Else Beekman
There’s something about Spain that caught one British traveller completely off guard, and it wasn’t the food, the weather or the siestas. It was how people treat children.
Known online as @bored_brit_abroad, he’s been travelling the world, documenting everyday cultural quirks for his followers. But since landing in Spain, he’s been struck by how openly affectionate and welcoming people, especially older generations, are towards kids.
In one of his recent TikTok posts, which quickly pulled in over 22,000 views, he opens up about this small but powerful culture shock.
Spanish customs: Culture shock or fascinating differences?
“One of the first things you notice here,” he says in the clip, “is just how much Spanish people adore children, especially older people. If they see your kid, they don’t just smile politely. They stop, chat, play, give them high fives. They really love kids.” You can hear in his voice that he still can’t quite believe it.
“Back home, it’s a different story”
@bored_brit_abroad The Spanish are so much better with children. #spain #holidays #españa #english #menorca
What stands out even more is how this compares to life in the UK. “In England, it’s almost the opposite,” he explains. “Children are more often seen as a nuisance. If your kid makes a bit of noise in a café, people stare. Or sigh. Or complain.”
Even playgrounds, he says, can feel tense. “There’s always someone ready to tut or scold. But here in Spain? Kids are allowed to be kids.”
He shares a quiet moment from his day: “Just now, a woman in her seventies walked by and stopped to chat and play with my son. She didn’t hesitate, she didn’t look annoyed, she just… joined in. It was so natural.”
There’s a pause in his delivery, the kind that suggests something simple has just rearranged his idea of normal.
“They’re the best thing we have”
The comments on his video poured in, but one message from a Spanish woman named Inma said it best: “Children are the most precious thing we have. They are innocence and tenderness. We must look after them, love them, teach them well. They are the future.”
For this British dad, that comment landed hard. Because Spaniards do not shush or shuffle children off to the side. They’re part of the conversation. Part of the culture. Part of the moment.
What he expected from Spain was sunshine and tapas. What he found was a society that lifts children up, and lets them belong. “It’s such a difference from what I’m used to,” he reflects. “And honestly? It’s the kind of difference that stays with you.”
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