Understanding Spain Culture

When most people think of Spain culture undoubtedly flamenco dancing, bull fighting, sangria, sunny vacations and popular expat hangouts spring to mind. But there is much more to this southern European country that is home to over 40 million people.

Spain Culture - The Spanish Way of Life

Spain successfully mixes the traditional with the modern and the lifestyle is laid back. The Spanish people are known as friendly and outgoing.

Regional Differences in Spain

The different regions of Spain greatly influence the local cultures and Spanish traditions with geography, language, politics and ethnicity all playing a role; expats with Spain in mind as their new home should bear this in mind.

Spanish Culture - A Culture of Art and Architecture

For expats with an interest in art or architecture, Spain has a lot to offer. It is a country with a rich artistic history – Picasso and Dali are just two of many Spanish artists of note. Furthermore, the country’s architecture ranges from the historic monuments in the Balearic Islands to Gaudi’s more modern works in Barcelona.

The extended and nuclear family remain the keystone of Spanish society though there is a decline in the tradition of family businesses and generations living together in the same home.

If you are invited to a Spanish home, it is customary to bring a small gift for the host such as flowers, chocolates, pastries or wine.

The key trait of Spanish business culture is trust and personal relationships. These business relations will be carried with you throughout your career, even if you change the company you work for as Spanish people are loyal to relationships rather than companies.

Face to face communication is preferred in the Spanish business world and business appointments are made in advance.

Business attire is conservative but stylish.

Business Meetings

Hierarchy is important in Spanish business and decisions are made at the top of the company. Subsequently meetings are a forum to exchange ideas and for discussion, not for making decisions.

Agendas are used but are a guideline not a rigid timetable. In fact, a first meeting may be about getting to know you and cover no business items at all.

Don’t be surprised if you are interrupted whilst you are talking, and if numerous people talk at the same time. It means that what you have to say is interesting and expats in Spain should not see this as rudeness.

Spanish people particularly do not like to look foolish, so any public admonishment or confrontation is especially unwelcome. For similar reasons, they may not admit that they do not understand what you mean, which may be the case if language is a barrier (you should not assume all Spanish business people speak English). Watching body language can therefore be especially productive in Spain.

Expats in Spain will soon be familiar with Spain’s custom of a late lunch as the main meal of the day followed by an afternoon siesta. Famous Spanish treats include tapas, tortilla and paella and meat or fish and olive oil and garlic are popular components of Spanish food.

Spain is the world’s third largest wine producer and is particularly known for its Rioja.