Living in host family in Madrid: the keys to your cultural adaptation.

Although Spain is at our door and be part of the European Community, the cultural traits of the Spanish guarantee a change of scenery that all travelers look for and value. Contact with a new culture is always rewarding, and I’ll give you some keys, from my own experience, so that your experience with your host family is completely positive. Here are the main aspects of Spanish culture that may surprise travelers, but which you will adapt very quickly!

– Meal times: Meal times can surprise especially if you come from Northern Europe. In Spain, people eat later. Traditionally, Spanish people have a very limited breakfast before going to work (often just coffee), then they take a real breakfast around 11am (coffee with toast or Churros). Generally, the take this breakfast at the bar close to the workplace, but this practice is getting lost today (because of the crisis and work schedules are now more similar to European rhythms). But many companies continue to have a break for breakfast (especially banks and institutions). Lunch is thereby delayed until 2Pm or even 3PM. If you are a European trainee, remember to bring a snack to work, because you will be starving before lunch time!!! The evening meal takes place around 9PM. It can be later in the South of Spain.

– Life in bars: I remember of a comment of a friend of mine, when he came to see me in Madrid during the economic crisis (in 2013), who was surprised to see the terraces of bars and restaurants full of people. This is an essential feature of Spanish life: bars and restaurants are social places where friends meet, where we organize family meals, all week, not just on the weekend, and throughout the year. Unlike northern European countries, Spanish people don´t party at home, but almost always outside (of course the weather helps a lot in Spain !!). Therefore, your neighbors will be little forgiving if you are having a party at home. The law obliges to respect the silence from 22:30 on weekdays and from 23:30 on weekends.

– The “Botellón” Consequence of previous cultural trait, young people meet outside, on the street, in parks, to party. The “Botellón” (“the big bottle”) consists in buying drinks, ice (which can be bought at the supermarket or gas station in bags of 2 to 5 kilos !!), plastic glasses to drink with friends in a public place. This practice is theoretically prohibited by law, and participants can be fined, but it is still tolerated and it is very common among students. This practice is criticized because of the uncontrolled consumption of alcohol and especially for the amount of rubbish and dirt they produce, which are generally not picked up by the participants.

– Tone of the voice: One aspect that may surprise or even shock the northern Europeans, it is the tone of the voice of Spanish people. In Spain, people speak loud! People talk a lot and in a tone that sometimes still surprises me (though I recognize I have a strong voice myself!!). A conversation between two ladies at the market may look like a strong argument … but no, they are just talking about their respective little children. I remember my first meeting with the (huge) family of my husband, and I was impressed, asking myself if I’d never be able to get a word in since everyone spoke at the same time, very loud, and nonstop!! But this is the expression of a warm and cheerful life, because if Spanish people speak loudly, they also laugh loudly. The Spanish have a great sense of humor.

– Swearwords: No, I will not mention here a list of the most common swearwords you can hear every day in Spain! They are part of the Spanish speaking, and are often associated with religiosity, which may seem shocking because the greater part of the Spanish people are still practicing Catholics. But you will get used to it. Just for laughs, a little video:

Here are some impressions and the main Spanish cultural traits that you will find coming to Madrid. They are all linked to a living, cheerful and colorful culture. Enjoy it!!!