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- Identity: the
building blocks of
2. Literature
and philosophy
3. Art and
architecture
4. Performing
arts
5. Cinema
and fashion
6. Media and
communications
7. Food and drink 8. Living culture:
the details of
The idea that most Spaniards procrastinate, that
mañanarules, is misplaced – they just have other
priorities, notably placing family over work. It is true,
however, that most Spaniards are inherently laid back.
They love to talk, and will happily do so with strangers,
lacking the reticence of more northern Europeans.
They’ll stand closer, touch you more and maintain
greater eye contact.They’re also more likely to talk to
you frankly about sex than Brits or Americans without
sweating. Spaniards also pride themselves on being
articulate, albeit with a liking for inventive and filthy
swearing. Gregarious and sociable, the Spanish are at
their happiest in groups, from family to friends and the
mass gatherings of thefiesta.The natural exuberance of
the Spanish, particularly when conversation is flowing,
can appear confrontational, but it’s usually more about
posturing than genuine anger or aggression.
Mutual depreciation: regional identities
Isolated from each other by unforgiving geography
or so long, it’s unsurprising that the peoples of Spain
are often perceived to vary between the regions.
Perhaps the one thing they all have in common is their
unrestrained delight in slating people from other
parts of the country.The Madrileños and Barcelonans
are particularly vociferous in their mutual derision.
According to Madrid the stiff Catalans have a superiority
complex while the Catalans claim Madrileños are cocky
and loud. Andalusians have a reputation for warm
welcomes that fizzle as soon as the next new thing
comes along, whilemesetadwellers are still deemed
the stuffy stewards of Spain’s conservative conscience.
As for the Basques, much of Spain remains mystified by
their language, customs and distinctly un-Spanish self-
consciousness.
Lost for words
The Spanish national
anthem, theMarcha Real,
hasn’t had any lyrics
since Franco died in 1975.
During the dictatorship
years Franco came up with
some new words for the
18 thcentury melody, but
they were dropped when
Spain moved on to
democracy. Yet the tune
remains, and sports stars
still gaze uncomfortably
at their feet whenever
the national anthem pipes
up before international
matches. In 2007 a
competition was launched
to find new lyrics, all
part of Spain’s bid to
host the 2016 Olympics.
Regionalists probably
won’t have entered – the
autonomous communities
already have their own
anthems.
