10 things you probably did not know about Spanish culture

1. Spanish Language

If you opted for Spain because of you wanted to learn the Spanish language, we tell you that in terms of the number of speakers and dominance, the most prominent of the languages of Spain is Spanish (Castilian), spoken by about 99% of Spaniards as a first or second language but it is likely that according to the area you reside you will find billboards, news or even books written in other languages like Catalan (or Valencian) which is spoken by 19%, Galician by 5%, and Basque by 2% of the population. Spanish is official throughout the country; the rest of these languages have legal and co-official status in their respective communities, this is the case of Catalan and Galician, they are the main languages used by the Catalan and Galician regional governments and local administrations. A number of citizens in these areas consider their regional language as their primary language and Spanish as secondary.

2. La Siesta (meaning nap)

Since lunch is the biggest meal of the day in Spain, people are used to eating a lot at lunchtime. It has been proven that after a large meal, much of our blood goes to the stomach to help with digestion and decrease blood flowing to the brain making you feel drowsy and tired. The Mediterranean climate, characterized by warm/hot and dry summers makes Spain usually experiences high temperatures at midday making any activity at this time a real struggle. These two facts combined explain why the majority of businesses and stores close between 2 and 4 p.m. so employees can go home, eat, and take a rest or a “siesta” during the hottest part of the day. Spaniards are quite used to having the city grind to a halt for a few hours in the middle of the day, however, foreigners often find “siesta time” frustrating for finding stores closed when they might have planned on walking around or shopping. Now you know: find a calm-quiet place, lay down and enjoy your 20 or 30 minutes of “la Siesta”.

5. Restaurante Botín (The oldest restaurant in the world)

The oldest restaurant in the world is located in Madrid. Botín Restaurant, which was founded in 1725, is the oldest in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records and one of the touchstones of Madrid’s traditional cuisine. Spanish people are very fond of food and Spanish cuisine is one of the biggest assets for Spanish culture when it comes to promote visiting the Kingdom of Spain. Spanish cuisine has won numerous awards and recognition over the years and even though it is not customary to tip in Spain, locals will appreciate your recognition to its majestic meals and outstanding service. The next time you are in Spain will know why Spaniards usually say “Barriga llena, corazón contento”, which translates to “A full belly and a happy heart”!

6. More tourists than locals

Being that it is the 3rd most visited country in the world (around 80 million tourists last year), here tourists outnumber locals. Spain is a destination that gives a tropical feel in Europe, this country relies heavily on tourism which accounts for 11% of its annual GDP. Spain combines the comforts of European travel along with magnificent beaches on the Atlantic and Mediterranean, historical sites and lively festivals and carnivals. The most popular cities are Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville and many UNESCO world heritage sites also see a large number of tourists. Guggenheim Museum is one of the modern architectural wonders around the world. The maximum number of visitors to Spain comes from Western European countries of UK, France, and Germany and domestic tourists also contribute a significant amount to the revenue. Malaga in Spain is one of the cities with best weather conditions in the world. It is worth to highlight that street cleaners play an important part in Spain. Sidewalks literally get swept and mopped every night.

8. Ratoncito Pérez (Perez the Mouse)

Children in Spain don’t believe in the tooth fairy, instead they believe in a mouse named Ratoncito Pérez. Perez the Mouse is a popular figure in Spanish and Hispanic American cultures, originating in Madrid in 1894. As is traditional in some English-speaking countries, when a child loses a tooth it is customary for him or her to place it under the pillow, so that Ratoncito Pérez will exchange it for a gift. The tradition is almost universal in Spanish cultures, but takes different forms in different areas. He is known as “Ratoncito Pérez” in Spanish speaking countries, with the exception of some regions of Mexico, Guatemala, Peru and Chile, where he is called “el Ratón de los Dientes” (The Tooth Mouse), and in Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay and Colombia, he is known simply as “El Ratón Pérez”.

10. Random facts

In Spain, people are often referred to as Don or Doña and their first name within formal occasions. Traditionally, you have two surnames in Spain: the first surname from your father, and the second from your mother. There are fewer marriages in Spain than in any other EU country, except Sweden. The majority of Spaniards are formally Roman Catholic, although different religious beliefs are accepted. Of all the interesting facts about Spain, this one is perhaps the most bizarre. On May 15th all the single women in Madrid visit the chapel called Ermita de San Isidro to prick their fingers with pins and put it in a vessel, in order to find a husband.