cultural taboos in spain cultural taboos in spain

Business dress is stylish yet, conservative. It is important to be aware that numbers can be particularly unreliable in Spanish culture. Spanish people enjoy a style of appetizer and snack known as tapas. Spanish people tend to be extrovert and friendly as is typical in Mediterranean culture and they place modesty and personality foremost to professional or business success. Decisions are not necessarily reached. Spain is a complex cultural mix. The traditional meal of Tapas consists of small dishes of a variety of different foods, from seafood to potatoes, and is very popular with locals and tourists alike. It may also help you decide what level of computer skills you can expect from your Spanish business associate. This consists of six academic years from 6 years of age through to 12 years. It is recommended that you show an interest in learning about life in Spain, while providing them with the resources and information they need to reach their objectives. You should be particularly careful when visiting such places to ensure that your clothes are appropriate. For young people the most significant aspects of international culture are rock and contemporary dance music, both of which make up a considerable portion of the music played on Spains radio stations. While tastes and dishes vary throughout this large country, there are some common characteristics. Do not get up until the guest of honour does. Spanish culture is very-well represented in literature. Do not talk about religion. 35.1% of Hispanic/Latinx adults with mental illness receive treatment each year compared to the U.S. average of 46.2%. As in all countries that celebrate Easter, the dates vary each year between the last two weeks of March to the first two weeks of April. Answer (1 of 2): Some customs and taboos: You can eat before everybody else if the other people tell you to do it. here to learn more about our cultural awareness webinars. The most widely eaten meats are pork, chicken, and beef, but in much of the country lamb is eaten on special occasions. Be aware that flowers are not common gifts since they cant be easily shared. It is therefore recommended that you provide a printout of the executive summary of your presentation in Spanish. Legumes, especially lentils and chickpeas, also form an important part of the Spanish diet. American fast-food chains have franchises in all the major cities, and much of the television programming and many of the popular films are foreign, the bulk of the programs and films being from the United States. When setting up a meeting, it is recommended to make appointments in advance and confirm them by letter, fax or email just before your arrival. Family is an important part of life and changes within the family institution also affect business culture in Spain. This is a cultural phenomenon and often indicates genuine interest in the discussion. Spain has played a crucial role in world history. Bars, which are open all day, generally serve food as well as drink, and it is a widespread custom to go for a snack before meals, especially on non-working days. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Dinner is usually eaten between 9pm and 11:30pm. Even if you are joking, stay away from any implication that Spanish people hardly work or are always late. In Spain, decisions are usually not made during meetings, which tend to be mainly for discussion and the exchange of ideas. Olive oil, garlic and onions are used in the majority of dishes in Spanish kitchens. The word taboo stems from the Tongan word tabu or tapu, which roughly translates to forbidden. Furthermore, although the body language of a Spaniard is usually more animated. The most obvious, especially for foreign visitors, is the organization of the day and the scheduling of meals. This makes taboo very difficult for new immigrants to a society. When preparing for business negotiations in a foreign country, it is good to bear in mind that the key to successful negotiation is to respect the culture, values and traditions of your prospective partners. Unemployment rate: 17.8% (Apr 2017) Eurostat, GDP per capita: 26,528.49 USD (2016) World Bank, Gross domestic product: 1.232 trillion USD (2016) World Bank, Government debt: 99.4% of GDP (2016) Eurostat, GDP growth rate: 3.2% annual change (2016) World Bank. You will gain an understanding of a number of key areas including: Language Religion and beliefs Culture & society Social etiquette and customs Decision-making is held at the top of the company, since this is a hierarchical country. Everything You Need to Know About Spanish Architecture, History of Don Quixote and Miguel de Cervantes. The Spanish enjoy meals as a social activity and do not necessarily expect to discuss business at the table. The host gives the first toast, which is returned by the guest later in the meal. Literally, the whole country gets paralized when these two teams face each other in El Clsico. 1 Jan. 2020 https://commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/afghanistan-guide, Commisceo Global Consulting Ltd. (2020, January 1) Afghanistan - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. Say hello and goodbye when entering any shop or establishment. Colleagues regularly eat lunch together, increasingly in the staff canteen, but different ranks do not sit together and the boss usually makes a point of eating off the premises, with peers from other companies. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. However, the number of smoke-free places is gradually increasing. If you are doing business with the Spanish or relocating to Spain for work, why not invest in some customized cultural awareness training? Processions are such an important part of Spanish culture, the tradition was taken to Latin America and became highly popular in countries like Guatemala. They usually stem from the religions founding documents (such as the Bible, Torah, or Quran) and include rules designed to protect civil behavior and hygiene. It gives you an insight on how society and identity are formed in Spain. Such is the case of Semana Santa. All articles are edited by a PhD level academic. In an informal situation whether with family close friends or virtual strangers they greet women with a kiss on each cheek. Often eaten in the morning, purchased from street vendors or local coffee bars, and eaten on the way to work or school arechurros. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Learn more about our academic and editorial standards. 33 Need to Know Spain Travel Tips - The Broke Backpacker But while on the trip, it is a must to maintain etiquette and respect local cultures to fully enjoy the tour. In fact, most taboos are enforced not by governments but by subtle social signals that demonstrate disapproval of taboo behaviors. The most obvious, especially for foreign visitors, is the organization of the day and the scheduling of meals. Over recent decades, the Spanish education system has enjoyed a huge success in getting the population into higher education. Religious history is apparent in every small town, where the most grandiose building is typically the church. Spain - Culture, Customs & Etiquette However, the situation is not so bright when it comes to the student-teacher ratio in the school-age population. There remain, however, some important practices that are peculiar to Spain. We pay our respects to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander custodians past, present and emerging. What Are Some of the Cultural Taboos in Spain? - Reference.com Spain is in the Central European time zone and adheres to CET (UTC+1) during the winter and CEST (UTC+2) during the summer months from March to October. Even fruit is eaten with a knife and fork. There are also a considerable number of religious schools, which often offer a high quality of education. In order to understand Spanish culture fully, it is necessary to take part in social events and understand their habits and traditions. Photo of street sign in Guatemala by Florida-Guidebook on Unsplash, Many of the holidays in Spain are based on religion. Spain is a relatively tolerant nation, but it is still advisable to follow the lead of your partner and not start discussing a sensitive topic. The following section highlights the general business and educational environment of Spain and focuses on the attitudes and values of the Spanish. A synonym of taboo is prohibition. El Da de Reyes Magos (Day of the Three Kings) is widely celebrated across the country and is a favorite holiday for children. The Spanish have a strong sense of religious pride. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The double kiss on the cheek is the signature of Spain, Latin America took this part of Spanish culture and made its own. Cultural taboos in Spain include being overly friendly or engaging in close body contact with someone, such as hugging or patting someones back, who isnt a close friend or family member. Click here to learn more about our cultural awareness webinars. All meals of the day commence later in Spain than what people are familiar with in the English-speaking West. It was not until 1975, following the death of Franco, that Spain was able to establish a peaceful and democratic society which saw a rapid growth in modernisation and the economy. Still, some Spanish traditions are only possible to admire and experience if you take a trip to Spain. The internationalization of culture also can be seen in a variety of other ways. When invited to a home for dinner it is customary to give the host or hostess a gift: a good bottle of wine, flowers, chocolates and/or a dessert. In Spain, people often choose their own table at a restaurant instead of waiting to be seated. Spanish Culture - Etiquette Cultural Atlas You should try to arrive on time for meetings. Cultural Taboos - A cultural taboo is something that is considered inappropriate to do or discuss within a specific cultural or sub-cultural group. Spaniards do not like to lose face, so they will not necessarily say that they do not understand something, particularly if you are not speaking Spanish. However, issues have arisen for the royal family and nobility in Spain regarding a recent change in law appertaining to the inheritance of titles and property which prevent a son from taking precedence over an older sister. Another reason was the migration of Spanish workers to France, Switzerland and Germany who brought back the cultural habits of other developed Western European countries. Learn More. Other topics to avoid include bullfighting, machismo and feminism. Studentsshould always cross-check any information on this site with their course teacher. Especially when dealing with outsiders, Spaniards will often insist that everything is in perfect order, even when this is not the case. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. There is no concept of a middle name although the first name is sometimes a composite of two names - eg: Jos Luis. First names only are used when addressing family, friends and children. Portuguese Culture - Do's and Don'ts Cultural Atlas Lunch, which is the main meal of the day, is eaten between 2:00 and 3:00 pm. The Spanish are superstitious about the number 13. However, the economic policies of the 1960s that opened Spain up to foreign investment and tourism and encouraged Spaniards to work in other European countries also invited foreign influences, which undermined the governments desire to protect or isolate Spanish culture. Allow your counterpart to initiate and guide the conversation and be considerate in how you present your opinions. Hispanic/Latinx | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness At meetings you may find that several people are speaking at once and interruptions are common. There are 3 Types of Taboos: cultural, religious, and food. In business settings, it is recommended that you address your counterparts with seor, seora or seorita for men, women or unmarried women respectively. Older adults are introduced with the prefixes Don and Doa (Mr. & Mrs), to show them more respect and formality. Daily life in early 21st-century Spain looks little different from that in other industrialized countries of the West. 1950 W. Corporate Way PMB 25615, Anaheim, CA 92801, USA.+44 0330 027 0207 or +1 (818) 532-6908, 34 New House, 67-68 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8JY, UK.1950 W. Corporate Way PMB 25615, Anaheim, CA 92801, USA.+44 0330 027 0207+1 (818) 532-6908. There are also more traditional small to medium enterprises and family businesses that account for the majority of Spains GDP. Spanish culture or lifestyle is very different to other western European cultures, with a much more laid back attitude. Regularly, taboos rely on appeal to tradition for them to carry on. The predominant religion in Spain is Catholicism. Follow Us A community built resource for cross-cultural etiquette and understanding : Enter your search terms: Submit search form: Web: If you have not finished eating, cross your knife and fork on your plate with the fork over the knife. In many cases, the sobremesa is the main point of the visit, extending far into the morning. It is seasoned with saffron and various spices. Other traditions like the running of the bulls of San Fermn in Pamplona, and the tomato fights of la Tomatina are experiences that draw millions of people and tourists to celebrate Spanish culture. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Feelings and relationships play much more of an important role for Spaniards than facts and the personal relationships should be your primary focus. Lunch, rather than dinner, is usually the best time for a business meal, beginning between 1pm and 2pm. Many men use a two-handed shake where the left hand is placed on the right forearm of the other person. Inheritance laws have paved the way in the last few decades to bring equality for both sexes. They tend to talk over one glass for a long time. Elegant accessories are important for both men and women. Therefore, it is important to watch their non-verbal communication. Traditionally, the family has been the basis of the social structure, including the nuclear and the extended family, which provide both social and financial support. https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/admin/, Divided Attention: 10 Examples and Overview, Machiavellianism: 10 Examples and Definition, Overgeneralization: 10 Examples and Definition, 17 Gender Stereotype Examples (For Men and Women). They will review every minute detail to make certain it is understood. When you arrive for appointment, it is advisable to present your business card to the receptionist, which ideally should be printed in Spanish and English with the Spanish side facing up. Did you know about business culture in Spain? 25 Strange Cultural Taboos around the World and the Reasons - IndiaLeap Spaniards that have worked or been educated outside Spain will be a valuable resource in this respect, since they are more likely to be sympathetic and supportive in your desire to know the truth. Another characteristic of the Spanish people is that they are extremely proud of the region where they come from. Guide to El Salvador and Salvadorian culture, society, language, etiquette, customs, manners and protocol. I strongly believe there are more creative ways to solve the issues our world is facing and I like doing my part in any way I can. Enjoy subscriber-only access to this articles pdf. Children in Spain are given a first name which is then followed by the paternal surname and then the mothers surname. Men have no fear of personal space with other men in an informal situation and they will often greet or say good-bye with a hug (abrazo). 1. Reconfirm in writing or by telephone the week before. Its known for having processions that commemorate the Passion of Christ. Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), http://www.euc.illinois.edu/pie/documents/SpanishHandbook.pdf, http://news.telelangue.com/en/2012/02/etiquette-spain, Business Culture, Communication Access & Realtime Translation (CART), Startup Management: How to Setup a Successful Online Business, A Job in Dublin : 5 Reasons to Work in Ireland. Spaniards place great importance on the character of the person with whom they do business. You should ensure that your presentation is clear and that everyone in the meeting is able to follow and understand the discussion. There is a long breakgenerally two to five hours longin the middle of the day, during which most businesses are closed and the streets are not very busy. Some of the holidays are national throughout Spain and marked (N) others are regional (R), 'Catalonia is not Spain' is something you may hear some Catalans shout at demonstrations. Learn to prepare some varieties of Spanish tapas, Christian Spain from the Muslim invasion to about 1260, Castilian institutions, society, and culture, Aragon, Catalonia, and Valencia, 12761479, The Golden Age in architecture and painting, The French invasion and the War of Independence, 180814, Moderates, progressives, and the generals, The Revolution of 1868 and the Republic of 1873, Primo de Rivera (192330) and the Second Republic (193136), The administration of Felipe Gonzlez, 198296, Spain at the beginning of the 21st century, Zapatero and a new generation of Socialist leadership, Economic recovery and Catalonian independence, Which Country Is Larger By Population? More familiarity with a person comes with a hug or with a double kiss on the cheek. It is not essential to bring things when visiting Spaniards. Get inspired with this empowering list of 12 contemporary Spanish Female Artists that are redefining Spain's art scene. Generally, the Spanish are a very open and communicative people ; they value highly their families, personal relationships and cultural traditions. The majority of Spaniards do not give their opinion at meetings. In Islam, things that are banned are called Haram. El ftbol (soccer) is the highest-grossing sport in Spain. La Liga Espaola (Spanish league) has some of the best performing teams in the world. Depending on the circumstances, this could either be a casual meal at a local caf or an extended lunch over the course of several hours in a fine restaurant. Do not expect dinner in the evening to be any time before 9pm. Discover Everything You Need to Know About Spanish Architecture in this informative blog post. Remember this is only a very basic level introduction to Spanish culture and the people; it can not account for the diversity within Spanish society and is not meant in any way to stereotype all Spanish people you may meet! Riders in a horse festival in Andalucia cross paths. When visiting someones house, bring gifts that can be shared (for example, wine, chocolates or pastries). Spaniards are very thorough. It is expected that guests will stay for . Business culture in Spain: a guide to doing business | Expatica The best designers and fashion brands of the world have a presence in Spains fashion events. Generally, subordinates are required to respect their managers and follow the instructions given to them. On the one hand, there are the bigger and newer, or reformed, industries that have received large amounts of foreign investment and have adopted modern, international management techniques. Communication regarding business relationships is often quite formal and incorporates strict rules of protocol. The country contains 17 autonomous regions and two autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla on the North African coast) and each region has its own institutional statute.