Shopping opportunities, by Sawyer Robbins

Living in Sevilla has been quite a culture shock for me. I consider myself a well-traveled individual and assumed Europe would be an easy adjustment compared to some of the places I have been, yet this was not the case. I have noticed so many differences between American culture and Spanish culture - some more obvious than others. During my time abroad I have taken full advantage of the shopping opportunities that Sevilla has to offer (maybe even a little too much). In the United States you see individuals often shopping alone whether it is for themselves or for others. In Sevilla and other parts of Spain shopping seems to be a family affair. Husbands and children follow their wives around the store like puppy dogs as she shops. You see wives holding their clothing up to either their husband or children asking for advice as they go. In all honesty, it is quite a sight. The most bizarre aspect of the entire scene is the husbands and families (including little children) will then follow their wives into the dressing room. Every article of clothing the wife tries on, she then shows the husband and takes his opinion into consideration. If the wife is seen without her husband or a friend to tag along, she will act as though the salesperson is her best friend, asking for advice or having them zip up certain articles of clothing. This is not the same case in America. Rarely do we talk to the salesperson when inside the dressing room and unless you are shopping with your parents - who are purchasing the clothing - would you ask for advice on every single piece you try on. I’ve realized this is due to Spain’s collectivist culture. Every activity is a communal one - including shopping, which us Americans often associate as an individual activity. I thought this was very interesting and it has changed my perspective on the entire activity as a whole. While I personally enjoy shopping on my own, watching families shop together makes me wonder how shopping with my own family would look. I don’t think it would be as smooth and enjoyable as the Spaniards view it.