A British expat living in Spain feels ashamed of the behavior exhibited by his fellow countrymen, prompting him to often pass as Canadian to avoid association.
Spain has remained a popular vacation spot for Brits, attracting millions to its sunny beaches and lively cities annually. Nonetheless, not everyone is well-versed in the local customs.
James Smith, a long-term British resident in Spain, witnesses daily blunders made by tourists. As the creator of “Learn Spanish with James,” an influential online platform for learning Spanish, James has spent years deeply engaged in Spanish culture in Spain, Argentina, and Costa Rica. His dual identity as a British national abroad and a Spanish language expert equips him to witness cringeworthy tourist conduct firsthand.
“Living here permanently, you witness everything. Some actions of my fellow Brits make me consider pretending I’m Canadian,” remarked James.
With this insider vantage point, James discloses the tourist behaviors that locals find cringeworthy and offers tips on avoiding becoming the stereotypical British tourist.
Easily identifiable are tourists anxiously scanning Spanish menus, desperately seeking dishes resembling a traditional British Sunday roast. James notes that such visitors treat authentic paella as if it were hazardous and request substitutions like “just chips” instead of patatas bravas.
“I’ve observed British tourists in Barcelona bypass exceptional tapas bars to queue at an Irish pub serving reheated lasagne. It’s akin to visiting the Louvre and only visiting the gift shop,” he highlighted.
The Spanish take immense pride in their regional cuisines, from Andalusian gazpacho to Basque pintxos. Rejecting local dishes not only misses out on a cultural experience but also baffles locals who consider food integral to their heritage.
James asserts a common British belief that speaking loudly equates to being understood. Observing a tourist interaction often involves witnessing someone bellowing “TWO. BEER. PLEASE.”
Spanish culture values a more measured conversational style. The loud and boisterous demeanor that might be acceptable in a bustling London pub can be perceived as aggressive or disrespectful in a serene Spanish restaurant where families enjoy unhurried meals together, according to James.
The traditional schedules in Spain and the UK differ significantly. The siesta is not an outdated annoyance intended to inconvenience holidaymakers but a practical response to intense afternoon heat and a cherished aspect of work-life equilibrium.
“I’ve seen tourists genuinely upset that a bakery won’t sell them bread at 3 pm. They behave as if Spanish business owners are intentionally difficult, when they are simply adhering to centuries-old sensible traditions,” James remarked.
While football jerseys, flip-flops, and Union Jack shorts might be passable beach attire, wearing them to a formal dinner causes discomfort among most Spanish diners. Spaniards tend to dress elegantly when dining out, even for casual meals.
The contrast is stark in cities like Seville or Madrid, where locals may dress up for a casual evening stroll. Conversely, British tourists may show up at historic cathedrals in tank tops and sandals, often unaware of dress codes or cultural expectations, as per James.
Though Spain has a relaxed attitude toward alcohol, the British approach to drinking can be startling to locals. Spaniards typically enjoy wine or beer with meals, not as a race to inebriation. Observing groups of tourists stumbling around historic city centers at midday, creating disturbances, and shouting only reinforces negative stereotypes.
“Spanish drinking customs are social and sophisticated. Witnessing British tourists treat beautiful Spanish cities as massive outdoor nightclubs is genuinely cringe-worthy,” James emphasized.
James notes that British tourists often address Spanish service staff without attempting any Spanish, leading to breakdowns in communication. A simple “por favor” or “gracias” can go a long way, yet some visitors seem unwilling to extend basic courtesy.
This attitude is particularly irksome in smaller towns or rural regions where locals may have limited English proficiency but warmly receive visitors who make even minimal efforts to use Spanish.
The paradox of being a tourist: traveling to Spain only to lament its differences from Britain. These visitors complain about late dining hours, unfamiliar cuisine, dissimilar TV programming, and locals conversing in Spanish among themselves.
“I’ve heard British tourists genuinely irritated that Spanish TV lacks English programs. They seem to forget they are guests in another country,” James concluded.
