Obvious Observations

In no particular order:

1) In Spain it's totally common to mix meats. Ham and beef, tuna and eggs. I'm not sure if anyone does this in America, but I know it had never even occurred to me...
2) Walking and eating/drinking is very strange here. They're all about getting social time in. So, grabbing a quick coffee with a friend is frequently done. I've not seen a single thermos since I've been here.
3) Spanish kids speak better Spanish than I do... :(
4) Gypsies by the cathedral are not to be meddled with. If they spot you looking at them, or you aren't paying attention, the next time you look up they'll be right in your face offering you a flower. (Where do they get said flowers? They pluck them from the bushes outside the museum NEXT to the Cathedral.)
5) For almost the whole last month, construction has been going on in this beautiful city to transform it into something truly spectacular come Semana Santa (Holy Week). It's no wonder so many people come here to celebrate this special time. The city workers really go all out.

6) This transformation means that some things that are usually fixed in a certain place need relocating. Such as, the horses, carriages, and their drivers. They are normally very close to Plaza Nueva, but now they are just outside it and right in the middle of the walk way... A few days ago I was unaware of their relocation and wasn't really paying attention as I headed home after class. As a result, the sneeze from the huge horse next to me was quite alarming and bystanders laughed when I jumped and screamed a little from shock.
7)Old women are mean. They are more ready to unnecessarily cut you off than any other person on the sidewalk.
8) In Spain, it is legal to smoke pot in public (I just learned that, and it explains a lot). However, it is illegal to buy it...? You can grow your own plant, but you may only have one.... ??? I don't get it hahaha. But, those are the rules!
9)In America, I believe a glance in someone's direction that lasts more than 3 or 4 seconds to be very inappropriate/uncomfortable. Here, you can pretty much stare at people and it's not considered rude. Spaniards are quite curious people.
10) If one is eating fish, then mayonnaise is needed.

11) This is the most relaxed place ever. No one ever looks like they're in a hurry. They all take out time to chill. Other than the traffic, you'd never know it was a big city.
12)My hair constantly smells like smoke...
13) Here, patriotism is reserved for one's soccer team. In America, some people cry at the sight of the American flag, or during the National Anthem. Here, they'd call that crazy. In America, we call it grateful.
14) They are obsessed with Scarlett Johansen (gross) and House the t.v. show.
15) They have mannequins in car shops.

16) In Granada just about everywhere you went in the Cathedral had severed head statues. It was really strange. And graphic.
17) I've been humiliated SO many times since I've arrived here, it takes a lot to embarrass me.
18) Today I realized why Spaniards never rush anywhere... They don't wanna work up a sweat! It's freakin' hot here!
19) But still, "No pasa nada," "no te preocupes," and "me da igual," (No big deal, don't worry, and I have no preference) are the most common phrases to leave a Spaniard's mouth. This gives them the excuse to do a lot of otherwise bad things tho...
20) The waiters here are mean! They're on a salary, so their income is not based on tips. It really shows.

21) P.D.A. = N.B.D. (this makes tv shows and the news REALLY graphic.)
22) "Botellon" is a word that means to go out and drink... but, in public. Any night of the week one can find large or small groups of people of almost any age tossing a few back. It never gets rowdy, but it's still illegal.
23) The policemen here. do. NOTHING. There are laws for everything, but they are NEVER enforced.
24) My favorite gestures:
* Slapping oneself on the cheek. This is done out of shock when someone has done something rude/bold.
* Turning one's palm to face up and touching the tips of all fingers together, then moving the wrist up and down at the elbow. This means, "a lot".
* Placing your hand right in front of you, with your palm facing your stomach, fingers together and straight, and shaking your hand up and down at the wrist. This also means, "a lot".
25) Did I mention they eat a ton of bread?

26) People who live and work in Spain get 4 weeks of vacation/year. They have all traveled a lot as a result.
27) They all drink all the time here. I'm no longer sure Ireland should have the reputation as the country that does all the drinking.
28) All the moms are "helicopter moms".
29) Since my arrival, I have yet to see: a brownie, salad dressing, BBQ sauce, real butter, a hot dog, or a hamburger made of BEEF. That's just off the top of my head.
30) There are NO bald men here. There are about 3 BALDING men in all of Seville, and 4 that have shaved heads.

31) In an earlier post, I mentioned that women here seem to love wearing tights. I thought this was quite a good observation. I was quite dull. ALL women wear tights here, if not jeans, khakis, etc, because to have bare legs means that you are a prostitute... I bought 5 more pairs of tights today. But, personally, I believe that their tight usage is two fold. One, the prostitute thing. Two, they're obsessed with shoes, so any other kind of pant covers part of them up...
32) Spain is lazy. Everyone siestas (even the street performers), everyone shows up where ever they're supposed to be whenever they want, etc.
33) The whole eye contact thing + the excessive touching/physical contact makes me very uncomfortable.
34) It's impossible to tell upon first glance if a man is straight or gay. Still can't tell.
35) Don't smile at anyone. Ever. Smiling at a man, (legit) means you're inviting him to come speak with you. Smiling at a woman... is bad. I don't know what it means, but they don't appreciate it. I used to never be able to NOT smile on command... I've been forced to learn.

36) ... Because, people who smile in the streets are looked at like a crazy person.
37) Spaniards are never in a good mood when they're at work. They live to have fun.
38) Bikers are CRAZY. "Los Bicis" rule the road, sidewalk, lo que sea. They always think they have the right of way. I've seen them crash with cars AND people on foot.
39) They think Americans care too much about oral hygiene
40) They think Americans drink too much water

41) Girls are obsessed with their weight here. They don't talk about dieting, like in the USA, they just do it. It's actually a really big problem. And like I said, almost no one talks about it here.
42) I think that's enough for now.