Your experience of culture shock in Spain
Living in a foreign country implies to discover its culture, to learn and master the cultural codes.
How did you deal with that? Share with us your culture shock stories where you experienced a funny or awkward moment in Spain.
What is your advice regarding the donts and what would you recommend to avoid any mistake?
Thank you in advance for sharing your stories,
Christine
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Spain is not a country where you may be arrested, or even executed, for having sex (which has happened in Saudi Arabia), it's not a place where it's unsafe after dark (like Venezuela or so many other parts of the world), your chances of being a victim of crime are slim, you won't have to change how you dress, it's not a place where your diet will change significantly (as in China or India), it's not a place where the traffic rules, or the supermarkets, or the schools, or the bureaucracy are significantly different. It's not a place where you have to haggle over purchases, or bribe people to get things done. Basically it's just another European country with different biscuits and better or worse Internet speed.
The differences though are splendid stuff. Things that make "your new life" interesting. Trying to get a handle on the culture will take years - the names of Spanish singers, politicians, footballers, and the like will not come easily at first. The small differences are everywhere, every day, probably for years to come. But it's not a culture shock, it's just a culture change.
I think if one moves with the attitude that Spain is just another European country with the same infrastructure and standards as they are used to then they probably would be in for a rude awakening.
The bureaucracy not being significantly different is a staggering statement, the level of bureaucracy and administrative waste defies belief here and as a result Spain has a huge black economy and corruption is rampant. Tax evasion also, I lost count of the amount of times someone selling their house asked for cash under the table or the amount of illegal homes just to save on their tax bill. Also there is no need to haggle because you are often quoted two prices, one with VAT and one without.
Bribery to get things done? Maybe I should try that, getting things done isn't high on many peoples priority list. It's like pulling teeth at the best of times. Of course there are some excellent workers/companies around, you will know them because they are the ones who will actually respond to emails, presumably because they actually would like to get paid from time to time.
I could go on and on about all the little subtleties, the list of differences and frustrations grows daily and to be fair it sounds a lot worse than it is but at times I am thoroughly astounded by the way things work here.
If you know a good painter let me know, otherwise I am going to do it myself, which will be time consuming because I am a consultant and work as well.
I am ready to move back and I have only been here for a month! The services are crap.
Disgusted in Spain!
Sadly, I work abroad, so 2 weeks after completing my house purchase, I was shipped off to the middle east, but not before seeing a recommended abogado, to act on my behalf during my absence. This included liasing with utility companies and banks, etc.
I received an email from the abogado after 6 months, informing me that Santander had stopped my direct debits and now the bills were not being paid. Fruitless attempts at contacting the bank (even my internet banking would not work) led me to transfer cash from the uk to the abogado. Despite 8 (yes, eight) queries to my lawyer to ask why this had happened, i am still awaiting an answer. Any answer.
So, I instructed them to open a new account at a different bank, complete with all my standing orders. It took 7 months (yes, SEVEN) for them to do this! And even now the DD's are still not set up!
I have contacted 5 companies to get a quote for a new kitchen. Three didn't even respond, one quoted mental money and so, finally I have a decent quote from a.....British firm! Surprise, surprise.
I could go on about the car rental company, the water company, the shop where I bought a new washing machine, but I won't.
Suffice to say, Spanish service is dire. Almost non-existent. If they ever hope to pull themselves out of the economic mess they are in, they will need to shape up, pronto!! The thing is, I can't see that happening. Even in Thailand (where I spend a lot of time), things seem so much more.......functional.
I had three years living in Tenerife and things were a lot more efficient there.
Having said all that.............I am still looking forward to living in my house one day!
Spain is a truly beautiful country with stunning places. However, I feel like its mentality is stuck in time. In several aspects there is not evolution or progress; technologically, efficiency, capacity, etc.
It all depends on what our priorities are.
Thank you everyone for your contribution to the topic.
Just to inform you that some off-topic posts have been removed.
You are most welcomed to share about your experience and feelings after leaving your familiar, home culture to Spain.
Best of luck,
Bhavna
Yesterday morning we found a large pile of human excrement just outside our drive entrance. Complete with tissue paper etc.
This was certainly a shock. I'd be interested to know if its part of the culture in Andalucia?
Thanks.
popadoodle wrote:Is it normal for Spanish people to defecate outside your house?
No, of course not, that's not normal in any culture. That was a gross person who had no shame taking a dump on your doorstep. Urination is more common, especially drunk people who are having trouble getting home, but I bet it's the same in other countries too.
fabigarcia2013 wrote:I am living the same experience and I must say that It has been the biggest cultural shock for me. In Spain animals are mistreated in horrific ways. For an animal lover like me, life in Spain has become quite difficult, so much that I have decided to return to Canada. I am not saying Canada is perfect but at least there are laws that protect them.
Spain is a truly beautiful country with stunning places. However, I feel like its mentality is stuck in time. In several aspects there is not evolution or progress; technologically, efficiency, capacity, etc.
It all depends on what our priorities are.
Could you expand on "mistreatment"? I'm not challenging you but I haven't seen or heard of anything here "out of the ordinary" in terms of cruelty to animals....
Perhaps it's the lack of laws, regulations, etc... here that allow people to "do" whatever it is that they do.
In addition I haven't met anyone who condones the "mistreatment" of animals.
So I'm not sure if this is a "cultural issue" or just something that one has strong opinions about.
Thanks!
blacktsalagi wrote:fabigarcia2013 wrote:I am living the same experience and I must say that It has been the biggest cultural shock for me. In Spain animals are mistreated in horrific ways. For an animal lover like me, life in Spain has become quite difficult, so much that I have decided to return to Canada. I am not saying Canada is perfect but at least there are laws that protect them.
Spain is a truly beautiful country with stunning places. However, I feel like its mentality is stuck in time. In several aspects there is not evolution or progress; technologically, efficiency, capacity, etc.
It all depends on what our priorities are.
Could you expand on "mistreatment"? I'm not challenging you but I haven't seen or heard of anything here "out of the ordinary" in terms of cruelty to animals....
Perhaps it's the lack of laws, regulations, etc... here that allow people to "do" whatever it is that they do.
In addition I haven't met anyone who condones the "mistreatment" of animals.
So I'm not sure if this is a "cultural issue" or just something that one has strong opinions about.
Thanks!
Yes, It's been the biggest cultural shock for me and I will tell you why it is cultural and not just a strong opinion.
I came to Spain in 2012, just during the first two months I found at least 7 stray dogs in very poor condition rooming on the streets, I took some of them to the vet and they were diagnosed with several diseases and wounds. I decided to keep the sickest dog with me and look for homes for the other ones. I contacted numerous animal welfare organizations and since then I was introduced to a very harsh reality. I joined a dog training club and every weekend we got together to go to dog walking trails. During those trips we encountered many groups of hunters with packs of 10 or more dogs completely emaciated, it was unbelievable, a horrible sight. The kind of dogs you see on the news in Canada or USA abused by their owners, people punished with jail time and penalties. I talked to some people who are familiar with the situation I was told this is normal. I was surprised no body was reporting these cases. I called the police, the animal shelters, etc and the only answer I got was that the shelters were overcrowded and that they couldn't do anything about. When the dogs are not useful for hunting anymore they are just killed by hanging.
Visiting the rural zones I found plenty of chalets with tied dogs 24/7, they just get some food and water. Poisoning animals is also a very frequent activity.
I can keep going on and on.Where I live we are surrounded by infinite cat colonies. I see almost everyday one or two cats hit by cars.
One the veterinarians I talked to told me that neutering and spaying are seeing as an act of cruelty in Spain , this is a big problem. I talked to a couple of seniors with 17 dogs and when I mentioned that they should fix them, they told me what kind of life they would have without being able to procreate!.
Bullfighting , killing of ducks in the Fiesta Mayor de Roses in Girona, bullfighting on fire, becerradas de Algemessi en Valencia, dog fights, etc, are traditions and a form of cultural activities but are also part of animal cruelty.
The subject of this topic is "Your experience of culture shock in Spain" and I am just sharing my personal experience and view. There is animal cruelty everywhere but probably the acceptance, indifference and enjoyment of it in Spain is my biggest shock.
I suppose the hardest part would be the lack of legislation to protect animal rights or "rights" and the amount of complacency in the people about these behavior.
Greg2k wrote:popadoodle wrote:Is it normal for Spanish people to defecate outside your house?
No, of course not, that's not normal in any culture. That was a gross person who had no shame taking a dump on your doorstep. Urination is more common, especially drunk people who are having trouble getting home, but I bet it's the same in other countries too.
Yes, you're absolutely correct. Bad behavior like this occurs throughout the world -- unfortunately -- and castigating 1 country through of the vocal revulsion of a few is quite unfair.
A few years ago my husband and I were considering the purchase of a condominium in Jacksonville, Florida, USA. We bless our stars to this day that we changed our minds -- we found out later that there were many "residents" who defecated in the elevators, urinated throughout the complex, and did not hesitate to vomit anywhere the urge took them.
Hearing about these particular types of bad behavior is practically universal. There are bad, rude, selfish and insensitive *people* throughout the world.
Let me just be clear: we are not cruel to animals in Spain. We don't enjoy hurting dogs, bulls or ducks. Those of you who say so are being terribly shallow. If I were to call out the UK for fox hunting I'd get a similar response; it's not fair to call out a country as being cruel to animals because of a handful of traditions that have been going on for generations and are usually not about the animal at all, except maybe bullfighting where the animal is at the center of it all.
But we go after people who are indiscriminately cruel to animals here. There have been many many cases where citizens and police have gone after idiots taking pictures with animals that have been hurt.
Greg2k wrote:As someone who is now basically more a Spaniard than anything else, despite being born and raised in the UK, I'm surprised to see the biggest cultural shock mentioned here is cruelty to animals.
Let me just be clear: we are not cruel to animals in Spain. We don't enjoy hurting dogs, bulls or ducks. Those of you who say so are being terribly shallow. If I were to call out the UK for fox hunting I'd get a similar response; it's not fair to call out a country as being cruel to animals because of a handful of traditions that have been going on for generations and are usually not about the animal at all, except maybe bullfighting where the animal is at the center of it all.
But we go after people who are indiscriminately cruel to animals here. There have been many many cases where citizens and police have gone after idiots taking pictures with animals that have been hurt.
I'm glad you spoke out on this.
"Cruelty" and "mistreatment" is everywhere, in every country, whether or not one sees it or hears about it.
I know for a fact in the U.S. the amount of euthanized animals is off the scale. NOT that other countries don't do it, or practice their own type of "species oppression", BUT, there are institutions dedicated specifically to animal euthanasia and processing the dead animal for further "use". So, more dead animals more product, thus more profit. Therefore these institutions get government funding from the State and from the Federal Govt. Horses, dogs, cats, seals, dolphins, whales, etc... Everyone contributes to this, no matter how much it may disgust us or how careful we are about trying not to. Even some vegetarians / vegans....despite any possible denial they might have.
"Species Mutilation" / "Species Domination" is in the fabric of most of our societies.
"Factory farming" which is beyond cruel and the only way to purchase meat affordably.
The "animal feed" industry.
Then we have (mostly underground) "blood sports" , such as dog fighting, cock fighting, etc...
"Canine / Feline" mills. (Ever wonder where those cute little puppies come from? Yes, most of them come from "puppy mills".
I don't think it's fair the brand a country's culture for being "cruel to animals" when every country is guilty of it, in some form or another. On an institutional and underground level.
Perhaps, it's more "casual" here in some aspects or just accepted....I don't know.
We should all be careful about pointing the finger, especially when it comes to animal cruelty.
My phone company Movistar has also been a PITA to deal with. I still haven't been able to get them to debit my bank or credit card account to pay my bill. I have to go to a bank or post office to pay my bill and if you don't do it within 5 days of getting the bill they cancel your account.
Customer service pretty much sucks all over. It is standard procedure to wait in line at the bank or post office for 30 minutes.
hi leisure time i heartily agree with you but in respect i find american companies also likewise. i have been dealing with a country western store for over twenty years namely for jeans belts buckles and shirts .each time i make a purchase i telephone them and ask for a cheaper method of posting ,theirs is always expensive ,which they include in the custom decloration .example ,i bought a shirt from them,$35, postage to spain $32.then when it arrived ,customs wanted %) euros,needless to say,it was returned and i just lost the postage,now i buy from the uk.
A few months later I visited my new bank at 10.00 in the morning during the local fiestas. I was immediately offered a glass of chilled pomada (gin and lemon) and a traditional shortbread biscuit. Imagine going to my old Natwest in Wells, Somerset during their carnival and being offered a glass of cider and some cheddar cheese - not very likely.
A few months later I visited my new bank at 10.00 in the morning during the local fiestas. I was immediately offered a glass of chilled pomada (gin and lemon) and a traditional shortbread biscuit. Imagine going to my old Natwest in Wells, Somerset during their carnival and being offered a glass of cider and some cheddar cheese - not very likely.
If you're coming to Spain from a first world country you have to downgrade in many aspects: efficiency, customer service, organization, etc. but in exchange you have less days of rain. Is it your priority sunny days? ok, here we go south Spain is a good place.
Are you looking for good and well paid job opportunities, is this your priority? well, don't come to Spain.
Moving to a new country is a very risky decision. You need to establish clearly your priorities and the sacrifices you are willing to do.
The people from Andalusia are the most friendly, yes, but I guess it depends on your priorities, if you are able to block out animal abuse, then I am sure you can be very happy in Spain, perhaps where you live, you are protected from seeing the horror, but please do your homework, where I lived the local town hall told me that they were collecting daily 150 stray dogs, for the local pound, that is the Seville area, these dogs get put down after 10 days.
Just outside of each town or village, you have hunters 'Galgueros' these hunters have 5-25 Galgos each, none of which have been sterilized, all bred for one purpose, hunting and winning races, the punishment for not winning is the 'piano death' look it up, when these dogs are no longer useful they are hung, in the local olive grove, thrown down wells, abandoned and gotten rid of in any other way they choose.
You also have bullfighting, so if you are not concerned with animal cruelty then Spain is the place for you, for animal lovers, and animals, it is hell on earth, I will avoid the place till the laws change.
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