Watching a sports game

Growing up, sports always played a significant role in my life, so after arriving in Sevilla, I knew that attending a sports event was something that I had to do. Though I knew that there would be some differences in the experiences of watching a sports game in the United States vs. Spain, I didn’t expect to see those cultural differences so clearly. From Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory, one index examines the level of individualism of a country, where the United States scores at a 91 and Spain at 51. From my experiences watching sporting events in the United States, I have noticed that in general, sports are viewed more as a means of entertainment and individuals’ physical progress and personal achievements are highlighted much more. Furthermore, the fans seem to be more focused on the outcomes and records of their teams, rather than in the technique of the players. On the other hand, after having the opportunity to watch a few fútbol games in Spain, it is easy to perceive how deeply ingrained the sport is into the country’s culture. The sport is viewed as an art form, where the skills of the players are much more highly valued than in the United States. There is also a stronger emphasis on teamwork, with the teams working together to achieve communal success. Being surrounded by all of the passionate Spanish fans, who are constantly expressing their excitement and frustrations throughout the game, really adds a component of closeness and allows me to really feel as a part of their fanbase.

Pictures from a fútbol match between Sevilla FC and Osasuna:

The link I have attached below continues the discussion on the topic of individualism vs. collectivism in sports, and takes a look at its relation to goal orientation: http://journal.nsa.bg/pdf/vol2_2021/INDIVIDUALISM,%20COLLECTIVISM,%20AND%20GOAL%20ORIENTATION%20FOR%20ATHLETES%20FROM%20INDIVIDUAL%20AND%20TEAM%20SPORTS.pdf