When I first moved to Spain I had no idea what was right or wrong within the community that I had moved to. But once I started to learn the language and how to conduct myself I realized what I was doing was not the way it is done. So I asked around within the small group of Spanish friends what is right in their eyes for us Brits to behave like or dress right, here are some pointers that will help you, on your way to being polite in public here in Spain.

Dress codes
In general the Spanish have a very modern outlook on clothing. They are keen on designer clothes but quality is more important than a designer name. Spanish made clothes tend to be high quality and reasonably priced.

Teenage girls tend to wear trousers more than skirts. Denim is definitely 'in'. Teenage boys are keen on designer wear and appearance is important to them. Mature Spaniards dress conservatively and with style. Older men in particular tend to wear high quality clothing.

It is unclear what the Spanish think of scantily clad holiday-makers but it is not acceptable in small villages, away from the coast. One should be particularly careful of dress code if entering churches. Swim-wear and short skirts are frowned upon.

Nightlife
Spaniards often start the evening with el paseo, a leisurely stroll through the Gran Via, (High Street) or along the paseo maritimo (promenade) in the coastal resorts.

Much of Spanish life is lived in the streets and the atmosphere is especially vibrant at fiesta time. On a warm evening the street cafes and bars can fill to capacity as people sit and relax. The local nightclubs and the big cities have attracted the attention of the international media and are always an attraction for the youngsters. Most open late at night and don't close until late the following day. Spanish men tend to maintain eye contact with females for longer, although this does not mean anything. It is not often you will see a Spanish man drunk in the street, as this is seen as no, no, by other Spanish. The only exception to this is during the Fiestas, but they are never legless.

The Spanish way of life is somewhat slower than the rest of Europe, especially in the south. This may be seen as lazy, but when the Spanish work, they work hard. They have adapted to the weather and play hard too. It is quite common for life to begin when the sun goes down, especially in the summer. They are a very happy people who enjoy life to the full. They love music, dance and food. Smoking is now banned in all interior public places in Spain (except in small towns and villages).

Food
Eating out in Spain is relatively cheap and meals are usually substantial instead of gourmet. The Spanish tradition of tapas is a good way to sample the local food. Tapas are small dishes of snacks which are served anytime especially in small bars. They cover all types of foods from seafood to vegetables. Many Spanish people make an evening of hopping from bar to bar trying different tapas. Another of Spain's favorites is Serrano Ham. Spain is famous for its fish delicacies and simply must be sampled, especially if you get to coastal areas. Paella has long been a Spanish favorite, based on either meat or seafood. Every region in Spain has its own specialties

The Spanish tend to eat traditional continental breakfasts, a light lunch and an evening meal, late. (See our Spanish cooking forum).

Drink
Primarily Spain is a wine drinking country with each region producing its own special wines, however there are several large breweries within Spain producing the light, lager-like beers popular everywhere. The principal table wines are the riojas and valdepeñas, named after the regions in which they are produced. In general, rioja, from the region around Logroño in the northeast, resembles the French Bordeaux, though it is less delicate. Valdepeñas is a rougher wine, but pleasant and hearty. It will be found at its best in the region where it is grown, midway between Madrid and Cordóba. The Jerez area is famous for its sherry. Jerez is the place from which this wine was first exported. Britain now buys 75% of all sherry exports. There are four main types of sherry, being fino which is pale and dry, amontillado, dry, richer in body and darker, oloroso, medium, fragrant and golden and dulce, which is sweet. In the Basque Country, chacoli is a favorite, green wine, slightly sparkling and sour. The majority of Spanish sparkling wines are sweet and fruity and even the inexpensive supermarket wines have an important place in the wine culture. Cider also has an importance in Spain.

Bull Fighting has been, and in some parts of Spain, still is the national sport, but this is slowly dying out, there are many areas of Spain that have outlawed it in their towns.

Christmas in Spain
Unlike many other places in Europe, Christmas lights do not go up in Spain until December. Every town and city will decorate the streets. Christmas markets also begin to appear. Christmas trees are on sale everywhere and gypsies begin to sell Christmas trees in the streets. The first major sign of Christmas is the state-run lottery which is drawn on December 22nd. The 'El Gordo' (the Fat One) is one of the largest lotteries in the world and thousands of people win each year.

Christmas in Spain is based more on a religious theme than in many other places. Churches are packed to capacity, day and night. For most Spaniards, there are three main events to Christmas, starting with Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) which is very much a family affair. The evening may start at home but often ends up with a party in a club or disco with friends and family. It is often likely that every generation of the family is represented.

The family Christmas Eve meal is one of the most important meals of the year for a Spanish family and the housewife will be busy preparing the traditional fare. Seafood is high on the list for the meal and prices tend to go through the roof at this time of year.
First on the menu is likely to be plates of cold shellfish and cold cuts of meat. This may be followed by soup then baked besugo (Bream) with potatoes followed by roast lamb or suckling pig. Game is another option although turkey is becoming popular. The meal will be complemented with Cava, Spain's excellent sparkling wine. At the same time, trays of Christmas cakes and sweets will be served. The important sweets are turrón and marzipan. Turrón is a nougat made of toasted sweet almonds and has been made in Spain for over five centuries. Turrón can be bought almost in any supermarket around this time of the year.

After the meal the adults will then exchange presents. The children will usually only receive a small gift. At midnight, some people will go to the Midnight Mass at the church. Others may stay at home and open a bottle of champagne to celebrate the birth of Christ. Some children go Carol singing and the youngsters may go to bed whilst the adults go out and party until dawn.
Every town and most churches will have a 'belen' which is a nativity display. Some of them are very impressive and can cover massive areas. Some are animated and illuminated and draw huge crowds. These are such a wonder to see, and make a visit into the town a highlight of the evening.

Christmas Day is a fiesta day so all banks and shops are closed, probably to recover from the night before. Christmas Day in Spain is one of the quietest of the year. Anyone wanting to eat out on this special day will have to book well in advance. There are some Restaurants offering a special Christmas day deal, where you pay one price per person and spend the day celebrating and not leaving till the very early hours of Boxing day morning.

The 6th January or Three Kings Day (Los Reyes). This is the day that the Three Kings arrived in Bethlehem, it is also the most important day for the children as the Three Kings in effect replace Father Christmas for Spanish children (although Santa is becoming popular). They arrive overnight on the 5th January, riding horses and leave presents for the children. Parents encourage children to write to the Three Kings with their gift requests. Every town and city in Spain will have a procession on the night of 5th January where tons of sweets will be thrown from the passing floats, much to the joy of the children (and adults) I have spent many a night with my children picking up the sweets as they are thrown into the crowds.

On the 5th January (Los Reyes Day), a special cake is made and sold all over Spain. Rosca de Reyes, is a ring-shaped pastry (tasting similar to hot-cross-bun mixture), covered in sugar and fruit flavored jellies. On biting, beware, the cake will contain plastic toys as presents. anyone lucky enough to find one of the hidden charms will be blessed with good luck for the new year.
New Year's Eve is big in Spain and on New Year's Eve it is the tradition to wear red underwear but they have to be bought for you by someone else. Most towns organize street parties with entertainment and firework displays that last all night. Most bars and restaurants are open 12:45 till the last person goes home. There will be music and dancing and the wearing of the usual party outfits. At the stroke of midnight it is tradition to eat 12 grapes - one on each stroke of the clock to bring good luck for the new year. The grapes are a late variety from Vinalopó near Alicante.

I hope that this has given you a little insight into the Spanish way of life, I will be updating this as and when things come to mind.

David SR www.vinalopotrader.freeforums.org