Cultural Differences

a) Pre-reading
People around the world have different habits and customs. Can you list some cultural differences
between different nations?
Have you ever had any personal intercultural experience? If yes, share your experience with your
fellow students.

We now live in a fully global society where it is imperative to have an awareness of cultural differences as
they relate to networking etiquette.

Tourists on holidays usually just see the visible surface aspects of a culture. They see what people eat, how
they dress, how they behave in public. But they do not really learn to understand the deeper-lying values,
the invisible seven eighths of the so-called “iceberg of culture” These aspects of intercultural understanding
are especially important in the tourism industry where cultural interaction is part of so many people’s work.

Consideration of “personal space”

It’s very important to respect the cultural boundaries relating to personal space. Body language and
expressions are just different in many places. Arabs, for example, like to talk with little space between
themselves and the other person, much to the discomfort of Westerners.

Register

When using slang in a business environment, you might want to keep in mind that what means one thing to
us might have no meaning, or a very different meaning, to a business man or woman from another culture.
That is why it is appropriate to stick to the formal register.

Behaviour

There are some tourist destinations where a certain behaviour may be considered offensive and it can lead
to serious repercussions for the tourist who was not informed in advance about the customs of that country
(an example is Dubai, a luxury destination visited annually by over 6 million tourists- kissing in public is
punishable by imprisonment followed by expulsion and restriction for visiting the country for life).

b) Answer the questions

Describe some basic differences in business card etiquette in Asia and in Europe or America.

What kind of language do you have to use in formal situations?

How can you prepare if you go on holiday abroad?

Culture Shock: Life in Spain vs. Life in the U.S. [Infographic] Joan B.

https://takelessons.com/blog/life-in-spain-vs-us-z03

A diverse country filled with delicious dishes, rich cultural offerings, and plenty of fun, Spain is a
country that will delight, amaze, and inspire you.

And as anyone who has travelled abroad knows, no two countries are alike! You might even be
surprised by some of the cultural differences that exist. Knowing these will help you blend in,
connect more with the culture and people, and feel comfortable in whatever setting you find
yourself in!

Cultural differences between Spain and the U.S.

Spain vs. U.S.: Introductions

 Spain: It’s common for women to kiss on both cheeks when being introduced to either a man or a
woman. Men will kiss women on both cheeks when introduced, but shake hands with another man. ).
 United States: It’s common in both formal and informal situations to shake hands upon
introduction; in informal situations, you might also hug at the conclusion of the meeting once you are
better acquainted with the other person.
Spain vs. U.S.: Meals
 Spain: Breakfast is a light meal that often consists of a bollo (roll) and cafe con leche (a delicious mix
of coffee and steaming milk). Spaniards usually have a snack around 11 a.m., like a bocadillo (a
sandwich made with french bread). Lunch, which is the largest meal of the day, is eaten at
around 1:30 or 2 p.m. and is often followed by a siesta (nap). At this time many of the shops are closed.
At around 7 many people have a snack–often tapas. Dinner, which is a light meal, is eaten at 9:30 or 10
pm.
 United States: Breakfast can be a big or small affair, with cereal or eggs with toast being common
choices. During the weekend, more elaborate options like French toast, waffles, or an omelette with
bacon and toast are common. Lunchtime is generally from noon to 1 p.m. A mid-afternoon coffee
combined with a pastry is often used to combat hunger and the afternoon slump, while dinner is
usually around 6 or 7. Dinner usually consists of pasta, meat, or some other hearty option.
Spain vs. U.S.: Drinking
 Spain: People generally drink wine or beer with meals or tapas (appetizers). If you want a draft
beer, you have to order una caña. Although you must be 18 to purchase alcohol in Spain (16 in
Asturias), some families are lax about underage drinking as it is served daily with meals in most homes.
 United States: Drinking can be accompanied by a meal, but alcohol is often also consumed on its
own, at a bar with friends. The drinking age for both consumption and purchase is 21, and parents
generally frown on teenagers drinking in the home or outside.
Spain vs. U.S.: Nightlife
 Spain: If you want to go dancing in the big cities, the nightlife usually doesn’t start until
11 p.m., and lasts long into the night or until dawn.
 United States: Nightlife can start early — around 8 p.m., or after dinner, and laws generally require
bars and nightclubs to close at a certain hour.
Spain vs. U.S.: Personal Space
 Spain: Personal space is much closer to those with whom you are interacting, often just inches
away. You’ll find that people stand and sit very close to you on the subway, especially when it is
 crowded. It is also customary for women friends to walk arm-in-arm down the street and for male
friends to walk with an arm draped over the shoulders of a friend.
 United States: Personal space is respected and coveted, as throughout most of the United States
it’s common to commute in your car, and crowded public spaces are uncommon except in the case of
special events. Invading someone’s personal space can be viewed as rude or a violation, especially in
the case of mixed genders.
Spain vs. U.S.: Driving
 Spain: Big cities like Madrid and Barcelona have wonderful transportation systems. Buses and the
metro can get you anywhere you want to go. Cars are small and often used more for trips out of the
city. Also, pedestrians do not have the right-of-way, so be careful when crossing the street!
 United States: Driving is the norm in most parts of the United States, with the exception of bigger
cities that have good public transportation, such as New York and Chicago. Some families opt for
bigger cars to accommodate growing families and increase comfort during long drives. Pedestrian
right-of-way is uniformly adopted throughout the United States, so even if you’re the lone pedestrian
on a street filled with cars, you will be able to safely cross.
Spain vs. U.S.: Fashion
 Spain: Young people are fashionable, but dress casually. Men do not wear shorts in the city unless
visiting a town on the beach. Older adults generally dress more formally. When visiting a religious site,
be sure to dress conservatively, covering both your arms and back — and save the flip flops for the
beach. This is not only the respectful thing to do, it is an enforced rule, so you will be turned away in
many cases if you are dressed inappropriately for a religious site.
 United States: People on the whole dress casually during days off, with shorts and sandals a
common choice during warmer seasons. Fashion is generally quirky and urban in bigger cities, with
preppy choices more common on the East Coast and a laid-back beach style on the West Coast.
Spain vs. U.S.: Shopping
 Spain: When entering a small shop, always greet the store clerk with “buenos días” or “buenas
tardes,” depending on the time of day. You should ask the clerk to show you something; it’s not
customary for the customer to handle the merchandise. This also applies to buying fruit or other food
items from a market; you do not select the fruit yourself, but ask for medio kilo (half a kilo) or un
kilo (2.2 lbs.) of what you want. And don’t forget to say “adios” when exiting the shop.
 United States: Most shopping is done in behemoth malls, where you can shop to your heart’s
content. Malls can be a place to spend the whole day, by enjoying a meal and a coffee or tea, getting
your exercise walking around it, and, of course, shopping. It’s nice to say hello upon entering a shop,
but not common or required in chain stores.