Hi ---

I am traveling to Spain in April for the first time and have some general questions. I recently downloaded some software to my Palm Pilot about Spain and one of the programs list many cultural topics about Spain including gestures, business hours, dress, conversation, tipping, etc. Well, much to my surprise this program states that wearing shorts is not acceptable in Spain. Is this (can this be) correct?

Also, what about tipping? This program also states that tips at restaurants are included. Is this correct?

I am very much looking forward to our trip next month and any additional information is welcomed.

Thanks to any and all responses.

Cheers.....

Bubba

hey bubba (that name kills me ).

Don't believe all that you read, some of that info and tips are outdated or out of context.

Shorts ARE acceptable here but not for going out at night (nor at a business meeting ).

Aside from toursists, you will see loads of Spaniards (especailly the younger ones) sporting shorts in everyday life.

So, it all depends on the context, in summertime while you can not go out with shorts on to clubs (I say CAN NOT because none of them will let you in), you most certainly can wear shorts around town during the day, either in Madrid or anywhere in Spain.

There are a lot of uptight people her who would rather sweat to death in jeans or slacks in the hot summer months than wear shorts but they are usually the older generations that never wore shorts in their lives.

Tipping: if you go to the very touristy restaurants (and this goes for just about aywhere in the world), you may see a charge called "servicio" on the bill. That is a "service" fee which is usually the tip that they have generously given themselves.

Often times Americans (I say Americans because we are used to tipping a LOT) will not see this and will leave another 15-20% on top of it

The vast majority of the restaurants here in Spain (based on my experience of having visited over 60 cities in every region of Spain) do not add a tip automatically.

Also, 15-20% is WAY too much for a tip here. I always tell people to leave what they are comfortable with but the average tip is about 5-7%. That is for a nice sit down meal, for a regular bar or cafeteria most people do not tip at all or leave like 10 Eurocents if they have a few drinks and tapas.

The tipping topic reminds me of my first day in Madrid years ago when I went to a local sandwich shop and had a few sandwiches and a coke. I ate at the bar and the bill was about 700 pesetas (approx. $4). I paid and then left a 100 peseta coin on the bar as a tip and got up to leave. Sudenly a middle aged gentleman who was seated next to me asked me what I was doing and pointed to the coin I had left for the waiter. I was taken aback by his interest in my meal but understood when he took out a 25 peseta coin (called a "duro") and said, "leave this".

So, my 15% tip went down to less than 5%.

After almost 7 years here I think I still tip too much for Spanish standards but as an American I was so used to it back inthe states that it is hard to stop.

I was also a waiter for many years in the U.S.A. as well as a bus boy and a pizza delivery guy so I know what it is like when people do not leave tips, I am sure that influences my tipping here as well.

I usually leave about 10%.

When in Rome...

Saludos,
jer...

HI Jer ----

Thanks for the very detailed response. I appreciate it. A few more questions for you if you don't mind. What can I expect for the weather in late April and early May? We will be traveling throughout Spain (Madrid, Barcelona, Costa del Sol).

Also, are ATMs readily accessible throught out Spain? What are your recommendations about money, cc, and travelers checks?

BTW, you have a great informational site here. I can tell that you really enjoy what you do and you provide some great insight into Spain's culture. Thanks for providing this resource.

Thanks for your assistance.

Cheers,

Bubba

Just a little note on "the males wearing shorts issue".
In my view, only youngsters (younger than, 25 or so) wear shorts in Spain and excusively in the summer (maybe late spring too), of course you can wear whatever you want anytime but these are clues in case you don't want to be immediatly recognized as a tourist, and want to be allowed in everywhere.

Have a great trip!!!

hi!!

1-weather is beautiful this time of year with some rain possible.
2-spain has more atm's per block than any other country in europe. in fact, coming from the states you will be shocked at the amount of banks, atm's, there are even currency exchange machines. the technology for atm's in the late 80's early 90's was at its zenith in barcelona. i have a good friend from munich who went to barcelona to study this for a graduate degree. barcelona was the cutting edge for atm tech during this time. now they are available everywhere. so..no..atms are not a problem.
3-wear shorts if you like..only be aware that you will stick out. this is the case anywhere in the med countries, however not just spain. this part of the world is just extreeeemely fashion conscious. shorts are great for the beach though!!
have a great time!!

Hey bubba, glad you enjoy my site and are getting a lot out of it, that's what it's there for.

You hit the nail on the head when you called my site my passion, it is a full time job but one I love a lot

joquecalor is right above when she says that weather is great this time of year but it usually gets very cold at the enf og March in Madrid before it gets warm for good (for the summer) so dress for warm weather but bring a few heavier pieces of clothing to be able to leayer if it gets cold.

Overall the weather here is unpredictable this tiem of year but you would not complain about today, it is like 85� and SUNNY

As for money, plastic is the way to go here (VISA and Mastercard are best since many places do NOT accept American express). As joquecalor said, ATM machines are rampant here in Spain and they are very reliable.

You mayhave missed my money matters section at www.multimadrid.com/practical_info/spain_money.htm . Take a good look as it will help you a lot.

In general my site covers loads of topics that will help you on your trip so have a good read before you come over. I also try to make it as visual and interactive as possible so as not to bore anyone with loads of text only pages.

pim is also on the money about the younger generations wearing shorts, I mentioned that in my initial advice above but pim also added that if you wear shorts out at night you will not be allowed into a lot of clubs.

personally when I travel I like to be comfortable and I am BIG on shorts but there is a time and place for everything. Shorts in Spain during the day in summertime are acceptable attire but not at night, my homble opinion

Saludos,
jer...

Hi All ---

Thanks for the great replies !!! One more question. Can someone recommend a better than average travel guide /book for Spain. I looked at Amazon but there are some many that I thought I would ask for a recommendation.

As always, thanks for the generous assistance.

Cheers---

Bubba

Hi bubba, when I was travelling around Spain I used the LETS GO SPAIN guide and loved it.

I have also heard good things about RICK STEVES SPAIN & PORTUGAL guide book

Saludos,
jer...

Hi Bubba,
My wife and I just got back from a great!!! trip to Spain. We found that the ATM's get the best rate on exchange. We got noticed by our clothes as Americans because we do dress differently. So, unless you plan on changing your style to just to go unnoticed, be yourself and have fun.
I wouldn't call Jer a fashion designer, just a great guy! (kisses Jer)

Also, renting a phone from him would be a wise idea, too. It came in handy about 5 times a day. Have fun!

One more thing, we really used frommers book on spain. It was very helpful.

Michael and Di

Hi Bubba,
The "Rick Steve's Spain & Portugal" is a great choice for first time visitors. My wife and I used it for our first trip in November 2000. For our trip last month we added the "Rough Guide to Spain." It is more in-depth and better for a second trip.

I am partial to the DK Eyewitness travel guides, perhaps because they have a lot of pictures. You can get whole country or many city guides(I'm looking at the Barcelona guide at the moment) They cover maps,including the metro, useful phrases, and from the cover: "Churches, bars, wine, restaurants,shopping, tapas,modernisme, fiestas and monasteries" "The guides that show you what others only tell you" and yet they are packed with information in a very useful format---about 5x8 inches with foldout placekeeping flaps.

Lonely Planet has a superb series of food guides and the World Food: SPain is extra special for me, as right inside the cover on the title page there is a photo of Virginia Ir�zar enjoying a plate of something at her dad's cooking school in San Sebastian. Hope to see her this fall. And don't miss page 45 "for the love of guts" where you can find all you care to know about making that animal even more useful as nourishment!

This latter book even has some recipes, as well as lots of pictures and an "Eat Your Words" pronunciation guide for foods. Guess I'm both visual and "visceral".

Hi Bubba and Gang --

Me checking in at the last min..by now Bubba has one foot on the plane!

My 2 Euros worth:

PDA Software: Along with your cultural guide, be sure to download the FREE metro program that has metro "maps" and local train routes. I have Bilbao, Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia downloaded into mine and use it religiously.

Shorts: A no-no for cities like Barcelona and Madrid unless you want to stick out like a sore thumb. A definite plus for Costa del Sol. If you insist on wearing shorts in the cities, make sure they are bermuda length and pair them with loafers not screaming white sneakers. Forget the t-shirt with the shorts and go for a nice button down or polo. A wise man once said that most Americans are totally identifiable from the ankles down. For the fashionistas, neutrals work better than frilly pastels. Black and brown are always in style. And the Spanish men, in true prepster style "wear" their sweaters fashionably around the neck with the sleeves casually draped or loosely knotted in front. Women, leave the hot pants at home. Ditto for the ostentatious gold jewelry...particularly for the men.

Money: I am not a huge fan of carrying alot of cash on me and rely more on my debit and ATM cards here. Forget the travelers� cheques. In this day and age of electronic banking I think they belong with the vinyl records.

Misc:Pack a small pocket sized umbrella (one of those cool minis for example). I have always liked the Let�s Go series because of its economical perspective.

Have a GREAT GREAT trip!

Hi All ---

Well Bubba doesn't quite have 1 foot on the plane yet, but soon. I will be leaving the end of April, traveling to Barcelona for 4 days then heading over to Madrid for a few and then see the rest of Spain on a guided tour. I chose the tour because I will actually be on my honeymoon and I did not want to do much thinking...just relaxing and having someone else do "all the legwork". This is also my first time to Europe so I thought that this might be the best course of action. I will let you know how it turns out.

Thanks for all the great posts. I just picked up 2 books today, Frommer's Barcelona, Madrid, & Seville and a Barcelona Travelguide...both seem pretty good...lots of pretty pictures (lol).

Chica mentioned the PDA software. Do you know which program it is exactly. I got Weisman's for Barcelona, but I would love to get a couple others.

Thanks again.

Bubba

Hey bubba, alomst here

Personally I do not have a PDA (yet ) so I can't give you any tips on the programs but when I do get one you can bet I will be dangerious.

Waiting for the perfect PDA/Cellphone combo.

Saludos,
jer...

Hey Jer ---

Yup...1 week from Monday I'm on a big ol' jet airliner (not to steal anything away from Steve Miller :cool ...bound for Barcelona. Anyway I've got got my PDA loaded with hopefully useful stuff for my trip. I just checked the weather for Madrid on it...partly cloudy and a high of 57 for Sunday. Handspring actually introduced a PDA/Cell Phone called the Treo...you should check into it.

Anyway...thanks for all your help.

Cheers...

Bubba