Spain: Public Behaviour - Part 1
From ExecutivePlanet.com
Acceptable public conduct
Life in Spain is in many ways the very antithesis of life in North America or Northern Europe: it is unhurried, loud and smoke-filled. There is, however, little point in getting irritated and even less point in trying to complain. It may take a few days to adapt but it is by far the best policy to 'go native' and enjoy the leisurely pace.
The Spanish attitude towards time is notoriously flexible. Nothing is done in a hurry but whatever needs doing gets done. So, if a waiter does not come to your table immediately, you should not condemn him for poor service but accept that he does not appear to be in any hurry because he assumes that you are not in a hurry.
The Spanish daily timetable is also alien to most visitors. Although wider use of air-conditioning is hastening change, old habits die hard and most Spaniards enjoy an active social life out of doors in the cool of the evening and into the night. You should not be surprised to see young children still up at midnight and you should not be annoyed if your colleagues stay out drinking into the early hours. The Spanish day is not rigidly structured; it is not divided crudely into work or play but the two are interwoven throughout the 24-hour cycle. This flexible attitude is epitomised by the habit of ir de tapas--indulging in a series of tasty, different little dishes throughout the course of the day.
On the other hand, all aspects of Spanish bureaucracy [office hours, paperwork, petty rules, indifferent staff, etc.] are really infuriating...
Etiquette and politeness may seem lacking amidst the din of a busy bar but, in general, the Spanish are tolerant, easy-going and even welcoming. In a culture where the self and one's family are paramount, the 'other'--the outsider who does not belong to any obvious group of one's own--is accorded a distinctly inferior status and priority. Still, this does not mean that you should ignore the basic social niceties. A general buenos días or buenas tardes on entering a shop or bar and adiós or buenas noches on leaving is expected. Do not fail to make an effort to understand local customs.
Spaniards are among the heaviest smokers in Europe; Californians, in particular, will just have to accept that it will probably be impossible to persuade a smoking colleague to abstain from the habit even at the dining table.
Initial introductions with Spaniards are always formal: extend a brief but firm handshake, while maintaining eye contact and saying buenos días or buenas tardes depending on the time of day.
Men will continue to shake hands on all subsequent occasions. Women will embrace and kiss; you may also observe professional women greeting particularly close [male] colleagues in this way. In the company of friends, it is also common for men to hug or pat each other on the back as well as shaking hands.
Spaniards, though, are perhaps less likely to insist on going through the same rituals when parting than, say, the French.
In conversation, Spaniards may not only stand uncomfortably close, but may also pat your arm or shoulder. If you are put out by such gestures, it will only cause offence to try to retreat into your own private space.
Indeed, a wide range of gestures accompanies all conversation and the more animated the discussion the more the Spanish will gesticulate. Most Spanish body language is self-explanatory--shrugs of indifference, shaking the hands downwards for emphasis, the universal gestures of contempt, etc.--but you shouldn't hesitate to ask a trusted colleague if you have difficulty understanding certain unfamiliar gestures.
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