The dress code, by Walid Sabha

One interesting about Spain that I only understood partially before coming here was how they dress.  I understood that they dress nicer than us Americans, but witnessing it was a completely different thing.  Whether individuals are going to work, or relaxing at a local restaurant with friends, everyone dresses very nice here.  The lowest level that I have seen from Spain’s cultural dress code is when the locals dress business casual.  When I dress business casual it feels like I really am dressing up for an occasion or work, so it was a shock to me to see people at least dress that nice daily.  Another reason I picked this topic is because of the clothes I own.  I did not bring much nice clothes.  I am a simple man that likes comfortable things to wear.  So, whenever I wear my athletic clothes or sweatpants (which is at least 3 days a week) I feel out of place.  I can remember specific instances where it feels like I am getting dirty looks or people were looking down at me.  I wondered why that was the case until I realized they were looking down at me for my clothing.  I was out of the norm regarding dress code.  So, when I would wear not as nice of clothes, it was like I was breaking one of Sevilla’s cultural values held by the locals.