SPAIN is a firm favourite for Brits chasing sun, sea and sangria – but being branded by locals as a ‘guiri’ is easily done.
Pronounced ‘guee-ree’, the word is like a code used by Spanish people as a light-hearted nickname – or to poke fun at foreigners who stand out like a sore thumb.
I go to Spain as often as once a month and always see Brits making the same mistake[/caption]
And with the latest spate of anti-tourist fury spreading across the country, it might be best going under the radar.
I visit Spain every other month, so here are seven classic mistakes Brits make in the country that locals love to laugh about. Avoid these, and you might just dodge the water pistols.
Only visiting in summer
Many British tourists wait until the summer months for the mercury to hit peak temperatures before going to Spain.
But visiting during winter can be just as fun.
While the weather is much cooler, chances are you will still see plenty of sunshine, giving you a much-needed winter dose of vitamin D. Plus, there’s likely to be far fewer tourists around, making you feel more like a local.
That’s as long as you’re not seen wearing shorts and flip-flops, even when it’s only 16 degrees. That’s one big guiri giveaway.
Expecting everyone to speak English
Nothing screams guiri louder than assuming everyone in Spain speaks English – and getting annoyed when they don’t.
While you’ll get by with English in touristy spots, not all Spanish speak fluent, English. Plus, locals appreciate it when visitors make even a small effort. A simple “hola” or “gracias” can go a long way.
Hitting the beach at midday
For Brits, the idea of sunbathing in full sun at noon feels like a must, but in Spain, it’s a rookie move.
Locals avoid the beach during the scorching midday hours, leaving the sunniest (and sweatiest) hours to the guiris.
By the evening, you’ll see them strolling past with amused looks as tourists nurse glowing red sunburns – another classic guiri stereotype.
The secret to surviving Spain’s beaches? Get there early in the morning and leave before midday, or head over late afternoon like the locals do.
You’ll enjoy cooler sand and fewer crowds – plus, you won’t need to bathe in aloe vera before dinner.
Skip the beaches at midday and visit in the evening instead[/caption]
Skipping local fiestas for tourist bars
Spain is known for its world-class festivals – think Sevilla’s famous Feria or Pamplona’s Running of the Bulls.
But instead of embracing these once-in-a-lifetime events, a lot of tourists skip them in favour of another pint at a British or Irish-themed pubs.
Fiestas are where locals let loose, with live music, dancing and incredible food. It’s the perfect chance to soak up the culture and look and feel like someone from Spain.
Mistaking paella as an all-day dish
Brits abroad love ordering paella, but they often get it wrong.
Ask any Spanish person, and they’ll be keen to tell you that paella isn’t a dinner food – it’s a lunchtime tradition, ideally eaten in the sunshine by the coast.
A lot of tourists make the mistake of ordering it in the evening, only to be served reheated leftovers at touristy restaurants.
For the best, most local experience, head to a restaurant around 2pm (Spanish lunchtime) when ordering paella. To drink, skip the sangria and pair it with a small draft beer (called a caña) or glass of dry white wine (vino blanco seco). Locals will respect the effort.
Paella isn’t a dinner food, according to locals[/caption]
Treating siesta time like a myth
Think everything runs all day in Spain? Not a chance. Siesta might not be the standard in bigger Spanish cities but outside the big tourist spots, siesta is serious business.
From about 2pm to 5pm, smaller shops and restaurants shut up shop, leaving tourists to wander around baffled by the locked doors.
It’s not laziness – it’s about dodging the worst of the afternoon heat. Locals use this time to rest, eat a long lunch, or simply stay indoors.
To blend in, plan your big meals and shopping trips outside these hours or enjoy a nap yourself – you’re on holiday, after all.
Misjudging the dress code
Brits are often too quick to shed layers when they see sunshine but in Spain, locals dress for the season, not the temperature.
This means you’re likely to see locals wearing jackets, scarves and long sleeves in winter months, even on a sunny day. Guiris, on the other hand, are known for wearing flip-flops, football tops or barely-there shorts the moment the mercury hits double digits.
Another thing Brits are known for by the Spanish, is wearing swimwear away from the beach.
Strolling through a Spanish town in bikinis or trunks might feel carefree, but to locals, it’s a sign of bad manners.
Walking into a café or shop half-dressed could make you look like a guiri who didn’t get the memo.
Keep the bikini to the beaches[/caption]
Turning up to dinner too early
If you’re hungry at 6pm, forget about finding locals sitting down for dinner.
In Spain, dinner is a late-night ritual, usually starting at 9pm or later.
Tourists who turn up early are usually left sitting in an empty restaurant.
Spaniards take their time, enjoying lighter snacks or drinks in during late afternoon (something they call “Merienda”) before heading out for a proper meal later on.
If you want to blend in and feel like you’re part of the party, adjust to the local schedule and enjoy Spain’s late-night dining scene.
Being loud in public spaces
Whether it’s shouting across the bar, yelling at the football on TV, or singing in the streets after a few too many beers, Brits abroad have a reputation for being loud.
In Spain, locals value a more laid-back, social vibe – even in lively places like tapas bars or markets.
If you want to avoid the guiri label, or getting eyed by locals, you might be worth keeping the volume down.
If you want to avoid being branded a guiri by locals, just dodge doing the above – you’ll blend in in no time.
Here are some of my other tips on avoiding Barcelona tourist traps and looking more like a local while visiting the city.
And I’ve also explained how to save money while visiting Spain’s most popular city if you’re looking to do it on a budget.
Follow the rules and you will be back in good graces with Spaniards[/caption]
