Customs of Teenagers in Spain

Spanish culture is celebrated globally for its food, art and style. The Spanish people approach life as a celebration of community and family. Like their counterparts around the world, Spanish teens crave independence, fun and adventure. With school completed in the morning and early afternoon, siesta in the heat of the day and evenings and late nights left for leisure, the Spanish lifestyle is well-suited to the youthful hours teens keep in every country.

Going Downtown

City and village centers are gathering places for people in Spain, and teens are no exception 1. Just like adults, Spanish teenagers like to gather with their friends for food, drink and enjoyment in town. Restaurants and even bars for older teens -- the legal age to drink alcohol is 18 years of age -- are common meeting places. Teens in Spain enjoy dancing in clubs, and celebrating at many festivals and community celebrations throughout the year 1.

Spanish Outdoors

With mild weather and miles of coastline, Spanish teens enjoy water sports and access to the beach year-round. Mountains provide opportunities for summer and winter athletics from climbing and hiking to skiing and snowboarding. Sporting events and playing team sports such as football are popular activities. Even many purely social events, such as spending time with friends and family, happen outdoors thanks to Spain's temperate climate.

Culture and Style

The Spanish lifestyle is relaxed and informal, but not casual when it comes to style. Spanish teens, like adults, dress well to go out -- boys and girls are conscious of style and quality design. Spanish parents are affectionate and tolerate with children and young adults, teaching them from a young age to appreciate, respect and celebrate food, wine, and music as a part of daily family and community life.

Dating

Spanish teens, like their cohorts worldwide, socialize in groups, spending time doing the activities that interest them from sports and dancing to eating, drinking, and celebrating. And dating is a mix of the traditional and the modern. Spanish teens get to know one other in the more relaxed atmosphere of a larger, friendly group, splitting off as a couple if a particular attraction develops. Boys or girls do the "asking out," and a dinner date for a couple will often involve splitting the check.