Entrada #1

Social Construct

As I have been immersed in a new culture these past few weeks, I have recognized the ties between different cultures in various social aspects. One of these ways is through music. In Spain, music is a large part of the culture and it can be found in every town in Spain in some form (Meaney & Viguer, 2016). Music is also important in America and everyone listens to some sort of music. It has been really cool to see musicians on the streets of Spain and observing the importance of it to Spain’s society. Music is one of the things that can translate from culture to culture and everyone can relate to it, which is quite unique. Even though the words may not translate from language to language, the rhythm and beats are the same all over the world. Music is an amazing part of all societies and I have loved getting to experience it in the Spanish culture.

Spaniards vs. Americans, What’s the Difference?

In Madrid, I have noticed a larger population of homeless people and beggars on the streets than in Barcelona and Granada. Unfortunately, I have also observed that people interact with this population the same way people do in America. People avoid eye contact, walk obviously around the person, and just in general act as though they don’t exist. I would argue that people ignore people even more here than they do in America, which is hard to do. I have looked in the cups of these people, and there is significantly less money in them than there would be in America. While I do not agree with people giving homeless people money, I was surprised by the lack of attention this population received. I think this is due to the idea of Spaniards keeping their personal lives to themselves and not wanting to share personal details with each other (Livermore, 2015). As someone who has worked with the homeless population and have learned about them, I have been taught to offer these people a smile or a “Hello” as I pass to make them aware that I notice them and care about them. However, that is not an acceptable action in that kind of relationship in Spain, which challenged me in that setting. When everyone else was ignoring them, I felt like I should be doing more, but I didn’t know how to culturally approach the situation.

What About Me?

On Monday, some of us had the opportunity to go to a Spain soccer game against Sweden. This was an amazing experience because soccer is a huge part of the culture of Spain. In the 1950’s, it became the most popular sport in the country and people enjoyed watching the national teams, rec teams, and even children that played the game at an early age. (Meaney & Viguer, 2016). This experience was amazing for me because I grew up playing and watching soccer, and it is a very important part of my hometown. It was special to see professionals play live and partake in the atmosphere of the game. One thing that was strange for me was watching a game where I did not know the language of either team. I did not know what the announcements said, what the chants were, or what the fans of the opposing team were yelling at us. Even though this was a challenge, it made the experience feel more authentic and special.

Entrada #2

Social Construct

Government is an important aspect of Spain’s society because it is important for the citizens of Spain to trust and honor the king and queen. Post the Franco-regime, Spain has worked toward a stable democracy and it achieved it in the late 1900’s (Meaney and Viguer, 2016). From what I have observed relating to interactions with and about the king, most Spaniards honor the king and queen, which is important in a healthy government. One way I was able to see this honor was through the elaborate decorations and style of the royal palace. The tour guide also seemed to talk highly of the royal family. Also, at the bull fight, the guests of the show stood, clapped, and waved at the king when he entered. These actions indicated that the king and queen are important to the society of Spain and are a staple to the function of the country.  

Spaniards vs. Americans, What’s the Difference?

Spain is a very friendly and welcoming culture, and the people value relationships and conversations. They welcome people easily and quickly adopt people as friends and family (Meaney & Viguer, 2016). One of the ways this value of relationships is displayed is through the kissing on both cheeks when meeting or greeting someone. This time and patience in the greeting shows the value that Spaniards have of people and time spent with one another. This tradition is particularly comfortable for me as I am not a physical touch kind of person, but it has been unique to see Spaniards greet each other in that way. They always talk with care and concern and seem to genuinely want to know how the person is. In America we often ask how someone is to be nice, but in Spain they genuinely care about one another.

What About Me?

Arguably, one of the most cultural things I had the opportunity to do this week was attend a bull fight. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to experience this very cultural activity, but I was surprised by my reaction to the fight. I was raised in a very rural area, and farming and hunting are a huge part of my family and my town. I am used to the idea of killing animals and eating the meat, but for some reason the bull fight bothered me more than I expected. In talking to some other people in attendance, I realized why. Growing up, it was part of our lives to kill animals, but we were always taught not to make the animal suffer. During the bull fight, the bulls were very obviously suffering and were in pain long before they died. It is difficult for me to say that bull fights are wrong because they are not part of my culture and it is wrong for me to judge another culture. Spaniards view it as a delicate art and enjoy the art of the fight (Meaney & Viguer). However, I recognized that the sport is not particularly my choice of entertainment. I am still so thankful that I experienced the fight because it was a unique cultural experience, but I am not sure if I will ever return to a bull fight.

Entrada #3

Social Construct

One of the biggest differences I have observed between American culture and Spanish culture is the difference between the awareness of waste. In America, we are quite wasteful and are not socially aware of the implications of our waste. We do what is convenient and comfortable and do not consider the larger social implications. In Spain, the society is very aware of the implications of waste and try to prevent it in many ways (Meaney & Viguer, 2016). One way I directly experienced it was at the soccer game when I was using the bathroom. When I went into the stall, I discovered there was no toilet paper and nowhere that toilet paper belonged. After I used the restroom, I was talking to other people in our group and realized that there is one roll in the main area of the bathroom that everyone needs to get from before entering the stall. This experience was quite unexpected, but it helped me to reflect on the intentions that the Spaniards have to not be wasteful and do actions that help preserve their culture, society, and the world.

Spaniards vs. Americans, What’s the Difference?

One of the biggest worries about walking the city streets of Spain was the women that force plants into people’s hands and then expect people to pay them. Every time we saw these women, I got quite nervous that they would approach me, and I would not be forceful enough to get away. Luckily, I was able to avoid being stopped, but these women made me aware of the difference between Spaniards and Americans related to force and expressing themselves. In America, people would not be that forward and forceful, but in Spain, it is quite normal to have someone be forward. While America has an indirect relationship style, Spaniards are very direct and do not shy away from what they want to communicate (Livermore, 2015). Whether it is verbally or forcing plants into people’s hands, you never seem to have to guess what a Spaniard is thinking.

What About Me?

As we wrap up the end of our time here in Spain, I have been challenged with the feelings I have been experiencing. When evaluating how to develop CQ Drive, one of the steps is to be honest with yourself (Livermore, 2015). This is not a particularly easy task for me, but I have been trying to be self-aware and evaluate my feelings so I can develop a plan that is best for me. In being honest with myself, I have realized that I am a bit more introverted that I realized before this trip. While I love being around people, and I get my energy from socialization and relationships, I have also been recognizing that I need some alone time as well. On a trip of this nature, it is difficult to find that alone time to rejuvenate and rest. This has been a challenge for me as I have been trying to navigate how to rest from socialization, but it has also been helpful to recognize this need and develop myself as a person.

Entrada #1

Social Construct

During our homestay here in Granada, we have had the opportunity to have some great conversations with our host family about the culture of Spain, which has been quite a unique experience. As we have learned about the culture of Central and Southern Spain, it is part of the culture to close businesses from about 2:00-4:00, travel home to eat lunch, take a siesta, and then return to work and work into the evening. As CultureSmart! shares, this tradition is becoming less common because people don’t want to take the time to travel home, but many people still participate and it is still the normal culture (Meaney and Viguer, 2016). Our homestay parents shared that they do not like the social norm, and they want the government to change the tradition. As our homestay dad works outside of the home, he said that he does not like the schedule, and it is inefficient to go to work twice every day. Because this is such a big part of the society of Spain, I was surprised to learn that some Spaniards want to eliminate the tradition and change the social construct.

Spaniards vs. Americans, What’s the Difference?

One of the biggest changes between American culture and Spanish culture I have noticed is the focus on social outings and the night life in Spain. In America, people usually go out with friends on weekends and stay out late, but in Spain, people are out every night until very late and then still get up in the morning to go to work. Spanish people seem to be much more social and relational and value the casual experiences with friends and family in the evenings. Specifically, our host parents went out one night and said they would be back by 1 a.m. so they wouldn’t be out late. I found this to be very surprising because in the states, 1 a.m. is quite late for many people, even on weekends. In Spain, most bars are open until 2 or 3 a.m. and then people often move to clubs that are open until about 5 or 6 a.m. After the club closes, some people get churros before going home. Somehow, they still manage to grab a few hours of sleep before going to work the next morning (Meaney and Viguer, 2016). This schedule is quite shocking to me because I am used to being in my house by 11 p.m. every night and getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night. However, this just shows the unique culture of Spain and the value they have on the social part of their culture.

What About Me?

Flamenco is an important part of Spanish culture and combines vocal music with clapping, guitar, and rhythmic dancing. The art has experienced changes over the years and each piece has been added individually to get to what we know as Flamenco today (Meaney and Viguer, 2016). I loved getting to experience this famous part of Spanish culture and gain a better understanding of the art. I was surprised by the experience, however, because it is not what I was expecting. I was expecting to walk into a large venue, sit in rows of chair, and face a big stage where the performance would take place. I was essentially expecting a theatre atmosphere. Instead, we were in a small room with a small platform in the middle with guests surrounding the platform. Even though the set-up was not what I was expecting, I think it made the experience feel more personal and authentic. The only thing I did not like about the experience was that it was difficult for those of us who were in the double rows to see everything. The experience was amazing though!

Entrada #2

Social Construct

When reading CultureSmart!, readers can learn that the country of Spain is divided into different regions and each one is very different. The people of each region are very proud of their origins and sometimes outsiders think that Spaniards are individualistic because they take so much pride in their region (Meaney and Viguer, 2016). This individual region construct came about in a conversation we had with our host family because they shared that Barcelona is trying to break away from Spain and become their own country. Because many areas of Spain do not have ties to one another, Barcelona wants to be on their own and self-govern. Because Barcelona is a hub for trade and has a huge economic market, Spain would be greatly affected if it lost that market and the economic benefits. This is creating a battle between Spain and Barcelona in the efforts for Barcelona to break away.

Spaniards vs. Americans, What’s the Difference?

In the society of America, women are obviously sexualized, and some people do not have respect for women. Some men view women as objects or property. This image that America has of women is portrayed in movies, TV shows, advertisements, and in other ways. These messages are transferred to people in other countries and some men view American women in this way. We experienced this perspective of women during our stay in Sevilla while we were at the restaurant we ate our meals at. Some of the girls in our group experienced gestures from the waiter like putting his hands on their shoulders, pulling their hair, getting close to their face, and other things. Part of these gestures were because he viewed them as exotic American women, but part of it is also likely because of the way American women are portrayed in the media. CultureSmart! notes that state censorship was relaxed in the late 1970’s and the culture of Spain has become much more sexualized and forward regarding things like movies, advertisements, pornography, and more (Meaney and Viguer, 2016). This shift in sexual thinking may contribute to the way the waiter acted toward the American women he encountered.

What About Me?

One of the challenges I have been experiencing during the activities we are doing is staying engaged during the tours and visits. It has been wonderful to get to hear some of the history and details about certain buildings and time periods from a professional. The tour guides are quite helpful because they provide information to us that we would not be able to gain on our own. However, after doing a few tours day after day, it is difficult to remain engaged in things that seem very similar to one another. This is particularly challenging because I am not enthralled by history, but also because our trip has been full of activity and I am not always well rested and prepared to absorb a lot of information. I have loved learning some of the history of Spain because it is not something that I can do in the same way in America, but it has been challenging to absorb all the information the tour guides have been providing us. There is a lot of value in the history of Spain and it is important to learn (Meaney and Viguer, 2016), but it is still challenging to take it all in.

Entrada #3

Social Construct

Spain is a country that is full of history and it is an important part of the nature and importance of Spain. Experiencing the old history in a place like Spain is a unique experience for us because America is a very new country and we do not have historical sites like there are in other areas of the world. The history of Spain is important to the social construct and culture of Spain today. While many natives do not visit museums and historical sites on a regular basis, many people are familiar and aware of the history in the region they live in (Meaney and Viguer, 2016). Some of the important sites we have visited that are important to the society of Spain are religious and government buildings in Sevilla and Cordoba, the Alhambra, and the historical end of Granada. On the tours we have been on, the tour guides have shared that even in modernizing the buildings, the renovators have recognized the importance of the history and they made efforts to preserve the original buildings. This allows an opportunity for people to visit these sites and understand the history that Spain’s society is built on.

Spaniards vs. Americans, What’s the Difference?

Food is a very important part of Spanish culture and it is expected that people eat big portions and appreciate the meal as much as the natives do. If someone does not eat a lot of food, the cook thinks the guest did not like the food (Meaney and Viguer, 2016). We experienced part of this culture and the forward nature of Spaniards in the restaurant in Sevilla. During some of the meals, the waiter was very forward and asked us why we did not eat our food. This bold attitude would never be present by a waiter in the states. However, Spaniards value the food they prepare, and they are much more forward in social and relational situations. They often speak what is on their mind and do not hide their feelings. This situation was very uncomfortable for many of us because we are not used to people being so direct, but it was a great culture experience to see the differences between Spaniards and Americans in a conversation.

What About Me?

Friday was my absolute favorite day of the trip so far. We visited Alhambra and it was gorgeous! I loved the architecture of the buildings, the views of the city, the gardens, and the wonderful memories I made with the group. It was so cool to see history, architecture and nature come together in one location to compliment each other so well. It was also a unique experience to get the see Alhambra from the city’s viewpoint on Sunday and then get to see the city from Alhambra’s viewpoint today. Alhambra is an important part of the culture of Spain as it is unique Moorish remains that give visitors a perspective on the history of Spain (Meaney and Viguer, 2016). I am so grateful for this amazing experience and it was so much more than anything I could have imagined.

Entrada #1

Social Construct

One of the most significant differences I noticed between the societies of America and Spain was the transportation that Spaniards use through the city. In America, the most popular vehicle on a city road is a car. In Barcelona, I was struck by the number of residents that used mopeds to navigate the city. In America, people purchase motorcycles for a thrilling experience or for a social activity. They are not common forms of transportation and are often viewed as dangerous. In Spain, these vehicles are quite common and are a widely accepted mode of transportation. They are so common that other drivers know to watch out for them, they have designated parking areas for them (which were filled), and they even park them on sidewalks like bicycles. Based on the information in CultureSmart!, Spaniards are aggressive drivers and often find the most efficient way to get to their destination. Mopeds provide this speedy travel because they are easy to drive and can be maneuvered in between lanes of traffic which can avoid long traffic lines.

Spaniards vs. Americans: What’s the Difference?

In the interactions I witnessed today in Barcelona, I was surprised by the differences in language within verbal conversations. In America, the greater population speaks only English and only knows a few words in Spanish. Most people cannot communicate with people who speak other languages, even in their employment positions. In today’s activities, I noticed a large number of Spaniards who could speak English as well as Spanish. Even people who worked in shops, restaurants, and museums could communicate in English. One of the employees at the church told us to “Form two lines, please.” In America, I would argue that most people who work in museums could not tell people to form two lines in Spanish. As is mentioned in CultureSmart!, Spaniards are very friendly and hospitable in nature. This attribute likely contributes to their efforts to speak the language of many of the tourists they encounter. In America, people often view Americans as being superior and are not very hospitable to people from other cultures.

What About Me?

Within the activities we participated in today, I had some opportunities to reflect on my own views and behaviors. One of the most challenging parts of the day was the free time we had in the afternoon. During the free time, I was excited to explore the city within small groups, but I was continually nervous about getting lost or getting into an unfamiliar situation. While I know that I can get lost just as easily in a city in America, I was nervous because I know that I do not speak the native language. This would make it quite difficult to communicate to someone where I needed to be and how to get there. I also do not recognize a lot of the landmarks I may use in America because I do not know many of the words used on store fronts. Where in America I may say, “We need to get back to the Wendy’s on 7th Avenue,” it is much more challenging to do so in an area where I do not know the language or any helpful landmarks.

Entrada #2

Social Construct

Today in Montserrat, I was made aware of the difference between the religion I am familiar with in America and the religion I have experienced in Spain. Based on the sites we have visited thus far, it is obvious that Spaniards emphasize detail and symbolism in their places of worship. While churches in America are typically simpler and are more like an ordinary building, places of worship in Spain use intrinsic details and ornaments to create an ideal house of worship. In Spain, the Catholic Church is a large part of their culture, as CultureSmart! mentions, and they use symbolism and images from the religion to create their worship places. The detail shows the respect the Spaniards wish to provide God through worship. The Spanish church seems to more heavily emphasize rituals, repetition and symbolism rather than the personal relationship many churches in America emphasize.

Spaniards vs. Americans, What’s the Difference?

When it comes to conversations, Spaniards and Americans seem to view them differently. As I have taken notice, our group often seems to be the loudest in the public areas we have visited. While that can partially be contributed to the size of our group, we even seem to be louder than other groups our size. I am noticing that Americans seem to be louder than other people, which may contribute to the negative opinion some other cultures occasionally have of Americans. I think this is also related to cooperative versus competitive social structures. In general, I think that Americas are competitive in their relationships and conversations. Everyone wants to tell the best story, the funniest joke, or add the most insightful comment. With everyone competing with their input, conversations tend to get loud and it can be difficult to understand what anyone is saying. On the other hand, Spaniards seems to be more cooperative in their relationships and have more respectful and quiet conversations. They speak in their turn and with respect which allows everyone to be heard and understood.

What About Me?

In my own journey through this trip, I have been working to find the right balance between experiencing and relaxing, which has been difficult at times. I love exploring new things and being engaged in new experiences. Because visiting Spain is probably a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, I want to see and do as much as I can while I am here. However, I also want to take time to rest and relax so I don’t become fatigued. I don’t want to pack so much into a day that I don’t have time to enjoy each thing or I am too tired to enjoy them. I have found it challenging to balance these two dynamics and explore and see all that I can, but while also making rest a priority. As one of the ways to develop CQ drive, I am trying to be honest with myself when I recognize that I need to take a break and rest.

Entrada #3

Social Construct

During our first week here, I have been trying to observe as much as possible around me. I have been watching people, listening to information about the country, and talking to people to try to gain insights into the Spanish society. One observation I made regarding the social norms of Spain is the neutral vs. affective social system. In America, we tend to be very expressive in our words and actions. In particular, most Americas smile broadly when they are having their picture taken, which relates to an affective society. In Spain, I have observed that many Spaniards do not smile for pictures which suggests a neutral social structure. The small difference in how the two societies take pictures transfers to many other social aspects like eye contact when passing on the streets, conversations with strangers, and more.

Spaniards vs. Americans, What’s the Difference?

When it comes to speaking what’s on your mind, Spaniards are very direct on the direct vs. indirect relational scale. While Americans are usually indirect and relay messages through non-verbal cues or passive behavior, Spaniards are very direct and do not beat around the bush. One specific example is our tour guide at La Sagrada Familia. While he was speaking to us, he turned around and told a woman to please move because he was there first and he was with a group. Most Americans may give an elbow bump, push a little or just move, but he was quite direct and told her how he felt. I have also witnessed other small cases where people have put their hands on strangers shoulders and moved them slightly out of the way. All of these situations exemplify the direct relational aspect of Spaniards which is much different from the indirect relationships Americans are used to.

What About Me?

Today I encountered a situation very different from one I have experienced before. I am used to being in the majority group of people because I am a white heterosexual in America. During my time at Messiah, I have learned a lot about the experiences of people in minority groups and how degrading those experiences can be. Today, being a minority in a foreign country, I was able to see a glimpse of this feeling. While our group was in a convenience store, one of the employees walked over and followed us around and watched us. I have heard that this is a common occurrence for some people in America. I felt judged, untrustworthy and like an outsider. Although this one experience is nothing compared to the lifetime that some people experience it, the scenario was humbling in considering my privilege as a white person in America.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton