The term Guiri to describe the stereotypical tourist from Northern Europe and the Anglo-Saxon sphere was prominent from the 1970s to the 1990s, when coaches and cars used to flood to the Spanish beaches every year. This red-faced tourist who drinks beer in the hot sun, is now described as a "Langosta" (Lobster) which replaced the term guiri in the early part of 2000. This was also due to the term guiri being understood by regular tourists and the need for another term which was unfamiliar and could be used to talk about the tourists in secret by those working the restaurants and bars of the coast (Costa) of Spain.
Guiris are normally guilty for: (collection of internet searches and my own insight)
1) Socks in Sandals
2 Speaking unnecessarily loud in public (and in English)
3) Eating and Going out at non-spanish times.
4) Holding large maps at street corners, blocking pedestrian traffic
5) Sunburnt skin
6) Backpacks worn in the front of your body
7) Eating while walking/ on the metro
8) Public drunkenness
After some intense research of about 5 minutes, I've concluded that I myself, a pale skinned, tall blonde from Long Island, am not a guiri; however, sometimes I can be caught doing "guiri" things, or as I prefer to call them "typical espanish" things.
This past week, was a super guiri week. My parents came to visit, so of course we did all things "typical espanish" so I could show them some typical spanish life, and some guiri life.
We were not wearing socks and sandals, we ate at normal spanish hours, we were never caught with maps or backpacks, we avoided eating on the metro and while walking, and no one got a sunburn. But ok fine, maybe we spoke English loudly.
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| some giggles, celebrating a GOL at estadio Bernabeu, Fan Park |
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| Taking pictures of our food: gazpacho and Rabo de Toro next to the Plaza de Toros (with Sangria, Claro) |
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| Family photos during a Comida |
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| Photos in Plaza de España with Don Quixote and Sancho Panza |
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| Photo op at Parque de Oeste |
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| A trip on the teleferico |
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| Photos with the oso in Sol |
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| Segovia Aquaduct |
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| Eating Cochinillo in Jose Maria |
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| A morning in the Rastro |
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| Flamenco Show |
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| Templo de Debod- Madrids Egyptian Temple |
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| Alcazar in Segovia |
Other Guiri things that we did that I dont have photographic evidence of:
1) A visit to Mercado de San Miguel
2) A large Paella
3) A stroll through Retiro
4) Wining and Dining with good Spanish company
5) A trip to Leroy Merlin for souvenirs... ok a little less guiri a little more pijo ;)
Anyway, as much as I enjoyed my parents short stay, being Guiri is TIRING! I hope next time they can come for more time so we can do things more casually with less prisa!
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