By: Christ J. Desruisseaux
Alicante has easily been one of my favorite regions in Spain, from the stunning Santa Barbara Castle to the beautiful beaches that stretch along the coast. Knowing that the province is located right on the Mediterranean, it makes perfect sense that the region has adopted a more relaxed, easy-going lifestyle. Interestingly, that laid-back personality extends beyond just how people live; it also shows up in how they communicate.
The people of Alicante speak with a natural warmth and openness that reminded me a lot of Miami. Their speech patterns feel looser, more casual, and a lot more forgiving. As someone still learning Spanish, this made a huge difference in my comfort level. Locals were patient, encouraging, and most importantly, unbothered by small mistakes. I never felt judged or corrected in a way that made me self-conscious; instead, I was welcomed into the conversation, even if my grammar wasn’t perfect.
This stood in contrast to my experience in Barcelona, where, although people were equally welcoming, there was more of an emphasis on precision. Locals there seemed to take pride in helping me refine my Spanish, which I appreciated, but it felt a bit more formal and instructional. In Alicante, however, communication felt more fluid and less about rules, more about connection than correction.
Overall, the communication style in Alicante made me feel at ease, like the city itself was smiling as it spoke. It helped me gain more confidence in using Spanish day-to-day, and made practicing the language feel like a shared experience, not a test.
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