Spain - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

Culture Smart / Cultuur Bewust

by Bélen Aguado Viguer, Marian Meaney, Charles Armstrong (Reader)

Culture Smart! provides essential information on attitudes, beliefs and behavior in different countries, ensuring that you arrive at your destination aware of basic manners, common courtesies, and sensitive issues. These concise guides tell you what to expect, how to behave, and how to establish a rapport with your hosts. This inside knowledge will enable you to steer clear of embarrassing gaffes and mistakes, feel confident in unfamiliar situations, and develop trust, friendships, and successful business relationships.

Culture Smart! offers illuminating insights into the culture and society of a particular country. It will help you to turn your visit-whether on business or for pleasure-into a memorable and enriching experience. Contents include


* customs, values, and traditions
* historical, religious, and political background
* life at home
* leisure, social, and cultural life
* eating and drinking
* do's, don'ts, and taboos
* business practices
* communication, spoken and unspoken


"Culture Smart has come to the rescue of hapless travellers." Sunday Times Travel

"... the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries." Global Travel

"...full of fascinating-as well as common-sense-tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas." Observer

"...as useful as they are entertaining." Easyjet Magazine

"...offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world." New York Times

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Spain, History, Audiobook, Reference

Audio CD

First published September 1, 2003

Reviews

[Antonomasia]

3 stars for content, 4 stars for enjoyment.
A short and basic guide to contemporary Spain, which was the relatively undemanding podcast-like listen I was looking for at the time. If you are a UK reader who took Spanish at school, a lot of the material will be familiar; the book gives a rudimentary cultural and historical overview similar to what you'd get as part of a language GCSE, just with more about workplaces and less about the education system. (And if that was as long ago for you as it was for me, this book is a reasonable refresher).

The original Culture Smart - Spain seems to have been published in 2003, and only partially revised during the 2010s. Some of the information here feels like it might be outdated, especially the material about business culture, but you'd need to get confirmation from someone who's recently worked in or with Spanish companies to be sure. It's still quite interesting if that's borne in mind and you aren't relying on the book for anything important.

It occasionally lapses into stereotypes, but this usually serves to introduce more concrete material about day to day habits and customs. There is quite a bit of repetition, but if the content is new to you, and you need to remember stuff for practical reasons, e.g. first visit to Spain, this may be useful.

A ragbag of factoids and observations. Square brackets are my additions.
- Suggests that under Franco, opening up to tourism led to Northern European values being brought to Spain.
- The financial crisis of the late 00s/early 2010s brought families closer again, as they had been when surviving under the Franco regime.
- Heavy restrictions on women's economic activity & even travel under Franco; reforms began shortly before his death, but contraception was not legalised until 1978, divorce in 1981 and abortion in 2010. (Although Spanish women have always been "liberated in their names", not taking a husband's surname as was custom in many other European countries.)
- More so than in northern Europe, pressure remains on Spanish women to look after the home as well as working. Partly as a result, Spain has the lowest birth rate in Europe after Italy.
- There has been some growth in old people's homes as Spanish life becomes somewhat less centred on the family.
- Spain sends and receives the most Erasmus students. [So that stereotype of Spanish exchange students is based on a statistical reality.]
- Says that Spaniards tend to have large numbers of acquaintances and few close friends. [Although now, because of social media, that is probably true of more people in any country.]
- The occupation of the gestor administrativo, who handles bureaucracy and forms for many people. Sounds as if it is widely used by many and not restricted, like UK equivalents, to those at the poorest and richest ends of the economic spectrum (Citizens' Advice, or the concierges, solicitors and accountants who deal with the affairs of the wealthy).
- A sense of fatalism, and reluctance to get involved in political demonstrations, is a result of the country's recent history. [Also said in this 1992 documentary episode, based on a book, Fire in the Blood: The New Spain by Ian Gibson, which is mentioned in this one.]
-Other books it references include The New Spaniards by John Hooper, which has some good GR reviews, and The Spanish Temper (1954) by V.S. Pritchett, and Wild Spain (1893) by Buck & Chapman. The ebook edition - also on Scribd, has a bibliography in the back mentioning several other books for the general reader, but not everything that was alluded to in the text.
- It describes a sexually very liberal media founded in the reaction against the restrictions of the Franco years, something which I get the impression has changed somewhat in more recent years. [That was the atmosphere in which 1980s erotic literary novel The Ages of Lulu was first published - a book which, judging by online reviews, shocked English-speaking readers who'd sought it out after enjoying Almudena Grandes best-selling family sagas in the late 00s.]
- The book says that ads for prostitution and brothels are found in the most serious newspapers. [Now, the current ruling party is pledging in its general election manifesto to ban prostitution.]
- Adverts are blatantly sexual, and there is no TV watershed, with sex and violence shown during the daytime, and newspapers and news magazines show graphic photographs of accident and crime scenes.
- Racism: less acceptance of those with different skin colour and of gitanos (the latter are mostly otherwise mentioned as the original & best flamenco artistes).
- Spaniards are very direct, and please and thank you are often unnecessary, unlike in English.
- There is a lot of casual complimenting, including in the street. [How do contemporary Spanish feminists see this? Is it received differently from in Anglo-American cultures, because it's a more outdoor culture?]
-There are now fewer public holidays than there were 20 years ago. [20 years ago from 2016? 2003?]
-Christmas: importance of midnight mass (misa del gallo); Catalan el tío Christmas log that shits presents (with story of schoolchildren getting into trouble for telling author about it when she asked); 5th January as most special day of season, coexisting with Christmas Day.
- San José, 19 March, used to be national holiday, now only in some regions. Street celebrations with fallas (giant satirical figures) and bunuelos pastries.
-Pre-Lent carnaval banned under Franco as masks could contribute to political conspiracy, now again popular.
-Shrine of Compostela lost popularity in 14th century, was revived in 19th after papal authentication of relics.
- Many little things contribute to a picture of Spain as an honour culture, albeit one more modern and liberal than what is often associated with that label.
- Makes it sound like an appealing place to socialise, but not to work. (The described combination of heavy reliance on networking, bosses and colleagues liking to know one's personal life, and favouring impressions and appearances of projects and decisions, sounds awful to someone who likes to keep work and private selves separate and prefers research, reasoning and stats.) The stated dislike of electronic communications sounds likely to have changed by now.

[Kimson Dooland · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time reading a Culture Smart Book! Funny how I got here. I was trying to learn the history of countries and found out they are two kinds of books to know the places and history and extras of a country.



Well I would say it took me a week to go over this book. During the night times I try to squeeze in a few hours. But it was totally worth it. With this book and little bit of google maps & street view had me go over Spain!

I loved the history more. But it thought me more about the country. I was shocked in a few places and and it was an eye opener in other places. This book has so less pages but packed with a lot of information.

I disliked the emphases on office culture and family. It were good topics. But I think it could have been better. Few places which were interesting had very less information and found a few things repetitive.



However, reading a first travel guide and history. I would say it was just a gem. I will be reading more of this and I must say! I'm going to try "Lonely Planet" books too to see how different they are.


Travel time - more than 8 hours!
History - 7/10


Cracking on to the next one!

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't as useful during my trip to Spain as I was expecting. It's a fairly short guide that seems aimed at maybe everyone going to Spain. Some of the historical information about the various regions was very useful, but I'm not entirely sure how much of the cultural stuff is accurate (or otherwise not exaggerated).

Also, I suspect all guides to Spanish culture should warn you that the costumes they wear during Holy Week inspired KKK outfits, not the other way around (this guide doesn't mention it). I wasn't there during Holy Week, but I can imagine an American's surprise when randomly encountering a huge celebration of people with pointy hoods. 😅

2.5 of 5 stars

[Akshay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good audiobook to listen while on flight or on way to Spain, Otherwise too GENERIC

"Spain - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture" is a well-written and insightful book that provides readers with a detailed understanding of the country's customs, culture, and way of life. Written by Marian Meaney, a writer and traveler who has lived in Spain for many years, the book is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of this fascinating country.

The book is divided into several chapters that cover different aspects of Spanish culture, such as history, society, values, and attitudes. The author uses clear and concise language to explain each topic, and she provides many examples and anecdotes that help to illustrate her points. One of the strengths of the book is the way it balances general information about Spain with specific details about the different regions and cultures within the country.

One of the key themes of the book is the importance of tradition and family in Spanish culture. The author explains how Spanish families are typically close-knit and that family ties often take precedence over individual ambitions. She also describes how many Spanish customs and festivals are rooted in history and tradition and are still celebrated today.

Another important theme in the book is the concept of "la siesta," the traditional Spanish afternoon nap. The author explains how this custom is deeply ingrained in Spanish culture and how it reflects the country's relaxed and leisurely way of life. She also notes how some aspects of modern life, such as globalization and the influence of other cultures, are beginning to challenge this tradition.

Overall, "Spain - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture" is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of Spanish culture. The author's extensive knowledge and experience of the country shine through in her writing, and her insights and observations are both informative and engaging.

However, while the book provides a comprehensive overview of Spanish culture, it is not without its limitations. One of the main criticisms of the book is that it tends to generalize Spanish culture and overlooks the differences that exist between different regions and communities within the country. While the author does acknowledge some of these differences, there is a sense that the book is written primarily for an outsider's perspective, rather than taking into account the nuances of Spanish culture from within.

Furthermore, some readers may find the book's tone a little too positive and uncritical of certain aspects of Spanish culture. For example, while the book acknowledges some of the challenges that Spain faces, such as economic and political issues, it tends to present the country in a very positive light overall.

In conclusion, "Spain - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture" is an informative and engaging book that provides readers with a comprehensive overview of Spanish culture. The author's writing is clear and concise, and her insights and observations are both informative and engaging. However, the book does have its limitations and may overlook some of the differences and complexities that exist within Spanish culture.

One of the strengths of the book is the author's emphasis on the role of history in shaping Spanish culture. Meaney provides a detailed overview of Spain's complex and fascinating history, including its periods of Islamic rule, the Spanish Inquisition, and the Civil War. She explains how these historical events have influenced Spanish society, values, and attitudes, and how they continue to shape the country's culture today.

Another strength of the book is its emphasis on the importance of social relationships in Spanish culture. Meaney explains how the concept of "familismo," or the importance of family ties, extends beyond the immediate family to include close friends and even neighbors. She also describes the importance of socializing and building personal relationships in Spanish society, particularly in the workplace.

However, while the book is generally well-written and informative, there are some areas where it falls short. For example, the author's discussion of gender roles in Spanish culture is somewhat simplistic and fails to fully capture the complexities of this issue. While she acknowledges that traditional gender roles are still prevalent in many areas of Spanish society, she does not delve deeply enough into the ways in which these roles are changing, particularly among younger generations.

Additionally, the book could benefit from more discussion of the cultural differences between different regions of Spain. While the author does touch on some of these differences, such as the Basque Country's unique language and culture, there is a sense that the book's focus is primarily on the "typical" Spanish culture found in cities like Madrid and Barcelona.

Overall, "Spain - Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture" is a useful and engaging resource for anyone seeking to gain a better understanding of Spanish culture. The book's emphasis on history, social relationships, and family ties provides readers with a nuanced and detailed view of Spanish society, and its accessible writing style makes it easy to digest. However, readers should be aware of the book's limitations, particularly its tendency to oversimplify certain aspects of Spanish culture and overlook the diversity that exists within the country.

[William Sherlock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to Spain and the Spanish

This book is very readable. It covers most aspects of Spain and the Spanish and provides a lot of useful tips about the social aspects of spain ands its business culture. Very enjoyable.

[Mallory Mac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally bought and read this back in 2003 when it first came out. From other reviews, it doesn't seem like new editions have been released. If you come across this book, I wouldn't *not* recommend it, but if you're looking for something to buy, you can probably find a newer, more relevant guide.

[Liam · Rating 4 out of 5]

An informative guide to Spanish customs and culture. The book is quick to read and gives poignant examples of etiquette and the like.

[Karli Sherwinter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just what I was looking for before my upcoming trip to Spain. I particularly liked the chapters about food and transportation. It sounds like the gregarious, festive atmosphere in Spain will be a lot of fun for me, and hopefully not too distracting for Danny. Now back to Duolingo so I can communicate on some level!

[Bridget A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite helpful, in my opinion!

[Elizabeth Rexing]

studying up
t minus two weeks 🫢

[J.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick and useful overview of Spanish life and culture.

[Marion Littman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful. None of the guides is perfect....always wind up using a combination.