The pilgrim will find the Spaniards living and doing business along El Camino very friendly and helpful. They have been welcoming pilgrims for centuries and it is part of their culture to be kind to them and understand their needs, even if it is as little as filling a water bottle or mending a walking boot. They gladly offer their "Buen Camino" greeting when you meet on the trail. The café or coffee shop owner won't complain when you and dozens other pilgrims throw backpacks on empty chairs and floor and make the place look like the waiting area in a bus station. The albergue (hostel) warden or owner can spot a tired and worn-out pilgrim immediately on arrival and will offer a chair, a cup of water, and - as in the case of the Flemish volunteer warden in Los Arcos - a piece of Belgian chocolate, and carry the backpack up the stairs to the sleeping area. It is no coincidence that the wardens are called hospitaleros.
That said, the pilgrim also soon realizes that the Spaniards living along El Camino need you. Many villages and hamlets were built by ancient pilgrims for ancient pilgrims, but with no economic benefits from today's sagging industry and trade in nearby areas they are very poor and would probably be broke without the pilgrims. So a walk on El Camino is one of mutual respect and benefit, as with most other things in life, but with the pilgrims' immediate needs clearly the most obvious.
That said, the pilgrim also soon realizes that the Spaniards living along El Camino need you. Many villages and hamlets were built by ancient pilgrims for ancient pilgrims, but with no economic benefits from today's sagging industry and trade in nearby areas they are very poor and would probably be broke without the pilgrims. So a walk on El Camino is one of mutual respect and benefit, as with most other things in life, but with the pilgrims' immediate needs clearly the most obvious.
But no society is perfect and even the Camino has its share of unpleasant Spaniards. Middle-aged males on mountain bikes in particular. This is their land, their culture, their rules, and they will often show it in a rather brusque manner with little consideration or tolerance of others. Unfortunately, the terrible Spanish economy and about a quarter of the population without work have frayed the nerves of a lot of Spaniards, added many vagabonds to the Camino, and are testing its usual kindness.
The pilgrim with no knowledge of the Spanish language will soon notice that the average resident along the Camino speaks amazingly little else than Spanish or a local dialect. It is almost as if Spanish world dominance - albeit centuries ago - leaves no need for knowing another language, membership of the European Union notwithstanding. Communicating with the Spaniards in any other language will therefore test both the pilgrim's patience and empathy, but also open up for amusing situations. Chalk up the language misunderstandings to memorable travel experiences. Not knowing what all the talk is about, the non-Spanish speaking pilgrim may think that the talk is incessant to the point of being irritating. It seems never to stop. That is until one realizes that the Spanish language, already with longer words than most other languages, is constructed in such a way that it takes more words to say whatever than in most other languages. Longer and more gobbledygook quickly makes a noise!
