WHILE Spain may be a popular holiday destination for UK tourists, Spanish locals don’t always welcome foreign visitors with open arms, in fact they even have their own secret word for Brits abroad.
In recent years, Spain has been attempting to clamp down on the number of holidaymakers coming from the UK.
Parts of the country like Lanzarote in the Canary Islands have attempted to shift their reliance on British tourists and welcome holidaymakers who have more spending power.
Tourists from the UK often get a bad rap in Spain, partly thanks to those holidaymakers who have a penchant for excessive drinking and embarrassing boozy behaviour.
We might know them as typical “Brits abroad” – but the Spanish have their own secret word for these stereotypes.
Last year, travel writer Lee Bell revealed the secret code that Spaniards use to describe certain foreigners – and it isn’t pretty.
As someone who visits Spain at least eight times every year, it’s safe to say Lee knows a thing or two about the local culture.
He told Sun Online Travel: “A ‘guiri’, pronounced ‘guee-ree’, is like a secret code that the Spanish use to describe certain foreigners in their country in an uncomplimentary manor.”
It is thought that the term originated from the Basque word “giri”, which means “blond” or “fair-skinned”.
The word was originally used to describe the physical appearance of tourists, but it has since evolved over time to take on a broader moaning.
Lee added: “Spanish locals now use ‘guiri’ to refer to all types of foreign tourists, especially those from English-speaking countries.
“While it can be used to refer to any foreigner, it’s most commonly used to refer to British visitors specifically.
“This is especially the case for the stereotypical ‘Brit abroad’ – a term for an embarrassing tourist who travels to foreign countries with no intention of integrating with the culture there.”
Even though the term has largely negative connotations, it can also be used as a playful nickname, according to Lee.
He said: “It’s generally not something to take offence to, and it’s not uncommon to hear Spanish people calling out “Hola guiri!” to British tourists either.”
It’s likely that those locals who use the word Guiri in a negative or dismissive way have been aggravated by bad tourist behaviour.
Those Brits who don’t want to hear the word “Guiri” levelled at them on their next trip to Spain, should aim to do the following:
- Dress modestly – especially if the weather isn’t very warm by local standards.
- Try not to drink excessively in public – especially if you’re liable to start making a ruckus.
- Attempt to use the local language, even if it’s just a few words here and there – it goes a long way.
- Order something other than Sangria. For example, try tinto de verano (meaning summer red wine) or a gaseosa.
- And make sure to slather on some sunscreen – who wants badly burnt body parts anyway?
There are several other tourist mistakes Brits make while on holiday in Spain, and they can easily be avoided too.
Last year, Sarah and Johnny Robinson, two British expats who left the UK for Spain 20 years ago, revealed the mistakes that make Brit holidaymakers stand out like sore thumbs on their Spanish getaways.
Johnny told Sun Online Travel: “Brits tend to underdress in Spain. Spanish people dress quite smartly, while Brits can sometimes show too much flesh.”
They also revealed how Brit holidaymakers can often look impatient when queueing at the supermarket or in shops.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
The tourist mistakes that are costing you money
Travel writer Lee Bell recently revealed how holidaymakers heading to Barcelona can make their trip a whole lot cheaper from transport tips to dinners out.
First off, Lee recommended swapping the airport taxi for a local bus, which will save solo travellers around €20.
He added: “Dodge the pricey cocktails before a night out and instead head down to Can Paixano – or what the locals call “La Xampanyeria” (champagne bar) where you’ll find a “copa de cava” for just €1 a pop.
“Ask for a ‘clara’ – essentially a Spanish shandy made with Fanta Limón – at practically any bar. It’s not only cheaper but it’s a tasty, more refreshing option for when the temperatures soar.”
Read more of Lee’s money-saving tips, here.
Meanwhile another British expat who lives Cadiz in Andalusia has revealed the three big mistakes tourists make while they’re on holiday.
This includes eating at restaurants with laminated menus containing pictures and being too reliant on taxis and private transfers.
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