Outspoken Spaniards by Amaka Imoh

While walking around Spain, I’ve come to notice that their way of interacting with their phones is much different than in the United States. No, I don’t mean they use their phones more or less so than Americans: I have noticed that Spaniards tend to be more vocal on their phones. Spaniards talk on the phone more than Americans. Additionally, they use voice notes and voice messages much more.

I started observing this on the metro. In America, most people will just have headphones on and sit quietly until their respective stops. The only people that really talk are friends that are riding together, and those conversations are usually light and softly spoken amongst the group for fear of being a nuisance to other passengers. However, during my first few weeks in Spain, I noticed how common it was for Spaniards to openly have phone conversations. I’ve seen them talk on the phone and send a series of voice messages to one another, and it never seems to bother the other passengers. Everyone mostly ignores it. Spaniards talk on the phone all the time: while walking, while riding the metro, and I’ve even seen someone have a conversation while in the middle of a workout at the gym!

I’ve also noticed that Spaniards text less often when they walk when compared to Americans. Voice messages are the more common mode of communication while walking. Instead of looking down at their phones and text while walking, I’ve seen many Spaniards simply hold their phones to their mouths and speak their messages. Honestly, I feel like this system of communication is much more efficient, and much safer, since it leaves room to pay attention to where one is walking. Maybe it’s time for Americans to speak out more as well without the fear of public judgement.