'I live in Spain - there's one rule Britons must follow to stay onside with the locals'

Spain has been a holiday hotspot for Brits for many decades and its popularity doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon. 

However, while we Brits can’t get enough sunshine and Sangria, it appears that some holidaymakers have fallen out of favour with hacked-off locals. 

Earlier in the year furious Spaniards took to the streets to push back against tourists, with locals in Barcelona throwing water at visitors to the city while holding placards that read “Tourists go home".

While confused Brits wonder what could have caused such a furious reaction, one Spanish resident has shed light on the root cause of the problem.

Christian Wolf, CEO of CW Real Estate Ibiza, explains “Although binge drinking may be common practice in many countries, people in Spain like to take their time with drinking.”

He continued “Tourists often come to Spain ready to party, but what they don’t realise is that binge drinking is not as accepted here. It’s important to enjoy yourself, but drinking to excess can lead to public disturbances, property damage, and strained relationships with the locals.”

Binge drinking and boisterous behaviour have become so out of control in some areas that all-inclusive hotels have introduced strict rules for British tourists. 

Known as the ‘six-drink rule’ holidaymakers will only be able to enjoy half a dozen of their favourite tipples before they are refused service at the bar.   

Spanish authorities are hoping that this new rule will help to curb the culture of binge drinking that is so prevalent amongst British tourists, preventing them from starting drinking early in the day.

Wolf says: “Time will tell if this rule will be effective, and if more establishments will enforce it or if it simply fizzles out.”

The six-drink rule is already being enforced at all-inclusive resorts in Magaluf, Playa de Palma, and El Arnel in Majorca, and San Antonio in Ibiza, although the rule could widen if it’s a success.

Keen to still attract British tourists to both mainland Spain and its islands, Wolf explains that Spanish people still have fun, they just have a different relationship with alcohol. 

He said: “When people work hard all year so that they can go on holiday, of course, they want to relax and enjoy themselves. But when tourists arrive in Spain there’s often the assumption that every day's a party and that going wild is part of the package.

“But Spaniards have a different perspective. Drinking too much, to the point where you show disrespect to locals and cause property damage, is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.” 

Holidaymakers heading to Spain should remember to pace themselves if they don’t want to fall foul of locals and hotel management.

“Drinking too much, to the point where you show disrespect to locals and cause property damage, is one of the biggest mistakes you can make.”