Social life and etiquette
Family is one of the most essential components of Spanish culture; no celebration would be complete without a large group of people coming together, but this is more prevalent outside of the big cities where contemporary living has a negative impact. Nevertheless, the elderly are respected, and it is customary for aging relatives to receive care at home. Children are also completely liked and welcomed into everything.
La comida, or lunch, is the largest meal of the day in Spanish families and often lasts from 2 to 4 p.m. For the midday meal and siesta, it's usual for businesses and entire towns to close down, especially in more remote areas. Evening dinners, which frequently begin around 10 o'clock, are typically preceded by a leisurely promenade, or paseo, during which you could enjoy an aperitif at one or more bars.
Friends meet for meals more frequently in restaurants, but if you are asked to someone's home for supper, bring a modest present for any youngsters as well as some flowers, a bottle of wine, and/or some chocolates (though avoid dahlias, chrysanthemums and flowers in odd numbers as these would only be given at funerals). Remember that excessive drinking is uncommon, and despite the fact that there seems to be a bar on every corner, people often go there for coffee and conversation rather than to become wasted.
