10 myths about Spaniards and Spain ...
Current mood: energetic 
1.- Spanish (from Spain) women DO shave underarms, legs, bikini line ... heck they don´t just shave, they WAX, laser-remove body hair, moustache, whatever it takes! Brazilian waxes are IN and very popular. Where did the idea that women have hairy underarms in Europe come from??? Dunno about the French ...

2.- No, people in Spain do not sleep 2-hour-long siestas anymore. Some people get to go home for lunch, which is nice, but Spaniards are not the lazy bunch they´re made out to be. In fact, they party hard and work just as hard ... They do enjoy long holidays and are not afraid to kick back and enjoy life a little, or a LOT!

3.- No, not every Spaniard goes to see the bullfights, and not everyone agrees with the bull being killed. In my whole life in Spain I only went once, to accompany an American friend, and I didn´t like it. I like the image of the bulls and the bullfighter´s suit though.

4.- No, Spaniards don´t walk around or go to work in the Flamenco dress, or carry castanets everywhere and say "OLÉ" incessantly ... but in the South of Spain especially, the Flamenco dress is used during what is called "La Feria de Abril", where people gather in the fairgrounds for a week of non-stop dancing, driking, eating, and ... oh, yes, working in the midst of it all! Not everyone can dance Flamenco, and not every Spaniard likes it.

5.- Not all Spanish men are chauvinist machos. The younger generation especially is on equal status with women. Most couples both work and raise the kids, etc.

6.- No, malaria is not an easy disease to catch in Spain! You don´t need shots to enter the country and yes, you can drink tap water. In fact, the tap water in Madrid is considered the best tasting in the country, and the healthiest too.

7.- Yes, there is public transportation, people have cars, and there are McDonalds where they serve BEER ... But I recommend eating the Mediterranean diet which is SOOOO good for you and also very tasty.

8.- Yes, women use fans a lot, especially (again) in the South of Spain. I used to have one to match all my shoes and clothes ... I LOVE fans (abanico). Did you know there is even a language for using them??? Very sexy and handy!

9.- Yes, you may get pick-pocketed in Spain, especially if you insist on wearing silly clothes and several cameras hanging around your neck, while you speak loudly in English and hold up a map on a busy corner in downtown Barcelona, Madrid or Seville! But that could happen in good ole New York too, AND you may get murdered if you insist on looking like a tourist in a shady area anywhere in the WORLD. Suggestion: dress comfortably but with elegance, as most Spaniards do (it IS in Europe, you know!), and be demure.

10.- No, you are not likely to be gang-banged, clubbed to death or bombed because you are American. Just get yourself over there, wine and dine for peanuts and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and quaint streets, museums, and colorful people. Don´t expect good customer service though! I warned ya.