SPAIN

SPAIN CULTURE

$1.25

Emmy-Lina Lindholm

06.03.2016

Spain have 22 paid vacation days, 12 paid public holidays

So total it is 34 days

Bribery and Corruption

Working hours

Spain has a higher level of corruption than other western European countries. Corruption is an important issue in Spanish politics and many professionals agree that Spain should change the laws. However, corruption is usually not seen as an obstacle by foreign firms doing business in Spain, and the situation is actually improving rapidly.

Punctality

In Spain being late is usually not considered impolite and deadlines are often considered as objectives to be met where possible, but are not viewed as binding.

Relationships & Communication

The working day is not an unbroken period of concentrated effort like the northern European day. They have many coffee breaks with fellow employees, non-work conversations with colleagues and long meetings that end up in social affairs and small talks, they don't prioritize work like we do.

Business Dress Code

It's important to dress in a way that demonstrates professionalism, style and a serious approach to business.

they use only top-quality materials. Designer clothes are recommended and elegant accessories are important for both men and women

For men, dark woollen or linen suits and silk ties with white cotton shirts are recommended.

Women should wear well-cut suits or dresses made of high-quality fabrics. In general, Spanish women are expected to avoid drawing attention to their physical sexuality and tend to express themselves through their clothes and hair.

Unless you are visiting Spain as a tourist it is best to avoid wearing shorts and dress conservatively. You should also be well covered if you go to a church and dress up for special occasion like dining out at a restaurant.

Business Cards

You should have one side of your card translated into Spanish. You present your business card to the receptionist when you arrive. Hand your card so the Spanish side faces the recipient.

Physical Contact Body Language

• The Spanish prefer to do business with those they know and trust

• They prefere face to face conversations instead of mail or telephone communication,the way you present yourself is important to them.

• Spaniards do not like to publicly admit that they are wrong.

Spanish body language is among the most obvious of all cultures.

Flashing eyes, exaggerated facial expressions, extensive use of hands, arms and shoulders are very usual, they are also very loud people and like to act when they talk.

Eye contact is along with the Greek, the strongest in Europe and very important to them.

Whether there is touching while speaking really depends on the relationship with the other person.

They would only touch the shoulders, higher part of the arms and elbows with a quick tap or movement to add emphasis. Never the head, neck, hands or legs.

It's socially acceptable for there to be contact between men and women but it is restricted to friendly situations where there is a lot of trust involved.

Physical contact is less common among men than among women.

Meeting Etiquette

When you are introduced to new people you are expected to shake hands. Once a relationship is established, men may embrace and pat each other on the shoulder.

Many men also use a two-handed shake, when the left hand is placed on the right forearm of the other person.

Female friends kiss each other on both cheeks starting with the left side.

People are often referred as Don or Dona and their first name when in formal occasion as a general rule.

Thank You For Watching

Practical Nurse

Showing Emotions

HUMOR

The Spanish humour has something quite unique, surrealism.

Here you can see a good example of this surrealism.

The Spanish are also very good of making fun about themselves.

Another thing that impresses the people is that in Spain the use of swear words is really common and they are also used a lot as emphasis of things, but not with a bad intention.

It was hard to find some specific differences because the health care is such a large area.

But if you are working in Spain you have to think about the physical contact body language and communication, I think it is very important that you remember to look the patient in the eyes and gain their trust.

Emotions are well accepted in Spain since the Spanish are very emotional people.

However it does depend on the emotion, situation and to whom you are showing them.

It's common to see people holding hand and kiss (even on the lips), especially during lunchdates.

Anger is also often shown but mainly in cities in reaction to childrens behavior or between couples, but it is not accepted when it implies violence!

Table Manners

Gift giving

In Spain people do not usually give gifts to each other. However, gifts are sometimes offered at the end of a successful business experience or to say thank you for a favor and sometimes as a welcome presents.

Gifts should not be too expensive. So if you give something it is usually food, drinks or souvenirs from your home country.

If you are invited to a Spanish home you should take presents with you, suitable gifts are a box of chocolates, sweets, souvenirs or flowers.

If you are invited over for dinner you remain standing until invited to sit down and sometimes you may be shown to a particular seat.

You always keep you hands visible when you are eating, keep your wrists resting on the edge of the table.

Do not begin eating until the hostess starts.

The host gives the first toast and an honored guest should return the toast later in the meal, it is acceptable for a women to make a toast.

They use utensils to eat most food, even fruits are eaten with a knife and fork.

If you have not finished eating, cross your knife and fork on your plate with the fork over the knife.

Indicate you have finished eating by laying your knife and fork parallel on your plate, tines facing up, with the handles facing to the right.

Do not get up until the guest of honor does.