I’m pretty close to traveling to Spain in the next couple of months, and I just want to know how the Spanish treat “Latinos” . I’m Cuban and speak Spanish with a markedly Cuban accent…though I have been asked if I was from the Canaries by Spaniards here in the US. Should I have anything to worry about culturally? I just always here stories from American’s who have traveled there, and they always say the Spanish are cold, but I don’t want to judge an entire people based on a handful of stories. I’m just very curious, because here in the U.S. I’m “too white” to be Cuban, so I wonder what the Spanish attitudes are towards “race”.
From what I can see - and I’m not Latin - the Spanish make an unpleasant racial distinction between people they see as “just like them”, such as most people from Cono Sur countries and the white elites of the other Latin countries, and the black, mestizo and indigenos from Latin America, who they see as inferior. Thus Argentines especially get lots of respect (and they’re assumed to be educated), while people from Ecuador tend to be treated quite poorly. I’ve been to Cuba and I know you get every kind of colouring there, so it’s hard to say how you’ll go down in Spain. I wouldn’t worry too much, though, as casual racism in Spain, while horrible, isn’t as bad as it is in the UK or the US. Unless you’re from Morocco or a Gypsy - then it’s a different matter.
Good question. Well I’m Canadian but of Asian (Indian) background. I visited Barcelona for a few days and can only speak of this city. I had the same concerns as you prior to going.
I made an effort to dress well and tried to learn a few spainish phrases. I found that in daily interactions, prior to speaking I was always mistaken for being Spainish and was greeted with a friendly smile. I had a few people who were a bit abrupt but for the most part I found people very friendly. I think that a smile and saying hello makes a big difference. I had one experience in a bakery that was interesting. Initially the lady who served me was a bit rude since I didn’t know spainish. I returned to the bakery the next day since I needed to buy another sandwich. The second time I struggled with a muchas gracias after she served me, and she had a bit smile on her face and said “your welcome” in spainish.
Okay I know this may sound naive but I think appearance and smiles make a big differnce.
Thanks for the response guys. Actually I’m one of those “white” looking Cubans, because all my ancestors were from Asturias and Catalunya respectively. That’s pretty bad that they still judge people like that. I was just asking because while I speak Spanish well, the Spaniards I meet here seem to have trouble with my accent. Have they never heard a Cuban accent before? From what I’m told we sound like Canary islanders, and they allegedly have the same words like, “boberia” which we use often. Is there any validity to this?
If boberia in Cuba means as I think it does - “something of no importance” - then they do use the word quite often in Spain. How people will react to your accent will depend partly on where you are - in Andalucia and the Canarias the spoken language is much closer to Latin American usage, with the seseo pronunciation of c and z, and a lot of missing s sounds, especially final plural s. In central Spain it’s more like the academic standard and folk are perhaps more critical of other forms of Spanish, although they watch enough Mexican telenovelas so you’d think they’d lighten up a little. Up north they have their own languages to worry about and they don’t care much what your Castillian is like. If it’s any consolation, as an Englishman I found it difficult to communicate when I first went to the States, and I have US friends who found it difficult the other way around. We think we speak the same language because we can watch each others movies, but it’s when you get there that you realise how different everyday usage is.
I’m pretty close to traveling to Spain in the next couple of months, and I just want to know how the Spanish treat “Latinos” . I’m Cuban and speak Spanish with a markedly Cuban accent…though I have been asked if I was from the Canaries by Spaniards here in the US. Should I have anything to worry about culturally? I just always here stories from American’s who have traveled there, and they always say the Spanish are cold, but I don’t want to judge an entire people based on a handful of stories. I’m just very curious, because here in the U.S. I’m “too white” to be Cuban, so I wonder what the Spanish attitudes are towards “race”.
I have allot of common with you I am Puerto rican but my DAD was born in Cuba but the rest of his family is Spanish including my Grandfather that lives in Sevilla now. I grew up in Puerto rico most of my life and i lived for the last 7 years in Miami were i worked as an Engineer and Developer. I moved to Marbella Puerto Banus in the month of August i like it but i do miss Miami and Puerto rico.On regards to Cubans or even Puertoricans or latin americans beware there is allot of crackdown for illegals in different parts of Spain. There are allot of Cubans , Dominicans, South Americans down here and the Guardia Civil and local police are constantly asking you for papers to check your visa status even me i am an american citizen and i have had problems. It is sad to say that Spanish authorities are very racist torse latin Americans they think we are all illegals and criminals. If you come from Miami were the majority are Cubans and Latin americans you will be struck of how racist some Spaniards are. Just make sure you have a copy of your papers at all times!!!!! it does not matter if you look to white as soon as you open your mouth and speak with an accent they will ask for your papers even for a routine traffic stop!!!!!!!!!!!!
Guardia Civil and local police are constantly asking you for papers to check your visa status even me i am an american citizen !
What does you being an American citizen have to do with anything? Do you think being American citizen should somehow grant you immunity from being asked for your papers? You are in SPAIN now, NOT America. The world does not revolve around you. Remember that. If you do something illegal, I hope the Spanish authorities treat you the same way that they treat Cubans, or Dominicans or what ever..
There can’t be that big of a problem with Cuban immigrants in Spain, can there? For all intents and purposes we don’t look that different, so how could you on outside appearance tell?
Guardia Civil and local police are constantly asking you for papers to check your visa status even me i am an american citizen !
What does you being an American citizen have to do with anything? Do you think being American citizen should somehow grant you immunity from being asked for your papers? You are in SPAIN now, NOT America. The world does not revolve around you. Remember that. If you do something illegal, I hope the Spanish authorities treat you the same way that they treat Cubans, or Dominicans or what ever..
Well i was not trying to make an American Citizen better than the rest but there is a big Different Americans do not Immigrate like Cubans for (Political, Economic reasons) And Dominicans ( Economic Reasons) Actually there are more Spaniards living in the U>S than Americans living in Spain. Usually between the U.S and E.U Countries there are visa Waivers because simply there is no history of lots of illegal immigration between the 2 continents. Neverthless i hope Spanish Police could more Polite and more courteous in regards to tourist and people like me that just want to invest in your country!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S I am sorry to say!!! that the World does revolve around America
There can’t be that big of a problem with Cuban immigrants in Spain, can there? For all intents and purposes we don’t look that different, so how could you on outside appearance tell?
Look rigoberto my mother is Cuban and My Dad is Cuban born of Spanish Parents and i look European too but as soon i open my mouth and i talk with a Cuban puertorican accent things change. Just Remember most Spaniards look at themselves as Europeans and not HISPANIC!!!!!!!!
hey Rokipatel… there you are…
Going back to the thread we were on last time, if I could get your advice on the trip we’re planning to Puerto Rico…we found a nice rental in a south area called ?Patillas? near ?Guayama?. Are those areas ok? We know they’re not very touristy but we’ll have a car to visit other parts of the island. Besides, everything in the tourist areas near San Juan is booked. all we need is a relaxed place near the beach for our family reunion. Go ahead and reply to this in the ?americans in spain? thread where we were previously talking about PR. see u there, thnx
Personally Yankeegirl i do not recommend that you go that far from tourist areas like you are thinking. Guayama and Patilla are far away patillas is beautiful but is very remote and far from everything what you are saving in Lodging you will pay in Gas on the car. Patillas and Guayama are very poor remote areas of the country and you will definitely feel out of place there. My suggestions is that you find a place in San Juan or areas like Palmas del Mar, Rio Grande, or Fajardo this are areas prepared for tourism. Puerto rico is not as poor as any other latin american country but certain areas of the Island are very poor comparing it to American Standards.
Patillas and Guayama are very poor remote areas of the country and you will definitely feel out of place there. My suggestions is that you find a place in San Juan or areas like Palmas del Mar, Rio Grande, or Fajardo this are areas prepared for tourism.
That’s what we suspected. Is Palmas del Mar in Humacao? Is Humacao better located than Patillas? We don’t golf, so is that an ok choice? We wouldn’t be staying at the Palmas del Mar resort, but in a condo so I hope the rest of Humacao is as nice as Palmas del Mar appears to be…
Palmas del mar is beautiful!!!!! make sure that you pick the right villa this i tell you because even thou most of the villas are beautiful and perfect some are kind of old and they will charge the same for a top of the line up to date villa than an old one. Palmas del mar has a chain hotel a Four Points by Sheraton that is extremely good and new and great service for a Sheraton???? but all the villas are independently own by private owners so you could get a great and one that is not so great!!!! My recommendation is that you contact either Palmas del mar realty or Masters Realty this or even the resort web palmas del mar .com they will contact you with the villa renters program. Palmas del mar is a High end resort community area houses and Villas range from the 500,000 to mansions over 11,000,000 million dollars so is a high end Caribbean society they have great golf courses and very elegant country club some very high end restaurants but the great thing is that Palmas is very well connected with great Autopistas that will put you in San Juan in 45 minutes or less. Also if you get a villa with Kitchen you can save allot of money on food. You have less than 5 minutes away a Walmart, Sams Club, Local Chain Supermarkets like Pueblo and Ralphs were you can get anything you want to make at your home including Spanish foods in the Local Chains. This local chains are American Style supermarkets something similar to a Kroger, Publix, Winn dixie, Food Lion or what ever chain you remember form the States the Only difference is that you will find all the American Products that you are use to as well as a variety of Puertorican products and Also Spanish products too. If That is not enough there are Plenty actually allot of Fast food if that is your choice to save money and not cook. Restaurants in Palmas del mar they tend to be in the high end of Prices . I konow Palmas del Mar very well for many year my dad own a villa there and we will go every weekend but we sold it like 4 years back because me and my sisters we wil all living outside Puerto rico. So i tell you this because i pretty much know which villas are good or not. My recommendation are that you ask for a villa either in Fairway Courts, Crescent Cove, Palmas Doradas, Marbella Club, Fairlakes this are the best villas if they offer you a Beach Villa make sure they give you a renovated one because this are the oldest and some are out dated. They are big and Beautiful and greatly located near the Hotel and Beach but make sure the give you a good one. Well i think i gave you alot of info more than you ask, I forgot the Hotel has a Casino?????? also be reminded accomodation are American Standard which are superior to what you are use to in Europe another thing that Europeans that go to Puerto rico Complaint is that Puertoricans love Air Conditioning so every area and Business you are going to notice that the A/C is at full blast and some areas are cold!!! allot of europeans don’t like A/C that is just an observation.
haha, well thanks anyway. We’ve been doing a lot of research trying to make this a nice family reunion so all information is welcome. We’ve found one in Humacao, it doesn’t necessarily say in Las Palmas, but I’m calling the owner today to talk more about it. We’ve seen pictures at least and the house looks in good shape. We haven’t been able to find too much information on the area other than there’s a nice beach there called Punta Santiago. Is there a large difference between what is considered Humacao and Las Palmas?
Punta Santiago is NOT Palmas del mar!!!!!!!!!!! make sure you know that Palmas del Mar is an enclosed resort community. Punta Santiago is a Public Beach that is not part of Palmas!!!!!!!
