Just got back from a splendid stay in Madrid (6/27-7/3) and have a list of tips to share! We did a lot of research beforehand and all the sources said to avoid jeans, shorts, and tennis shoes unless you want to look like a tourist. So we followed this advice. Once there however, we found that a) either 85% of the people in Madrid are tourists, or b) Madrilenos do in fact wear jeans, sneakers, and yes, even shorts. We were still glad we didn't bring shorts or jeans because shorts wouldn't have been as versatile for going out at night, or all day in air-conditioned museums, and jeans would have been too hot in the day time. But, really, I think you can wear whatever you want in Madrid. I'd say the majority of the shorts were worn by young women, but some guys wore them too (mostly no one over the age of ~27). We brought the 'requisite' dressier black outfits and frankly felt a tad overdressed even for the Opera neighborhood (not really uncomfortably out-of-place but, definitely in the minority). II. Packing Light and Laundry: If you plan to use a laundry service during your stay, know that no laundry gets done from 12:00 Saturday to Monday (not even at El Corte Ingles despite what your hotel concierge may tell you). The hotel where we stayed had a handy wire valet which worked perfectly for drying a few items on the balcony.
Bring pants and shirts that don't need pressing since there are no irons in rooms.
Posted by
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
265 posts
Rebecca I love your posts, but you forgot what I believe is one of the most important things to pack. A man bag. What am I talking about? I would never use it where I live, but in EU it's very handy and the majority of the guys use them. Backpacks and god forbid look at me I'm a tourist fanny pack are just a pick pockets dream. But a man bag that you can throw over your neck and shoulder and keep it in front of you is excellent. I keep all kinds of stuff in them, like; water bottle, umbrella, maps, pen, Rick's book, etc...
Usually I go to EU when it's cold and every one wears jeans. I think that's America's greatest export, they're everywhere. You even see the old and I mean dirt old wearing them.
Posted by
OP
Gloucester, MA, USA
10 posts
You're right Miguel--we saw a ton of man bags in Madrid. Although, I feel compelled to report that I did see one local teenage girl with a fanny pack! ;) (so out, it's in?) Anyway, I agree that the typical American tourist shouldn't try to pull off that look. :)
Posted by
Idyllwild, CA, USA
32 posts
Rebecca's right about jeans and tennis shoes. I just returned from Rome, Florence, Venice, Cinque Terre, Provence, Paris and London and saw them everywhere! The people never looked sloppy, but most were dressed similarly to Americans. The only thing I didn't see were Hawaiian prints. That being said, I have found that if you don't speak French well, it helps to be dressed well. Be sure to say "Bonjour" to everyone you encounter too!
Posted by
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
265 posts
Barbara, I just feel that there is no way that a person in their 50's can learn a new language fluently. But being polite and learning a simple hello, thank you or goodbye can get you a long way. I take my phrase book with me and I try... it doesn't always work out well, but as long as we can all have a good laugh, it's ok. Usually they'll tell you they speak a little english and I'll still try to communicate in their language. I speak spanish fluently and I still have trouble understanding Spaniards in Spain. My favorite line that they love to use for everything is "vale". They use it like we use "ok". When you first hear it it sounds odd and funny. But after a while, I was using it, vale.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
What Miguel says but I think of it as two words, like Vah Lay. I'd translate it to okay. You will hear it used as a question, answer or just a statement.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
It is actually pronounced "BAH - lay", since the V is pronounced as a B. (Not really sure why anyone would say "bonjour" in Madrid, either.)