Language

According to Countryaah, the main official language of Spain is Spanish. Other official languages include: Galician, Basque, Catalan. The Catalan language is used in various Spanish media, and part of the office work is also conducted in it.

Religion

The majority of religious Spaniards profess Catholicism (about 97%), the remaining insignificant part of believers belong to such religions as Islam, Judaism, and Protestantism.

Behavior rules

Visiting Spain for the first time, it may seem that the Spanish inhabitants are overly noisy, but you should be aware that the southern temperament of the local population leaves a certain imprint on intonations and speech.

In this country, as a rule, they do not hide their emotions – both positive and negative. Even an ordinary conversation in a completely peaceful spirit usually takes place in a somewhat higher tone than is customary in countries with more restrained manners.

In many Spanish provinces, it is customary to greet even strangers, this is how another national Spanish feature is manifested – goodwill. Almost always they will answer your questions here, help you find the way, and, perhaps, they will guide you to the right place. Only here it is better to address the locals in Spanish (at least within the phrase book), and not in English, which many here either do not know at all, or know very poorly.

In order to avoid misunderstanding, one should not touch upon such topics as death, bullfighting, football, politics, age, income level in communication with the local population. As a rule, most Spaniards are extremely sensitive to criticism of the ruling royal dynasty.

Breakfast in Spain is usually at 2 pm, lunch starts at 10 pm. While at the table, it is customary to talk on neutral topics.

Midday is traditionally a time of rest – siesta. At this time (from 13 to 16 hours) most offices, shops and catering establishments are closed.

Features of business etiquette

It is not customary to be late for business meetings in Spain, although, as a rule, they start a quarter of an hour later than the time agreed in advance. Business negotiations are conducted quite restrainedly, without emotional intensity.

The Spaniards are quite practical people, therefore, they are distrustful of enthusiastic ideas that do not have a sufficiently good reason. In Spain, such concepts as honor and business are combined; they do not like poorly thought-out events and scams. Business partners shake hands when meeting and parting, patting a partner on the shoulder or squeezing him in an embrace is unacceptable. Check agooddir for recent history of Spain.

National holidays

• January 1 – New Year;
• January 6 – Day of the Magi;
• Holy Friday – the date is not fixed;
• Easter is an unfixed date;
• Corpus Christi Day – date is not fixed;
• March 19 – San Jose Day;
• May 1 – Labor Day;
• July 25 – Santiago Day;
• August 15 – Assumption of Mary (Assumption);
• October 12 – Spanish Unity Day;
• November 1 – All Saints Day;
• December 6 – Constitution Day;
• December 8 – Immaculate Conception Day;
• December 25 – Christmas.

There are many holidays in Spain, and they are often celebrated on a grand scale. In addition to the generally accepted holidays, each village also honors its patron saint, on the occasion of which additional days off are arranged. This should be taken into account by tourists, as on holidays almost all institutions and shops do not work.