Who are the Salamantinos?

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Who are the people of Spain? Who are the people of Salamanca?

Spanish people are loud, opinionated, blunt, confrontational, respectful, proud, passionate, and aggressive. They know how to party, they are extremely energy conscious, and they exhibit an immense amount of regional and national self-worth.

In a matter of mere seconds, a Spaniard will tell you if you have something in your teeth, if you’ve gained weight since you last met, or if they disagree with something you just said. Anytime three or more Spaniards get together, raucous laughter and shouting will undeniably ensue. Compared to Spaniards, I find it hard to believe that Americans get a bad rap for being loud and obnoxious. Not to say that Spaniards are loud and obnoxious, but they know how to have a good time. In fact, their exuberant, in-your-face lifestyle is something to be respected. If you aren’t willing to fight tooth and nail to defend your home region (whether it be the Asturias or Extremadura), claiming that your city has the best food and the prettiest women, well, you just aren’t very Spanish. If you can’t stay out until 6 am drinking and dancing, you’re just a wimp. They say Spaniards are the only people that can fit two days in one, and I believe it. After a nice siesta and a late dinner, the night is still in it’s infancy at 12 am. Just make sure to turn out the lights before you leave.

Although some Spanish things are the same across the board, there are, as anywhere else, regional stereotypes as well.

Due in part to colder climates and harsher terrain, the people of Northern Spain are said to be more serious and aloof than their friendlier, Southern counterparts. One of my profesoras informed the class that it is much harder to make friends in the North, but once you do, you have a friend for life. In the South, friends are in abundant supply for fun and fiestas, but only for the short-term. So I guess it’s not so different than comparing a pushy New Yorker to a congenial South Carolinian.

And what about Salamanca? A lively university town that carouses the night away against a backdrop of floodlit splendors? Small enough to walk across, yet bursting with tradition and character, Salamanca is a student’s paradise. Study during the day, go out at night. Enjoy ice cream in the Plaza when it’s warm, or cuddle up to chocolate and churros when it’s cold and rainy. Take a solitary stroll down by the river, or join the throngs shopping on Calle Toro. Wherever you go, there is always a blend of modern and historic, young and aged.

Although Salamanca is a university town full of college students, it is also full of another thing: old people. Not that a lot of old people is a bad thing. In fact, there is nothing cuter than seeing a wrinkly old couple holding hands, or a group of heavily made-up old birds strolling down the sidewalk linked arm in arm. The only problem is getting around them.

Imagine this scenario: you are about to be late for class and are walking hurriedly to your destination. All of a sudden, you are confronted by a row of elderly señoras taking up the entire sidewalk and walking at a snail’s pace. They inch along in front of you laughing and gossiping, oblivious to your futile attempts to pass them. You try to scoot by on the right, and they somehow drift in that direction. You try to scoot by on the left, and they drift in that direction too. Don’t even try to say something, not even your politest “permiso” or “perdón” will get you anywhere. You are invisible. What happens is you are forced to respectfully plod along behind them, nervously checking your watch, until they decide to turn or make space. Only then will you be able to shuffle by and continue on your way.

Old men are even worse.

If you see one walking towards you from the opposite direction, do yourself a favor and move out of his way. If you don’t, prepare for a head-on collision, a bony shoulder bump, or a barrage of gruff Spanish expletives. In the mind of a grizzled Salamantino, his age affords him certain privileges, one of them being the right to walk in whatever direction he likes without being diverted. In other words, he will continue to walk in a straight line whether you are in his way or not. As a sign of respect for the elderly, it’s best to kindly side-step the old man. Or else get stepped on yourself.

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Comments

[Leiah]

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Oh my word! I just had the best read and laugh in ages. I love your style of writing, it is very similar to my own. Aah man, I will be sure to visit Salmanca as it sounds very much like Id enjoy it, maybe even stay awhile, meet the dolls and the slow walking eldery people. Where are you from? How long were you in spain, do you plan on going back? where else have you travellled? I would love to keep in contact and read more about your journeys, I am based in the UAE, I have been here 16days now and am originally from Durban South Africa. Look forward to hearing from you. Thanks Leiah

[Erin972]

Salamanca
Hi Leiah! I'm glad you enjoyed my last blog post! Salamanca is not often considered a must-see place in Spain, but it really is a gem. I'm from Louisville KY in the US, but I go to school in South Carolina. I'm in Salamanca studying Spanish for a semester, so I'll be here until May (5 months total). So far I've explored the South of Spain, a little bit of Portugal, and next month I plan on spending a weekend in Paris and a weekend in Morocco, respectively! Hopefully you'll like reading about it! I usually try and post a blog every Sunday. Thanks again for the feedback, Erin