Cultural Psychology in Seville: septiembre 2016

miércoles, 28 de septiembre de 2016

Physical contact and greetings

I noticed that the people of Sevilla, I don't want to generalize and say Spain, are much more comfortable with physical contact. People are okay with speaking to you at a much closer distance than back at home and standing closer to you in waiting lines. It always kind of throws me off to be honest. It is something I definitely have to get used to. While talking to you, whether it is a man or a woman, expect a hand to slide across your shoulder or your lap or even just around your shoulders. But I personally like the way they hello to each other with a kiss on each cheek.
Another thing I noticed just standing by waiting for a taxi is that when they say hello and ask each other how they are, the other person will stop and actually tell the other person how they are. Usually back home we ask how are you and we just say it to be friendly. I know we all know this because the other person never actually stops and says how they are, they just say hello and keep walking or they say they're okay. It is always a short answer.

martes, 27 de septiembre de 2016

Whatsup or whatsapp?, by Brittany Tickner

Texting and communicating in Spain is different than in the United States. At home we text with SMS or iMessage straight to a phone number from the texting program in our phones. In Spain, a majority of the younger generation who have smart phones use an app called whatsapp. I did not understand when someone said 'whatsapp' and thought it was whatsup! A lot of people made jokes, but I still wasn't understanding until I saw the name of the app. In order to text someone you both need to have this app. It is an app available on all phones, except apparently windows, but most people here have androids which is also different from the US where we typically have iPhones.

My host mom does actually text me from her phone but she has a sliding phone with now QWERTY keyboard, she has to click until she gets to the letter she wants. So I text her from my Spain phone but everyone else I 'Whatsapp' them.

Cervezarias y cafeterias, by Brittany Tickner.

In the United States, specifically Northern Illinois, service is fast and efficient. Rarely are you at a restaurant for more than an hour when the goal is to get in, eat and leave. That is not the case in Sevilla. First, to order you would most likely need to go up to the bar or counter to tell one of the two people working what you want. Then, if it's not a quick beer off the tap, you can go sit and come back when you see that your food (most likely a tapa) is ready. People don't always bring food to your table, they are not working for tips like they are in the States. This also means you are not going to have a waiter or waitress coming to your table to check on you or bring you the check until you ask, literally flag them down. This may seem like bad service, but it's part of the culture.

Eating and drinking is not done in an hour and you go home, it is a social event. You go to talk over a shared tapa and beer/wine (Cruzcampo is the beer of choice at most bars). I have also learned that it is a social event for the staff as well. I have now frequented the same bar a few times and they will come and chat with us and have even brought us tapas to try! I have seen them do this to other groups of people as well. There was even a group who looked like they were headed to a wedding hanging out with the staff! The community atmosphere is great and makes it feel like home when you go out.

The people are friendly and are all about having conversations! One time while sitting at a cafeteria alone I had an elderly lady come and sit with me! Everyone in the cafe seemed to know each other as well. That place has become my favorite for a breakfast and Emilio's has become my favorite for a tapa and drinks with friends!

Pictured: Empanados de Pollo y Tortilla.

How can you post here, by Samuel Arias

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