To understand the Spanish way of life better, we're sharing 18 important aspects that influence Spanish culture, customs, and traditions. You may find that a very effective way of gaining the acceptance of Spanish business associates is simply by conforming to their ways of doing things and trying to understand them. It is rude to toss it in their direction. It is expected that parents friends give gifts to children when it is their birthday. One should always ask for their permission first to light a cigarette in front of your Spanish associate. The Spanish are particularly famed for their Paella, a recipe which is said to have its origins in Valencia which lies on the south eastern coast. In Spanish business culture, hierarchy and position are valued highly and it is advisable to arrange meetings between representatives of an equivalent position and professional status. Click here to learn more about our cultural awareness webinars. Sometimes goodbyes can be quite prolonged from the time that someone actually announces his or her departure. In Spain, the most common way to pay for something is . In Islam, things that are banned are called Haram. Your dislike for a local dish FREE Spanish Training 1. 34 New House, 67-68 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8JY, UK. Seekprofessional input on your specific circumstances. The most obvious, especially for foreign visitors, is the organization of the day and the scheduling of meals. You will gain an understanding of a number of key areas including: Language Religion and beliefs Culture & society Social etiquette and customs They walk barefoot and carry a burden which is symbolic of a penitent. Business dress is stylish yet, conservative. Certain Spanish traditions evolved into their own Latin American version. It is better to decline a large portion or second serving rather than leaving food on your plate. In many cases, the sobremesa is the main point of the visit, extending far into the morning. A synonym of taboo is prohibition. All rights reserved. People are usually served bottled water or are expected to purchase a beverage, such as a small beer (. It is especially good to ensure the gift is beautifully wrapped. Remain standing until invited to sit down. If receiving a gift it should be opened immediately in the presence of the giver. Photo by Klli Kittus on Unsplash, Catholicism has a big influence over Spanish culture and life. Keep your hands visible above the table, with your wrists resting on the edge. Soft drinks, both domestic and imported, are widely available. Visitors to Spain should be aware that there are two quite distinct business cultures. About 17% of the population speak Catalan, 7% speak Galician and 2% speak Basque. What Are Some of the Cultural Taboos in Spain? - Reference.com They are organized marches similar to parades that are a manifestation of faith and commemoration of religious happenings. You will most probably find Spanish people to be less worried and more relaxed than you are used to. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. If the hosts of the dinner party have children it is considered good etiquette to take a small gift for them. Spains official soccer team won the 2010 FIFA World Cup. 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. Spain extends 505,182 km2 over the Iberian Peninsula to the southwest of Europe. Spain has made significant progress on equal opportunities for both gender. Photo of church in Menorca by Alan Findlay on Unsplash. Religion 3. White lilies and chrysanthemums are usually given at funerals. Another cultural norm in Spain is to not tip. By law, the service charge is included in the bill in Spanish restaurants, hotels, etc. September 11: Day of Catalonia (R) marks the anniversary of the recapture of Barcelona in 1714. Taboos are technically defined as a practice "proscribed by society as improper or unacceptable." But what makes something taboo isn't as concrete. Although there might be some regional variations, there are usually a number of typical characteristics that you should be aware of when conducting business in that country. You may never actually meet the person who ultimately makes the decision. Always bear in mind that social bonds must be built first, before business can be discussed. The most significant barriers for women entering the workplace do not include social norms, but rather chronic high unemployment and lack of part-time jobs. WATCH: Belly dancer Yousha Hussain breaks taboos in Pakistan around Historically, the royal family is at the top of the social strata in Spain which is embodied by the titled nobility and aristocracy. Since the 1960s, university enrolments have nearly quadrupled. Semana Santa (Holy Week) is one of the largest celebrations. Legumes, especially lentils and chickpeas, also form an important part of the Spanish diet. At the same time, they also become more culturally aware, learn skills and knowledge that are valuable in their business culture in Spain. Spain now has some of the highest proportions of young people going on to higher education in Europe. They will review every minute detail to make certain it is understood. Spanish business culture places great emphasis on authority within organisations and decisions will be made by the most senior manager present in a meeting. "Shiv's expression of love can't help but have. Regularly, taboos rely on appeal to tradition for them to carry on. When attending a meeting with a new business partner for the first time, it is advisable to take plenty of information about your company that you can give out. Learn more about our academic and editorial standards. A unified, searchable interface answering your questions on the world's cultures and religions. Breakfast meetings are not very popular in Spain and are never scheduled before 8.30am. Spaniards are very thorough. A cultural taboo is something that is considered inappropriate within a cultural group. Spanish people enjoy a style of appetizer and snack known as tapas. People are often referred to as Don or Dona and their first name when in formal occasion as a general rule. Especially when dealing with outsiders, Spaniards will often insist that everything is in perfect order, even when this is not the case. It is important to begin negotiations only after you have developed a personal relationship and a certain level of trust with your Spanish counterparts. Any meeting will normally begin with discussing general matters and catching up with each other on a personal level in order to build and establish a solid working relationship. Processions are such an important part of Spanish culture, the tradition was taken to Latin America and became highly popular in countries like Guatemala. Spain - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette While some are almost universal (like moral taboos like cheating and stealing), others are very specific to countries or regional cultural groups. A religious taboo is something that is banned by a religion. Furthermore, today the use of information technology is spreading fast. Some cultural taboos get their cues from religions that are dominant within a cultural group. In the rural farming areas, the tradition of women as the homemakers tends to be more obvious although women and men often share the labour on the land in support of one another. Photo of the Four Towers Business Area in Madrid, by Octavian Rosca on Unsplash. Bullfighting is nowhere near as popular as it used to be, but it still features prominently . 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. http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/etiquette/doing-business-spain.html. Spain has produced incredibly talented songwriters and artists like Plcido Domingo, Enrique and Julio Iglesias, Paco de Luca, Alejandro Sanz, and Rosala. Spanish food is frequently thought to be very spicy, but, apart from a few dishes that contain small amounts of a mild chili pepper, the most piquant ingredient in general use is paprika. Once your relationship with Spanish business associates has developed into a strong bond, friendly gestures, such as hugging, may become acceptable. http://www.strongabogados.com/business-culture.php, Share your European work/study experiences. Laws regarding the employment of handicapped people and the responsibility of employers for their social integration already exist. Spanish literature is credited with the creation of the picaresque genre, which follows the adventures of a rogue protagonist. September 8: Day of Asturias / Day of Extremadura (R). Copyright 2023 Helpful Professor. In the 1980s, the educational system was challenged and a new law on the right to education was introduced. Portuguese appreciate a sense of modesty. 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. April 24: Day of Aragon / Day of Castile and Lon (R), May 16: Whit Monday or Pentecost Monday (R) Catalonia, June 9: Day of Murcia / Day of La Rioja (R), June 15: Corpus Christi (R) Castilla-La Mancha. Bread is commonly served in a wicker basket on the side of meals. Spain has played a crucial role in world history. About The Helpful Professor In the large cities the Cathedrals are almost museums. Spanish culture is known for having well-known musical melodies and rhythms. But while on the trip, it is a must to maintain etiquette and respect local cultures to fully enjoy the tour. Pre-school begins from 0-3 years of age and the next phase is for children aged between 3 years and 6 years whereby they enter primary school. 1. Spain is a predominantly Roman Catholic country with approximately 94% of the population affiliated to that religion. A typical Tapas can involve: Chorizo, Patatas bravas (pieces of potato fried in oil and served in a tomato sauce), spicy lamb meat balls, deep fried calamari, grilled artichoke, aubergine.
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