If you are a laid-back person who loves to take everything slowly, figuratively and literally, then adapting to Spain's lifestyle wouldn't be much of a hassle. Generally speaking, the Spaniards are known for being relaxed people. One of the most Spanish stereotypes is the siesta. In English, siesta means a nap; it takes place after lunch. It originated during the older times where field workers take a rest from their work activities to find a refreshing shelter away from Spain's hot weather. Aside from the traditional siesta of the Spaniards, there is another siesta period for both shops and restaurants. For shops and other businesses, siesta runs for about 2 PM to 5 PM, while for other food establishments like bars, siesta occurs from 4 PM until 8 PM the least. Another reason for the Spanish siesta is that they customarily take a two-hour lunch that usually begins later than the typical lunchtime (at noon). Did you know that the Spaniards are not a fan of heavy breakfasts? They regard breakfast as the smallest meal of the day. Locals love a huge lunch commonly accompanied by an alcoholic beverage - and that makes another interesting local habit, daytime drinking. What's great with their daytime drinking blues is that they always see to it that they drink in moderation. You will never see a Spaniard's face down at the table for being drunk at mid-day. Hence, if you plan on traveling to Spain, the first thing you need to learn to do what the locals do is to acknowledge their siesta time and experience their long hearty lunchtime. In addition to their gastronomical culture, the locals have an undeniable adoration for tapas. These are small servings of food - may be a warm or cold dish - that come with your drink. You can add this practice to your list and experience tapa time while bar-hopping and meeting with new friends in Spain. 

If you are from countries who, as a sign of respect, remove their shoes when in someone else's house, moving to or visiting Spain says otherwise. The locals never go barefoot: slippers at home, flip flops at the beach. And speaking of which, beachwear like flip flops and tank tops are a big NO on a normal day in Spain. It is intended for summer at the beach alone. You don't want to mistakenly wear one if you are planning to live like a local in Spain. One good way of doing what the locals do is to, for starters, dress how the locals do. It is a clear way to adapt to the environment. Wearing jeans is one of the fashion go-to's in Spain alongside the flowy and high-waisted pants called culottes that are normally seen on women. If you have plans on staying in Spain for just a short period, make sure to check the projected weather forecast so you can pack your wardrobe accordingly.

Here’s a summary of the do’s and don’ts when in Spain: