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Spanish Men
As far as finding a man in Europe, we recommend spending all your time in Spain and calling it a day. Spain is Europe's best country and everyone living, visiting or just passing through will be the epitome of fun. You'll have a great time with a Spanish man (provided he isn't the one guy in the country we net who mumbles to himself and never goes away). He'll be a bit hairy, but he'll have a great sense of humor and a zest for life you won't find anywhere else.

Potential Boyfriend Names
Name Pronunciation
Alejandro Al-AYE-hand-ROW
Diego DEE-ego
Emilio EE-meal-EE-oh
Felipe fell-EE-pay
Gomez GO-mez
Jairo JEYE-dough
Javier ha-VEE-air
Jime HI-may
Karlos car-LOW-s
Luis loo-EECE
Marcelo mar-CELL-oh
Mundo MOON-dough
Pablo-Enrique pa-b-LOW en-REE-kay
Renaldo ren-ALL-dough
Ruperto rew-PEART-oh
Teodoro tay-OH-drough
Valdo VAL-dough
Vincente vin-CENT-tay

Four Insights into Spanish Culture
Spanish Dogs
Dogs are just dogs in Spain. They're not treated like royalty and not abandoned as strays on the streets.

Spanish Driving
Spanish drivers will remind you of the Italians, although not quite as scary. If you're crossing the street in a pedestrian zone, they won't start driving until the red walking man starts flashing. Their light will still be red, but they'll run right through it and God help you if you're in their way.

Spanish Time Telling Abilities
There is another time zone in Spain known as "Spanish time" and it's no where close to what the clock says. Spaniards have the energy to stay out all night because they don't stress over being punctual during the day. If they're tired at two in the afternoon, they take a nap. If they have an appointment at two thirty, they'll get there when they wake up. Spain isn't a stressful place because everyone in the country is running on the same warped Spanish time."

Spanish Theft
Barcelona is Europe's number one place to rob and be robbed. Everyone we've ever met that's been to Barcelona has a robbery story from La Ramblas or the hostel or anywhere else in the city. People had passports, wallets, cameras, backpacks, money, clothing and shoes stolen. Spanish thieves are damn good at what they do.

Meg is still bitter about being robbed. A man came around the restaurant we were eating in and laid a flyer on each table. Then he made another sweep of the restaurant pausing momentarily at each table, looking pathetic in hopes of earning money. While he paused at our table for five short seconds, he managed to unzip her purse and take out her wallet and camera. We didn't notice until he was long gone.

Useful Spanish Phrases
What You'll Want To Say: How To Say It:
I'm learning Spanish, perhaps you could help. Bien-ay ah-costar con ME-go?

I know we just met, but I feel so connected to you. Bien-ay ah-costar con ME-go?

Is there a party tonight? Bien-ay ah-costar con ME-go?

More sangria please. Bien-ay ah-costar con ME-go?

Yes, I'll marry you. Bien-ay ah-costar con ME-go?

You are hot. Bien-ay ah-costar con ME-go?

Your dad is hot. (Point to Dad.) Bien-ay ah-costar con ME-go?

Your friend is hot. (Point to friend.) Bien-ay ah-costar con ME-go?


How to Meet Him
If you're looking for a nice Spanish boy, head to a club or a party. These guys hang into the wee hours of the morning and always have a good time. If you find yourself in a touristy district dancing in clubs with no Spanish boys, don't feel bad substituting a tourist for a Spaniard. Everyone who steps into the country is in a fabulous mood so you're going to have a great time with anyone. Even John, the obnoxious Midwestern frat boy, will enhance your appreciation of the country.

Tips for the Date
Spanish men don't go on dates. They do everything with a large group of friends. Expect a struggle for alone time even if you've been dating this guy for months. He can't do anything without his friends.

What You Should Know about Spain
If a Spaniard asks you to watch a bullfight, we recommend turning down the invitation because it may put unnecessary strain on your relationship. A Spanish aficionado will blather incessantly about the gracefulness and beauty of the bullfighter and you'll be sick to your stomach. A bullfight is not man vs. bull; it's a gang bang. Before the bullfighter even gets to the ring, men riding horses drive a sword into the base of the bull's neck to weaken him for the fighter. They each take turns. By the time the matador is in the ring, the bull is exhausted and nearly dead. We doubt you'll be able to detect any gracefulness or beauty in the event.

On the other hand, if a Spaniard asks if you'd like a glass of sangria, say yes and watch them make it. Everyone does it differently. The basic recipe is Rioja wine, sweet liquors, fruity brandy and fresh fruit chilled overnight. It is the world's most delectable drink. Memorize proportions (as there's no set recipe), make it for your friends and family and email us the secret.

What You Need To Know About Spanish Cities
Balearic Islands Islands (in best party order): Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca, Formentera, Cabrera.
Barcelona Home to the 1992 Olympics, odds of being robbed very high.
Gibraltar Closest European port city to Africa - in Spain but belongs to Britain.
Granada Rest stops all over England are named after this city.
Madrid Capital city, big.
Malaga A port city to Morocco, two cities in Morocco belong to Spain: Ceuta and Melilla.
Sevilla Tourists think it's "undiscovered" so they flock to this over-touristed town.
Valencia They speak a weird language, but you get to go to the beach.

Impressing His Mother
His mother is a very sweet lady with excellent skills in the kitchen and you won't have any troubles befriending her. In fact, there's a strong possibility you'll be pen pals long after you're done with her son.

Spanish Girl Competition
Spanish girls are cool and non-threatening. No worries at all.

When You Want Him to Go Away
If you want your Spanish man to go away, it's probably because you want to date his best friend or a member of his family. Just let your boyfriend know what's on your mind and he'll handle it. He's got an unbreakable bond with friends and family, so he's not going to be too upset. If you ask nicely, you may even be able to date both!

mltijchr said:

No theft to report from me!

latin guys

madartista said:

I had no "theft problems" during the short time I was in Barcelona;
but what do you think about her opinion of Spanish men??

mltijchr said:

I am married to an Argentinian of Spanish descent and I agree on many points especially the bit about his mum and being friends even if the relationship doesn't work out.

interesting, nilege.
did you meet your husband in Spain? where?
& what is your nationality?

mltijchr said:

I am swedish and I met him here in Australia, so my opinion is out of context somewhat, by a few thousand kilomtres

nilegettolrahc said:

WOW, those are the coolest stories.. where 2 people from different countries meet in a THIRD country! talk about.. "fate"!

mltijchr said:

we were both living here already - and still are! so not that exotic!

STILL..


how many OTHER couples do you know
who are from 2 decidedly different counties.. & they meet each other & fall in love in a THIRD country??

I MIGHT know 3 couples like that - including you!

mltijchr said:

argentine + swede = fire + ice

"fire & ice"..

I BELIEVE YOU!


probably never a dull moment, eh?

mltijchr said:

leo + aquarius too - couldn't be more opposite, but very complementary

you're the Leo or the AQUARIUS???

I've heard more than once the signs "most compatible" to mine, but I keep forgetting what they are..

mltijchr said:

I'm the cool Aquarian I bask in the golden glow of my limelight stealing husband

ah!
so we have the same astrological sign!

I suppose I should watch out for any Leo's wandering around..

mltijchr said:

WATCH OUT is right! they'll knock you over

Well, here you have a Spaniard


Its funny because my girlfriend and her family called me "ha-vee-air", especially at the beginning.


I agree with the idea that Spain is the best country in Europe. Everybody who comes here would like to stay more.
And yes, you're right. We can be partying up all night long, and we go to bed really late. And we dont care about time, and all that.

But i disagree with other things, they are stereotypes. First, i hate bullfighting, and at least half of the population hates it too. Its true that the other half likes it and likes it a lot, but depending on the city probably most of people dislike it.
In my city there are only few aficionados to bullfighting.

You have forgotten to mention the best city in Spain () that is Zaragoza.

And about last thing, well, trust me, Spanish people, like all latin, and especially Spanish man we are very possiesive, so better for you you dont date my best friend...


But well, its clear. Spain is the best. Everybody is invited

One of my brothers married a Valenciana. They live in Javea.

Javier

I spent only a few days in Barcelona a few years ago, but I was VERY impressed;
the wide boulevards,
the beach,
the PAELLA..
& I definitely like the parts about going out late & staying out all night & sleeping late..


in your opinion, is Spain "similar" to France (& Italia) in that northern Spaniards are considered more "reserved" while southern Spaniards are considered more "open" & "outgoing"??
is your city in the northern half or the southern half?


also in your opinion, do you think most women in Spain are "hard to get"?
& if you wanted to impress (or seduce) a Spanish woman, what prince song would you play??

Ok, here my answers.

Yep, Barcelona is a SUPERCOOL city, i really love it a lot, but there are a lot of wonderful places in Spain too you should visit next time. Apart from the sea and the Sacred Family temple, Madrid is tons better more beautiful than Barcelona and bigger. Sevilla is marvellous, same than my city () and i could keep on and keep on.

Paella is a typical food of Valencia (someone mentioned that city, not only the city a full region is called "Comunidad Valenciana"), but you can eat it everywhere.

Spain is the 2nd country in the world more visited by tourists because all our beach places are really great, not only in Barcelona.

About the partys and going out all night. Yes, totally right. We are that way. That doesnt mean that everybody does it, but most of people like to go out and to be awake till really late.

My city is in the north. And yes, the northern spaniards are more reserved and the southern are more open and easy going. To be sincere, all the sterotypes about spaniards are mainly realted to the southern spaniards. They even speak differnt. I mean, in Spain there 2 main accents (i say main, of course there are tons of different ones inside those 2 main): the southern spanish (more similar to the southamerican and mexican spanish), and the northern spanish (the one i speak).
The bullfights and all those things are mainly liked in the south, but as always, that doesnt mean that the northern guys are not superfun or sometimes a southern can be a bore. Those are just tendencies.

Well, Spaniards and Italians on the whole are quite similar. But i think they are more chaotic than us and not as easy-going. The south of France is not very different than Spain. But i have been there, and i can tell you that its not the same, they have other way of seeing things (for example, most of shops or pubs are closed at 5, here the shops close at 8:30 or even 9, and a normal pub, on monday, for example, can be opened till 1am).

And no, i dont think that most of women in Spain are hard to get. I mean, not harder than women from other places. There are women very easy to get, and other that its totally impossible.
On the whole we are quite free about relationships. Maybe its more difficult about (some) spanish women the first moments you talk to them, but only that. And well, some people when travel around just want to flirt and things like that and of course not everybody is willing to fast love.

I just dont know about the Prince song. All Prince's songs are great, i suppose i would pick a ballad, of course.

mltijchr said:

EXCELLENT comments, Javier - thanks for posting them!
comments like yours are exactly why I started this series of threads - I want to learn more about these cultures.

I think that if you keep talking about Spain like this, I will decide to come there again.. soon!

in general, is the weather nice all year long? I mean, does it ever snow where you live, or anywhere else in northern Spain (not including the Pyrenee mountains)?

JavierAlcalde said:

Sometimes people think that here its warm all the time, and that is not totally true.


Explanation. In the Canary Islands is SUPERWONDERFUL all the year, but those islands are in Africa, you have to take a flight.

In general, Spain has a very very very hot weather in summer-time, a warm weather in spring time, and more or less in autumn. And well, winter time is depending on the place.
This year in my city it snows one day, but we hadnt had snow in some years, althought sometimes its cold, but not as cold as the northern of Europe, but the same than the south of France, for example.

And there are other places in the north when its really cold, and it rains and the weather seems a little bit british.

Proud Spaniard Man here! need i say more?

we are the best


¡somos los mejores!