Menorca History, Language and Culture

Menorca Culture

Religion in Menorca

There is no official religion, but the majority of the population is Roman Catholic.

Social Conventions in Menorca

Spanish life has undergone rapid change in recent decades and many of the stricter religious customs are giving way to modernity, particularly in the cities and among women. In spite of this, traditions remain strong; hospitality, chivalry and courtesy thrive. Handshaking is the customary form of greeting between men, while women to whom one has already been introduced may be greeted with a fleeting kiss to either cheek. Normal social courtesies should be observed when visiting someone's home and a small gift is always appreciated. 

The evening meal is taken late, generally 2100-2200. A law banning smoking in offices, shops, schools, hospitals, cultural centres and on public transport was introduced on 1 January 2006, although smoking in bars and restaurants was not strongly prohibited until 2011.

Language in Menorca

The principal language is Spanish (Castilian) though residents also speak Catalan (in the local dialect called Menorquin or Menorquí). Local place names are in both Spanish and Catalan (Catalá); for example, Menorca is Minorca and Mahon is Maó. English and German are widely spoken in all tourist destinations.