People
America: Independent. Self-centered. Competitive. Materialistic. Ignorant. Naive. (In general)
Spain: The people of Spain take great pride in their country and their family. They worry themselves about others before they do themselves and they work together as a whole. They don't just look out for themselves. Their values are completely different from Americans. As far as materialistic...everything here is so much smaller and when I mean everything I mean portions, housing, and even spoons are smaller. They value the more important aspects of life than say jobs and money and just things in general. Also this city is Considered a romance city, and its very obvious to why they consider this a romance city. People greet you by kissing you on both cheeks. When they talk to you they really talk to you. They look you in the eyes and they show affection to you. Also it is very normal to see a couple on the metro just kissing kissing and kissing. It was hard not to stare at first because that is considered inappropriate in America. But shoot you like a person I guess letting everyone else know is not a bad things.
Scenery
America: Modern. colorful. high tech. clean.
Spain: It seems as if every building and all the houses are made of stone. It is absolutely amazing the architecture here. I am literally going to school in a Castle. Okay, thats dramatic but I mean there are columns and doors that are 30 feet tall (if not more) and gorgeous glass windows and courtyards with waterfalls and orange trees! I have not taken a picture yet but there will be pictures to come! And Gaudi just paints the city with his incredible artwork. Its so moving! And they do not use colors at all. Its very neutral dark colors. The city is very clean considering how large it is. There are always people on the streets sweeping up trash! But the buildings are old and worn so it makes the city appear a bit dirty. Who cares though...its still gorgeous!
Clothes/hair
America: colorful. modern. sophisticated. sometimes scandalous. flashy.
Spain: Well all the boys wear tight skinny jeans with either large chunky boots or Ked like tennis shoes. They wear a lot of sweaters and absolutely no shorts. It is very common to see boys with scarfs where as in America most men consider scarfs to be kind of feminine. Their hair is usually long and shaggy or they have dreads. Dreads for both girls and boys is very popular here. A symmetrical hair is also a big thing. Girls usually have one side really long and then the other side is buzzed. Different. There are absolutely no blondes. Girls wear little to no makeup. They wear a lot of baggy clothes. Like big shirts with leggings or stockings and knee high boots or moccasin like shoes. And of course they DO NOT wear any color. I of course stick out like a sore thumb. They know I'm American so why not SCREAM IT!
Music
America: So much variety country. pop. hip hop. rock. rap. classical. techno.
Spain: Same. Just minus a year from America's most popular songs. Lady gaga...oh gah she is a huge hit here. I want to rip my ears off!! And yes they do listen to country. I have not heard much rap here but I am sure it is somewhere!
Technology
America: Americans live off of technology. Without it they would die.
Spain: Technology what? What is that? Kidding but they are not nearly as advanced as we are. NEARLY! But their lives are definitely not centered around computers and gadgets. Lazy Americans!
And I have yet to see anyone on the phone. And I say anyone...I literally mean anyone. When you walk down the streets in America everyone and anyone is on their phone...either taking a call...or texting...or checking emails...or on twitter...or facebook. No when you walk down the streets people are aware of their surroundings and they are talking and really listening to the person they are walking with. It is so unreal...and such a breath of fresh air! Also they do NOT use driers. We hang our clothes on the balcony to dry! I love it! I think it is so awesome how non materialistic these people are! ITS SOOO GREAT!
Food
America: Large portions. Fried. Lots of butter. Fattening. Tons of choices. processed.
Spain: FRESH FRESH FRESH FRESH FRESH!! There are no grocery stores here! Just fresh markets! They eat a lot of seafood and hardly any red meat. There are tons of fruits and vegetables! Also there are a lot of bakeries around here that look absolutely amazing! There are not a lot of choices like you get in America...for example with Milk...there is whole milk and "semi"/half milk. Thats it. For salad dressing...oh well lets just say they have one...Oil and vinegar. Thats it. You never pour your own drinks here. And you cannot buy anything in bulk!
Language (lets not state the obvious)
America: English mainly.
Spain specifically Barcelona: Catalan.
Alright well that is all I can think of for now...I'll keep ya'll updated on this big culture shock thing of mine that I have going on! Chau!
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