Bottoms Up by Grace Saban

The drinking culture in the United States is quite different than what it is in Spain. Both countries have certain stereotypes, but one is far better than the other. The first major difference is obviously the legal drinking age; in the United States you have to be 21-years-old, and in Spain you only have to be 18-years-old. This should be a major cultural shock for me because I'm only 20, but similar to most young adults in the United States, I've drank before. The main point I want to discuss is the stereotypes or assumptions that people have in regards to the countries differing drinking habits. In the United States, it is common for some young adults to drink with the intention of getting drunk. In the college culture, if you go to a party and blackout you probably won't be shamed for it for very long, some people may even applause you. In contrast, I've noticed that Spaniards drink much more casually and usually only in a social context. For instance, my host parents will have a glass of wine or Cruzcampo with lunch and dinner, and even offer one to a handyman coming over to fix a broken appliance. Then, when going out on the weekends and being in bars full of both Americans and Spaniards, it is easy to distinguish who is who due to how they are drinking. If the person is loud and excessive, they are most likely American. If the person is taking their time on their drink, not obsessing over it and enjoying their company, then they are most likely a Spaniard. Finding myself in situations where I can easily notice such things is disheartening to me. I wish that more of the people I've socialized with could respect their settings and try to fit in with the Spanish way-of-life. Although this topic may seem dull, it is probably the most shocking cultural aspect I've really had to accept. I also understand that since I am an American who chooses not to drink often, I may show a bias towards Spaniards.