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As a spaniard, this info is gold and worth soaking in. This dude definitely is inmersed in our culture

NEVER add the tip to the credit card bill. Not just in Spain. It goes through the ledger. Give it in cash separately.

The spanish stare is mostly a curious stare and not a defiant one.

I am from Spain (50 y/o). I always say please and thank you. When asking for something, I always say "cuando puedas" (when you can). For example, "me pones una caña cuando puedas". I ALWAYS use the indicator, please do it.

The "being assertive" thing is apparently true even in Italy, from my experience in Rome recently. I actually find the constant "Is everything ok?" and "Can I get you anything else?" in the US annoying. Leave me alone and let me eat. 😂

great video. Just one thing as spaniard: don't ask to charge the tip to your credit card. It goes to the boss. Give it separately to the waiter that served you!

This video is proof that everything is a matter of perspective. Spain is the third country I've lived in and in my experience it has the most civilized traffic of them. People here signal more than in any other country I've driven. By the way, when you get the flashing yellow/orange light in a pedestrian crossing, this mean they have it green for them. Of course the semaphore turns red to them a few seconds before turning green for us (and after flashing for them too) for safety. So James, the general rule is: if it's blinking yellow/orange for you, stop if there's any pedestrian crossing or about to cross, otherwise feel free to go.

I had never been to Spain in my life, so I was nervous when I found out my entire first year of college would be in Madrid. This channel, not to exaggerate, has SAVED me and made my experience so much less stressful. Thank you both so much. Sadly, I leave in a couple weeks and will not need this channel any longer. Again, I just wanted to say thank you for this channel. You both have meant so much to me🙌

Don't know why KZfaq recommended this to me, since I'm from Spain. But great video honestly, didn't expect such great advice for foreigners.

I'm from Madrid, and these are so true. The escalator one is the most important, please respect it!

"weird" roundabout rule: on a two lane roundabout you can only exit the roundabout from the outiside right-hand lane... so, if you try to exit from the left-hand (inside) lane, and there is a car in the outside continuing on to the next exit and about to "cut you up", *they* have priority. regardless of indicators.

A few explanations: -As a consequence of our "wrong" time zone our day schedeule is slightly different as for us, at 20:00 or 21:00 is still day so we eat about +1 or +2 hours from the central time zone which is Berlin Paris and London that are more east. Due to that bars open later and close way later and weekends they open almost all day and half of the night which includes sunday so most sites will close on monday that is the less busy day to rest. The exception are cafeterias and some restaurants that close on sunday due to local laws or industry/office zones that close by weekend to open the rest of the week because customers are workers. -Althought we drink alcohol, when we go out the alcohol its a complement, a plus like a good meal or a fun activity not the aim so for us it´s way more important to chat or have fun than alcohol itself. It´s not polite at all to drink a lot nor doing quickly, that´s for teens and youngsters that are amazed when they are entering in the legal age to drink alcohol so if you´re a tourist, drink yes but do it slowly, nobody will say anything about drinking at any time but will do if you down a johnie walker bottle in half an hour. Don´t be one of those tourists that see Spain as an alcoholinc Disneyland (the price of alcohol may be low but that doesn´t mean you have to drink it like water). (continue)

I'm from Donosti but live in Valencia. I think the "they don't indicate" thing is a big city issue, it drives me crazy. Also the roundabouts, I'm always scared here. In basque country everybody stops at crossroads, indicate, etc. So it was a shock for me too coming from a smaller city

Agree with the roundabouts, but people do indicate :p. For me the worst rule tourists break is to walk around the city shirtless, for us Spaniards is quite shocking, you only go shirtless in the beach or a pool or something like that, not walking around the city :p. However I live in Ireland and people do the same here, I find it so weird :p

Accurate, I'm spanish and I can confirm pretty much everything. I would point out 2 things. First, the long lunch break does not apply to most workers and I would say it's 2 hours more than 3. For most companies it's 1 hour, that's it, 2 hours is for smaller retail shops. Second, the long stare is called "cotilleo" (gossip kind of), people are curious and if something catches their eye they will stare, not because of something negative necessarily, but it's just uncomfortable if you are not used to it (I always hated it). Overall, good video and good tips

the flashing amber rule also exists in the UK. it just means "give way to any pedestrians on the crossing". you dont need to see what light they have themselves

Here's a few more tips for Bars and Restaurants: - Tap water is free, since 2022 ALL bars and restaurants are obliged by law to serve tap water for free, but they will keep that well hidden, it wont appear on any menu and if you just ask "water" they will give you bottled water, you have to specify that you want "agua del grifo" (tap water) and they can not refuse, they will try to convince you to ask for bottled water but they cannot force you to buy bottled water, so insist that you want tap water and they will eventually give it to you. - Doggy bags are free and they are obliged by law to offer them to you, unlike tap water, it won't take you much effort get it, and usually if the waiter or waitress sees that you haven't finished your meal, he or she will offer you a doggy bag even if you haven't asked for one yet, but if they don't offer one, don't be shy and ask, after all you paid for it, but always remember that a doggy bag, by law, if FREE. - If they bring you something you have not asked, don't eat it, is not uncommon that in a restaurant when you ordered your food they also bring a little canister with bread or chips or anything that you have not asked for, it may look like the establishment if giving you these for free, but that's far from truth, if you eat that they will charge you for it, if you see the waiter or waitress bringing something extra to your table ask them if its free, and if you don't want it just politely ask them to take that back. All this are state level regulations, so wherever you go in Spain, this laws apply, but some owners will try to take advantage of tourists that don't know Spanish laws. And well, a last one, if you enter a restaurant, bar or any food place and you don't hear anyone speaking Spanish or the local language, get out of there, when you enter a place all you want to see are local people and an old Spanish chubby man drinking a beer on the counter and speaking with the owner, that's where the good food is

I’m not sure whether the traffic lights at crossings is the same everywhere, but I can tell you that here in Barcelona, the roads are mostly in a grid, so when the light is red for traffic to go straight on, it may be flashing amber if you are turning into a road, at the crossing on the corner. This means that you are ok to drive through UNLESS there is a pedestrian crossing, because the pedestrian light will be green for them to cross. So flashing amber means check for pedestrians before turning into a road. This is a system which keeps the traffic flowing steadily in the city 👍

Spaniard here. Do we stare? Really? omg... I've been in many countries and now I'm afraid of me being rude because I look at people `=)

You forgot to explain what the red machine in the back at Minute 4:45 is for. Very important in a shop; Queing, take a ticket or if not used "¿Quien es el último? Porfa". And all Tourists are Guiris, but not every Guiri is a Tourist 😅You and me por ejemplo. Well done..

Best tip I learnt from my grandad (who lives is San Javier) is to ask for Caña rather than grande cerveza, as the big beer tends to tip them off you're a.) British and b.) definitely a tourist. Once I started ordering Caña the free olives and pickles started flowing :)

Spaniard here. About pedestrian crossings with amber blinking traffic lights. It means the traffic light is "turned off" and cars have to yield as if the pedestrian crossing had no traffic light. If the lights were actually turned off it would seem the electrical grid went out and pedestrians and cars would be staring at the traffic light wondering who has priority.

I saw your photo on the wall at Casa Toni when I was there last month! ❤

As a Spaniard, I really enjoyed your video! I just came back from living abroad for a year and I completely understand the struggle of trying to blend in with the local culture. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge so other people can enjoy my country as much as I do!

Thank you for mentioning the staring! It’s something I’m still not entirely used to after nearly 3 years living here! My fav thing about leaving Spain is locking eyes with someone and you both quickly look away, or even smile at each other. The staring thing is so odd and made me very self conscious at first as a polite Canadian.

I lived in Spain for 5 years. The public restroom situation is so true. I remember being young and in college and returning home at 1 am and having a massive urge to pee while in the subway station. I got out a couple of stations before my stop. The way i saw it was "i will get out here, pee by a tree or bush and walk home cause i can't hold it anymore." Well I got out and was doing my personal business and surely enough a cop car saw me. Regarding the customer service it is best to just not give it much thought. Ok the servers will not smile or anything but it is best to not take it personal.

Concerning tipping with a credit card; I've started asking the waiter if they will get the money if I round up my credit card bill. About half the time the answer is no (goes straight to the owner), so I instead leave a cash tip. And in roundabouts, keep your eyes open as Spaniards will use them as short-term parking to run to the ATM, etc. Finally, it is a 7-minute drive from my house to work and I've counted 50 crosswalks. You need to flip a switch in your brain and almost exclusively watch for crosswalks when driving in towns in Spain.

WE DO INDICATE. Spain is not to blame for the fact that your driving experience is in Madrid, a city that always got really wound up and is the only city where I have had my only two accidents (driving and as a passenger). Don't get me wrong, Madrid is not the worst, but there are dozens above it driving better. Madrid breaks records for pedestrians injured or killed according to the DGT (Department of Traffic). Where I live, drivers (+95%) stops in a zebra passing and are respectful with the traffic rules, keep a safe distance and don't drive to work as they do in the Isle of Man. BTW/ por cierto dear: SPAIN IS IN THE TOP 10 OF THE BEST DRIVERS IN THE WORLD. Spoiler alert: USA is Top too... among the worst.

I'm a Spaniard, here's a small hack for the public toilet problem: Big malls, some train/bus stations and also supermarkets like mercadona or carrefour have clean toilets and you don't need to pay to enter or use them!! They are easy to find, I always use them. If you're a bit more daring, you might consider looking for crowded hotel halls or restaurants and sneak into the bathroom...

I only disagree with two parts. 1-Service is not bad at all, it excels compared to most of europe. If oyu compare to the US, the service in the US can seem exagerated for europeans, as if they are faking kindness to try and get a tip. In spain waiters are good, have a sense of humour, don't forget what you ask for and can take a lot of orders at a time. If you understand Spanish ways and humour you'll laugh a lot and get nice conversations. The service in hotels and good restaurants in Spain is top level as there is real education, careers in university for this. Unlike some european countries where they really are doing it just because. Spain is a hugely touristic country and they know how to work on hospitality. It's just that you are comparing to americans who are used to a quite intense way of waiting tables, sometimes a bit too much. 2- I disagree about the driving, A LOT. i have lived in most of Europe (currently in Belgium) and the US and very few drive as well and politely as spaniards. Quality teaching and quality roads. Maybe you had some experiences in some parts of Madrid, and extrapolated to all of spain. But for people who travel around Europe (again, and the "let's stick to the middle lane of the freeway US") spain is quite surprising. Seems a bit patronizing to be honest. This is the point I disagree most about. Spaniards indicate A LOT compared to most places (where else have you driven???), you are generalizing and sharing a very wrong idea. It may sound folkloric to your anglo audience but it is a bit misguiding. Yes, as you say it is clear that you have just begun to learn to drive in Madrid, but please go around spain and Europe for a ride and then do a video. (This southern europe stereotype, including Spain in that equation is common yet untrue, go to italy or greece and then we can talk about it). Regarding the crossing, if you don't know the rules, don't blame spaniards... if a street light is orange it means be careful. Read the rules, take the test, and go to driving school for a year like all spaniards go. Sorry, but i have driven in several anglo countries and it feels way too bold to hear this coming from one, specially one thta does such amazing videos and research. Regarding toilets... Madrid is a city made to consume, they are basically forcing you to go to a bar and pay, it's ultra neolib. If you go to other cities like smaller Logrono, there are some free toilets, and bars usually don't care if you go inside and use them. But Madrid and Barcelona they are mostly made to cash out people.

A este tipo le encanta España... un honor!!

As a native from Madrid I can tell you James is 100% right. By the way, I was in La Mallorquina recently and the stuff certainly look kinda rude even for me, who has bought there for decades. But they aren't, they just try to be fast, as he stated. Just a note: 14:00 -17:00 break in small commerce is not due to "siestas" or walks. It's about 8 working hours. And it's a bummer for workers. Shorter lunch break is better.

OMG!!!! thank you so much for sharing in this video how not to make noise early/late when entering/leaving your Airbnb. I live in a building that does rent out rooms for tourist stays in Valencia's city center and some folks aren't very thoughtful about this. For me here in Valencia, I also wish that tourists that come in larger groups wouldn't hog the sidewalks since they move slow while admiring the sights but they block the normal flow of foot traffic. I do agree that finding public restrooms is a bit of a challenge here in Spain and if you do, make sure you carry some toilet paper on hand because the place may have run out of it. Thanks for the video and for helping tourist understand how to manage their stay in our beautiful country.

As someone who lives in Spain since I was 7 years old back in 2002, I was very curious about this video when it showed up on my feed. I have to admit I am quite impressed with how accurate and representative this video is, so if you're a tourist who wants to come to Madrid, you should definitely take notes from this video. It will literally save you lots of trouble. That said, I gotta correct some things from this video. This video is focused on Madrid, which means that some things are not quite like this in other places of Spain. Some of the things are: 1. Standing on the right side of the stairs while inside of train stations so people who are in a hurry can pass. I thing this only applies in places like Madrid or Barcelona, where it's REALLY crowded. In other places of Spain, we do not have that many people together in train stations, so you can stand anywhere you want on the stairs. You DON'T NEED to stand on the right side, but it's not wrong if you do it. It's optional. 2. Drivers using blinkers. I've been in Madrid and I know how chaotic it is to drive there, and how people get used to drive like that. That's not the case in other places of Spain. Where I live, everyone use blinkers and they respect everyone else on the road. I've seen people from Madrid drive where I live, and they are always the only ones who drive this badly. Everything else in this video is just on point and works for every other place in Spain. If you ever come to Spain, I hope you have a really good time and enjoy every minute of it!

Literally on our way home from Barcelona, Toledo and Madrid right now, and your channel was extremely helpful (I don’t think we violated the guidelines in this video, thankfully)! We’re already planning our next visit(s) to Spain. Also, the folks at Chocolat in Madrid and Museo del Queso Manchego in Toledo te saluden. Keep up the good work!

Hey guys, Spanish guy here. SO, about the traffic lights for cars: Green is you can cross, Yellow indicates that it's about to become red, and you should stop the car and Red means stop. HOWEVER (and I guess this is where the confusion starts) IF by the time you reach the crossing the traffic light has just become yellow, and you can't stop your car before reaching the crossing or you would stop the car in the middle of the crossing, then you can ignore the yellow light and cross. Feel free to ignore the lights for pedestrians when you're in a car. Oh and for the love of God ALWAYS indicate your turns with the turning signals. Like.. please.. T.T

This is so timely, my flight boards in a few hours and this video pops up on my feed, Gracias!

Minute 13:23 l disagree: spaniards do indicate but not everbody ... Bear in mind Spain is more than just Madrid.

I love seeing how much in depth you got into Spain culture. You investigated stuff I just took for granted my whole life. And eith so much respect and love. Thanks!

I like this variation on your format, thank you!

As a Spaniard, I can say all your videos are brilliant.

Two unspoken rules not listed here, of which I've fallen foul. Firstly, do not leaf through books and magazines in a bookshop. This seems to be frowned upon although I'm not sure how you're expected to know whether you'd like an unknown book without doing this. Secondly, do not handle fruit and veg in a shop/supermarket to check how firm, ripe or fresh they are unless you're going to buy them. I've been reprimanded for doing this, in Spain, although it's commonplace in the UK.

James, great video and tips, thanks for sharing. 🙂😎❤

Hi!!! I'm Spanish!! This is actually really really good advice!!! Just one quick thing: about * p a e l l a * Paella is a specific dish typical from Valencia (a region on the east coast). You can have paella pretty much everywhere in Spain although it is very... "touristy" and not real. A typical paella has: chicken, rabbit, green beans, garrofon beans (and maybe snails and artichoke depending on tastes or season). If it has anything else other than that it is not traditional paella. No chorizo. No peas. No fish and meat all together. If you are served that. You are getting scammed. If you are ever in Valencia and you want to try some good rice you can order: - Paella Valenciana (the one I described above) - Arroz a banda (seafood paella) - Arroz del senyoret (seafood paella but all seafood is pealed) - Arroz negro (black rice, made with fish and squid ink to give it it's colour) - Arroz al horno (rice made in the oven with pork ribs, blood sausage, potato, tomato and chickpeas) - Arroz meloso (can be made with a variety of ingredients maybe rabbit and mushrooms or maybe lobster. "Meloso" refers to the amount of broth. It resembles more italian risotto rather than the above dishes which are more "dry") In a nutshell, here in Valencia rice is one of our specialities and it pains us to see tourits eating just anything and call it a day. I have seen real attocities being called "paella". Please don't fall for that. AND FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WEAR SUN SCREEN. PLEASE. I'M BEGGING Y'ALL. SKIN CANCER IS NOT FUNNY.

I love the hours of operation in Spain. Suits me perfectly! Feel quite at home there. Suspect I was born in the wrong country 😂

I’m a Spaniard and this is pure gold 👌🏻 You should take notes

Thank you! Spain is on my list to visit, so I am so happy I found your channel! Very practical advice. I look forward to learning more!

Everything correct but a little detail about the driving part: driving in Madrid is infamously chaotic and follows the rule of the jungle. In the rest of the country we drive more kindly, we indicate and let other cars pass

This content has great nuggets. Thank you

Really appreciate you sharing this kind of information. Thinking most people want to be respectful of others, but the rules can be quite different from place to place. Thanks James and Yoli, always a pleasure.👍❤️

A very interesting video. Having spent quite a lot of time in Spain lately I can identify with a lot of your points. A good insight into the social ‘norms’.

Thank you for all the helpful information.

Excellent survival guide for Madrid!! But I have to say that other regions (and cities) may be dramatically different, especially those that are a bit smaller (so no Seville or Barcelona :P). If you go to Córdoba, Donosti or Segovia you will find different "rules", behaviors, etc. But this being said, the video was delightful and full of super helpful advice :) Which is much needed when visiting Madrid!

That bit about New Zealand and public toilets was hilarious 😂 Great video thanks 🙂

Hi James, Great video of unspoken rules.Thanks

Yoly, thank you for indicating when driving!!! You are a gem 🙏🏻

James thank you thank you! On a previous trip to Madrid we walked out of a tapas bar because the gentleman behind the counter totally ignored us. He knew we were there but didn’t bother to come to us. So we left. I was very intimidated by that and wasn’t comfortable going to another tapas bar. Now we know!!!!! Be assertive 👍🏻 👋

We’re in Madrid today following much of your advice and recommendations; having a wonderful time - thank you!

The point in Spain about public toilets is to know which companies have the cleanest ones and open to public without consuming. And example: galería Canalejas in Madrid, 2 mins from Sol.

Nice video man! Thank you!

I followed so much of your advice last summer when I was in Spain for a month and thanks to you (and Yoli) the whole trip was fantastic! We visited so many places that you recommended and we were never disappointed.

Think about the fact that Spanish have not a verb for "stare". Here is just "look", because looking someone in the eyes is normal, is just look. We don't need another word with the menace/defiant meaning.

So well explained, as a Spaniard I am really happy the way you expressed the multiple angles of our lovely joyful culture, hats off buddy

tus vídeos son muy buenos, me encanta verlos para reflexionar sobre mi propia cultura vista desde fuera, algo muy necesario.

One thing that I enjoy about watching your content, is that, whenever you point out a stereotype about Spain: You then comfront your wife for further validation on its actuality and she goes like, "Argh, yeah, but (I am not the right person to ask about this because,) though a Spaniard myself, I so happen to break that particular stereotype!" ...Luv it! 😄 Such great content and tips. Great video.

Excellent review of cultural details. Also, you are in great shape! Bravo to you and your trainer.

This was very, very educational about the customs of the land. Thanks for sharing an important detail for us visitors.

As an American that lived in Madrid for years your advice is spot on. Love your videos!

In addition to ALWAYS give tip in cash, not part of the bill, always, always, ALWAYS, ask the name of the person that is serving you and introduce yourselves, "good morning/hello/Hi "

Hi James. Great tips for tourists. In Australia we also have the flashing amber/yellow traffic lights in some places - stop if pedestrian there, otherwise go through. My experience in Spain last year with taxis with family was, mostly, terrifying. The driver from the airport into central Barcelona hit 180kph. The driver in Gijon was excellent. The driver from main station in Madrid for regional trains I suspected was cooked - speeding, erratic, and rarely looking where he was going. 😂. But, I'll be back next year. Absolutely loved my time in Spain, and hopefully my Spanish will be much better by then which will make the trip even better.

I'm from Spain and I LOVED your English, it's extremely understable. Congratulations.

I am from Sevilla and this information is absolutely accurate. Great video.

Getting ready for Madrid in May!

"Waiters in Spain are paid or should be paid a living wage." This should be the norm everywhere 💀

Thank you for confirming what we've been doing all week in Platja d'Aro and Girona. Just arrived back home. 2 hours drive and no passport 🇨🇵🇪🇺❤.

I'm Spanish and I warn you: Never enter a bathroom on the street or in the subway. In some bars, the women's bathroom is locked whit a key and it is usually a little better. But the men's bathrooms... Never. The second public bathrooms you've gone to look for, it's really a newspaper store. There may have been one in the past, but that structure is now a newspaper store (news, magazines, snaks, water,...). The rests of the advices is very wise and useful. And yes, traffic can be complex, but the key is: The pedestrian is the weakest element and always has preference. For this reason, speed limits are very low in cities, so that you have time to brake at any time without the risk of being run over. And if you approach a crosswalk where you don't have a green light, it's mandatory to slow down even more, so you can see if anyone wants to pass. As for turn signals: theoretically they should be used, but for some reason very few people use them. Good luck.

Wonderful video!

Re 8:10 - using the elevators - I just came back from a weekend in Madrid with the family and sadly a ton of people use the lifts just because they can. I couldn't tell if they were locals or tourists, despite their language being Spanish, but 100%, groups of young and middle-aged, just didn't care about the rule.

I'm from Madrid and this is so true, thanks for appreciating our culture.

As someone that's lived in Madrid my hole life, this video is super accurate and informative. Un trabajo espectacular :)

My wife and I went to Malaga and found it be to be very true about being assertive I thought it to be rude or racism but it is truly about being assertive and telling them what you want

Really enjoying the new format / upped quality!

15:50 this is my hometown in Palma de Mallorca! Glad to see our island in your channel 🤩

Me encanto tu video :-) Excellent tips

Siesta time from 15/16h to 17-18h is sacred. Even if we are not sleeping, is hour relax time, specially if you work in a store or restaurant that has that "horario partido", broke schedule (I don't know how to say that..). Please let us rest :) and you get rest too! you'll love it.

The Mahou tostada is surprisingly good!

So much is spot on. ¡Bien hecho, eres un crack!

I love Spain. Been to Madrid, Barcelona and costa brava.

Canadian based in Valencia here. You have a real deep understanding of the Spaniards and what's more you explain it so well!! I am from Canada and there are so many cultural differences between us - more than I ever thought. Starting with logic, or rather what seems logical in Canada is not logical at all here, the poor customer service, the non responsiveness of all tradespeople, no one is interested in making money or making a sale, not being able to return items bought (except on Amazon) the sour faces staring back at you without saying hello, suspicious older people looking at you like you are from another planet etc. I do love Spain but it's also a tough place to love in all aspects. The best advice I would give is come and enjoy the country without having to deal with any government offices, trades people, or any kids of services. Once you can disconnect you can truly enjoy it.

Tipical madrileño statement: “no body indicates in Spain”. Absolutely false. In any other place of Spain if you see some one that do not indicate we know he/she is from Madrid. Unless he/she drives a BMW 😂.

Great watch as always ❤

thank you for the advice!!! I will use it in my next travel to Spain! (Soy de Sevilla)

It's not entirely true that Spanish drivers ignore signaling, at least where i live - semi rural town - some of course do, not aware that direction indicators are useful to pedestrians as well as other motorists, though not necessarily the majority. Madrid? More likely. A busy place. Not sure if failing to indicate your intention is a fail in the Spanish driving test, but signalling is certainly a feature of driver school tuition.

James, you've lost so much weight! We hope it's intended and that you are keeping well. Best regards

This video is very informative , I’m going to share it with the new au pair!

We're going to Spain soon so this is very helpful.

"You don't want to look like a tourist..?" Sunshine, the first rule is to be fluent in the language of the country you're visiting. If you don't speak Spanish or German when you visit Spain or Germany, you will al-ways-be-a-tourist, no matter how many KZfaq videos you watch.

I find customer service in Spain pretty good at least here in the Murcia Mar Menor Region.

I’m Spaniard, and this video is absolutely right. Thanks for your good job and advice