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Writer's picturePaul Burge

Becoming Spanish: 17 habits I've picked up since living in Spain - Podcast episode 42

Updated: Jun 25, 2020

Stream the entire episode here using the player below.

Or listen on your favourite podcast apps right here https://bit.ly/3c5gbFa


Ah! The delightful Spanish habits and customs. Giving everyone dos besos (this gets time consuming in large groups and you can't miss anyone out).

Drinking coffee from glasses, wearing flip-flops indoors (Spaniards are quite squeamish about going barefoot in the house).

Being more stingy when tipping,(anyone got 20 céntimos? ), mixing up Spanish and English, and buying everyone a drink when it's MY birthday.

All things I never used to do when I lived in the UK.


Couple giving dos besos
Dos besos - You´ll spend a lot of time doing this in Spain.
Buying everyone a drink when it's MY birthday?! Whaaaaat?!

In this episode of the When in Spain podcast I run through these habits and many more that I've adopted after many years of living in Spain. Some of them have come easily, others not so much. I guess it's all part of becoming Spanish.


It´s my round

Yes to coffee in a glass. Here's a video of me at home trying to replicate an authentic cafe con leche that you find in a typical Spanish bar. What's your verdict?


Habits are usually something we adopt subconsciously through repetition. I read somewhere that you have to do something sixteen times for it to become a habit. Sure, most of the day-to-day customs here in Spain have rubbed off on me through doing them again and again.

There's some truth in that.


Dejar propina - How much should you leave? The answer. Not much.

But hang on a minute. There are habits that have been - how can I say this - forced upon me.

I've just had to accept them. It's all part of integrating into a different culture. And for the most part I love Spanish customs.

Spanish flip-flops
Flip-flops shall be worn at all time indoors

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