Throughout Spain certain medieval attitudes linger. Barcelona is no different. With North Africans, and Moroccans in particular, there is some cultural baggage. You can find its origins in the ideological and territorial disputes of the Spanish Reconquest, and more recently, as a result of an influx of illegal North African immigrants. Fortunately, any bitter sentiments seldom spill over into violence, meaning that even multicultural neighborhoods such as Raval and La Ribera don’t have an ominous atmosphere. The worst that western immigrants (and those from within Spain) can expect is initial coldness or surliness on meeting Catalans. Some immigrants like to think Catalans would rather have the city to themselves, but Catalans actually take great pride and satisfaction in the appeal that their city has. Those who show an interest in Barcelona’s culture and language find themselves welcomed with open arms and great enthusiasm.