I think a lot of Americans have certain ideas about Spain and Spanish people; that their passionate, flamenco dancing, bull-killing matadors. Or something like that. Surprisingly, Spain is actually a very diverse country, from its rainy northern coast to its sunny, dry Mediterranean beaches. It even has four national languages, not just Spanish. Though I traveled a lot within in the country, I lived in Granada for my year of study abroad. I became aware of a lot of differences between Granada and Western Massachusetts during my time there. I want to share a few tips and observations on the less well-known aspects of the culture of Andalucía (southern Spain).

• They do not you give your bill until you ask. You will be sitting in a restaurant for forever if you think that the waiter will notice you and hand you your bill. You will have to catch his attention first and then hope he remembers to give it to you.
• Don’t try to use your card everywhere. There are plenty of places that will take credit cards, but don’t expect to pay for a single cup of coffee with one. For smaller charges, always try to pay with cash.
• Tapas are not free everywhere. Free tapas is surprisingly not a thing everywhere in southern Spain. I think even in Sevilla there are some restaurants that will give you free tapas, but many that will not.
• There are no dryers. Always plan on hanging your clothes outside, or when it’s raining, on a rack indoors.
• Motorcyclists will drive up on the sidewalks to avoid traffic. Walking around Spanish cities can sometimes be a stressful experience. Even when you think you’re safe on a sidewalk, you might crash into a cyclist because they will go anywhere to avoid traffic.
• Not all Spaniards support bullfighting. I think it’s actually a minority of people who support it, and they are mostly an older generation that grew up watching bull matches.
• Many restaurants will not start serving dinner until 8pm. If you want to eat at six, you will probably have to go to a chain or one of the many kebob stands. Traditional Spanish restaurants don’t open their kitchens until eight or nine.
• Shoes must be worn at all times. Even during the hot summer months you need to have something on your feet. I was told that walking around the house barefoot is almost like being naked.
• Just because Spain is catholic, that doesn’t mean everyone is religious. A lot of Spanish people I met identified themselves as catholic, but only in the sense that they followed the traditions. Religious traditions are a huge part of their culture, but most people don’t actually go to weekly masses.
• Don’t expect everyone to speak English. Most people in Granada seemed to know only a little bit of English outside of the very touristy areas.
•  Don’t say “thank you” so much. I learned from one of my professors that it actually bothered her that Americans say “thank you” to everything. Many Spaniards think it should only be said when really needed, along with the word “sorry.

These are only a few of the many things I noticed while living in Spain. In my experience, the culture was different in ways that I hadn’t even expected. I hope this will be helpful for anyone who is planning on going to Spain.