the Spanish have a three- or four-word compound, where the last two words are guaranteed to be the surname.
Punctuality
Although Central European Time is the norm in Spain (except in the Canary Islands, where it is one hour less), punctuality is replaced by flexibility and patience, which you can't do without in Spain in the long run. You can't always count on being punctual when you make an appointment with a local.
Yellow is bad luck
And be careful, don't wear anything yellow in Spain. The locals believe that yellow is bad luck. So unless you want to be the centre of special attention (for example, everyone may be constantly watching you to see if you accidentally trip), avoid yellow, and note that you won't see it on Spaniards. The irony is how strongly this colour is represented in their national flag.
Tuesday 13.
Friday the 13th doesn't matter, because the Spanish (as well as Greeks or people in some Latin American countries) have Tuesday the 13th as their unlucky day. At the same time, according to legend, it was on Tuesday the 13th that the fatal mistake of confusion of speeches occurred that caused the confusion surrounding the Tower of Babel and the end of the building of the city of Babylon.
The old Spanish chant thus exhorts: "On Tuesday the 13th, don't get married, get loaded or leave home". (En martes 13, ni te cases, ni te embarques, ni de tu casa te apartes.).
Source : spanelskyptacek.cz