The main daily television news is broadcast at this time, as are some of the most popular programs. Legislation has been in place since 2007 to ensure equality in the terms and conditions of employment. Spain - Culture, Customs & Etiquette If someone turns up late and apologises, people are likely to respond with something like . 1. Spanish social values and attitudes were modernized as its people came increasingly into contact with the outside world and the country was opened up to the outside world. October 12: Spain's National Day / Columbus Day commemorates when Columbus landed in the New World in 1492 (N), November 1: All Saints Day (Fiesta de Todos los Santos) (N). Decision-making is held at the top of the company, since this is a hierarchical country. 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. It is important to understand the strong regional cultures and identities that exist in Spain. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Semana Santa (Holy Week) is one of the largest celebrations. It is important that you stay in touch with your Spanish counterparts, helping to implement what has been agreed during the business discussions. Once a verbal agreement has been made, a full contract will then be written up and circulated for review and approval within a reasonable period of time. Taboos are technically defined as a practice "proscribed by society as improper or unacceptable." But what makes something taboo isn't as concrete. Copyright 2023 Helpful Professor. Elegant accessories are important for both men and women. Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions. 11 quirky Catalan traditions - Time Out Barcelona 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. Beginning with the Beatles in the 1960s, many leading foreign rock groups have given concerts in Spains major cities. In 2008, Spain suffered a catastrophic economic recession but has begun recovery showing three years of GDP growth above the EU average. Basic Etiquette. Spanish is now spoken around the world due to the Spain's colonialist past. This section will deal with some main aspects of Spanish culture, traditions and lifestyle that have a tangible impact on the way that business is conducted in the country. Lets explore the most prominent and interesting facts about Spanish culture! They receive gifts and theres colorful parades in the cities where they celebrate their long awaited arrival. When arranging the initial meeting, it is advisable to choose a time around mid-morning. Commisceo Global Consulting Ltd. 2022 All Rights Reserved. Spanish literature is credited with the creation of the picaresque genre, which follows the adventures of a rogue protagonist. Traditionally it was followed by a napthe famous siestabut, because most people now commute between home and work, this custom is in decline. Traditionally women in Spain were the homemakers and men provided for the family. Do not get up until the guest of honour does. 13. Being aware will not just make your trip stress-free but you will not offend the locals as well. If you need to give an object to someone, pass it to them. They believe bringing an old broom is bad luck. Savory food and flavors also make Spain the home of world-class chefs, elite cooking schools, and top-rated Michelin Star restaurants. Portuguese appreciate a sense of modesty. Spain has a long history of art and culture which was severely affected during Francos dictatorship (1939-1975) when many artists were forced to pursue their craft in exile. The first meeting is generally formal (although can often seem more relaxed than in other western business meetings.) Whats more, soccer and tennis arent the only sports the Spanish excel on. A small cup of strong black coffee is known as a caf solo and a coffee with milk is a caf con leche. 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). . If a public holiday falls on a Tuesday or a Thursday, many people take a four-day weekend, known as hacer puente. In Spanish culture, youre expected to bring a gift when youre invited to someones house for dinner. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. Product samples, demonstrations and working examples of your services should also be used where appropriate. You can usually gauge when a host is ready for you to leave their home when they stop offering you more drinks. 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. Do not be surprised if no business is actually conducted during the first meeting. Expect meals to be served at later times. Spaniards rarely drink tap water at restaurants. Some traditions are more a cultural event rather than a religious one. That said, women in Spain still earn 17% less than men. Spaniards place great emphasis on trust and honesty, so this should be given serious consideration before arranging a first meeting. Since 2010, the number of women in management and board positions in the country has also increased. Photo by Micha Parzuchowski on Unsplash, Strike a pose - A flamenco dancer in Seville. Your email address will not be published. Spanish people are proud and very protective of their standing and how others perceive them. Follow Us A community built resource for cross-cultural etiquette and understanding : Enter your search terms: Submit search form: Web: Unfortunately, cultural, religious and food taboos are different around the world. 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. Spanish people usually do not hurry; so dont be surprised if your Spanish counterparts are late for a meeting or do not meet a deadline on time. A Brief Introduction to Spanish Culture, Traditions, and Beliefs Still, some Spanish traditions are only possible to admire and experience if you take a trip to Spain. Bread is commonly served in a wicker basket on the side of meals. Many men use a two-handed shake where the left hand is placed on the right forearm of the other person. It gives you an insight on how society and identity are formed in Spain. Heres a list of representative dishes of Spanish culture and traditions: Pick up useful Spanish vocabulary in this appetizing blog post about The Origin and History of the Spanish Paella. Religious history is apparent in every small town, where the most grandiose building is typically the church. 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. Traditionally . Similarly, food taboos are enforced in many religious texts. Once your relationship with Spanish business associates has developed into a strong bond, friendly gestures, such as hugging, may become acceptable. You can if you want but it is not widely done and certainly not required. 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. The country suffered enormous hardship during the civil war which raged between 1936 and 1939 and resulted in thirty six years of military dictatorship by General Francisco Bahamonde (Franco). Primary education is free and mandatory and there exists an extensive network of private schools. Cultural Taboos - A cultural taboo is something that is considered inappropriate to do or discuss within a specific cultural or sub-cultural group. Not all businesspeople speak English, so it is wise to check if you should hire an interpreter. 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 cultural taboos get their cues from religions that are dominant within a cultural group. Spain has produced incredibly talented songwriters and artists like Plcido Domingo, Enrique and Julio Iglesias, Paco de Luca, Alejandro Sanz, and Rosala. Several people may speak at once. It is not necessary to use titles however, when addressing Spanish business counterparts. June 24: St John's Day (San Juan) (R) Catalonia. March 20: Monday after Saint Joseph's day (R) Extremadura and Madrid. Discovering Spains charming traditions and culture is worth your while if youre learning Spanish. Do not start eating until the host or person who invited everyone indicates it is time to start. The Latest! Businesswomen travelling to Spain will however be treated with respect. As far as family is concerned in modern Spain, men and women tend to share the parenting and household responsibilities particularly in urban areas where more women are likely to work outside the home in the cities. People are often referred to as Don or Dona and their first name when in formal occasion as a general rule. The main manufacturing centre of Spain is the capital, Madrid and industry is primarily concentrated in few regions in Catalonia, in particular around Barcelona, and in the Basque provinces. Say hello and goodbye when entering any shop or establishment. Yet most often both superstitions and taboos have a cultural background. Appointments are mandatory and should be made in advance, preferably by telephone or fax. It is acceptable for a woman to make a toast. Your email address will not be published. Spain - Business Culture Of all the traditions of music and dance in Spain, the most famous and popular is the Flamenco guitar that accompanies another traditional and popular art form, the Flamenco dance. A synonym of taboo is prohibition. Bullfighting, the most controversial of Spanish traditions, is a mixed blessing for Spain. Spain - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette Superstitions can be a behavior or belief that is considered bad and could bring harm. Bullfighting is nowhere near as popular as it used to be, but it still features prominently . You should ensure that your presentation is clear and that everyone in the meeting is able to follow and understand the discussion. The French taboos you should never break - The Local Money Don't ask people how much they make, nor how much they pay for rent. Frontiers | Breaking Cultural "Taboos" About the Body and Gender All these factors contribute to the improvement of the situation in education and training.