Where’s the line between fun and disrespect?

A video that’s gone viral in Spain this week shows a group of foreign tourists dancing a conga inside a historic fountain in the centre of Sevilla. The scene, filmed in Plaza de la Alianza, just steps away from the iconic Giralda and the Alcázar, has sparked frustration among locals and reignited debates around the kind of tourism Spanish cities should be encouraging.

In the clip, around ten people are seen dancing, singing, and splashing about in broad daylight. For them, it was clearly a moment of carefree fun. For local residents, it crossed a line.

One user who shared the footage on social media said: ‘They keep trying to sell us the idea that Sevilla has quality tourism. These aren’t tourists, they’re barbarians with no respect for the city.’

Y nos seguirán vendiendo la moto de que en Sevilla tenemos un turismo de calidad. No son turistas, son bárbaros que no tienen ningún respeto por nuestra ciudad. pic.twitter.com/pEvuHP1Ye9

— jesús 🪭 (@jesusvermu) June 22, 2025

So, what’s the issue?

To many Spanish people, especially in cities like Sevilla, fountains aren’t just decorative, they’re part of the city’s heritage. Getting into them isn’t just frowned upon; it’s often illegal. The fountain in question is located in one of the most visited, historic parts of the city. Some locals even called for €1,000 fines per person.

Of course, not everyone agrees. Some say this was just a bit of silliness, no real harm done. Still, the overwhelming reaction has been one of embarrassment and frustration.

Why it matters to us too

If you live in Spain, or even just visit regularly, it’s worth remembering that what feels like harmless fun can come across very differently in another culture. This isn’t about walking on eggshells. It’s about being aware that places like Sevilla’s old town are not theme parks. People live there. Their buildings, squares, and yes, fountains, are part of their daily lives, history, and identity.

The bigger picture

Beyond this one group of tourists, there’s a wider conversation happening across Spain right now about the long-term impact of tourism on local communities. In parts of Sevilla, there are now more holiday rentals than actual homes. Add to that noisy nights, overcrowding, and disrespectful behaviour of some tourists, and it’s not hard to see why many locals feel overwhelmed.

Let’s keep the conversation going

So what do you think? Is this kind of behaviour harmless fun or a step too far? Should there be stricter rules, or better education for tourists and expats about local customs and laws? Is it up to bars and tour guides to say something when they see this happening?

Let us know what you think in the comments or by writing to our team at info@theinternationalreportercom. After all, most of us came to Spain for the culture, the history, and the people, not just the sunshine. Respecting that doesn’t mean losing the fun, it just means sharing the space.

Credit main image: X/ jesús@jesusvermu