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LIFE IN SPAIN - WHAT TO EXPECT

 

We hope that you enjoy every moment of your study abroad in Spain.  Spain is a country with a long, complex, and extremely rich history and language, and the Spanish people reflect that in the ways that they express themselves and in their actions.  Sometimes it is difficult for someone to completely understand the behaviors or decisions of a person from a different country or society without a point of reference.  It takes time to understand a culture and the reasons why things happen the way that they do.  We have compiled a few traits about Spanish daily life that we think may strike you as different.  We hope that they facilitate an easier transition to living in Spain.

 

Daily Schedule  

 

Spaniards work on a different clock than majority of people the world over, sometimes to the detriment of the

foreign stomach that must adjust to a new and very different eating pattern.  Spaniards have the reputation for

being late to bed, late to rise, although that is rather a myth.  What is true is that Spaniards tend to eat much later

than almost anyone else in Europe or in the Americas.  Breakfast is light (coffee and toast, or a croissant), and

lunch is not served until around 2 pm.  Lunch is the main meal of the day, and consists of three dishes usually, an

entry plate, main dish, and desert. Dinner is not typically served until around 10 pm in the evening, and again, is

relatively light in the majority of cases. Food in Spain is treated with more ritual and regularity than in many

countries, and it is important to be respectful of the schedules either in a host family, or eating out.  Many places

simply will not serve during unconventional hours.  Eating outside of designated places and schedules may be seen

as bad manners.

 

 

Business hours  

 

It is common for small shops and stores to close in the   afternoons for lunch.  Some places like the post office do

remain open, but other places, like banks, some supermarkets, clothing stores, pharmacies, salons, doctor¿s

offices, and the like close from around 2pm until around 5 pm.

 

Timeliness 

 

Spaniards have a reputation for not arriving on time to social functions.  While this is a generalization, it may be

true that some Spaniards are not known to be punctual.  However, this habit does not carry over into the

workplace or into the academic atmosphere, where schedules are followed and respected, just like in all public

works.  You should plan to arrive on time to your classes and to all functions associated with your school, or in the

case of an internship, to your work.

 

 

Food 

 

The Spanish diet is in general, very healthy.  Spaniards consume great quantities of seafood (they are second only

to Denmark in their consumption of seafood), legumes, beef, and pork and chicken.  They also consume much

olive oil (locally cultivated and processed), and prepare foods in a variety of ways, including fried dishes. 

Sometimes, to someone from the outside, this is considered greasy.  Before passing judgment, we strongly

encourage just trying different things.  You are likely to discover many new things that you like.

 

 

Physical Proximity to Other People  

 

The Spanish greeting is a bit different. Spaniards greet each other (at least woman to woman and man to woman)

with two kisses, one on each check (left to right).  Also in general, in daily life there will be situations when you are

in tight spaces with lots of people (in elevators, trains, buses).  To Spaniards this is normal, and you will soon

adapt.  Try not to take offense if you feel like someone is in your personal space.  In the majority of cases they

mean no harm.

 

 

Non-linear lines (in banks, stores, or in other public places)  

 

You will need to be aware that many times the way to find out who is the last person in a line, you ask, '¿Quién es

el último?' Or 'Who is last in line?'

These are just a few things that you may find to be different in the new culture.  There will likely be many other new and surprising differences that you will discover along the way.  If you notice something that seems particularly unusual or puzzling to you, we recommend that you talk about it to a professor or a Spanish friend.  They can try to help you understand it.