Comments on: How to live in Spain yet still be a “guiri”

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 17:09:32 +0000

@Camino – That’s very interesting… I guess you really are a “guiri in reverse” . And just to let you know, you’re not the first foreigner living in the USA who has made a comment to me about the artificial indoor temperatures: especially the “coldness” of our air conditioning.

By: Camino

Camino — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 04:05:47 +0000

I am a Spaniard living in the USA and for me is exactly the opposite. I have to learn the person’s nationality before I lean, or not, to kiss them. The meals schedule has me hungry all day long (after 12 years here). I’m always what the Americans consider late (5-10 minutes “not on time”). And I still can’t understand how many fast food restaurants can survive. Another thing that baffles me is the American’s love for artificial indoors temperature: extremely hot in the winter, extremely cold in the summer. Anyway, I guess I’m a “guiri in reverse” …

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 14:38:53 +0000

@Everyone – Thanks for your insights into kissing and more! Keep your comments coming, I enjoy reading them!

By: TOÑO

TOÑO — Wed, 05 May 2010 17:17:29 +0000

Dear Chris:

Soy un Spaniard y estoy totalmente de acuerdo en todo lo que dices. Lo de los besos en las mejillas no creas que sólo te confunde a tí pues muchos españoles tampoco tenemos claro cuando dar la mano o cuando los dos besos, pero sí que es cierto que es muy corriente lo de los dos besos en las mejillas sobre todo entre hombre y mujer.

Saludos, y feliz estancia en España.

P.D. Llevo estudiando inglés durante cuatro años y cada vez estoy más enamorado de tu país y de tu gente.

By: Alex Levine

Alex Levine — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 05:32:04 +0000

Hey Chris, I just found your blog and really enjoy it. I went through a lot the same stuff (especially the daily schedule debacle) when I was studying abroad. I did a couple summers in San Sebastian and one in Malaga during high school, then a year in Madrid in college. Never been to Burgos but I’ll keep reading your blog and maybe get a feel for it.

I actually just wrote a blog post about how Americans really do not understand what “Spanish” means- would love your insights. http://www.aklcreative.com/the-fundamentals-of-communicating-with-spanish-speaking-audiences/

Congrats on the blog nomination!

By: Lee

Lee — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 20:08:58 +0000

Hi Chris..Great posts… brings back memories….A long time ago, I lived in Andalucia (in Nerja) for about 6 years and LOVED every minute of it..basically spent my “formative” years there (age 10-16) i think I tend to agree with Mike…(although I take umbrage to his comments about the idiots from the UK as I am originally British (JUST got my US citizenship after living there for 24 years!!) The more you act like a Spaniard the better off you will be. I now live in Mexico in a VERY small town called Alamos in Sonora..and it’s like going back in time 20 years..don’t even have a supermarket in town and definitely no “fast food” think the closest place with a MacDonald’s is about 3 hrs drive away!! They do have somewhat of the same customs as Spain though and life is definitely slower paced !!

By: Ambryo

Ambryo — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 08:23:20 +0000

Hi,
I have been working in Spain around 3 months in Barcelona. It’s just a short time but I got the same experience like your post.
I absolutely agree with that. I also had a problem with food time, meeting time (when we had a meeting in the office) and also Spanish greeting by kissing
Sure! I’m also a guiri.
I have more comment in food time. I used to have a problem when I went out to have a dinner. It’s very hard to find a restaurant if you need to have a dinner before 8:00 p.m.
I used to walked around to find a place to have a dinner from my hotel that quite far from city center and took around 1 hour until I have found myself standing in Las Ramblas that have many restaurant for tourist. Yes. Finally,I could have a dinner there. I have discoverd that if I feel hungry before 8:00 p.m. It’s useless to find a local restaurant. I found somewhere will pleasantly get you in and present a beer during witing for a dinner that’s around 1 hour after. Oh. No. I’m hungry not thirsty. Thanks guy

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 21:20:26 +0000

How about how not to be guiri?
Top 10 Ways Not to be Guiri
1. Don’t ask why when it’s not like the US.
2. Never complain about the store hours.
3. Always shop at small shops and mercados.
4. Shrug your shoulders and go get a cafe con leche or a beer if things are an immediate disaster.
5. Eat a huge meal at 15:00, take a siesta, wake up, go for a stroll have a merienda and organize your next meal.
6. Don’t drink to get drunk and puke.
7. Understand the Catholic mindset.
8. Leave Madrid in the summer and vacation in the north of Spain. Cantabria, Galicia, Asturias and the Basque Region. Leave the south to the idiots from the UK.
9. Eat pork alot. Eat meat in general alot.
10. Understand the hand gestures.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:47:06 +0000

After living in Spain for a few years,I actually feel left out if I dont get greeted with the kisses because being girl I can exchange kisses with both genders keeping in mind David’s omments above.I recall when I went to Edinburgh I felt strange not being able to do that and caught myself a few time lingering too close to someone after being introduced.When friends and family come to visit I tell them about this form of greeting ad let them decide whether or not they mind so that each time I introduce them to my Spanish friends I drop this info…Personally,I like the kisses!!

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:29:50 +0000

I’ve been living in Seville for five years now, and I too and still very much a guiri. Maybe its my Michigan State University apparel. Or my working hours of 8AM to 5PM. Or my hatred for Spanish television (for the exception of a couple shows). It could also me my constant use of electronic services like credit cards and online transactions, or reading the news via my BlackBerry. I suppose it doesn’t matter. I love my newly adopted country and culture, and I won’t change as long as I’m me.