Spaniards stamp on the floor and shout "ole!" when they dance
If joining in is what counts, the most popular Spanish music and dance for Britons would have to be all those silly-season summer hits, from the "Birdie Song" to the Macarena. But for something traditionally Spanish, what first comes to mind is Flamenco, danced by black-clad flashing-eyed men and flouncy-skirted imperious women.
Flamenco is from the southern region of Andalusia, and has deep roots in Gypsy, Arab and Jewish music, but has come, like that other Andalusian product sherry, to represent things Spanish in general. Even on the Catalan Costa Brava, tourists are treated to displays of heel-stamping and guitar-accompanied yodelling - which is a bit like tourists in Cornwall being entertained by the Highland Sword Dance.
Flamenco is actually a catch-all term for a wide range of musical styles, which range from rock and pop versions to a strangulated emotive sobbing which even Spaniards can find an acquired taste. The rhythmic heel-stamping (zapateado) and hand-clapping in time to the music (palmas) are a common denominator of many Flamenco dances, but aren't always an essential element.
Other regions of Spain have their own music and dances, and in Catalonia and the Basque country, where regional identity was oppressed under Franco, these traditions are upheld with a fervour it's hard to imagine being associated with Morris dancing. The stately sardana, danced by dozens (or hundreds) holding hands in a ring is still an essential feature of any Catalan town fiesta. Some non-Catalans sneer that it's all a bit boring, but at least locals will usually encourage the visitor to join in, whereas leaping into a Flamenco performance and improvising is not a way to win friends.
And if you think Flamenco is energetic, you should see the furious jota from the eastern region of Aragon. Slower versions are danced elsewhere, but in Aragon it's like a Highland Fling danced by a troupe of Cossacks.
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