Madrid is a diverse city; it’s home to people of various ethnic backgrounds, religions, and socioeconomic statuses. In short, not all Spaniards come from the same mold. However, ask any visitor or local, and you will find that there are some qualities abundant in the Spanish gene pool. Whether or not you want to mirror these traits is your own decision.

1. “Mala leche”:

I first learned of this term from a teacher that typifies the trait. My Flamenco dance teacher was becoming very annoyed with a particularly chatty student. “Tengo mala leche,” she said with a tight face and unblinking eyes. Just as milk expires rapidly, Spaniards lose control of their temper quickly. A Spaniard, like milk, is best un-agitated and cooled down.

2. Loud and Proud:

A conversation between Spaniards can best be compared to a game of racquetball; The more people involved, the more chaotic it gets. Spaniards have a tendency to not pay attention to what others have said, because they love asserting their own opinions. One of my professors told me that the way madrileños regulate conversations is by interrupting. As long as you are speaking louder, the proverbial ball is in your court. One time, I was sitting with a group of Spaniards my age and there were multiple conversations taking place at once. I felt like I was in the racquetball court without a racquet or safety-goggles.

3. “Speed-talkers”

Like Flamenco, a Madrileño’s speech is often fast-paced, loud, and filled with dramatic hand gestures. Spaniards may be known for their fast rate of speech in Europe, but madrileños are known for their fast rate of speech in Spain. madrileños are said to “comer las palabras” or to eat their words. Words are jammed together, severed and altered more than a first-grade arts and crafts project. For example: “hasta luego” may just sound like “ha-lué” even to a well-trained ear.

Tip: If you say you don’t understand something, most Spaniards will just speak louder at the same rate. Simply say “¿puedes hablar más despacio? Most Spaniards would be happy to bring it down to a level that is, well, still fast.

4. “Tranquilo”:

Madrileños, are not as time-obsessed as people of other cultures. Here, the standing side of the escalator is always more occupied and metro doors tend to wait the extra second or two before clamping down on customers. Here, if you order a coffee to go, some may hope you mean out of the country. I was most surprised by the McDonalds’ in Spain, which, instead of those chairs that are strategically designed to fit no human spinal column and make your rear numb within 5 minutes, are outfitted with oversized, plush swivel chairs for leisurely dining.

5. Embarrassment-less:

I have seen many things that have led me to the conclusion that Spaniards rarely get embarrassed. I have seen countless couples making out with a gusto that belongs in the bedroom, not in the metro. I have seen people urinate in public and give me a look as if to say I was intruding in their private bathroom. I have seen musicians bust out harps and bassoons and play them with rock-star enthusiasm. Finally, men often say “piropos”, essentially pick-up lines, and are not afraid to use them. I have even heard about instances when Spaniards have just grabbed other people’s faces and kissed them.

Tip: If you are embarrassed, say “Tengo verguenza.” Many mistakenly say “Estoy” embarazada” which certainly doesn’t help with embarrassment because it means: “I’m pregnant”.