“Culture Shock” – The feeling of disorientation experienced by someone who is suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes.
Apparently all study abroad-ers experience “culture shock” in some way, or at least this is what the books keep telling me. I asked my friends and family who have studied abroad what were the biggest changes between the European and American lifestyle. Here is a list of the five most common cultural differences everyone tells me to expect in Barcelona. I have already been “warned” about them and now you can be too. But quite frankly they all sound pretty good to me!
Meal Times
The typical meal plan in Spain is significantly different than my daily routine here in Ann Arbor. Europeans generally make lunch their biggest meal of the day. Why? This meal is supposed to hold them over until a late dinner. “Late” in European terms refers to 9pm or 10pm! Here in the USA, I feel like I’m waiting for 6pm to roll around so I can finally make the dinner I’ve been thinking about all day. And by 9pm it is definitely snack time… problem? Maybe, but either way I love to stay up late and this new eating schedule will definitely allow me to do so.
Siestas
Spaniards have the luxury of taking “siestas” (naps) during the day. These siestas are taken very seriously, so much so that they are scheduled into the work hours. Shops and businesses typically close around 2pm until 5pm, while bars and restaurants close a little later from 4pm to 8pm. As most of you students can relate, while I would pay money for the opportunity to take a nap, my homework load and class schedule prevents me from this opportunity. Siestas do not seem like a “shock” but rather a college student’s blessing.
Etiquette?
We have all been there. You catch someone creepily staring at you and the thoughts race through your head – is there food in my teeth, toilet paper stuck to my shoe, what is going on?! Or you are that creepy person staring because something caught your eye. Whether it was a hot guy or an interesting person or sign in the diag, staring is just awkward. Not only is staring not awkward in the Spanish culture, it is accepted.
Nightlife
Plain and simple, the Spanish like to have a good time. Spaniards eat dinner around the time my roommates and I head to our first weekend party. Needless to say the nightlife starts and ends much later than here. People stay out into the wee hours of the morning. One famous bar in Madrid called Kapital is apparently the definition of Spanish nightlife. It has 7 stories, each with a different genre, and you end on the rooftop in time to see the sunrise. Sounds pretty crazy to me, but I’d be lying to say this doesn’t sound like a blast!
Portion Size
Have you heard of the book Why French Women Don’t Get Fat? If not, I’ll catch you up real quick. They don’t get fat because the portion size is much smaller than American’s obsession with everything “super-sized.” I’m not dissing the way we do things over here, but I am certain my idea of an appropriate slice of cake would make those French women sick. However, I highly doubt my gym routine will continue overseas and European cuisine is delicious, this smaller portion size might be a good thing!