8 facts about Spain that foreign people find surprising
When foreign people visit Spain, they usually notice a series of unexpected cultural differences. Some of them are fairly subtle, almost insignificant, and others drastically affect the way people live as opposed to other countries. These differences include habits, festivities, food, communication, infrastructure… The culture gap can sometimes be remarkable, but not necessarily negative: in fact, most people find them really interesting. Keep reading and you will find out why these facts about Spain surprise many foreigners.
A group of friends having lunch together. | Envato
Yes, we know it. People in Spain eat way too late as compared to other countries. If we look at Spain’s neighbours, in Portugal they have lunch around 1pm and dinner at 8pm, whereas in France they have lunch between midday and 2pm, and their dinner time is about half past eight.
However, in Spain it is considered normal to have lunch around 3pm and dine at 10pm, a fact that many foreigners find shocking. It is also worth noting that Spain’s time zone does not match the ones of the countries next to it, so it probably makes sense that we do not eat at the same time.
Some people get confused too when they learn that Spain’s national anthem has no official lyrics. Not all national anthems have it, though: Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and San Marino have lyricless anthems as well.
The Spanish national anthem comes from the Marcha Granadera, which used to be played at military parades and other events attended by the Spanish royal family in the 18th century. There have been some attempts to attach lyrics to it, but they have obviously not been successful, mainly due to a series of discrepancies. Hence, it remains the same as it was three centuries ago.
Serrano ham. | Shutterstock
Clearly, Spain is not the only country where eating raw or uncooked food is common —we have all eaten Greek salads and Japanese sushi. However, some of the most popular products in Spain are eaten straight from the package. This is the case of the so-called embutidos: ham, chorizo, mortadella… They might seem like raw meat to some, but they have become an essential part of Spanish gastronomy. In fact, these are some of the products that Spanish people miss the most when they leave the country. Some even fill their luggage with serrano ham when they go abroad!
Cold soups are also typical in Spain, particularly in summer. These soups are usually made with raw veggies, olive oil and salt, and the most popular ones are the delicious gazpacho and the salmorejo.
Every house and every hotel room has blinds in Spain. | Envato
One of the most shocking things for Spanish people when they travel abroad is the lack of blinds in the buildings. That also happens the other way around: when people come to Spain, sometimes they find it surprising to learn that every house and every hotel room has blinds and probably window shades or curtains too.
In Spain, people lower the blinds at night and raise them in the morning, mostly to avoid waking up with the morning light. Another possible explanation would be that, considering Spain is generally a sunny country, we already enjoy the sunlight throughout the day and that is why we seek the peace that comes from darkness when we sleep. It is also true that Spanish people tend to be quite protective of their privacy, and blinds do help keep our space out of sight.
There are few things more representative of Spanish culture than siesta. These afternoon naps can consist of resting in bed for hours, or just dozing for a bit on the couch. The reason behind its popularity might be the fact that meals are usually heavier in Spain than in other countries, especially when it comes to lunch time. Other countries might have incorporated this habit too, but it is still a signature Spanish custom.
Typical Spanish tapas. | Shutterstock
One of the main ways people socialize in Spain is by going out for tapas. One can do so every day of the week, and it is a fantastic way of enjoying what we like the most: food and quality time with friends and family. If we found ourselves in Basque territories, we would be talking about pintxos instead.
Some believe that the habit of going out for tapas originated one of the times King Alfonso XIII travelled to Cádiz. He ordered a glass of Sherry wine and the bartender placed a slice of ham on the glass to prevent sand from ruining his drink, since it was really windy there. Apparently, he was so amused that he kept asking glasses with a slice of ham on top. Tapa means “cover” or “lid” in Spanish, so here we go.
Some flamenco dancers in Seville. | Shutterstock
If there is something that people from all over the world link to Spanish culture, it is flamenco music and dance. This art form has travelled across the globe, and other countries have even made it their own. For instance, Japan has been developing its own flamenco traditions since the 1920s.
Doubtlessly, flamenco music and dance is one of the elements of Spanish culture that surprise newcomers the most: not because they did not expect it or because they find it strange, but because its unique artistry completely charms them. In fact, many tourists marvel at the fact that any moment can turn into an impressive show almost anywhere in the country.
It is common in Spain to greet people by kissing them on the cheeks. | Shutterstock
Last but not least, we have a custom that sometimes makes foreign people feel shocked or even uncomfortable at first. It is also common in Greece and Italy, but not so much in other countries. Most Spanish people will greet you by giving you a kiss on each cheek, both upon meeting and to say goodbye. If you do not feel comfortable with that, you can always shake hands, though.
All in all, there are many Spanish customs that might seem weird or pointless for foreign people, but it is these little differences what makes Spanish culture so unique and special. At the end of the day, they have become part of Spain’s very identity, and there is a sense of richness to the diverse nature of each country’s culture and lifestyle.
