SPANISH CULTURE, CUSTOMS, AND VALUES
LANGUAGES, DIALECT, AND NAMES:
>The official language of Spain is Spanish (Castilian), which is the predominant language in almost all the autonomous communities of Spain. Moreover, six of the sixteen autonomous communities have their own co-official languages, in addition to Spanish. For example, the main ones are the autonomous regions of Basque Country, Catalonia, and Galicia, where co-official languages are Basque (euskera), Catalan (català), and Galician (galego). The Valencian community also has a co-official language known as Valencian; however, it is considered a Catalan dialect by some linguistic groups.
>Spaniards have two surnames: the father’s paternal family name and the mother’s paternal family name. Moreover, people also have two personal names, and the second name does not always reflect the individual’s gender – the first one should, the second one doesn’t have to. Tradition has it that the first surname is the father’s family name, while the second is the mother’s family name. But this can be changed if the individual wishes to. Generally, the father’s name is used to address people, as is the person’s first name (not the second). In addition, Spanish women usually do not adopt their husband’s surnames at marriage.
> Etiquette in Spain is probably similar to your home country. You are expected to greet people whenever you enter a store or establishment. When meeting people, such as acquaintances, a handshake is quite common. Between friends, a double kiss on the cheeks is rather common. Overall, it is simply important to be nice, regardless of the greeting form. Although it is highly important to be on time for social events, it is often okay even if you are a bit late. If you apologize, people are likely to respond with “no pasa nada” (meaning – it’s okay).
>When someone invites you to their house for dinner, you are expected to bring a gift. Whether it is wine, chocolate, or flowers – you choose. People usually also get little gifts (e.g., little treats) for any children in the household.
> If Spain is known for anything – other than football, beaches, and festivals – it’s the Spanish cuisine. Traditional Spanish dishes include the famous paella (a rice dish), tortilla, gazpacho, as well as complementary tapas (that go quite well with a drink at a bar). Among common ingredients are olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, peppers, or seafood. Generally, Spain contains a wide array of culinary specialties. Spanish cuisine is one of the significant representatives of the Mediterranean diet, which is low in red meat, processed meat, and refined sugars. Other famous Spanish dishes include Pimientos de Padrón (type of pepper), Fideuá (seafood dish), Albondigas (meatballs), and Churros (fried-dough pastry), to name a few.
>Festivals and celebrations are also among the many things that define Spanish culture. This country hosts numerous fantastic festivals throughout the year, bringing together thousands of locals and internationals. So naturally, people usually look forward to these ‘fiestas,’ and the ambiance is simply outstanding when the time comes.
Some of the many Spanish traditional and cultural festivals/celebrations include:
*La Tomatina (people throw tomatoes – yes, tomatoes – at each other, creating a large mass of tomato puree).
*Semana Santa (the Spanish celebration for Holy Week right before Easter).
*Las Fallas De Valencia (a traditional celebration held yearly in Valencia, in commemoration of Saint Joseph).
*Festa Major De Gracia (a cultural street fair in the village of Gracia).
> The majority of the population in Spain is Catholic. Although the number used to be up to 90% of the population, nowadays it is somewhere just above 60% of the population. More and more people are becoming non-believers and atheists. However, religion is rather important for Spaniards. While in Spain, you will see cathedrals, sacred apparel, and religious processions anywhere you go. Catholic holidays and traditions are also highly valued and popular among the population, although the percentage of religious Spaniards has decreased. There are also other religions in Spain; however, only a small percentage of the population belongs to a religion other than Catholicism.
> The Spanish siesta might just be one of the main things that define Spaniards. ‘Siesta’ is a short nap, taken in the early afternoon, after the midday meal. This is a common tradition in countries where the weather is warm, i.e., Spain. Historically, the nap was taken during the hottest hours of the day, so people who worked in farming could avoid the midday sun. This post-lunch break is common in urbanized Spain as well, although to a way smaller extent. Nevertheless, the ‘siesta’ is a fascinating part of Spanish history, and you will often find a few smaller shops closed during the midday for their afternoon rest.
#FOR EDUCATION PURPOSE ONLY
titsay
jacobvanloon
areudirty
turnnoffyourmind
kianamaiart
tangentwithtanner
yousharknotpass
dailybridgerton