Top 10 Spanish Stereotype Myths

Foreign films, TV series, and other forms of media have created a stereotype to what Spanish people are.

Here are some of the most common stereotypes about the Spanish that are actually not true at all:

1. All Spanish knows Flamenco. Flamenco is native only to the southern part of Spain and there are a lot of other native dances in the country like chotis, muiñeira, jota, and sardana.      
2. Bullfighting is an internationally loved tradition. Bullfighting is controversial in the country, with a lot of anti-bullfighting organizations in Spain. There are even regions in the country that banned the event like Catalonia and Canaries.
3. Spanish are lazy people. The Spanish invented siesta or the short nap in the afternoon. But not all of them sleep a lot. Only older people and little children sleep in the afternoon. The rest are busy working.        
4. All Spanish people eat paella. Paella is popular only in Valencia. There are different delicacies in every region in Spain.
5. All Spanish people drink sangria. They only drink it in the summer season. Only foreigners love to drink it. Spanish people would prefer wine or beer.
6. All Spanish people eat tacos. Tacos are from Mexico. Spain is not Mexico.
7. All Spanish people look like Antonio Banderas or Penelope Cruz. There are light-skinned, blue-eyed Spanish people too.
8. All Spanish people are very religious. There are a lot of churches in Spain, but only 13 percent attend mass everyday.  
9. Madrid and Barcelona are the only cities in Spain. Don’t forget Valencia, Seville, Zaragoza, and Malaga.    
10. Rafa Nadal is the only popular Spanish Athlete. Don’t forget Mireia Belmonte, Fernando Alonso, Marx Marquez, and the Gasol brothers.