Social life in Spain, by Ashley Carbonier

Social life in Spain From my experience here in Spain, I increasingly have noticed how different the social scene is and how Spaniards interact with others. I have made a lot of comparisons to the US and the cultural and social norms of where I live back at home, and it has been interesting to notice and analyze the differences between the different cultures. Here in Spain, people go out on weekdays and spend time with their friends drinking at tapas bars or restaurants, and it is seen as abnormal to go to another person’s house or apartment to hang out or spend the night. In the US, going out on weekdays really isn’t that common, except maybe if it's for a casual dinner, and socializing is spent a lot more in the home, where I invite my friends over a lot and we have sleepovers, make dinner, etc, and it typically is not accompanied by a drink, and typically occurs more on the weekends. I have also noticed that it is respectable to kiss people on the cheek two times when greeting someone, even strangers that they are meeting for the first time; if this was done in the US, people would be very caught off guard and it would be seen as something very strange. This topic of socializing relates to the topic we discussed in class about how we can define “normal” and what is considered to be normal and abnormal. It really all depends on the culture and environment you grew up in, because for Spaniards, these actions and social habits are seen as normal, and they would probably view our social habits in the US as abnormal, and vice versa for people in the United States. We have to recognize that our views and what we constitute as abnormal and normal comes from our own personal experience, and this doesn’t make social actions or practices universally right or wrong. Rather, we need to accept that what might be abnormal for some, may be normal for others, and this will allow us to become better global citizens and engage appropriately with others. 

Article link: 

https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/spanish-culture/spanish-culture-etiquette

Gym Etiquette in Spain, by Sergio Castro

I was lucky enough to live in an apartment building with many other students in the building. As part of the amenities there is a pool, a gym, an elevator, among other things. When I got to Spain I was really surprised at how people interact in the building, more specifically at the gym. In the U.S people mostly ignore each other at the gym. If you need a spotter, you ask somebody you know or you don’t ask. I see the same people at the gym every day in the U.S and to be honest we’ve never said hi to each other. In the building it's very different, I’ve been asked plenty of times for a spot. People I only saw one day, say hi to me the next time they see me. They also don’t shy away for asking to take turns on the machine or asking if you are done. The elevator experience is also really different. I get in and people say good night, hi, or any other kind of cordial meeting. At my school, people just get in and start using their phone. So it’s a really friendly and neighborly type of living. I really enjoyed living at my building this past semester. People were really kind and open to talk. There was also a lot activities at the building to get to know one another.

There wereIMG_3203 1.PNG people at the gym so I could not take a photo of it but that is the view.

Work Schedules

Over the past three months living in Sevilla, there have been a couple of things that I have noticed that are very different from the lifestyle in the US, one being that the work schedules are very different. Spanish people, from what I have noticed, really value their time away from their jobs and spending that time with family and friends. They make sure that they have time throughout the day to relax and spend time with others that they love and care about. You can see this everywhere in Sevilla, from getting beers with friends at 2pm, closed restaurants during siesta time and reopen around 8pm, most grocery stores and restaurants are closed on Sunday are among some of the things that I have noticed. For a lot of things being closed on Sundays, Spain being a Catholic country also plays a role, however, Spanish families also take that time to spend it with ones that they care about. Sevilla football games are also something that will shut down the city. If there is an important match, especially for the Real Betis vs Sevilla game, there are no stores open except for some bars where you could watch the game. Before coming to Spain, I had heard about famous siesta time, but didn’t really think anything of it until I actually got here and needed to buy something on a Sunday and I couldn’t because all of the stores were closed. It was just something that I had never really thought about in the US, where the average work day is from 9-5, and most restaurants and stores are open every day of the week. One of the first things that we discussed in class was what is culture, which we defined as the ideas, values, and things that we cannot see. The different work schedules is a cultural difference from the US, as it is part of the environment that people have created in Spain. Even though at first I thought it to be a little different that people would want to take a break in the middle of the day for a couple of hours to chat with friends, I have come to appreciate that time and do exactly what it was meant for, to share that time with the friends that I have made abroad.

Street near Plaza de Cuba is empty in the middle of the afternoon because of siesta time.

https://perezlegalgroup.com/business-hours-in-spain/#:~:text=In%20general%20the%20working%20day,and%20retail%20(see%20below).

Spanish oil, by Jolie Shedd

Spain produces the most olive oil in the world. Olive oil is very important to Spain’s economy and has been hit with rising prices due to drought causing a decreased output of olives grown (see news article link below). This was something I did not know before coming to Spain and I would have guessed the answer was Italy. However, this makes sense to me now because the Spanish love their olive oil. I remember my surprise when I went to the grocery store and saw the huge jugs it’s sold in. My host mom puts olive oil on everything from rice to eggs, which was a foreign concept to me. If she doesn’t drizzle olive oil on top, then she is cooking it in olive oil. However, I think their use of olive oil is a statement to their generally healthy Mediterranean diet. Even though I perceive the Spanish use of olive oil on practically everything to be peculiar, it is completely normal to them. In Unit 2, we talked about how culture affects the mind. One of the things we learned about was that “membership in a culture is sharing with others of conceptions about what can be taken as ordinary”. This can be related to my confusion about the amount of olive oil I was consuming at the beginning of my stay abroad due to not belonging to Spanish culture. Cultural differences in what is a normal-sized container of olive oil are also evident because in Spanish culture they are huge, compared to the small-sized containers in the United States. I can say that being immersed in Spanish culture has changed my views on olive oil, which was a completely unexpected outcome. However, I am certain when I go home I will swap out my butter for it much more frequently.

https://www.euronews.com/business/2023/10/03/spain-hit-hard-by-rising-price-of-olive-oil-as-climate-change-takes-its-toll-on-production

More dog friendly?, by Sierra Curro

When you pet a dog it is known that the body releases serotonin and dopamine… so I am truly lucky to be living in Spain. I have found Spain to be extremely dog friendly! Whenever you pass outside seating at a restaurant there is a high chance there will be a dog laying at its owners feet under the table, while shopping between the clothing racks at Zara you might see a little dog face, on the patio tours in Cordoba you bet there are dogs roaming around amongst the tourists’ feet, strolling down any street or even la plaza de España you’ll see a dog tugging at its leash, and even as you are choosing what fruit you want at the grocery store there might be a dog sniffing around. I am not used to seeing so many dogs in so many different places. In the United States there is a lot of love for dogs and they are allowed in a lot of places outdoors, but it isn’t common to be strolling through the mall and see a dog. Additionally, you’ll get in a lot more trouble for bringing dogs into places with food. I worked at a grocery store and sometimes when people brought their dogs in, the boss would approach them and tell them they needed to leave it outside so then there would be a lot of dogs tied up outside. Recently, in September, animal welfare laws became stricter in Spain and one of the rules is that dogs cannot be tied up in public places - so you won’t see dogs outside grocery stores looking for their owners or outside stores like in the US. Additionally, the law states that dogs cannot be left alone for more than 24 hours so it makes sense that people will bring their dogs more places with them and Spain has made it more accessible to do so. Also, dogs in Spain have more regulations like muzzles or a short leash required in public spaces and a new law says that dogs must complete a training course which means that the behavior will improve. If dogs are well behaved they are more welcome in more public places. Dog friendliness may not be what people think of when they think of Spain but I have noticed it as a part of the culture. As we’ve discussed in class, culture stems from human made things and Spain has made laws to allow for the cultural norm of dog friendliness to continue. The connection between dogs and the public has been established as a behavior that is acceptable in Spain. This is not the case with all places one may go because culture cannot be viewed through the same lens everywhere. Dog culture in the US has its differences like tying up dogs outside and stricter rules on where dogs can go in public spaces. Spain on the other hand excuses more welcomeness towards canines and puts in effort to make laws protecting dogs. Personally, I am glad I could step out of my own culture to see what another place values. Dogs truly are man’s best friend in Spain.

Outside References:

 https://www.euronews.com/2023/09/29/spains-new-animal-welfare-law-explained-what-you-canand-cant-do#:~:text=Animals%20cannot%20be%20allowed%20to,pets%20one%20can%20have%3A%20five.https://www.surinenglish.com/spain/these-are-the-most-important-changes-that-20230822143759-nt.html

The Healthier Lifestyle in Spain, by Lily O'Donnell

In the past three months of studying abroad in Seville, one of the main things that I have noticed is how much healthier of a lifestyle people living in Spain have compared to the United States. There are many different contributing factors to this. One is the slower mealtimes, which lessens people from going to drive-thrus or eating fast food. Instead, people slowly eat and spend time with family and friends, which is also so healthy! In addition to this, the food that is more common in Spain is the Mediterranean diet. This diet is characterized by olive oil, fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and seafood. All of which are very healthy, nutrient dense foods.

Other than meals, Spain also has a healthy culture because of how much walking people do. In the United States, people rarely walk places, but rather choose to drive. A 10 minute walk in the States is enough for someone to take their car out of the garage and drive instead. However, in Spain, people walk everywhere! They walk to the doctor, to the grocery store, to visit their friends, and to all types of places. Walking is so healthy for your body, and it helps you to work in an active lifestyle, which is very different from many places in the United States.
Overall, there are many reasons that I have noticed Spaniards are healthier than people from the United States, but meals and walking are two of the main areas that I notice it most. In cultural psychology class, we have discussed how when you are living in another culture can teach you more about your own home culture. By living in Spain, I have learned a lot about the unhealthy lifestyle that many Americans have. I hope that I can change this when I get home. I am excited to bring home some of my favorite meals, and plan to walk more in my daily life, and rely less on a car.
 
News Source: https://thespanishradish.com/spanish-radish-blog/why-is-the-spanish-lifestyle-so-healthy-top-10-reasons/#:~:text=Central%20to%20the%20Spanish%20way,health%20to%20mental%20well%2Dbeing.

 

Slow down and Appreciate, by Charlotte Luddy

As I came to Spain, I was coming off of a pretty busy summer in which I was going to work everyday, interacting with family and friends and traveling a ton. I would often eat breakfast on the way to work, and just felt a constant sense of being “on the go”. As soon as I arrived in Spain, everything felt slow. From the pace of people walking on the street, to the times that places opened for breakfast, even to the lengthy meal times. I had grown quite accustomed to the immediate gratification of getting what I wanted when I wanted it. Everything here moves slower, though. At first, I was confused and perhaps thrown off by this. Why couldn’t things just be always accessible? Did this store really have to be closed on Sunday? Sure, a nice sit down meal sounds good every now and then but did every single lunch have to stop the day? As we talked about in class, perhaps the more individualistic mindset as an American can foster this sort of on the go stress that can be slowed down when faced with a shared meal with friends. My frustration soon turned into a deep appreciation for the slower pace of life. I did not understand just how rushed my mindset was when I had come into the semester, but gradually the Spanish culture wore on me and helped me to slow down, take a step back, and appreciate whatever was in front of me. Sure, there were still times when I wanted to get on with my day, or had to fly past some slower walkers on the street. But, overall, my time in Spain has really helped me to appreciate the little things in life and the value of taking it easy as I move through the things that I have before me each day. As shown in this article,https://www.alifeinprogress.ca/a-slower-pace/, sometimes asking “Do I need to be this stressed or am I on autopilot?” Is a good question.

Socialization in Spain, by Julia Kim-Matsuda

For such a small city Seville is, I did not expect to see so many people out as I do on a casual weekday. This goes for all times during the day (except for siesta time of course). I can be out at 11 am or 9 pm and there are always people out walking on the streets. As I traveled around other cities in Spain, I kept noticing the same trend. Everyone is always outside, just grabbing a drink and socializing. I can’t help but wonder how brutal it must have been during the COVID-19 pandemic in this country. I was having a difficult time in Canada, and I can count the number of times I go out with others in a month on one hand.

As I adjusted to the culture more, I learned that this is because it is much easier to go out to socialize with others than to invite them over to your home as houses here are much smaller compared to the US or Canada. Going out is also significantly cheaper here compared to Canada or America. Going out for drinks, especially as a university student, can be quite taxing on the wallet. Living here has made me more aware of the relationship between the civil design of cities and the economy of the country can play into the collectivistic, tight-knit nature of the culture here in Spain. But most importantly, I found that Spaniards rather prioritize nurturing social relationships. North American culture heavily revolves around productivity and being economical with time. You can see this in the demographic of people you would see at a bar in these countries. For example, there would be many people doing business over drinks, whereas in Spain people will go to bars with the sole intention of enjoying the company of others. The culture of focusing on human connection is something I came to appreciate and prefer during my time here and hope to implement in my life when I return home.

https://jetsettimes.com/countries/spain/barcelona/barcelona-diaries/because-time-passes-more-slowly-in-spain/

Happiness in Spain, by Nate Kong

Prior to my time abroad, here in Seville, I had very little pre-conceived notion of Spanish life. I have heard about the tapas, the language difference, the siestas, etc. but I didn’t have a good grasp of what everyday life and everyday people would be like. Upon arrival it was very evident that the emphasis on life satisfaction and enjoyment was much larger in Spain than in the US. I have discussed with some of the locals how in Spain people “work to live” rather than “live to work”, the latter being something that is promoted in American society.

This emphasis on Enjoying life (a part of Dieners 1984 three factor approach to happiness, falling under Positive feelings) is seen all over the streets of Seville as I go about my day. Friends and family constantly gather around the outdoor tables of various tapas places, not for the sake of a culinary experience, but rather to enjoy the company of those they are with. The relaxed nature of the locals, who never seem to be in a rush. Even the dietary habits of Spain promote a healthy lifestyle with little to no breakfasts as well as olive oil being the primary cooking modality rather than butter.

During the small amount of time I’ve been here I have even felt a change in personal values, which initially were much more centered around where I would be tomorrow or what I needed to get done in the future. Now that I am unfortunately near the end of my time abroad, I have adopted a much more Spanish mindset. In that I am more mindful of where I am presently and much more willing to slow down and not be fixated on the destination.
Happiness in Spain: https://www.spain.info/en/top/spain-happy-lifestyle/
My homestay brother, homestay father and I (pictured right to left) enjoying a classic tapas bar, famously known for the jamons hanging off the ceiling.