Is it easy making friends in Barcelona?

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Posted by

on 20 Apr 2011

I've heard the Spanish can be quite rude, or cold,to those unfamiliar with the culture and the language. I assume living in a big city centre doesn't exactly make anybody any nicer. Can anyone let me know there experiences making friends in Barcelona?

Anonymous (not verified) on 20 Apr 2011 - 08:15

As big and bold of a city as Barcelona is, it's locals still seem to uphold that small village mentality. Here, people grow old in the neighbourhood they were born in, and choose to remain in the city rather than moving out to the country or the suburbs - as is the case in many destinations. It follows that most people end up having their family all around them - if not in the same flat; so they come to depend on this support system socially. It's not the Spanish are cold, it's more that they aren't used to opening up to and depending on "friends", as they've never had to look farther than the family.

Locals prefer to meet at a coffe shop, tapas bar or on some sort of common ground, rather than their home. Don't be offended if you aren't extended an invitation - even for birthdays - this private space is often reserved for those of blood relation.

That said, Barcelona is growing more international by the moment. There's a massive expat population, it's just a matter of finding that first foot in the door to a group of friends and a pre-established social group.

Anonymous (not verified) on 27 Sep 2011 - 15:02

Catalan people are not normal Spanish. I find them totally different from Spanish people in other cities. They are absolutely not typical Spanish. They are much much less open and you will even find them mean and really hostile to people from outside. Exactly like those who grow up and get caged up all of their life in where they are born. When I just arrived here after having been living for 7 years in Madrid with wonderful Madrileños, I couldn´t believe what I found. I said to myself, what´s wrong with Catalans? They are so pathetic. Of course, there are also Catalans who are not that mean and stingy or hostile, but really hard to find.

Anonymous (not verified) on 11 Feb 2013 - 00:32

it's really hard to make genuine friends here. catalans and spanish tend to stick with their own. often they find it exotic to have a foreign friend, but usually these is just a novelty for them, and there i no real friendship behind it. others will often befriend you just to learn english. not genuine people.

Anonymous (not verified) on 21 Nov 2013 - 16:29

I know the question was posted years ago, but I moved to Barcelona a few months ago from the US and have found what the previous commenters said to be true. Spaniards are lovely. Catalans, not so much so. Of course there are difficult people everywhere in the world and great people everywhere in the world. In my experience, though, a nice, warm, friendly and OPEN Catalan is much harder to come by. They will speak to you in Catalan even if they know you only speak Spanish and English. They absolutely will say they want to be your friend, but really it's just to learn English (the level of English in Barcelona (I can't speak for the rest of Spain) is MUCH lower than elsewhere in Europe). There's also a lot of fake people here. I think that's a symptom of many large cities, but I've found it to be worse here. Almost all of the people I've befriended here are other foreigners. Barcelona is a wonderful city, but I just wouldn't count on making loads of native friends.

Anonymous (not verified) on 3 Feb 2014 - 22:27

Hello, I am a newly separated Scottish lady who has been living in Narbonne, France for the past 8 years. I am planning on coming to Barcelona for a couple of months. My dates can be flexible but ideally looking at around the end of /February. I'd like to find a furnished one bed / studio but more importantly, I'd like to meet up with some like minded people before I come. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Kind regards, Carol

Anonymous (not verified) on 10 May 2014 - 16:11

Iam traveling from Sweden 1 week end of May Carol and because iam traveling alone it would be fun to meet new people there in Barcelona. interested?

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