According to Lee Bell, a Brit who regularly travels to Barcelona, the name is believed to come from the Basque word ‘giri’, which means ‘blond’ or ‘fair-skinned’.
Spain has new nickname for UK tourists on holiday and it’s not flattering
UK tourists holidaying in Spain this summer have been warned the locals have a name for Britishholidaymakers – and it is not flattering. British tourists are sometimes named a ‘guiri’ by locals when in Spain.
According to Lee Bell, a Brit who regularly travels to Barcelona, the name is believed to come from the Basque word ‘giri’, which means ‘blond’ or ‘fair-skinned’.
Lee explains: “Spanish locals now use ‘guiri’ to refer to all types of foreign tourists, especially those from English-speaking countries. While it can be used to refer to any foreigner, it’s most commonly used to refer to British visitors specifically.
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“This is especially the case for the stereotypical ‘Brit abroad’ – a term for an embarrassing tourist who travels to foreign countries with no intention of integrating with the culture there.”
Lee added: “If you get called a guiri, don’t fret, it’s playful – I often refer to myself as a guiri when I visit Barcelona to take the mick out of myself with my local friends, or when I’m doing typical ‘guiri’ things like drinking Sangria.”
The Brit added: “[Guiris will] also order cliche Spanish menu items like Sangria and paella in very touristy restaurants, or worse still, insist on ordering typical British food items, or looking for a kebab shop after a night out.
“The Spanish don’t really drink Sangria, it’s seen more of a tourist thing as locals opt for ‘tinto de verano’ (meaning summer red wine) with gaseosa (a sweet soda water) in the warmer months.”
Separately from Lee’s warning, Megan Owens told the Sun Online Travel: “If the menu is written in several languages, or has pictures of the food, then it’s most likely a tourist trap.
“These menus are often laminated or covered in plastic film – Brits should stay away from them.”
She said: “Sometimes you just have to firmly say no.”