travelguide TILMPE May. 2015 | Page 48

MONTIJO SHOPPING HOW TO BEHAVE How do you behave in Spain Shopping Spain, when you meet a new person of the opposite sex, you have to give two kisses on the cheeks. Only if you’re a boy, to another boy, you have to shake hands. Spaniards are not shy. We are very outgoing and friendly, and we usually are at ease with new people immediately, and we treat them as friends. If you come to Spain, one of the most important things you have to buy is a t-shirt from the Spanish Football Team. Football is like a symbol of Spain, we are very proud of having won the Euro 2008 tournament. Many guys are really mad about football and most of the boys and some girls are practicing this sport every day. Spaniards love chatting and can be very expressive; we express ourselves in a cheerful manner, we are very talkative. If you are in a crowded place, or at someone’s home, don’t worry too much. Be yourself, and always respect the others. When ordering something, as a coffee in a café or something in a shop… the only thing you have to do is to ask and pay, no worries. At farewells, we usually do the same as in greetings: two kisses, or shaking hands. That's the way to behave in Spain. It’s true that we usually argue about the final results of every match, but it is not something serious; we all are like a big family (a big ‘pineapple’ as we say here.). So enjoy Spain and buy a t-shirt! 48