I love Spanish culture
After touching on the things your average American doesn’t like about the Spanish culture (here and here), I decided to compile a list of reasons why I love Spanish culture, starting here. Let’s continue, shall we?
Standard of living
To give you a rough estimate of how cheap it is to live in Spain, my rent, food, and transportation cost me about 300 euros a month. I told you before how cheap public transportation can get in Madrid. When I lived just outside the city and only had to fend for myself, costs were always stupid low.
Relax!
This is probably the number one thing my American friends have raved about when talking about how they love Spanish culture. Coming from the American culture, where you’re always on the go and we have to be productive constantly, Spain’s culture really is a breath of fresh air. My favorite example is the police: I rarely heard sirens or saw any crazy cop action while in Spain, but a bunch of cops standing around socializing was a common sight. When in America, I’ll usually stiffen up and make sure I’m driving the speed limit and not looking guilty at all (I can’t be the only one, right?). In Spain? Pft, I’m checking the cops out!
Spain is safe
Why are the cops standing around socializing? Because the country is safe. I often tell stories of grabbing my male roommate to go to Target with me because I’m afraid to go alone (yeah, in America). In Spain? I traveled across the country alone without a care in the world! A single woman in the center of the city after midnight? What’s your point?
Architecture
Spain is ancient. I talked briefly before about the history of Spain’s architecture, and I want to reiterate it here. I love Spanish culture - how you can look at a building and, with a basic knowledge of Spanish history, understand what was going on in the country when the building was built, and who built it. Even some of Spain’s more modern architecture, which boasts a fusion of cultures because of just how many cultures have wandered through the country, has a story to tell.
Happiness
To live in the Spanish culture is to be happy right where you are. No need to stress about the next best thing - why not be content with your present? Culture quirks that are unique to Spain, like spending hours at a restaurant, are the perfect representation of why I love Spanish culture: enjoy life, and don’t worry about the things you can’t control.
Jamie
Latest posts by Jamie (see all)
- What Hurricane Matthew Proves About the World - October 11, 2016
- Verbling: Because You Don’t Need Pants to Learn a Language - October 3, 2016
- How to Start Language Learning (No Matter Your Level) - August 9, 2016
I totally agree with all of this! I really want to live in Spain and the cost of everything was surprisingly super cheap!
I love the Spanish culture too. I would add the food as another reason why I like it.
You are not the only one to look guilty when police are around - I am the same, even though I have done nothing wrong. I am the same walking through customs at the airport!! Spain is so relaxed and lovely, I love the ‘mañana, mañana’ culture - don’t worry about doing things today that you can put off until tomorrow 😀
Good to know I’m not the only one!
I had no idea it was so cheap to live in Spain! I should’ve done some research after visiting Barcelona - because I totally would have moved there!
It’s so cheap, at least for an American! I’m not sure how it compares to other countries, but I definitely can’t wait to go back.