|
 Car
Horns
Their infrequent use is aimed at thoughtless and selfish
motorists where everyone joins in to make their point. Regard this as a much
more acceptable form of road rage!
Crime
The people of Barcelona are generally very friendly,
non-aggressive, calm, helpful and generous, particularly with their time. To
most, maintaining enduring relationships is more important than the desire for
more and more material wealth. Outside the tourist heart of the city, which many
Barcelonians prefer to avoid, you can expect people to come up to you in the
street offering help if you are looking lost. In the tourist areas, however, be
on your guard with such approaches - which are unlikely to come from the Spanish
themselves. Barcelona is one of the safest European cities in terms of serious
crime. However, muggings of tourists involving little or no physical contact are
a problem, one fortunately not experienced by our groups to date. It is safer to
avoid any unnecessary contact with strangers in the tourist zones if you wish to
avoid the risk of losing your money and possessions. For male students the
approach may be a friendly discussion about the merits of Manchester United,
followed by a mock tackle in which balance is lost and money taken from the back
pocket. Leave all except essential spending money in your hotel room safe.
Carry a photocopy of your passport, not the real thing. The hotel will stamp the
back of the photocopy. Do not use pavement cash dispensers. Do not buy flowers
from wandering street sellers; be particularly wary if they try to insert a
flower into your lapel. Walk away immediately. Don`t worry about appearing to be
rude in such circumstances. If people come up to you pointing to a stain on your
clothing, ignore them and walk away. Do not participate in the card and dice
games which you will see on the streets. Do not walk down deserted or badly lit
streets after dark. Other specific advice will be given upon arrival at the
hotel. Forewarned is forearmed - enabling you and your group to avoid being
cheated and return home safely without incident.
See Barcelona Street Scams website
- something of an overaction to what is in reality a wonderful city.
Crossing
the Road
The Spanish, on the whole, wait until the green pedestrian
light indicates it is safe to cross the road. Please follow the same behaviour.
When the green light flashes, you have only a few seconds in which to reach
safety and this is the signal for the motorcycles to move. Be warned! Please
remember that traffic drives on the 'wrong side' of the road. This involves you
looking to your left, not your right.
Dress
People in Barcelona are particularly well dressed. Try and fit
in by not, for example, wearing items in the city more suited to the beach.
Eye
Contact
Spanish males maintain eye contact for what seems an
uncomfortably long period, particularly for female visitors. This is normal.
Prices
In the smaller souvenir shops, there are often two prices - a
tourist and 'local`price for items. You will need to bargain in a friendly
manner to achieve the lower of the two. Music CDs are one of the bargains to be
had. Try FNAC in Placa Catalunya.
Respect
for the Language
Try and use a little Spanish during your stay. Barcelonians
usually have an excellent command of English, will understand what you are
saying, but will not use it when talking to you. Their view is that when they
are in England, they are required to speak English - the reverse should apply
when the English are in Spain.
Queuing
Queue-jumping for purchases is treated with great indignation. Queue jumping
for information is frustratingly normal.
Self-service
shopping
Apart from in supermarkets and and large department stores, self-service in
Spain is not normal. Please ask before opening, for example, the ice cream or
cold drink cabinet. Failure to do so is regarded as rude at best and attempted
theft at worst.
Shopping
Hours
During the working week, expect most shops and businesses to shut down
between 13.30 and 17.00. Many close on Saturday afternoon. All businesses are
shut on Sundays.
Walking
The Barcelona leisure and shopping 'walk' is slow, usually involving animated
conversations between two or more people. They are unlikely to be aware of your
presence, and pedestrian collisions are frequent. Look ahead. |
