A world of differences

Most Americans are used to the 'american way of life': Most of the audiovisual products (movies, TV shows...) that are world-famous are made in America. Furthermore, America itself is a melting pot of cultures (British, Indian, Spanish, Mexican,... ) that were  brought by settlers and immigrants and slowly 'americanized'.
Maybe that's why I can sometimes be difficult to know more remote cultures such as the Spanish one. It's impossible to write about all the differences existing between us, but we'd like tell you about a few curious examples, related to our daily and school lives:

• The timetable: Spanish schedule is quite peculiar. Here the day begins and ends later than usual. In most European countries, as well as in America, the school day begins at 7 or 8 o' clock, more or less. However, lessons here begin at 8:30 or 9 in middle and high school; or at 10 in elementary school. We're also used to having lunch at around 2:30 p.m and dinner at  9- 10 p.m. Tourists always find our timetable quite weird! >///<

This is our grade timetable.

• The food. As we mentioned, America is a rich mix of cultures and, as a consequence of that, you can have a  typical English breakfast and have dinner at Taco Bell! Of course, here in Spain we have a globalized menu -it isn't strange to buy a kebab, a pizza or a chop suey- but typical food is a constant feature on our daily diet. Have you heard about the 'mediterranean diet'?

Olive oil and vegetables: the Mediterranean diet stars

The Mediterranean diet is based on a high consumption of vegetables,legumes, bread and other cereals, olive oil, a lot of fresh fruit, a moderate and regular consumption of wine and a relatively low consumption of animal meat (fish and seafood are very popular here). This kind of diet is so healthy that  the Unesco has recognized it as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Italy, Spain, Greece, South France, Morocco and Malta.

However, although most of these products are eaten all around Spain, the Mediterranean menu itself is typical from the Mediterranean coast and in the South of Spain. In North Spain the diet includes a lot more dishes made of legumes, and different sorts of embutido (meat, generally pork, seasoned with aromatic herbs or spices and wrapped in  pig casings), like chorizo and morcilla, both of them traditional dishes in León.

We think there's no need to say that Spanish food has nothing to do with Mexican food: we don't have tacos, burritos, enchiladas, quesadillas, etc. But Spanish food is delicious!

Different sorts of 'embutido': chorizo, jamón....

Spanish culture has a delicious tradition: 'ir de tapas'. Tapas are a wide variety of appetizers, or snacks, in Spanish cuisine. They may be cold (such as mixed olives and cheese) or warm (such as chopitos, which are battered, fried baby squid). In our city, León, when you order any drink in a tapas bar, they give you a 'tapa' for free! Tapas are a delicious and cheap way to have lunch or dinner :3~

Variety of tapas

By the way, a lot of common American products can't be found in Spain: for example peanut butter, maple syrup or Dr. Pepper are things that a lot of Spaniards have only seen in movies!

• Spare time: Some differences can be seen between the way that American or Spanish young people spend their leisure time. Spain's reputation as a 'party-land' it's not false...but it's not completely true either. If you go to a place like Ibiza you'd probably think that the stereotypes about us are true. But Spain is not more 'fiestera' than other countries like the latinamerican ones.  Spain is not a huge constant party. Just like in your city or town , people usually go out on weekends. Unlike in America, home parties are not common at all here: people preffer going 'bar hopping' and then  clubbing. And these activities are not only for young people; adults go party as well!

The most famous discotheque in Ibiza: Pachá

However,  'fiesta' is not the only entertaiment here. In most of the country, specially in big cities like Madrid or Barcelona, people is used to go to cultural activities. Cinema, plays, museums and concerts are only a part of the cultural offer Spanish cities have. You can go to a free street concert at noon and  to the ballet at night.  So, if you go to a big city, don't forget to get an Activity Guide :)

'Guía del ocio'  for Madrid and Barcelona

• Siesta: A vey typical Spanish thing. 'Echar la siesta' means to sleep after having lunch (from 20 minutes to 2 hours). As we said before, we usually  go to bed very late, around 11-12 or even later, so we need an little extra rest to go on with the day. Try it someday, you may like it.

• Language: Obviously, the biggest difference between us is the language. We know that sometimes when you learn Spanish in the U.S.A you're taught the Mexican variety of Spanish. That's why we're going to teach you some exclusively Spanish vocabulary:

   Ir de tapas: Go bar hopping and eating different tapas.
   Molar: the same as 'gustar' (to like). Me mola= me gusta. ¡Molas! = You rock!
   Guay: Cool. (In latinamerican countries they have their own words for this, like 'chido', 'bacano',  'chévere'...).
  Quedar: to meet friends, to go out with them.
  Juerga: Fiesta (party).
  Flipar: freak out (not necessarily in a negative way).
  Apetecer: to feel like doing something. "Me apetece..."="I feel like..."
  ¡Que aproveche!: Said before eating; it means the same as 'bon appetit'
  ¡Jesús!: Said when somebody sneezes (you would say "bless you")

We hope you'll find this useful, and that you have enjoyed the post!


¡Nos vemos!