Los estereotipos (Regional stereotypes)

With each passing day I learn that you underestimate Spain’s diversity at your peril. From the fog-enshrouded cliffs of the North-East to the completely barren deserts of the centre, the richness of this country goes far beyond the stereotypes seen on the Brit-infested Costa del Sol.

Last week I was given a crash course in Spanish regional stereotypes, so I thought I’d share. Never mind Geordie vs. Mancunian – here people look different, talk differently and behave very differently.  

(Included below is a handy map, in case your geographical knowledge of the Iberian Peninsula isn’t what it once was.)

Spain is divided into 17 Comunidades Autónomas (Autonomous Regions), self-ruling provinces with independent governments and local laws. Some have more power than others – Cataluña has famously been seeking independence for some time, spurred on by the prevalence of the local dialect (Catalan) and the fact it’s Spain’s economic powerhouse.

Let’s start with the madrileños. Residents of Spain´s capital city are most typically immigrants to the region. True locals (third-generation or more) are distinguished with the coveted title of gatos (‘cats’). Through the eyes of the rest of Spain, madrileños are arrogant spendthrifts, prone to consider themselves better than everyone else. This phenomenon doesn’t seem too surprising, as capital city dwellers in many countries often have this reputation. Yet here it’s also curiously mixed with a general acknowledgement of what welcoming people they are too – something I’ve experienced first-hand.

Heading south we find the andaluces (from Andalucía). These conform to the foreigner’s stereotype of Spaniards – lazy, cheerful, often laughing and always exaggerating. They also seem to have a strong aversion to the final syllable of words, so that elsewhere in Spain their accent is rarely understood. People from the East (catalanes) are, by contrast, said to be extremely tight with money. They often have a gift for business too, which may explain why the vast majority of Spain’s industry can be found in or around Barcelona.

Gallegos are from Galicia, Spain’s freezing Northwestern wasteland (I jest – although the terrain may come as a surprise to those expecting sandy beaches). Elsewhere in Spain, gallegos are considered highly superstitious and generally quite odd. They’re also unafraid of getting stuck in with hard work (unlike their southern counterparts!). Strangely, those that I’ve met can be very affectionate and open with their close friends, whilst remaining closed to foreigners.

The tiny País Vasco (‘Basque Country’) is home to the vascos, who are fiercely proud of their regional heritage. Racial tension has been bubbling away for generations, fuelled in the 20^th century by Basque separatist terrorists ETA. A stereotypical vasco is frank and brusque, to the point of being rude. Not ones to cross, then. 

Further down the Spanish border lies the province of Aragón. The locals, aragoneses, are notorious for answering questions with questions – from my experience, a friendly “How are you?” can be greeted by the roundabout response, “Why are you asking?” They’re also known to be unafraid of hard work.

Last but not least, castellano is the adjective referring to the spiritual, linguistic and ideological heartland of Spain, and it also describes the inhabitants of the central regions. Traditional in their ideas and customs, the castellanos laugh little and spend even less. Austerity rules in these empty desert lands... yet only several hundred kilometres to the south and east, the coastline bubbles away with life all summer, thanks to Spain’s still-strong tourist industry.

If only half the tourists would head inland a bit, where old Spain can still be found, sitting around a dusty card table in the midday sun.

Less rambling and more scribbling to come...

Spain's 17 Autonomous Regions

Spanish of the Day

meter la pata - to put your foot in it. Literally.

cantar las cuarenta a alguien - to give someone a right telling off (Lit. 'to count 40 at someone' - originating from the traditional Spanish passion for card games).