BLS

The appeal of Spain as a holiday destination is obvious – the sun, the sea and the sangria immediately spring to mind. Less clear, perhaps, is how to go about making the best of it all without running afoul of the locals. A longtime advocate of both fun in the sun and international relations, language learning app maker Babbel has put together some timely advice for the holidaying Brit (you can also check out our holiday Spanish courses ).

So here they are: the seven deadly sins of Spanish tourism (or Brits abroad bingo if you prefer).

#1 Socks and sandals: A tired cliché it may be, but we’re still doing it. It’s a relatively minor transgression in the grand scheme of things, but there’s some sense in putting to rest this Great British holiday tradition. Whilst looking like a tourist is no great shame in and of itself (you are one, after all), it’s a great way to become a target for pickpockets. Watch your belongings in crowded areas, of course, but the better you blend in, the less likely it is that you’ll end up a victim.

#2 Over-reliance on handshakes: You’re not at work now. While men tend to greet men with a firm and friendly handshake in Spain, any other mix of genders are likely to meet with two kisses (really just touching cheeks – please, no tongue). This applies equally to old friends and people you’ve just met.

#3 Impatience: If it isn’t urgent, it can wait until mañana. Hungry? Dinner isn’t until after nine and it’ll be ready when it’s ready, no need to hassle the camarero. Slow down, you’re on holiday.

#4 Eating on La Rambla: This Barcelona avenue is the classic example, but really the same advice applies anywhere. A fancy location and an English menu don’t guarantee quality, but la cuenta is likely to be higher than you expect. Whether you’re looking for , venture down the side streets and look for a place packed with locals. You’ll often find better food at lower prices. Be careful though – pie means foot, pan means bread and an abogado is a lawyer – if you want avocado on your salad you’ll need to ask for aguacate. You may want to brush up on our  before you leave.

#5 Assuming everyone is a proud Spaniard: Politics here can be complicated, and current issues are often loaded with historical and cultural significance. Try to read up a little on your destination before you arrive to avoid putting your foot in it. Depending on where you are and who you ask, you may not even be in Spain (and you’re definitely not in Mexico; leave the sombrero at home).

#6 Following lists: These are rules of thumb. The ‘must-see’ attractions in your guidebook? Merely suggestions. And as for the ‘secret spots’ you found on a travel blog – well they aren’t so secret now, are they? Our top tip is to go with the flow. Nothing we can tell you could ever be as useful as meeting the locals, asking for their advice and seeing what happens. Worried about the language barrier? There’s still time to .

This post is sponsored by Babbel, a language learning site/app that makes it easy for self-directed learners to expand their horizons – either from home or on the go with a smartphone or tablet.