The idea for this blog came up the other night when a friend bought some chocolate for me from a corner shop. Of course, it was old, caducado and had a strange light brown film on it. One thing I learned about a year and a half ago, never buy chocolate from the corner shops, only from supermarkets or chocolate specialty places. I got to thinking, what other things have I learned to survive in the city's sometimes scary streets? Here's what came to mind (in no particular order), and if you have anything to add, please send your comments:

1. As mentioned above, never buy chocolate from the small corner shops, only from supermarkets and chocolate specialty stores.

2. Always ask "Who's last (Quien es el último/Qui es el últim)?" upon entering the bank, post office, any place that will have a queuing situation. If you can't say it in either Spanish or Catalan, make some exaggerated hand and face gesture to imply this, or be prepared for a thorough tongue lashing from anyone and everyone, but mostly the old folks who seem to have nothing better to do than embarrass and berate young foreigners.

3. Don't bother giving your opinion on the Catalan language. If you're pro or not, just don't go there with the Catalan people, why? Learn it if you'd like, don't, it is part of the culture, so just let it be, no reason to get into heated discussions over it

4. Never water the balcony plants during the day, only after sunset.

5. Never go out dancing after eating burritos or sausage meatball pasta (this can actually be applied to any city).

6. Don't be pressured to apply your homeland customs to life in Spain. For example, don't be convinced to tip, they don't do it here, if you'd like, ok, leave 20-50 cents, but that is it, don't get bullied into leaving more just because the taxi driver knows you are from out of town and it is one of your customs, the 'locals' who jump into the cab after you won't be tipping!

7. If you're a woman, get used to the fact that there is a serious lack in caballerismo (gentleman behavior) in the city. You will be paying for stuff, opening your own doors and such, and if you are into that, then perfect, if not, just suck it up.

8. If possible, do your supermarket shopping at lunchtime, when the store will be all yours.

9. Get used to the Spanish store, bank and post office timetable and getting errands done (however you can) during your workday or very early Saturday morning.

10. Never buy from the stalls at the entrance of the Boquería, when you can pay half the price on the same goods from the stalls in the back.