Are people in Madrid friendly?

Question

I recently went to Madrid and thought that no one we encountered was friendly. I was completely shocked I speak a pretty decent amount of Spanish (although it does have more of a Mexican accent than Castillan). Did anyone else think that Spanish people are not friendly? What did I do wrong?

Answer 1

In my experience with speaking to people in Spain in general, they were not very friendly.  I have to call them regularly for my job.  It could just be that castillian is more of a proper spanish than south american spanish.  Everyone is different though, so I don't think I can generalize.

Answer 2

i travelled fourteen countries in europe years ago and the people in Madrid were by far the friendliest. If you want to complain...go to Germany or France. Thats where you can meet some really unfriendly people.

Answer 3

Sorry to hear that. I was in Madrid,  andas I asked for directions people will como with me, if I were on the bus they ll keep calling me so Ill get down. Many times they  pay for my coffe  at shops and I had a great time.  Sorry you didnt have fun!!  Maybe next time you should come with me and enjoy it have a good one

Answer 4

Spaniards are very friendly people. Maybe you just encountered the one´s that were having bad days. Sorry to hear that. I hope at least you enjoyed your stay. and as for Paris i had a great time and agree with everyone else the people are really rude.. but hey that still didn´t stop me from enjoy my trip.

Take care.

Bcn_mimosa from Barcelona, Spain

Answer 5

you have to make them welcome you.

for example, put on Real Madrid jersey.

they will certainly LOVE you, and treat you like locals.

Answer 6

I went to Madrid and had the opposite reaction. I felt that people were very friendly. My spanish is very basic and at times I had difficulty communicating, but I felt they went out of their way to communicate with me and make sure I understood what they were saying.

Answer 7

Hola

My boyfriend is from Madrid (i am English and speak very little Spanish {but i get by} as i don't have the confidence) and you couldn't find a nicer, kinder or friendlier person (maybe i am bias).

Well done for trying to speak the language, i don't know why you didn't get a friendly welcome - i live on the Costa Blanca and the people are fantastic if i get a word wrong they help me, maybe you should come here for your next holiday.

Don't give up on the Spanish because a small group of people were rude.

Also my boyfiends mum is French and not all the French are rude (his mum is great).

Take care x