What do Spanish people look like

It is essential to recognize that not all Spanish people look the same. In this guide, we will explore the 5 simple ways to identify Spaniards based on their appearance. This will combine stereotypes and science to give you an idea of what Spaniards look like, including their prominent personality traits. So, let’s jump in!

Spanish facial features

The facial features of the Spanish race are those of the Mediterranean race: an aquiline nose, pinkish-white to light-tanned skin, and short to average height. Also standard are dark hair (brown or black) and dark or light eyes (brown, hazelnut, honey tones, and, to a lesser extent, green or blue).

Now, you must be wondering what the Mediterranean race is. It is the most common race in Southern Europe (most notably in Portugal, Spain, Southern Italy, France, and Greece). Because “Mediterranean” is just a phenotype, Mediterranean physical types may not have a common ancestor.

Imagine a Mediterranean male

A Mediterranean is a white male of varying heights, typically short to medium. His legs are longer than his trunk, and his hands and feet are small.

His features are typically small, narrow, and delicate. He has a relatively flat chest, a medium-length neck, and a medium-sized, long-oval head with parallel sides. His teeth are small, his face is narrow, and his nose is often prominent compared to the broad, low-bridged beaks of breeds with wider or longer jaws in Europe and elsewhere in Africa and Asia.

Mediterranean skin color: The Mediterranean skin tone is dull, ranging from pink to light brown. The exposed part of the skin may be dark brown, while the skin under the arm is ten times lighter. People in Spain actually like to get tanned, especially in the summer.

Mediterranean hair: They are typically black or dark brown, with some red or blonde strands showing through mustache hairs. There are, however, some exceptions too. It appears in infants as well but usually darkens as the hair coarsens with age.

Mediterranean eye color: A Mediterranean man can have almost any eye color, with the exception of black. The most common color is dark or medium brown. However, some people have blue, grey, or green eyes that are usually mixed with brown in the iris pattern. The color of the eyes does not darken with age. As a result, adults have a higher prevalence of light eyes than blonde hair.

Spanish average height and weight

The average height of a Spanish man over the age of 18 is 176.11 cm (5 ft. 9 in), while the average Spanish woman over the age of 18 is 162.03 cm (5 ft. 4 in). But how tall are Spanish people compared to other European countries? Let’s make a brief comparison between countries in Europe and their average height.

Country	Average Height for Men (ft)	Average Height for Women (ft)
Spain	5 ft. 9 in.	5 ft. 4 in.
France	5 ft. 10 in.	5 ft. 5 in.
Germany	5 ft. 11 in.	5ft. 5 in.
Netherlands	6 ft.	5 ft. 7 in.
Poland	5 ft. 11 in.	5 ft. 5 in.
Great Britain	5 ft. 10 in.	5 ft. 5 in.
United States	5 ft. 10 in.	5 ft. 4 in.
Finland	5 ft. 11 in.	5 ft. 6 in.

Average weight: Men over the age of 18 weigh 170.85 pounds on average, while women weigh 139.9 pounds. Regarding weight, the shortest men (those under 5’5 feet) weigh 161.3 pounds, those between 5’5 and 5’7 feet weigh 168.8 pounds, and those over 5’75 feet weigh 268.3 pounds.

Women’s average weight is 136.6 pounds for those under 5’2 meters, 139.3 pounds for those between 5’2 and 5’4 meters, and 142.4 pounds for those over 5’4 meters.

Spanish typical clothing

Spanish Fashion History has always been a significant part of Spanish culture. In major cities such as Madrid, Sevilla, and Barcelona, men wear well-fitted clothes, preferring a slightly tailored look over a loose one. And while they may be seen wearing athletic clothing, this is not the norm in major cities unless they wear shirts from their favorite Spanish football teams.

Spanish women dress very stylishly. The amount of clothing they wear varies depending on the region because culture and customs vary greatly. Small towns prefer more relaxed and comfortable loose looks. 

You must know that summer in Spain is extremely hot. Temperatures are consistently between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius. To beat the heat, lightweight shoes, sandals, and loose dresses are every Spanish woman’s favorite in the summer. When it gets hot enough, you will also see some men wearing knee-length shorts.

However, in winter, layers of clothes are required. Every Spanish woman’s uniform consists of boots and trench coats. Men frequently wear well-fitted coats and maintain a clean appearance.

Suggestion: If you want to look like a local, invest in a good haircut and remove any excess facial hair. Developing Spanish accents is necessary, but no one can neglect the importance of looking like locals if you really want to blend well with native Spanish speakers.

Spanish personality traits

Because they are extroverted, it is easy to spot a Spanish person in a crowd. The tendency of Spaniards to speak with everyone is a common personality trait. They are not afraid of making new friends, conversing with many people, or even breaking the ice when introducing themselves to a group of new friends.

A typical conversation with them starts with amusing stories about things they did earlier in the day. They also have a habit of asking many questions to someone they have just met and don’t seem to mind. Other European countries find this trait intolerable because they are more reserved, only asking or speaking when it seems necessary.

Are Spanish people disrespectful?

Everyone complains about how disrespectful the Spaniards are. In an informal conversation between friends or family, it is culturally acceptable to talk over each other and interrupt each other. It is most emphatically not the norm. Please do not interrupt anyone in a formal or business setting to avoid misunderstandings.

Being overconfident is another thing that may appear disrespectful. Spanish people are more sensitive than those in North America and Europe. They will approach you, speak closer and louder, and even touch your arm while speaking to you.

This Spanish characteristic comes with controversy. It is one of the reasons why people may perceive them as disrespectful when they are not. The first thing a Spanish person does when they meet you is hug and kiss you (two kisses). In Spain, personal space norms differ. Hugging, touching, and bumping are not to be avoided and are considered to be very human traits to have with one another.

There are also some common Spanish nicknames that people use to show their love and affection to the people around them. Some of these nicknames are super cute and depict the loving nature of Spaniards.

If you are about to move to Spanish or any Spanish-speaking country, developing a command over the language is necessary. We recommend you to explore italki to get the best Spanish tutor in a matter of few clicks online.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are all Spanish people dark-haired and olive-skinned?

No, not all Spanish people have dark hair and olive skin. While these features are standard in some regions, Spain’s population exhibits a broad spectrum of hair colors, eye colors, and skin tones.

What factors contribute to the diversity in Spanish physical appearance?

Spain has a complex history of cultural and genetic influences, including the Visigoths, Moors, Celts, and Romans. These historical interactions have contributed to the diversity in physical traits observed in the Spanish population.

Do people in different regions of Spain look different?

Yes, there can be noticeable regional variations in physical appearance due to historical, cultural, and geographical factors. For example, people in the north might have different features than those in the south.

Do people in Spain follow specific beauty standards?

Beauty standards in Spain, as in any country, can be influenced by cultural, historical, and contemporary factors. However, individual preferences and expressions of beauty vary widely.

How has immigration affected the diversity of Spanish physical appearance?

Immigration has played a significant role in shaping the diversity of physical appearances in Spain. Migration patterns have brought people with various backgrounds and appearances to the country.

Conclusion

Well! This was all about what Spanish people looked like. The typical features and personality traits may differ from region to region. You must explore these features and the best way to learn Spanish before heading towards Spain or any other Spanish-speaking region.  

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