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.