Okay, I’m Spanish and I say please and thank you all the time, it really depends on your education and the area you’re visiting. Better to be over polite than rude!
I believe they meant more when you’re asking for something that isn’t as much of a favor. Like asking for a beer in a bar, it’s not really a favor or an inconvenience, so we don’t say please, maybe thank you, but not please
@@-ana_banana-2098 really? In Germany we always say thank you, even when someone give you something and it’s not a big deal Also with please. When you want something, we say „please“ like „can you please give me the pencil“ etc but also deepens with you talking to. To my sister I would just say „can you give it to me?“ but I would still say thank you
I agree. When I invite people over, I want them to enjoy my shit and then fuck off whenever they feel like doing so. No, really, I can't stand people waking up from their couch while in amidst of a good convo with friends and family so they can help me wash dishes. Leave dishes for tomorrow if you will, when I'm coming over their place I ain't standing up to do their dishes, that's for sure!
When we invite someone to our home we want them to have a memorable time y we want them to be welcome. That is why we are not expecting Our guest to pick up and clean
@@almabelhumeur6672 You can be polite and you can be awkward, there lies the difference. Overcommitment in somebody else's house is impolite in my land. They make you feel like they're in debt with you in some way.
I am a spanish nurse and I have asked older patients about their experience in the war and the post-war, and I have learned incredible stories and how they survived hunger and calamities, some orphans who went to Russia, others with their father in prison and working. at ten years old... also among my friends we have told each other about the little battles of our grandparents, each one on a side and how they went through it and that manages to generate an idea of what it really was like. It is a fascinating topic if you talk about it sensitively.
i will help you with one: why dont we talk about our work with people to break ice? 2 main reason: 1) we work to live, not live to work. 2) many people (many, 15-20% of adults, or 60% of youngsters) are jobless, and much more are ashamed of their jobs or in a very precarius situation. So work is not a topic to meet people.
I do agree with the first explanation, but not with the second one, I think that asking someone who you just met, ( what you do for a living , ) sounds like a little bit rude, basically you first talk about trivial matters and then ,,,,,,
That's very true, I have lived in California my entire life, and too many times people ask right off the bat what you do for a living, which is annoying.
I live in Italy and the same rules apply here: - hands under the table are considered very rude -we aren't expected to help to do the dishes -we don't ask about one's job as a first question -we speak loud too, louder in the south then in the north - depending on the region and the province people and habits vary a lot -we use tu and usted equivalents in the same way as the Spaniards I'm Italian, have many friends in Castilla, Catalunya, Asturias and Galicia and I know the difference between the many comunidades . Spain is the only country I feel at home as in Italy.
Man, I don't mind being rude in Italy if it means I can fondle the pussy of a "bella ragazza" under the table. And I might even offer to do the dishes if my fingers need a rinse, afterwards. To the "job" question - best not answer "Mafiosi". Those in the South are farther away - hence the need to shout. Habits - you mean the chosen form of fulfilling the "Vendetta"? Use the equivalent of VD,, pre-penetration, and ensure you don't catch VD, post.
Yeeah I totally agree! I'm from Catalunya and for my job I had to move to Italy 2 years ago and I was scared at the beginning but I soon realised that it felt like home too. Obviously there were challenges but having less cultural shock helped a lot. :)
¡Facha! Claramente es la forma TRADICIONAL de desplazarse de los británicos. Hay que respetar su cultura y ponerles unos balconcitos especiales por los que ellos puedan ir trepando como monitos, lo contrario es imperialismo cultural. ¿Cuántos tendrán que hacerse daño hasta que la sociedad no reaccione? 😭
Totally agree with all of these, as Brit married to a Spaniard and living in Madrid for 26 years. Can I add one? Don't back off when Spaniards stand close to you when talking. They're not invading your personal space, they just have a smaller one!
North American personal space is roughly one arm length away. In Europe, half that. Especially in Spain's typically small elevators. They will pack in like sardines. If you aren't used to being that close to strangers, yikes!
Yes, I recall the "dances" the at the university bar in Salamanca--the Japanese sent by Mitsubishi Corp to study Spanish for a year backing away from the Spaniards following them to get close enough to communicate. My first words in the English class I taught at the University were, "Inmaculada. Concepcion." The first Spanish words were in response, "Voy a cambiar de asiento." We were so lucky to have met you!
them: here in spain we don't say gracias and por favor constantly yo, española cada dos por tres: gracias, por favor them: if someone comes to your house don't offer them a drink my parents, if anyone comes over no matter the time: quieres una cervecita?? creo que vivo en una españa diferente
Same here !!!!! I was super impressed about the "do not ask about job". And even civil war. I would be happy to hear someone talk about it, coz that means they are interested.
I am Spanish and I personally think we feel more uncomfortable talking about our jobs to break the ice due to the unbearable unemployment rates rather than due to the motto "we work to live, not live to work". I've been a "nini" several years "ni estudia ni trabaja" and it hurts. Anyways people my age (Spanish young adults) always asked me what was my job when they met me, and trust me, you feel like a useless human being if you don't have anything "interesting" to answer. Situation has improved since then for me, luckily.
work doesn't define anyone.. I like that individuals are trying to connect with person and not a version of them based on work.. I also love that people for most part put their cellphones away and the conversation is genuine most of the time..
Aww that’s awful. You should come to a nice country like America. You’re English is rlly good for a foreigner. As long as you’re fluent in English verbally you could always get a job in the US. And with all the illegals flooding in you might be able to do some sort of communications job like construction site manager where bilingualism comes in handy
@@Aquarius285Like any other job, good luck and connections my friend. Although I must warn you, the comic book industry in Spain is pretty weak. People usually end op working on france or the USA (or for publishing houses from those countries, aka. online work). There is very little comic book culture, at least compared with the three titans. There is a small industry in Barcelona, where said USA and French publishing houses will accept portafolios. But I have never heard of such a thing in Madrid. Maybe try to send your resume and portafolio to the publishing houses that probably have their main offices there, some magazines also tend to have 1 or two pages dedicated to comic strips. You could try a contest, but nowadays they are pretty rigged. I guess try to network and gain the trust of people who are already inside the industry, make them aware if your work. Go to events when you can and talk to people. But in Spain rarely can someone live off of comics alone. Paco Roca is a goddam miracle considering we are past the comic strip age.
My Please & Thank You eduction story! Ive grown up in Australia with Spanish parents. I will never forget when I first travelled to Spain as a young backpacker and stayed with many of my extended family. I was so appreciative of their hospitality and generosity, so was always saying please and thank you. Eventually my Aunty had had enough and totally snapped ….” I can’t do justice the way she expressed herself in that classic Spanish way … “enough already with the pleases and thank you, … who do you think you/we are?” She was offended by good manners. I came to learn that my politeness perhaps came across as insincere due to its repetition. From her perspective No thanks needed for what is essentially expected as family. Was a great lesson!
Indeed. As a Spaniard living in Ireland, it kinda irks me the constant repetition of "thank you" and "sorry" from everyone, everywhere, all the time, because of meager reasons or to fill some kind of casual interaction. They say it so much it loses its meaning. A bartender in Spain will say thank you after I pay or if I help him/her to pile up my dishes and facilitate the work. A bartender in Ireland can say "thank you" 2-4 times at every single interaction.
@@Jay-jb2vr los muchos que tenemos un trabajo de mierda. Por otra parte conozco unos cuantos españoles que su vida es el trabajo y poco más (de hecho la mayoría yo creo, pero eso es algo global me temo).
I’m quite excited because next year I am going to Spain for my 17th birthday. My parents are not typical American parents and would rather have their children explore other cultures. So I chose España. ¡Estoy muy emocionado!
Yo también digo por favor y gracias todo el rato, pero es cierto que comparado con el inglés lo decimos mucho menos. Viviendo en Inglaterra siempre me decían que era rude porque lo usaba poco, pero se dieron cuenta que quizás el problema era suyo porque lo decían demasiado xD
No, no, en España nose dice tanto 'por favor ' y 'gracias'. Mi mujer que es española me ha explicado que la cortesía excesiva se interpreta como falta de confianza. 'Por favor' y 'gracias' son para desconocidos.
I was stationed in Spain as US Navy, I loved my time in Spain and learned new things every day. I’m thinking of moving to Spain permanently because I like their culture and customs and saw how people were with their family and helped me stay closer in contact with my family and friends. I was very happy there and would like to go back. I also like the healthcare, so much better than what I grew up with in America. I also really loved the socializing and traveling. During my time in Spain, it brought me out of my shell and I felt right at home ❤️
I was in the US Navy as well but my duty stations didn't include Spain (unfortunately!). So what you say is great but unless you buy your citizenship (500K or 1M Euros), or marry a Spanish citizen, how do you stay in Spain past 90 days legally? (I've been to Spain twice, LOVED it, & did NOT want to come back!)
My comment is not a personal one to you but important to mention: we (the population) don’t like US military presence in Europe: WW II is over long ago more than 75 years “Ami go home”! ☮️ PEACE ✌️
Welcome everyone in Spain, US Navy, British Navy, in duty or not. I love people that appreciate my country and I love that Spanish Navy members are welcome in other countries. Don't hesitate to settle in Spain if you want to, you have already tasted how we appreciate good people and how we love cultural exchange, and I believe most of us deeply respect such an activity and its presence and mutual cooperation here. Peace and respect. Thank you for your words.
@@anneli1735 Spain and the United States are close allies and have excellent relations based on shared democratic values, including the promotion of democracy and human rights. Spain joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1982 Jan 13, 2020. According to Article 30.1 of the Spanish Constitution, Spain's American ally is there to guarantee the sovereignty and independence of Spain and to defend its territorial integrity and the constitutional order.
If you glare at abuela long enough, she'll eventually return to her car, abandoned with the doors open in the middle of a roundabout because she spotted her neighbour on the corner and had to discus the price of alcachofas.
It is true that in Spain queues are not respected as much as in other countries. Neither do we put orderly on the right side of the escalators. Very true! 👍 Let's leave the older ladies ... it will be the best! 😂
I particularly like the use of "l'ultim" instead of queuing up at the bank. I learned this in Barcelona. You walk in and ask, "L'ultim?", then the person who walked in before you will say "soc jo" and then you know your turn comes up after that person.
En los años ochenta, acuñé un término para esas señoras que de repente aparecen y se ponen delante cuando te va a tocar en la carnicería, pescadería o frutería. Las llamo "Mujeres Guadiana". Piden la vez, se largan a pedir en otros puestos, y luego vuelven y se te ponen justo delante.
Hay sitios donde usted se usa muchisimo. Y no se dirigen a personas mayores. A mi me hablaron de usted en andalucia y estabamos en cuadrilla con amigos
I would add a number 12: I realized that people, at least in UK, used to ask "how are you?" just waiting for a "fine, thanks" as a response. In Spain (or at least in the south), if you ask "how are you" be ready to hear about our life and problems; if you ask it is because you are really interested, not just to be polite. At least that was my feeling, in UK every time I replied with an honest answer I received a glance like "please don't botter me talking about your life...."... Then why do you ask?? XD
@@jmusic2024 Una cosa es saludar al tendero y otra preguntarle a un amigo o conocido que cómo está y pretender que no te cuente su vida. En UK se interesan muy poco por la vida privada de los demás (que no estoy diciendo que sea mejor o peor que aquí, pero si es diferente y a mi me supuso un choque cultural). Al menos en Canarias, preguntale a cualquiera en el barrio que cómo le va y espérate una buena historia....
vivo en UK, anda que no me han dejado sola veces hablando en la calle.... me preguntaban que tal, como estas...? y yo parandome a contar mi vida entera... cuando me daba cuenta se habían largado.... entonces para que me preguntas....!!!!!!
As a recent British expat living in Malaga, I found this really interesting! Personally, I HATE it when, in a social situation, the first question is 'what do you do?'. To me, it comes across as a test to see if they are 'better' than you and to try and assert dominance in the conversation (although I do find this is more commonly asked by fellow expats and not Spanish people) One other thing I may add to this list is 'Don't complain when it rains'. Rain here is blessing for crops and farmers and us Brits are used to grumbling about bad weather. I've learnt very quickly to say 'Yes it's raining today but we really NEED it'.
I ask Spanish and students of other nationalities what they do, but I don't care if they are rubbish collectors or CEOs. It's just to build rapport and to get a bigger picture of their needs
@@JasMcKenzie You have many other topics to start a conversation. To me it is really annoying, who cares what I am doing for living? I am just here and I am trying to have a nice moments, do not bother me talking about my job.
I'm Spanish and here we say thanks and please constantly. In a bar or restaurant, my friends and me we say "thank you" for each plate the waiter put in the table. You guys can say thanks and please constantly without problem!
The truth is everyone is different, in every country. I know some people in England who don't like please and thank you being used too much, but most people don't mind.
you are missing the point - yes you say it but you say please/ thank you much less that you would say in the UK - in the UK if you didn't say it then people would think you are being inpolite
It's funny what you said about the dishes. I am a spaniard living in Germany and people here also help a lot after dinner. And I do agree that people doing my dishes or even loading the dishwasher feels invasive. I like to do these things my way and usually will wash things again or re-load the dishwasher after guests leave. Kitchens are a very private space in Spanish homes. Plus, when the host starts doing the dishes, it is a covert sign that guests are overstaying and should leave.
In the States, like in Spain, people ONLY do dishes if they are part of the family, or friends like family. I have yet to visit a home in the US, where I have been invited to dinner, where the host/hostess expects you to take their dinnerplate, much less put them in the dishwasher. I do consider it very rude to start cleaning while my guests are still visiting. Of course, if it is 11:30 at night, and dinner was served at 8:30 PM, I do want you to leave.
This is so funny as an American with a Spanish mother. A lot of this is really relatable to me even though I grew up in Hawaii, USA. I love Spain and Barcelona so much. When I started spending more time there, I had epiphanies that were very comforting. Like the bit about the supposed arguing. 😂 Back home in the US, some people think I come off strong or like I’m angry, when it’s not the case at all. When I observe the women in my Spanish family interacting, I remember where I come from and how it’s not aggressive at all. It’s just how we talk. We are passionate and warm. 😄 I’m actually moving to Barcelona next month to live with my yaya. I’m sad to leave home, but very excited for a new start.
Right?? The British colonies are so damn uptight, here in the USA the Americans were always uptight and nervous that we spoke loudly, got physically close to each other etc
As a Spaniard I've experienced something tricky with the "don't wash the dishes" rule. Sometimes, when you have more confidence and have visited a home a few times already, there will be this invisible moment in which you'll be close enough to them to help cleaning, and expected to, but they'll not tell you. I usually discover that I'm allowed to wash the dishes when they actually say I never do 😂 👌.
You are absolutely right! I clean all the time at my friend's houses and help do the dishes once we finish eating. I wouldn't allow them to do it by themselves.
Im English. I have only been invited to eat with a spanish family twice (same family) ... Ive been surprised at how few 'friends' invite us to join them or to even "come round forva coffee/beer". In England, my door is "always open". Regarding the cleaning of plates after the meal .... even in England, its a question ... "do you want me to help?" the answer is either "si" or "no"
You have forgotten a very important DON'T in Spain: Getting drunk in Spain is bad manners and you are told that you just don't know how to drink. People in Spain drink alcohol to enjoy it and never and ever with the ultimate purpose of getting drunk. This is a very serious recommendation for foreigners who want to behave properly in Spain and don't want to be perceived as low class and poorly educated.
I’m from the USA and have always thought it rude when people immediately ask what I do for a living. People here use it to determine income and judge people. I love how Yoly uses the word “reckon”. It’s such a great and underutilized word.
@@alyndaponder1668 she certainly writes it 'Yoli'. 'Yolly' is not a thing in Spain..... The person said 'probably' because of education, you can never be 100% sure. I am 99% sure though.....
@@paddygirl xD mi padre a veces cuando hace tortillas de patata y cebolla jajajaja pero las tortillas francesas las hace en la sartén como todo el mundo
Me encanta como respetáis los turnos de habla del otro y como os mirais el uno al otro con gran admiración. Se nota que hay una gran química entre vosotros.
Se nota que se llevan bien, aun estando casados, jajaja. Él lleva la conversación y ella aporta datos como española que es. Si el video fuera hecho en España, ella sería quien llevara la conversación y él, calladito en una esquina asintiendo con la cabeza pero sin decir ni mu 😂😂😂😂
I asked my abuela about the civil war and she told me some really interesting things about our family and how we had some family members on both sides and how it ripped the family apart, there was betrayal, etc. it’s heavy stuff and I could tell with my limited Spanish, that it wasn’t super fun for her to talk about. It’s just that I wanted to write these things down for future generations of our family while I can still get the stories from my elders. I also wrote down as much of the family tree as she could remember. I am looking forward to building on that genealogical knowledge. I know that my abuela was originally from Cubillos which is in León, in the north of Spain. They moved to Barcelona when my mom was a little girl.
My family refused to talk about it. My grandfather had a brother whom I never met. He was pro-regime, so I don't think I missed out much. Sensitive subject for sure.
@@vaazig same here but German history. I don’t know anything from my father as he didn’t want to touch that issue and my mother had already passed away when I was a 4 yo 🙄 just her sister, my aunt talked a little in her late 80s before she died when I insisted like „if you don’t tell me about my roots there won’t be anybody left“ as she had been the last of her generation at that time.
What??? We do use "please" and "thank you", it is of good education here in Spain. So PLEASE, don't hesitate to say it every time you have to, THANK YOU...
No dijo que no lo usásemos, sino que se usa mucho menos que en inglés y es opcional. Y totalmente cierto lo que dice Yolanda de que hay otras formas más sutiles de ser educado. Yo no digo constantemente por favor y gracias por ejemplo.
@@kennyPAGC Hay gente que no comprende ni lo que lee ni lo que escucha. No se ha dicho que no se use, sino que se usa cambiando el tono de las frases, lo cual es más inteligente que estar continuamente diciendo los términos indicados, que bien pueden decirse y no sentirse, lo cual sería hipocresía pura, que es lo que hacen los anglosajones.
I understand this, but coming from the USA at least, we use it constantly. CONSTANTLY! My first few months living in Spain, I was always told to not say it as often- it may come off as fake.
@@Parafasio perdoname, but "Santiago" implies "St. James" thus Santiago de Compostela and not San Santiago (the Latin Sanctus Iacobus). Strictly speaking then, you probably mean "Iago." In England, the Jacobean Era coincides with the rule of James VI of Scotland/James I of England. But then again, I was being intentionally pedantic: ordinarily, contemporary translation of the (rather common) name 'Santiago' is given as 'James.' Here's something I cut and paste from good ole Google: James can be translated to Spanish not only as Diego, but also as Iago, Jacobo, and Santiago. Also, these days it isn't unusual for the Spanish name Jaime to be used as a translation of James. Sorry, I'm just an old man with too much time on my hands and the NYSE is about to close. Peace!
Juan Vergara No worries, Juan. You are correct that the most ethnologically (?) strict equivalence of Santiago is Saint James, and that James would then be Iago/Diego (or Diogo, in Portuguese). I’m trying to illustrate that, in modern usage, James has been directly (that is, without it having to be preceded by “saint”) with Santiago. I think we’re in agreement on that. Where we seem to disagree is in the usage of “Jacobo” for James, as I though Jacobo’s origin (as that of Jacob) is the Hebrew Yaakov.
I actually love this Spanish idea of not asking someone what they do when you just meet them. I feel like there are many other topics people can discuss if they are just getting to know each other, plus it is supposed to be a fun social event, not work related.
I absolutely can’t stand that people ask you what you do for a living in the US the minute that they meet you. It’s shallow. And while I am extremely proud of the work that I do, and I’m in demand….I often get responses from people that seem like it’s not lofty enough for them. I spend a lot of time with Europeans and Brazilians, and that’s never the first thing that they ask. I have people in my social circle and I don’t even know what they do for a living. I’m more interested to find out who they are. I appreciate that about Europeans in general
Everyone could clean their things anyway. It takes little time to do it. That being said, I usally take my dishes or whatever to the kitchen to save some time. I don't wash'em cause I feel like I'm touching to much of their things. Like I'm inside of their space (I don't know how to say it). 🤷♂️ A spanish guy.
yes you are right! You invite some guest to your home and you want they are confortable, not to work . Some people ask if they can help to do dishes but usually the host refuses. unless you are in a family home, where you have more confidence to clean and use their things or put the dishwasher on without ask if you can help.
IKR, I thought daaamn she hasn't practiced her pronunciation... Then realized I would probably sound like that or worse and shut my internal grumpy critic up.
It sounds so interesting. The fact that you can hear the spanish accent through the English doesn't happen often, as most people just have an accent but you can't tell where it is from. Omg I imagine how the guys would sound. 😊
Dishes stuff it´s pretty easy to explain. When you are in someone´s house, you are a guest. Guest in spain tradicionally have been treated as important people (civil war for example the police were offered a cup of your best coffee) so you offer the best you have and you show hospitality. If someone important eats at your house you don´t allow him/her to do anything related to dishes and that stuff. Nowadays when you are a guest, you should try to help or alt least ask your host as a well-educated guest but almost all host will tell you to stay in the couch or talking with them in the kitchen (if it´s a friend). The best thing you can do is always ask your host, it´s a way to be polite and show your good manners to your host (and many of them even if they tell you it´s not neccessary, they will grant your intentions anyway). Plus some people can understand that they are not being a good host if you have to help them with something while you are in their home
Muy tipico en andalucía y sur ofrecer lo mejor de tu casa y lo más caro a los extraños para agasajarlos o causar una buena impresión aunque es un comportamiento de todo el país. Algunos anfitriones preferirán que no ayudes y otros te dirán que sí pero la mayoría agradecerán que les preguntes.
@@Kipperlab In Catalonia it's not that "open", takes longer to invite someone to your place, the trust must be won for real, but once it is, becomes the same, a guest will have everything without having to ask, your place its their place. That makes us look "more cold" sometimes, but it's just a different process to get to the same place, that's what I love from this piece of land, we all so different and so similar at the same time, how better would be if we use those differences to learn instead to "fight" each other (sorry for going a bit political, but with all the politic crap nowadays it's hard to not to)
The first time I went into the kitchen and washed the dishes at my mother-in-law's (from Jaraicejo, Cáceres), she was shocked. Her comment was, ¡Oish, oish, oish! ¡Habiendo mujeres en casa! More or less, How can you dare wash the dishes when there are women in the house? Years went by and her line changed to, Michel, hace mucho que no friegas. In English, Michel, it's been a while since you last washed the dishes :))
Also in Italy, same as Spain. The guest is “sacred” (this is probably a Mediterranean tradition dating back to the ancient Greece times, not joking). So you would never like to ‘see’ the guest doing the dishes or similar. The guest is the guest ;)
Soy valenciana y mi lengua materna es el valenciano, así como mis costumbres y mi forma de ser. No es cuestión de regionalismo solamente, entiendo que nuestro país en sí, es como un pequeño continente, con diferentes lenguas, diferentes costumbres, diferentes climas y formas de expresarnos. Aún cuando hay muchos parecidos, somos estupendamente diferentes
En muchas partes o mas bien, con gente educada y no de juerga o prepotentes, se dice mucho por favor y gracias. No tanto como los ingleses por favor!! Se pasan un pueblo!!!
Creo que es una question de perspectiva. Yo creia que yo en España decia todo el tiempo por favor y gracias y desde que vivo en Alemania y trabajo en ingles veo que hay miles de situaciones en las que en España no diria por favor.
@@sietecaracolas6675 totalmente, yo estuve viviendo en Inglaterra unos años y allí es cierto que meten un por favor o gracias en cada frase que dicen y a mí a veces me decían que los españoles no decíamos gracias mucho. Y creedme, estoy diciendo gracias casi siempre jajaja
En comparación con otros paises, no tanto, sobre todo en relación con trabajos de cara al público (restaurantes, tiendas, atención al cliente... etc). Es absurdo la cantidad de veces que te dicen por favor/gracias en Reino Unido o Estados Unidos, aquí sustitituimos muchos de esos "por favores" por el tono o incluso por gestos.
For many Spaniards, "help with the work" is one of the key differences between "guests" and "family". Also expressed by the people who live in that house answering "¡hasta la cocina!" (all the way to the kitchen) when an arriving visitor asks "¿se puede?" (may I come in?). When I'm invited to someone's house for lunch by the first time I ask "want me to come early and give a hand, maybe bring something over?" and the answer tells me if I'm being treated as a guest or a relative-alike. From my point of view, that question also has another advantage: it saves me from bringing an expensive bottle of alcohol as hostess gift for a teetotaler, as my friends abroad have very often done when coming to visit me. I mean, my stews do improve when I add some 12yo whisky to them, but it seems like such a waste of whisky!
I am Spanish and when I moved to the US it was very strange to me that people bring food to your house to be part of the party you have created for them. In Spain if you invite someone to your house you prepare everything and serve it yourself, since you are the host and you are at home. You expect your guests to be in the living room having a good time, it may happen that someone is talking to you and could come to the kitchen and offer to help you, but you let the person go back to the living room or send him/her to the living room with something small, so doing the minimum because he/she is your guest. You start doing the dishes when everyone else has already left. This is often the case, because friends will also invite you to their home for special occasions. It is a Spanish custom and you invite people because you want to take good care of them.
Family is from Nicaragua, and grew up around mexicans, from what i noticed, we are taught to ask to help with dishes at least twice. The person cooked for us, or opened their house to us and its our way of saying thank you. Now, we mostly decline it but its nice to hear that they want to help as guests
about washing the dishes after being invited over for dinner, i think its entirely a matter of closeness and familiarity with the people that live there. Being allowed to help around a kitchen that is not your own is a sign of trust and strong bonds between friends, cause the kitchen is the heart of any home. So if you are welcomed over inside another person kitchen i would say its a sign of a good trusting relationship.
Bread on the table depends on the establisment (fancy restaurants will have their own plates). Cleaning up after parties, only very close friends tend to stay and help out. Families will almost always stay to clean up and help. Never talk about civil war or politics UNLESS you are in someway interested around the subject of wars. Do not worry if you do not understand any of the other 4 languages that are in Spain, 99% of the spanish population knows spanish either as their first or second language. So tourists or students abroad should not worry, but respect the fact that they are not dialects.
IAN WARD valencian and catalan are the same language, but we call it our way. Just like Balear. Its disrespectfull when you call it a dialect from catalan, because its the same. And it sounds like a second leveled catalan.
You both did a great job! I was at a cafe waiting for my cousin and on the phone with a friend who didn't understand Spanish culture (totally fine!), but my friend asked, "Oh my goodness! Are people fighting!?!?!" I'm like, No! They're just asking how the other person is doing, their kids, grandkids, etc. I forget that the tone, which is I was just completely used to, needs to be explained some times lol...As a Galician, thank you for addressing the province language/dialect subject. Absolutely proceed with caution if you're lumping all provinces and languages/together. You will be promptly corrected, especially by elders, and risk offending them. Yeah, do everything possible to not offend any Spaniard unless you're ready for a 1-2 hour lecture. Lol, love to all!
My mother is From Spain (Castilla la Mancha) and my father is American ... I'm lucky to be able to grow up and appreciate both cultures.... pero esa sangre Española tira ! Jajaja y cuando estoy en España me da algo , me siento más tranquila, feliz! 🇪🇸❤ Saludos desde EEUU Love the Channel
I want to visit Spain and ultimately retire there. My father was born in United States and my mother was born in Chihuahua Mexico and live United States for 75 years. Both parents have passed away now, which gave me a reason to do a family ancestors search and both sides of my parents bloodline came from Spain and now I know why Spain has always been in my heart to be there. My last name is Arenas which means Sand's. God bless Spain.
@@Kms356xfgh I grew up on Germamy and my german granny used to pull me up on a hand under the table, with words like: "No feeding the dog" WE DIDN'T HAVE A DOG🤗
One more thing for you to know for your next video: We Spaniards tend a lot to complain about the country, the system, the people. I would say that it is because we have a lot of self criticism because we include us in that complain. But if you are a foreigner and hear that self-criticism, careful, don’t get into it!!!, because although between spaniards we accept that and tend to create long conversations about it, we don’t like foreigners to comment bad things about the country. I think that comes from a typical phrase very rooted in spain which is “Ver la paja, en el ojo ajeno”. We are taught to see our flaws and try to change them, but it’s super unpolite (unless your relationship is very close), to point out others flaws. Same with countries.
I think that’s a normal concept. It’s like when parents complain about their children; you can listen, laugh, or even complain about your own kids but never would you hear a parent complain about their child and try to join in. Lol
I do agree with this, we Ricans tend to do the same yet don't do it if you are visiting, I'm guessing it's the same all over, my wife from Peru and it's the same story.
I'm from England. We were always taught never to put our hands under the table - no elbows on the table either, like you. In a social situation, almost the first question you're asked is, what do you do - like in NZ. I think the Spanish system sounds much better.
I’m from the US and even I feel uncomfortable when people ask me what I do for work straight away. Maybe it’s my culture, not sure but, it bothers me. It feels almost equivalent to asking me how much money I make.
SurferGirl yes I totally agree! Here in Canada, people ask it often when they meet you. I think it’s more because they don’t know what to talk about...work and weather lol. I find it weird as if if they don’t have any interests
Salima Lavallee Yes! I usually ask them what they like doing or something about what’s going on at that moment. I think I’ve just always been one of those people that like to talk about meaningful stuff, although, I think talking about the weather can be a good start off because it shows people are interested in conversing with you. This gives us the sense that both people are welcoming and open. I like that. 😊
it is important to ask, i like to know who i'm talkin' with...what if i'm talkin' to a waiter???....i don't want to be seen talkin' to a waiter, i struggle to keep workin' class away from me
Interesting point! I normally ask about the job when I meet with a person for the first time, but never considered as if I was trying to identify how much they earn. It's more like I want to show interest on them and it is an easy way to start with. Doing this, you can also know about the type of things that that person likes. But reading your comments, this type of questions can be quiet uncomfortable for you, and there are many reasons to think so...
It's harmless, most people that ask are just attempting to have a passive conversation instead of having the awkward silence in a social setting, don't overthink it.
In Hungary, it's also kind of rude to eat with hands/ a hand under the table. It is said to be inappropriate because others may never know what you're actually doing down there, as some people jokingly say; you could be scratching your testicles or trying to grab someone else for all they know, so it's better to put both hands on the table, making it possible for everyone to see that you're not into some weird shenanigans. But anyway, thanks for the entertaining and very informative video, as always! :)
Very similar to the culture in Greece, but then so very many Spanish Jews came to Greece after their expulsion from Spain, there is even a version of the Churro in Greece, generally the Mediterranean countries share a lot of culture.
@@pogonaVisitor ¿Tú sabes lo que es la historia? En España se expulsó a los judíos sobre el 1500 y a los últimos moriscos unos años más tarde, que obviamente es a lo que se refería el comentario anterior. BTW, la religión musulmana (Ya no te digo la judía) es muy minoritaria en este país, y ha sido reintroducida por los emigrantes durante las últimas décadas del S.XX.
@@pogonaVisitor Los judios se expulsaron de España por orden de los reyes católicos a finales del siglo XV, Y los moriscos fueron expulsados por orden de Felipe III a principios del siglo XVII. Obviamente el comentario se refiere al primer evento y en ningún caso se refiere a hoy en dia, aprende historia antes de meter así la pata.
I was in Salamanca for 7 months with a gang of international people, two of whom were Spaniards. We did everything together, including eating. At one point someone pointed out that my hand was always under the table at meals. But he didn't say it was considered rude. Actually I think the way he drew my attention to it was that he asked me if my hand was ok. But I was too obtuse to get what he was saying and so I continued to eat with my hand under the table. It wasn't until years later that I learned about that faux pas.
I love the chemistry between you two. Yoli is always smiling and you can tell James is infatuated with her. I’m really interested in Spain and Spanish culture and coincidentally I am an Anglo-Saxon man born in South Africa but raised in the U.K. I also happen to be called James 😂. I’ve been casually learning Spanish for the last 2 or 3 years and back in 2019 I cycled the entire length of the Iberian peninsula from Santander all the way back, in a clockwise direction. I was enamoured with the place and the people and I can’t wait to retire there. I love this channel and I’ve just subscribed. Great work guys!
@@xalau5270 Yo la verdad discrepo. He vivido varios años en Suecia y he estado varias veces tanto en Reino Unido y Estados Unidos (aunque no he tenido la oportunidad de visitar Oceanía). Pero nunca he tenido esa percepción. Supongo que varia de persona a persona.
@@blanche1935 Yo fui a un cole inglés... y si, se entiende que un anglosajón debe ser correcto (polite), y dar las gracias por todo, pedir por favor. NO es cosa de decir Thanks y Please... son otras muchas expresiones que se añaden al lenguaje del sentido correcto. Ahora, eso no implica que el inglés actual, no se comporte como un gentleman, o una dama, vamos... Expresiones como May you/I do this... son un ejemplo.
Thank you very much. I think your introduction to Spain for foreigners is the most inclusive and respectful I ever found. Of course, as you say, some rules don't apply equaly in every part of Spain, but it remains a great introduction. Besides, I agree with your rule number 1. Many people has the need, as Meritxell says, to speak about the civil war, but for a newcomer it's like opening an unsuspected can of worms. Almost everybody has a relative that has been dead in or because of the war, in any of the two parties. I don't feel most of us are yet ready to speak of it without all that pain crashing into the conversation and the people in it.
I really don’t like when people do the dishes in my house. I want time with them to be cool and relaxing, I rather use the time to chill out in the living room and having some vermut or lemoncello...
Another fun cultural perspective... Here in Singapore, it's considered to be gracious to at least _offer_ to help clear/wash the dishes (washing the dishes is what a visiting boyfriend does when he intends to endear himself to the other side). The offer is usually met with a no from the host (more like a laughing "oh no you won't be doing any of that!"). James & Yoli, thanks for this week's great video! ;)
As a Cuban living in the States for 25 years my recent first trip to Spain was a great experience, love that country, their culture and their people, me sentí como en casa propia, dije “gracias y por favor “ muchas veces y siempre fue bien recibido. No visitamos a nadie en su casa pero tanto en Cuba como en USA siempre ayudamos después de una fiesta o reunión familiar a los anfitriones. Thanks for the information, I guess is little different to everyone or depends where you go.
No es lo mismo una fiesta con amigos o familia, normalmente (navidades por ejemplo) cuando se reune la familia TODOS ayudan a cocinar y a fregar; cocinar como comer (y beber!) es un acto social. ¿Te imaginas una barbacoa con SOLO el anfitrion cocinando?
@kohctahtnh Matebeeb I advise you to come visit America and learn a little before commenting on a subject you have no clue about lol …… oh yes I am a Cuban living in the States
Thanks so much for these wonderful videos. My husband and I are discussing moving to Spain from the USA (he is originally from Slovakia) and I have been essentially terrified. Just wanted to let you know that your videos have gone a long way in easing some of my fears and based on your advice I have already started my Spanish lessons. Thank you both again!
Manners and etiquette are entirely personal in Spain. Huge differences from one family to the next in the same village let alone region or countrywide. Funnily enough I come from one of the most respectful countries (Canada) and I feel it's all appearance. People say thank you and you're welcome but they'd rarely say good morning or hello when entering an elevator, while riding your bike or running... Whereas that's standard in Spain: Hola, qué hay, epa, aúpa, buenas, buenos días, ey, cómo va la cosa, buenas tardes/noches, buen día, buen paseo... And so on, social interaction, small talk and chitchat is quite common among strangers. Great vid. I've learned about jotas and potes in the North
I honestly have to disagree. I've been in Canada for a year and I prefer their manners over ours a million times. People were really nice and always wished you a good day, or said thanks, or were always willing to help. I feel like here we mistake unpoliteness with being laidback, and we are barely nice to strangers, only when we need to. As you've said, it's probably a matter of the location, since I'm from the North and we are not as spontaneous as people from the South, but still.
@@xmxzng1617 let's agree that we disagree. I've lived in the North for several years and manners were constantly more honest than in Canada where politeness is just a politically correct kinda attitude... It changes from one province to another and from cities to small towns (like elsewhere) but I personally prefer the warmth I've received back in Asturias, Cantabrie, Rioja and Basqueland. Small villages and elders mostly but in larger towns too. It all goes down to personal experiences... But mine I wouldn't change for Hamilton, London, Quebec, Halifax... Pretty much it's just everyone on their own business and little real interaction with foreigners
@@mecsys Correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel like it's a matter of what we're used to. I've grown up in Asturias, and yes, people seem warmer and overally nicer, but don't confuse that with being nosy. People don't tend to stick to their own business, and you can't take a step without everybody knowing about it. It makes me sick just thinking about it, and it's really toxic because you grow up being conscious about every single thing you do. I've talked about this with some other friends who, like me, spent a year abroad in different places of Canada, and they all agreed with me: it's better because nobody gives a damn about what you are doing. It's as simple as that. Here everybody has an opinion about how you are acting and I find that rude and completely disrespectful. Also, maybe for you it seems cold (?) And fake (?) (Idk how to say it sorry) that Canadians are so politically correct. Here in Spain some cashiers stare at me in shock when I say "thanks" (and I've lived both in Asturias and Madrid). It's not that here, when we are nice, it's more sincere; it's that we are rude and disrespectful, and honestly, less understanding about people who don't fit in the "party" and laidback stereotype. Idk what your age is, and obviously that's a huge factor in how you see things, but I can assure you this is not the best place to grow up, even though I love my culture (and I'm not saying Canada is wonderful because no place is, but I find it slightly better)
@@xmxzng1617 as I said, generalizations would only lead us so far. There is certainly a line drawn between big town and small town attitudes and social habits. And that's almost universal. Small town people both in Spain and Canada are friendlier than their urban counterparts in that their lives aren't so busy and scheduled but that doesn't meant that they're better individuals. Donno about growing up there or somewhere else, coz it's all quite personal, but I'd say that gossiping is intrinsically linked to tight and small communities (that'd be suburbs, villages or whatever). However social and family networks are stronger in Mediterranean countries and those links up keeping the society together and make a safer environment (check substances abuse -ie heroin, alcoholism...- depression, burnout, homelessness, suicide rates... you should go and check our Greg North strong and free to see how Amerindians are treated there and how they're forced to immigrate South to become addicts and hobos... Telling you, Canada isn't such an amazing country as the economy rankings might want to show you
@@xmxzng1617 The Canadian guy is right, buddy. Just you underrate the Spanish point of view as worse being Spanish yourself. Foreign people don´t have better things than the Spanish. You can notice that with age and experience and interaction with people from elsewhere in the world. The Spanish, as usual, are wrong when they think foreigners or their points of view are better. People like Canadians or Germans can seem perfectly selfish to other nationalities like us Mediterraneans; the Japs think so, in fact, the Japanese don´t think positively about foreigners. They prefer their own vision, their own "method".
De todas formas hay bastante gente que toma cervezas en los bares a media tarde, e incluso a media mañana, y la verdad es que nadie lo ve como una cosa rara. Y con el vino lo mismo.
Yo no se en que pais vives tu o que colegas tienes pero sea la hora que sea todo mis colegas quieren una birra. Siempre. Si es la hora del cafe, bueno porque no. Pero la cerveza en españa es lo mas tipico siempre siempre a toas horas joder! Birraaaa cruzcampo y gambrinus!! XD
Supongo que dependerá de qué tan bien conoces a la persona y del tipo de "invitación" a tu casa que se trate. Siempre puedes ofrecer las dos cosas con una pregunta del tipo ¿quieres una cerveza o todavía estamos en la hora del café? Y santas pascuas. A mí también me pareció raro porque hay gente que a media mañana se toma una caña con unas tapas para "desayunar" en el break del trabajo. Pero luego lo pensé y sí, la verdad es que a las 5 yo voy más por el café que por la cerveza. Pero es que yo prefiero el café a la cerveza a cualquier hora.
@Adrian Anikeenko - I'm sorry. We are also under stay-at-home orders. Fortunately, here in Montana where I live we have a lot of open space and mountains full of woods, so it's not quite so confining.
Wow, what a useful video, thank you. I'm British and am planning on doing a Spanish course in Spain, so I will definitely be taking note of these tips. Thank you.
I've been offered a beer or a wine at all times of the day and night here in Spain. In fact at 5pm that is the time my Spanish in-laws are finishing lunch with a chupito!
Very informative! Here in the US our civil war was over 100 years ago and we are still not “over it”. Definitely a difficult subject. Interestingly, we don’t speak much about the civil wars of other countries. For example the civil war in Spain isn’t widely known about here. ✌🏻❤️🇺🇸🙏🏻
I thought it was a weird scene when I married into a U.S. Southern family (Georgia) they talked about the Civil War like it *didn't* happen over a hundred years ago. And they'd use "we" when referring to the Confederacy. It really got interesting when they discussed all the winning/losing theories (facts for them). Those were the times when I was really like, wow, what in the world did I get myself into here? 😮 😄
Great video. I am in California, USA. Many of my ancestors are originally from Azores, Spain, Portugal, Italy and France. This video made me laugh a bit because I catch some of these cultural characteristics in myself and my family.
Also in bars and other stablishments, bartenders can be in such a way a bit loud or "aggressive" when asking what you want. Specially in traditional bars with a lot of loud chatting and people to be attended. In other occasions, there will be people that will talk you as if they knew you and speak you with "diminutivos" and lovely words. In València is way traditional to be called "cariñet" or "bonico" in supermarkets or even in offices. It's a way of making you comfortable. So, bartenders are not being disrespectful when they talk out loud and cashiers in supermarkets are not being disrespectful when they speak you as if they where part of your family. Spain is a place of cultural shocks in many aspects. Thanks for the video. Great as always.
I must admit that Spanish speaking foreigners are sometimes horrified in the way we (Spaniards) ask for things because, to them, our requests sound like commands! We are too straightforward very frequently with no intention to be rude but to us is a normal way to addressing to one another
@@Sibila1983 it is all cultural and if we learn it is normal then nobody takes offense. I explain to my students they should just say what they want with an interrogative tone and a smile rather than try may I, could I, etc. with a poker face.
@@pepitaunderthesun4763 i am happy to hear that natural approach as a teacher because, yes, it is absolutely cultural and it helps students understand it. We are nice with each other in many ocassions just with a smile or making chit-chat or adding no pressure to the request by saying "cuando puedas" for instance
I have never liked the abrupt question “What do you do?" It's a bad anglo-saxon habit. I agree with the Spanish people on this. I've been here in Spain 18 years, in Alicante province. You were spot on about the language norms in Spain, except that elderly people, new business contacts/customers and policemen seem to appreciate hearing Usted. Yeah, the language generalities and civil war theme are things to steer clear of except with close friends. The quickest way to start everybody arguing is to compare Spanish languages or question the need for one of them, because language is at the centre of each separate culture here. You missed the subjects of bullfighting, the national anthem and the national flag. These are controversial issues. Many citizens hate these things and many love them. It's best not to wear a tee shirt with a flag on it.
A Spanish guy once pointed out that the British always opened a conversation with "So what do you do for a living?" After some time back in the UK I've realised it's a class thing. Middle-class people with interesting jobs love to talk about them - in fact it's a big identifier of who they are. Meanwhile, working-class people would never ask this or want to discuss their boring job in a warehouse or factory - if you want to chat to a local in a pub, for example, do not ask this question straight off the bat.
My family is Puerto Rican, and most of my parent’s friends are as well, with an exception of a Colombian. My parents always hosted parties at our house - maybe it was just the culture within their friend group - but they would always stay and help clean dishes, even sweep and mop the floors. It never took away from their time together, in fact, it was cool to see it all happen. How they worked together, and got it all done while still going on about their conversations. For me, it set an example of showing love and interest, gratitude for your host. Everywhere I go now, I’m always helping with the clean up, and even though my own friends have come from different cultures, they all became appreciative of it, and even adopted it in their own ways. I don’t think it’s weird. I think it’s kind and shows consideration.
Completely agree. From my travelling experience, Europeans are very different to Latin Americans and Asian people when it comes to hospitality. Helping out someone in this respect is very well received in some cultures, but I find most Europeans especially the Lutheran Europeans really find this as being “Too much”. Almost as if it’s an invasion of their privacy. 😅
@@strand195 I also think it’s a matter of exposure to these practices. Like I mentioned, I have friends from different cultures: Latin, Italian, French, Indian, Asian, etc. A lot of them were surprised by it, at first, but they eventually grew to appreciate it because ultimately, the desire to help comes from a place of love, not of judgment. So, they definitely saw it differently, and a lot of them even started applying that. We’d go to parties or gatherings, and these friends started offering help with the clean-up at the end. The hosts were always impressed and appreciative.
The question of not asking about the job, I think also has hides something to do with how the Lutheran and Calvinist cultures see your job as a central part of their lives, as a way to redeem themselves socially and spiritually, it is common in these cultures that a large part of the friendships and social relationships are linked to job, however I believe that Catholic societies, perhaps also in Orthodox, they are much more separated personal and social life of each individual of their job, (although as in many other things the predominant culture that comes from the multinationals is being absorbed and this is lost), they like to share other things, or hobbies and thus be able to disconnect from their jobs, employment is a necessity to later be able to live, and "live life" they consider what is out their hours of work their "real" intimate, personal and social area, unless that they are passionate about your job and yes it is then part of their life in all yours time, and surely that question is not asked to people that you just met, because in a new group of friends there may be people of different types of economic levels, and it could feel a little classist and rude to be comparing them, and feel that it's the first thing that you care about that other person.
It’s also because job market in Spain sucks and most of people are not happy with their jobs, so job is the last thing people want to talk about in their free time. Not to mention those who directly don’t have a job
@@franciscor.9212 That's what I came to say. You don't ask people about their job because there's a high chance they don't have one, can't find one, or they recently lost one. Especially among younger generations.
In Spain, until 19th century, working people were dismissed as "low class", and the noble people never works (despite they are poor and have no house, money, food...). So asking people about their work is like beggining the conversation assuming they are poor and low class. Basically, you are insulting us. Of course, right now things didn't work that way anymore, but the use of not asking about work for not being rude still remains.
Sooo helpful! I am so guilty of ¨please¨´ and ´¨thank you¨. Same with helping in cleanup. Just starting to study Español. Planning our trip in March of 2023. You guys are the best. You deserve all of the support you can get for doing what you do. Just joined ' VENGA LEGS GO CONNECT! You two are a joy to watch!!! Keep it up!
we have this in england too! (this one probably mainly with old people), but we have a multitude of extra dinner manners that we dont notice are a lot for foreigners
Same in Poland. It doesn't look good when someone has a hand under the table. People might think you play with your private LOL :D in general, keeping hands on the table looks way more proper.
People appreciate 'please' and 'thankyou'. Here in Catalunya u can say 'por favor, gracias or merci'. Yes British people do say it a lot but there is nothing wrong with good manners in Spain, Britain or anywhere in the world.
I live in Barcelona for over 5 years, a d the please and thank you really lacks. I'm actually amazed when I travel somewhere else and hear so many thanks you, it's really nice.
@@gabyenbcn U live in a tourist trap and this is often the case in tourist traps. Foriegn visitors to London say the same i'm sure. I often feel in Bcn that unless i show otherwise i get treated like the stereotypical Brit abroad which the locals are more than a bit fed up with.... Once u get outside Bcn u find a different story. Catalunya is a very friendly, polite and welcoming country. Indeed i can't say the same about Bcn. However, it doesn't stop me being polite in Bcn. As i said unless u prove yourself better, you find yourself being treated like u were the drunk tourist that was shouting, peeing, vomiting and fornicating on their doorstep last night.
@@MMMMMMMMPPPPP..... Catalunya is an autonomous community on the northeastern corner of Spain, designated as a Nation by its Statute of Autonomy..... Visca Catalunya! Viva Espanya!
Living as a German in Mexico (having a brother living in NZ) it’s been really interesting what you are bringing up here. I feel like there isn’t really a difference between countries or people. Wars, colonization and cultural differences are “political topics” I was brought up not to touch in small talk situations, same as religion and business. Especially when not being familiar yet with the personal situation of the one you’re talking to never ask personal questions potentially causing trouble for the other - touching family secrets (history), personal disasters (unemployment) and politics might even cause a conversational desaster. Like the spanish civil war fascism in Germany “Nazi / Hitler” isn’t a small talk topic. Like in Spain there are big cultural differences between the north and the south (religion!) even in spoken languages in Germany. And same is in Mexico!
Dead on! As a Spanish diplomat abroad I had to lecture about the Spanish culture at chambers of commerce and other places, and I used almost the same list. Specially accurate is the idea that Sapin is a multi-cultural, even milti-lingual country and this may be difficult to grasp for people coming from more socially or culturally homogeneous countries. I used to say that Spain is a cake cut in many different portions, but not only that: each portion is also cut in three or four layers horizontally. Asked to talk about the Spanish business culture, I had to say: "Which one? A hight-tech sector in Catalonia or the artichoke exporters in Murcia?. They are totally different.
Me , a kiwi as well and my Spanish wife are having a laugh listening to you guys as this is exactly what I'm going through🤣 Glad to know I'm not the only one 👍
13:04 The Canary Islands are part of Spain, and we use “usted” not just for formal situations. It’s normal for us. Mostly for the plural “¿ustedes van a ir al cine?” instead of “¿vosotros vais a ir al cine?”. We don’t use it for the singular though, unlike latin american countries.
Solo en algunos países de Latinoamérica se usa "Usted" de manera informal, y se suele intercalar con el "Tú"... Esto pasa más al norte de Sudamérica y en Centroamérica. Recuerda que países como Uruguay, Paraguay y Argentina emplean "Ustedes" en vez de "Vosotros" pero "Vos" en vez de "Tú"
Países latinoamericanos no usan el usted como singular, solo en ocasiones muy formales o con gente mayor pero ls verdad ya quedó en el tiempo y las nuevas generaciones no lo usan ya
Good video. I think we put bread on the table because culturally bread is always available to share. And on many occasions, even outside home, it feels good to break it without a knife, but with your hands. It is a very familiar gesture, and I think it is very beautiful and represents us.
Okay, I’m Spanish and I say please and thank you all the time, it really depends on your education and the area you’re visiting. Better to be over polite than rude!
Exactly, same here in Puerto Rico
I believe they meant more when you’re asking for something that isn’t as much of a favor.
Like asking for a beer in a bar, it’s not really a favor or an inconvenience, so we don’t say please, maybe thank you, but not please
@@-ana_banana-2098 really? In Germany we always say thank you, even when someone give you something and it’s not a big deal
Also with please. When you want something, we say „please“ like „can you please give me the pencil“ etc but also deepens with you talking to.
To my sister I would just say „can you give it to me?“ but I would still say thank you
@@-ana_banana-2098 AS the OP I also say thank you even when I ask for a beer in a Bar... It's about education, not a "Spanish" thing.
TBH can only speak basic Spanish but i would rather be polite and say gracias than be rude
As an american i hate when people want to constantly talk about about work...i dont hate my job, but honestly 40 hours a week at work is enough.
I totally agree and like how in Spain that isn’t the first thing people ask!
People use it to judge how much money you have, how educated you are etc. Sometimes I like to be inventive when I describe "work."
Agree
I dont like my job so xD
I think people default into talking about work because it is such a big part of their lives. Not because they necessarily want to.
You don't expect your guests to help out cleaning because you don't invite people over to make them work, but to make them enjoy
True, but people want to be polite.
I agree. When I invite people over, I want them to enjoy my shit and then fuck off whenever they feel like doing so. No, really, I can't stand people waking up from their couch while in amidst of a good convo with friends and family so they can help me wash dishes. Leave dishes for tomorrow if you will, when I'm coming over their place I ain't standing up to do their dishes, that's for sure!
When we invite someone to our home we want them to have a memorable time y we want them to be welcome. That is why we are not expecting Our guest to pick up and clean
@@almabelhumeur6672 You can be polite and you can be awkward, there lies the difference. Overcommitment in somebody else's house is impolite in my land. They make you feel like they're in debt with you in some way.
yeah and in spain going to someone to have lunch means youll stay 8 hours in that house, when its over the host just want you to leave
I am a spanish nurse and I have asked older patients about their experience in the war and the post-war, and I have learned incredible stories and how they survived hunger and calamities, some orphans who went to Russia, others with their father in prison and working. at ten years old... also among my friends we have told each other about the little battles of our grandparents, each one on a side and how they went through it and that manages to generate an idea of what it really was like. It is a fascinating topic if you talk about it sensitively.
Yes, but if you speak it in front of a socialist and a conservative person, there may be problems...
That's it, you should know how to talk about that topic.
i will help you with one: why dont we talk about our work with people to break ice? 2 main reason:
1) we work to live, not live to work.
2) many people (many, 15-20% of adults, or 60% of youngsters) are jobless, and much more are ashamed of their jobs or in a very precarius situation.
So work is not a topic to meet people.
Good points Alejandro
I do agree with the first explanation, but not with the second one, I think that asking someone who you just met, ( what you do for a living , ) sounds like a little bit rude, basically you first talk about trivial matters and then ,,,,,,
That's very true, I have lived in California my entire life, and too many times people ask right off the bat what you do for a living, which is annoying.
@@cbs5357 a lot of people here are starting to think of their jobs as a trivial matter
I really like that with spainsh people. They don't take jobs so seriously , they just enjoy living.
Spain is my favorite travel destination.
I live in Italy and the same rules apply here:
- hands under the table are considered very rude
-we aren't expected to help to do the dishes
-we don't ask about one's job as a first question
-we speak loud too, louder in the south then in the north
- depending on the region and the province people and habits vary a lot
-we use tu and usted equivalents in the same way as the Spaniards
I'm Italian, have many friends in Castilla, Catalunya, Asturias and Galicia and I know the difference between the many comunidades . Spain is the only country I feel at home as in Italy.
Man, I don't mind being rude in Italy if it means I can fondle the pussy of a "bella ragazza" under the table. And I might even offer to do the dishes if my fingers need a rinse, afterwards.
To the "job" question - best not answer "Mafiosi".
Those in the South are farther away - hence the need to shout.
Habits - you mean the chosen form of fulfilling the "Vendetta"?
Use the equivalent of VD,, pre-penetration, and ensure you don't catch VD, post.
XD thx spain is cool
Yeeah I totally agree! I'm from Catalunya and for my job I had to move to Italy 2 years ago and I was scared at the beginning but I soon realised that it felt like home too. Obviously there were challenges but having less cultural shock helped a lot. :)
España mi natura. Italia mi ventura. Flandes mi sepultura. ⚔ 🇪🇸 🇮🇹
@@hels7 im from marbella 👁👄👁
and yes im happy being from spain uwu!
Convendría incluir no saltar entre balcones, en España no es costumbre local y puede ser considerado de mala educación xDDDD
😂😂😂😂😂😂 en Ibiza algunos decimos que hasta que no se tira un guiri por el balcón no empieza la temporada de verano
¡Facha! Claramente es la forma TRADICIONAL de desplazarse de los británicos. Hay que respetar su cultura y ponerles unos balconcitos especiales por los que ellos puedan ir trepando como monitos, lo contrario es imperialismo cultural.
¿Cuántos tendrán que hacerse daño hasta que la sociedad no reaccione? 😭
Es como cuando botan un barco con champan, los hoteles los botan con un guiri saltando del balcón hahahahha
Balconing LOL
ja ja jaj aja!
Totally agree with all of these, as Brit married to a Spaniard and living in Madrid for 26 years. Can I add one? Don't back off when Spaniards stand close to you when talking. They're not invading your personal space, they just have a smaller one!
..and don't back up, if they keep touching you and do not stop during the talk, it means you're part of the pack
😂 cierto
North American personal space is roughly one arm length away. In Europe, half that. Especially in Spain's typically small elevators. They will pack in like sardines. If you aren't used to being that close to strangers, yikes!
Yes, I recall the "dances" the at the university bar in Salamanca--the Japanese sent by Mitsubishi Corp to study Spanish for a year backing away from the Spaniards following them to get close enough to communicate.
My first words in the English class I taught at the University were, "Inmaculada. Concepcion." The first Spanish words were in response, "Voy a cambiar de asiento." We were so lucky to have met you!
them: here in spain we don't say gracias and por favor constantly
yo, española cada dos por tres: gracias, por favor
them: if someone comes to your house don't offer them a drink
my parents, if anyone comes over no matter the time: quieres una cervecita??
creo que vivo en una españa diferente
Yo también. Soy una obsesionada con gracias y por favor. Si no lo dices no pasa nada socialmente, pero, a ver, eso va en la educación de cada uno
Yo vivo en la misma que tú 🤷♀️
Yo también
La España de la gente educada, en todo caso.
Same here !!!!! I was super impressed about the "do not ask about job". And even civil war. I would be happy to hear someone talk about it, coz that means they are interested.
I am Spanish and I personally think we feel more uncomfortable talking about our jobs to break the ice due to the unbearable unemployment rates rather than due to the motto "we work to live, not live to work". I've been a "nini" several years "ni estudia ni trabaja" and it hurts. Anyways people my age (Spanish young adults) always asked me what was my job when they met me, and trust me, you feel like a useless human being if you don't have anything "interesting" to answer. Situation has improved since then for me, luckily.
work doesn't define anyone.. I like that individuals are trying to connect with person and not a version of them based on work.. I also love that people for most part put their cellphones away and the conversation is genuine most of the time..
Aww that’s awful. You should come to a nice country like America. You’re English is rlly good for a foreigner. As long as you’re fluent in English verbally you could always get a job in the US. And with all the illegals flooding in you might be able to do some sort of communications job like construction site manager where bilingualism comes in handy
@@javiersaysHow can i find a job like artist for comic books in the Madrid?
I don't care about their jobs; I'm hardly a high-flying executive.
@@Aquarius285Like any other job, good luck and connections my friend. Although I must warn you, the comic book industry in Spain is pretty weak. People usually end op working on france or the USA (or for publishing houses from those countries, aka. online work). There is very little comic book culture, at least compared with the three titans.
There is a small industry in Barcelona, where said USA and French publishing houses will accept portafolios. But I have never heard of such a thing in Madrid. Maybe try to send your resume and portafolio to the publishing houses that probably have their main offices there, some magazines also tend to have 1 or two pages dedicated to comic strips. You could try a contest, but nowadays they are pretty rigged.
I guess try to network and gain the trust of people who are already inside the industry, make them aware if your work. Go to events when you can and talk to people. But in Spain rarely can someone live off of comics alone. Paco Roca is a goddam miracle considering we are past the comic strip age.
Don't put chorizo in the paella.
Rafa DZ Jamie Oliver learnt that the hard way 😂
Why?
@@dannyka6738 Its a CRIME
@@dannyka6738 Because every time you put chorizo, ketchup, or any other seasoning on the paella, a kitten dies.
Thought paella is made with newborn kittens??! No? 🤨
My Please & Thank You eduction story!
Ive grown up in Australia with Spanish parents. I will never forget when I first travelled to Spain as a young backpacker and stayed with many of my extended family. I was so appreciative of their hospitality and generosity, so was always saying please and thank you.
Eventually my Aunty had had enough and totally snapped ….” I can’t do justice the way she expressed herself in that classic Spanish way … “enough already with the pleases and thank you, … who do you think you/we are?”
She was offended by good manners. I came to learn that my politeness perhaps came across as insincere due to its repetition. From her perspective No thanks needed for what is essentially expected as family.
Was a great lesson!
How can i find a job like artist for comic books in the Madrid?
Indeed. As a Spaniard living in Ireland, it kinda irks me the constant repetition of "thank you" and "sorry" from everyone, everywhere, all the time, because of meager reasons or to fill some kind of casual interaction.
They say it so much it loses its meaning.
A bartender in Spain will say thank you after I pay or if I help him/her to pile up my dishes and facilitate the work.
A bartender in Ireland can say "thank you" 2-4 times at every single interaction.
@@rotciv1492 Deal with it. It’s our tradition, just the same as it’s yours not to.
In Spain job is not our life, we work to live, we do not live to work. That´s why asking "what do you do" is not the best starter for a conversation
jajaja we wish that were true...
@@Yarblocosifilitico Quienes somos nosotros??
@@Jay-jb2vr los muchos que tenemos un trabajo de mierda. Por otra parte conozco unos cuantos españoles que su vida es el trabajo y poco más (de hecho la mayoría yo creo, pero eso es algo global me temo).
@@Yarblocosifilitico Cuáles son los trabajos más comunes en España?
@@Jay-jb2vr pues ni idea la verdad, el sector servicios es el más amplio, pero aparte de eso mejor que lo busques en google
I’m quite excited because next year I am going to Spain for my 17th birthday. My parents are not typical American parents and would rather have their children explore other cultures. So I chose España. ¡Estoy muy emocionado!
Awesome!! Congrats on the trip!
Have a nice experience!
That would be 'emocionada', remember Spanish have gender. Hope your plans didn't get cancelled due to the virus.
Espero que tengas una gran experiencia!
F
Yo soy española y digo gracias y por favor constantemente, y nadie me ha mirado mal.
Yo también digo por favor y gracias todo el rato, pero es cierto que comparado con el inglés lo decimos mucho menos. Viviendo en Inglaterra siempre me decían que era rude porque lo usaba poco, pero se dieron cuenta que quizás el problema era suyo porque lo decían demasiado xD
No, no, en España nose dice tanto 'por favor ' y 'gracias'. Mi mujer que es española me ha explicado que la cortesía excesiva se interpreta como falta de confianza. 'Por favor' y 'gracias' son para desconocidos.
@@Pauleeeen27 Si yo tambien pero no como lo fdirian los ingleses o neocelandes que por nada ya te saltan "sorry" and "thank you"
@@jcumse No estoy de acuerdo. Con amigos y familiares digo más "porfa", o empleo el "gracias" en otro tono, es cierto. Pero lo uso.
Dion Baillargeon tal cual, incluso para pedirles que me pasen la sal o el pan les digo por favor 😅
I was stationed in Spain as US Navy, I loved my time in Spain and learned new things every day. I’m thinking of moving to Spain permanently because I like their culture and customs and saw how people were with their family and helped me stay closer in contact with my family and friends. I was very happy there and would like to go back. I also like the healthcare, so much better than what I grew up with in America. I also really loved the socializing and traveling. During my time in Spain, it brought me out of my shell and I felt right at home ❤️
I was in the US Navy as well but my duty stations didn't include Spain (unfortunately!). So what you say is great but unless you buy your citizenship (500K or 1M Euros), or marry a Spanish citizen, how do you stay in Spain past 90 days legally? (I've been to Spain twice, LOVED it, & did NOT want to come back!)
I was in the British Navy at Gibraltar, I suspect you were based at Rota, loved my time there also.
My comment is not a personal one to you but important to mention: we (the population) don’t like US military presence in Europe: WW II is over long ago more than 75 years “Ami go home”! ☮️ PEACE ✌️
Welcome everyone in Spain, US Navy, British Navy, in duty or not. I love people that appreciate my country and I love that Spanish Navy members are welcome in other countries.
Don't hesitate to settle in Spain if you want to, you have already tasted how we appreciate good people and how we love cultural exchange, and I believe most of us deeply respect such an activity and its presence and mutual cooperation here.
Peace and respect. Thank you for your words.
@@anneli1735 Spain and the United States are close allies and have excellent relations based on shared democratic values, including the promotion of democracy and human rights. Spain joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1982 Jan 13, 2020.
According to Article 30.1 of the Spanish Constitution, Spain's American ally is there to guarantee the sovereignty and independence of Spain and to defend its territorial integrity and the constitutional order.
When (not if) an old lady jumps the queue in the supermarket, DO NOT call her out on it. Trust me, it's not worth the hassle.
If you glare at abuela long enough, she'll eventually return to her car, abandoned with the doors open in the middle of a roundabout because she spotted her neighbour on the corner and had to discus the price of alcachofas.
It is true that in Spain queues are not respected as much as in other countries. Neither do we put orderly on the right side of the escalators. Very true! 👍
Let's leave the older ladies ... it will be the best! 😂
Pablo Quesada Martínez I travel a lot and I disagree absolutely with this, sorry (but typical spanish to think any other country is better than us!
I particularly like the use of "l'ultim" instead of queuing up at the bank. I learned this in Barcelona. You walk in and ask, "L'ultim?", then the person who walked in before you will say "soc jo" and then you know your turn comes up after that person.
En los años ochenta, acuñé un término para esas señoras que de repente aparecen y se ponen delante cuando te va a tocar en la carnicería, pescadería o frutería. Las llamo "Mujeres Guadiana". Piden la vez, se largan a pedir en otros puestos, y luego vuelven y se te ponen justo delante.
Si alguien te ve poner ketchup o tomate en la paella mueres instantáneamente
Ramón Inaudito!! El ketchup es un detergente! Los otros días me enteré que en México le ponen ketchup a la pizza???? Que asco!!!! 🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮🤮
Que alguien "condimente" con eso cualquier cosa, salvo piedras o zapatos, debería estar tipificado penalmente.
Casi muero asfixiada por la risa que me ha dado este comentario 😂😂😂😂😂
If you can't do the time don't do the crime! Kepchup, Dios mío, tengo ganas de llorar de solo pensarlo.
Hay sitios donde usted se usa muchisimo. Y no se dirigen a personas mayores. A mi me hablaron de usted en andalucia y estabamos en cuadrilla con amigos
I would add a number 12: I realized that people, at least in UK, used to ask "how are you?" just waiting for a "fine, thanks" as a response. In Spain (or at least in the south), if you ask "how are you" be ready to hear about our life and problems; if you ask it is because you are really interested, not just to be polite.
At least that was my feeling, in UK every time I replied with an honest answer I received a glance like "please don't botter me talking about your life...."... Then why do you ask?? XD
Helena Guedes hola que tal? Bien, tú? Bieeen. Me pones un kilo de patatas? ..... pues ni en España se elabora demasiado sobre qué tal estamos
@@jmusic2024 Una cosa es saludar al tendero y otra preguntarle a un amigo o conocido que cómo está y pretender que no te cuente su vida. En UK se interesan muy poco por la vida privada de los demás (que no estoy diciendo que sea mejor o peor que aquí, pero si es diferente y a mi me supuso un choque cultural). Al menos en Canarias, preguntale a cualquiera en el barrio que cómo le va y espérate una buena historia....
Helena Guedes You are generalising, I am British and if you need a shoulder to cry on all you need to do is ask!
vivo en UK, anda que no me han dejado sola veces hablando en la calle.... me preguntaban que tal, como estas...? y yo parandome a contar mi vida entera... cuando me daba cuenta se habían largado.... entonces para que me preguntas....!!!!!!
EXTRANJERIA CALDERA Te enrollas como una persiana
As a recent British expat living in Malaga, I found this really interesting! Personally, I HATE it when, in a social situation, the first question is 'what do you do?'. To me, it comes across as a test to see if they are 'better' than you and to try and assert dominance in the conversation (although I do find this is more commonly asked by fellow expats and not Spanish people) One other thing I may add to this list is 'Don't complain when it rains'. Rain here is blessing for crops and farmers and us Brits are used to grumbling about bad weather. I've learnt very quickly to say 'Yes it's raining today but we really NEED it'.
My answer is “i work”
I ask Spanish and students of other nationalities what they do, but I don't care if they are rubbish collectors or CEOs. It's just to build rapport and to get a bigger picture of their needs
I've only asked that question just to find something to talk about. Never thought about it being rude.
@@JasMcKenzie You have many other topics to start a conversation. To me it is really annoying, who cares what I am doing for living? I am just here and I am trying to have a nice moments, do not bother me talking about my job.
@@carloss5133 Not to worry. Most likely, I wouldn't speak to you at all. You're safe.
I'm Spanish and here we say thanks and please constantly. In a bar or restaurant, my friends and me we say "thank you" for each plate the waiter put in the table. You guys can say thanks and please constantly without problem!
Exactly!
What part of Spain are you from? It depends. I agree with James - it often seems like the staff don't like nor appreciate it
The truth is everyone is different, in every country. I know some people in England who don't like please and thank you being used too much, but most people don't mind.
I'm also Spanish I a disagree with your comment. Maybe you and your friends do it but most people don't
you are missing the point - yes you say it but you say please/ thank you much less that you would say in the UK - in the UK if you didn't say it then people would think you are being inpolite
Pues yo digo por favor y gracias constantemente y me encantaría que la gente lo dijera mas.
Española aquí, lo mismo digo
Sameeeee, yo igual, cuando estoy con alguien en un bar o lo q sea y no le da las gracias al camarero me pone nerviosa 😂, sé educado hombre
Yo también! Nunca está de más!
Yo también
Sí
It's funny what you said about the dishes. I am a spaniard living in Germany and people here also help a lot after dinner. And I do agree that people doing my dishes or even loading the dishwasher feels invasive. I like to do these things my way and usually will wash things again or re-load the dishwasher after guests leave. Kitchens are a very private space in Spanish homes.
Plus, when the host starts doing the dishes, it is a covert sign that guests are overstaying and should leave.
S
Hah…ok now i KNOW what Paula was doing last night!!! Got it.😊
I am mexican and totally feel the same way as you about the cleaning up after a party.
The same holds here in Greece.
In the States, like in Spain, people ONLY do dishes if they are part of the family, or friends like family. I have yet to visit a home in the US, where I have been invited to dinner, where the host/hostess expects you to take their dinnerplate, much less put them in the dishwasher. I do consider it very rude to start cleaning while my guests are still visiting. Of course, if it is 11:30 at night, and dinner was served at 8:30 PM, I do want you to leave.
This is so funny as an American with a Spanish mother. A lot of this is really relatable to me even though I grew up in Hawaii, USA. I love Spain and Barcelona so much. When I started spending more time there, I had epiphanies that were very comforting. Like the bit about the supposed arguing. 😂 Back home in the US, some people think I come off strong or like I’m angry, when it’s not the case at all. When I observe the women in my Spanish family interacting, I remember where I come from and how it’s not aggressive at all. It’s just how we talk. We are passionate and warm. 😄 I’m actually moving to Barcelona next month to live with my yaya. I’m sad to leave home, but very excited for a new start.
This is so funny as a Spaniard with a mother from Hawaii :)
Right?? The British colonies are so damn uptight, here in the USA the Americans were always uptight and nervous that we spoke loudly, got physically close to each other etc
As a Spaniard I've experienced something tricky with the "don't wash the dishes" rule. Sometimes, when you have more confidence and have visited a home a few times already, there will be this invisible moment in which you'll be close enough to them to help cleaning, and expected to, but they'll not tell you. I usually discover that I'm allowed to wash the dishes when they actually say I never do 😂 👌.
this could be a true clock of "closeness": are you allowed to wash the dishes?
@@javisobrin lol, totally hahaha!
You are absolutely right! I clean all the time at my friend's houses and help do the dishes once we finish eating. I wouldn't allow them to do it by themselves.
Im English. I have only been invited to eat with a spanish family twice (same family) ... Ive been surprised at how few 'friends' invite us to join them or to even "come round forva coffee/beer". In England, my door is "always open". Regarding the cleaning of plates after the meal .... even in England, its a question ... "do you want me to help?" the answer is either "si" or "no"
Hola Fiona
You have forgotten a very important DON'T in Spain: Getting drunk in Spain is bad manners and you are told that you just don't know how to drink. People in Spain drink alcohol to enjoy it and never and ever with the ultimate purpose of getting drunk. This is a very serious recommendation for foreigners who want to behave properly in Spain and don't want to be perceived as low class and poorly educated.
No, we get drunk too
just the same as in France and Germany/Austria as well. seems to be the English/Americans/Nordic people who do it differently
@@Quetzacoatl85 no, we get drunk here too in Spain, we do botellón.
@@Quetzacoatl85 did you just say Germans don't drink to get drunk? lol
Here adults drink to get drunk, but not to get wasted. Teenagers drink to get wasted though, like everywhere else.
What a lovely lady she is, so happy , just reminds me what I love about spain, fantastic people and great culture
I’m from the USA and have always thought it rude when people immediately ask what I do for a living. People here use it to determine income and judge people.
I love how Yoly uses the word “reckon”. It’s such a great and underutilized word.
Probably she writes it "Yoli", its the most common form here. It's short for "Yolanda".
@@andressigalat602you took the time to comment but don’t even know for sure? I’m sure if it was an issue they would have informed me.
@@alyndaponder1668 I'm from the East of England (East Anglia) and people often say, 'I reckon' instead of 'I think'. Yes, it's a great word!
My answer “i work”
@@alyndaponder1668 she certainly writes it 'Yoli'. 'Yolly' is not a thing in Spain..... The person said 'probably' because of education, you can never be 100% sure. I am 99% sure though.....
Y lo más importante, por favor, no hacer la tortilla en el horno.
And the most important, please, don’t make the Spanish omelette in the oven.
pero quién hace esta barbaridad????
@@paddygirl xD mi padre a veces cuando hace tortillas de patata y cebolla jajajaja pero las tortillas francesas las hace en la sartén como todo el mundo
What? Are you crazy
@@mariaastin hombre le puede dar un toque. Igual que hay gente que termina la paella en el horno.
Mi horno es demasiado pequeño para que pueda yo meterme.
Me encanta como respetáis los turnos de habla del otro y como os mirais el uno al otro con gran admiración. Se nota que hay una gran química entre vosotros.
Son unos tortolitos. Me encanta lol
Lo tienen planeado.
Llevas razón, quizá por eso nos gustan tanto
Se nota que se llevan bien, aun estando casados, jajaja. Él lleva la conversación y ella aporta datos como española que es. Si el video fuera hecho en España, ella sería quien llevara la conversación y él, calladito en una esquina asintiendo con la cabeza pero sin decir ni mu 😂😂😂😂
Gracias!!! Mucho amor y respeto si :)
Things that Spanish people (I am spanish)do is:
Laugh every second, everytime you can, everytime you breath.
Spanish people laugh a lot.
and swear
I agree while laughing and swearing at the same time. Hostia putaaajajajaja sí sí!
There is a term for it: "descojonanding"
I don't agree.
Ajo y agua ;)
Garlic and bread ;)
I asked my abuela about the civil war and she told me some really interesting things about our family and how we had some family members on both sides and how it ripped the family apart, there was betrayal, etc. it’s heavy stuff and I could tell with my limited Spanish, that it wasn’t super fun for her to talk about. It’s just that I wanted to write these things down for future generations of our family while I can still get the stories from my elders. I also wrote down as much of the family tree as she could remember. I am looking forward to building on that genealogical knowledge. I know that my abuela was originally from Cubillos which is in León, in the north of Spain. They moved to Barcelona when my mom was a little girl.
My family refused to talk about it. My grandfather had a brother whom I never met. He was pro-regime, so I don't think I missed out much. Sensitive subject for sure.
@@vaazig same here but German history. I don’t know anything from my father as he didn’t want to touch that issue and my mother had already passed away when I was a 4 yo 🙄 just her sister, my aunt talked a little in her late 80s before she died when I insisted like „if you don’t tell me about my roots there won’t be anybody left“ as she had been the last of her generation at that time.
Love this! So important to pass that knowledge onto next generations!
asking for the civil war is quite a risky move. the only thing I have learn from my grandma is that one of her brothers died then.
@@anneli1735 In my case it's too late. My grandmother got Alzheimer's before passing away, so we didn't get anything out of her. Shame.
What??? We do use "please" and "thank you", it is of good education here in Spain. So PLEASE, don't hesitate to say it every time you have to, THANK YOU...
No dijo que no lo usásemos, sino que se usa mucho menos que en inglés y es opcional. Y totalmente cierto lo que dice Yolanda de que hay otras formas más sutiles de ser educado. Yo no digo constantemente por favor y gracias por ejemplo.
@@kennyPAGC Hay gente que no comprende ni lo que lee ni lo que escucha. No se ha dicho que no se use, sino que se usa cambiando el tono de las frases, lo cual es más inteligente que estar continuamente diciendo los términos indicados, que bien pueden decirse y no sentirse, lo cual sería hipocresía pura, que es lo que hacen los anglosajones.
RRRRRRRRRRRIIIIBBAAAAA
En general yo suelo ver q la gente usa mas "gracias" q por favor
I understand this, but coming from the USA at least, we use it constantly. CONSTANTLY! My first few months living in Spain, I was always told to not say it as often- it may come off as fake.
I love Yoly! Jacobo: "Rule #4: don't generalize about Spain" Yolanda: "which is something we're doing right now!"
Haha indeed!
Which is something 90% of spanish youtube commenters do about the rest of the world
I think the Spanish version of James’s name is Santiago, not Jacobo. Jacobo would be the Spanish version of Jacob/Jake.
@@Parafasio perdoname, but "Santiago" implies "St. James" thus Santiago de Compostela and not San Santiago (the Latin Sanctus Iacobus). Strictly speaking then, you probably mean "Iago." In England, the Jacobean Era coincides with the rule of James VI of Scotland/James I of England.
But then again, I was being intentionally pedantic: ordinarily, contemporary translation of the (rather common) name 'Santiago' is given as 'James.' Here's something I cut and paste from good ole Google: James can be translated to Spanish not only as Diego, but also as Iago, Jacobo, and Santiago. Also, these days it isn't unusual for the Spanish name Jaime to be used as a translation of James.
Sorry, I'm just an old man with too much time on my hands and the NYSE is about to close. Peace!
Juan Vergara No worries, Juan. You are correct that the most ethnologically (?) strict equivalence of Santiago is Saint James, and that James would then be Iago/Diego (or Diogo, in Portuguese). I’m trying to illustrate that, in modern usage, James has been directly (that is, without it having to be preceded by “saint”) with Santiago. I think we’re in agreement on that. Where we seem to disagree is in the usage of “Jacobo” for James, as I though Jacobo’s origin (as that of Jacob) is the Hebrew Yaakov.
I actually love this Spanish idea of not asking someone what they do when you just meet them. I feel like there are many other topics people can discuss if they are just getting to know each other, plus it is supposed to be a fun social event, not work related.
yeeeeessss same!
I agree. When anglophone people I don´t know start a conversation with, "What do you do?" I´m always tempted to answer "all sorts of things".
@@smahier It’s a boring conversation starter. People could ask about hobbies or books instead.
@@JuliasHairJourney exactly my point.
I absolutely can’t stand that people ask you what you do for a living in the US the minute that they meet you. It’s shallow. And while I am extremely proud of the work that I do, and I’m in demand….I often get responses from people that seem like it’s not lofty enough for them. I spend a lot of time with Europeans and Brazilians, and that’s never the first thing that they ask. I have people in my social circle and I don’t even know what they do for a living. I’m more interested to find out who they are. I appreciate that about Europeans in general
It was lovely to see such a lovely couple discussing 'Spanish' and regional customs! Both very authentic; so quite refreshing!
I never expect guests to do dishes. They come to my home for hospitality, not to work.
Everyone could clean their things anyway. It takes little time to do it.
That being said, I usally take my dishes or whatever to the kitchen to save some time. I don't wash'em cause I feel like I'm touching to much of their things. Like I'm inside of their space (I don't know how to say it). 🤷♂️
A spanish guy.
yes you are right!
You invite some guest to your home and you want they are confortable, not to work .
Some people ask if they can help to do dishes but usually the host refuses.
unless you are in a family home, where you have more confidence to clean and use their things or put the dishwasher on without ask if you can help.
Donde vives ¿ yo tengo hambre pero no quiero lavar los platos después jajaja
Is that a thing? I don’t understand why anyone would expect guests clean when they are coming to spend time with you?
Even in U.S. guests are not expected to do dishes. Host says, "Dejeme en paz."???
Damn her accent screams SPAIN.😂😂😂
I'm Spanish
You can hear her Spanish accent in her English, and it is interesting to listen to.
As an Englishman I don’t think having a foreign accent is a bad thing, it can be quite cute
Yolanda is perfect! That Spanish fire, something us Latin Ladies share
IKR, I thought daaamn she hasn't practiced her pronunciation... Then realized I would probably sound like that or worse and shut my internal grumpy critic up.
It sounds so interesting. The fact that you can hear the spanish accent through the English doesn't happen often, as most people just have an accent but you can't tell where it is from. Omg I imagine how the guys would sound. 😊
Dishes stuff it´s pretty easy to explain. When you are in someone´s house, you are a guest. Guest in spain tradicionally have been treated as important people (civil war for example the police were offered a cup of your best coffee) so you offer the best you have and you show hospitality. If someone important eats at your house you don´t allow him/her to do anything related to dishes and that stuff. Nowadays when you are a guest, you should try to help or alt least ask your host as a well-educated guest but almost all host will tell you to stay in the couch or talking with them in the kitchen (if it´s a friend). The best thing you can do is always ask your host, it´s a way to be polite and show your good manners to your host (and many of them even if they tell you it´s not neccessary, they will grant your intentions anyway). Plus some people can understand that they are not being a good host if you have to help them with something while you are in their home
Muy tipico en andalucía y sur ofrecer lo mejor de tu casa y lo más caro a los extraños para agasajarlos o causar una buena impresión aunque es un comportamiento de todo el país. Algunos anfitriones preferirán que no ayudes y otros te dirán que sí pero la mayoría agradecerán que les preguntes.
@@Kipperlab In Catalonia it's not that "open", takes longer to invite someone to your place, the trust must be won for real, but once it is, becomes the same, a guest will have everything without having to ask, your place its their place.
That makes us look "more cold" sometimes, but it's just a different process to get to the same place, that's what I love from this piece of land, we all so different and so similar at the same time, how better would be if we use those differences to learn instead to "fight" each other (sorry for going a bit political, but with all the politic crap nowadays it's hard to not to)
@@wiros I am from the north too so I have the same pov but my granny is from the south so she explained me that "way of Life"
The first time I went into the kitchen and washed the dishes at my mother-in-law's (from Jaraicejo, Cáceres), she was shocked. Her comment was, ¡Oish, oish, oish! ¡Habiendo mujeres en casa! More or less, How can you dare wash the dishes when there are women in the house? Years went by and her line changed to, Michel, hace mucho que no friegas. In English, Michel, it's been a while since you last washed the dishes :))
Also in Italy, same as Spain. The guest is “sacred” (this is probably a Mediterranean tradition dating back to the ancient Greece times, not joking). So you would never like to ‘see’ the guest doing the dishes or similar. The guest is the guest ;)
Soy valenciana y mi lengua materna es el valenciano, así como mis costumbres y mi forma de ser. No es cuestión de regionalismo solamente, entiendo que nuestro país en sí, es como un pequeño continente, con diferentes lenguas, diferentes costumbres, diferentes climas y formas de expresarnos. Aún cuando hay muchos parecidos, somos estupendamente diferentes
Eres española no valenciana a ver si te crees q eres muy distinta de un madrileño gfa
Se supone que estos vídeos son para guiris y la mayoría de los comentarios son de españoles jajaja
Para los españoles todos los no españoles son guiris jajajajajajajajajaja
Es un decir, no hace falta ser tan literal. También son guiris los de los países bajos.
Yo soy una española guiri...Solo he vivido en España mis primeros 15 años...Sigo siendo española...no americana
@Benjamin Tjaa o machupichus
@@adamc7238 Soy francés y la última vez que fui a España se me ha llamado "franchute" no guiri 😂😂 aunq un amigo mío y francés era un guiri
No se en qué partes de España habéis estado, pero en la mía decimos "gracias" y "por favor" todo el tiempo.
En muchas partes o mas bien, con gente educada y no de juerga o prepotentes, se dice mucho por favor y gracias. No tanto como los ingleses por favor!! Se pasan un pueblo!!!
Creo que es una question de perspectiva. Yo creia que yo en España decia todo el tiempo por favor y gracias y desde que vivo en Alemania y trabajo en ingles veo que hay miles de situaciones en las que en España no diria por favor.
Totalmente
@@sietecaracolas6675 totalmente, yo estuve viviendo en Inglaterra unos años y allí es cierto que meten un por favor o gracias en cada frase que dicen y a mí a veces me decían que los españoles no decíamos gracias mucho. Y creedme, estoy diciendo gracias casi siempre jajaja
En comparación con otros paises, no tanto, sobre todo en relación con trabajos de cara al público (restaurantes, tiendas, atención al cliente... etc). Es absurdo la cantidad de veces que te dicen por favor/gracias en Reino Unido o Estados Unidos, aquí sustitituimos muchos de esos "por favores" por el tono o incluso por gestos.
For many Spaniards, "help with the work" is one of the key differences between "guests" and "family". Also expressed by the people who live in that house answering "¡hasta la cocina!" (all the way to the kitchen) when an arriving visitor asks "¿se puede?" (may I come in?). When I'm invited to someone's house for lunch by the first time I ask "want me to come early and give a hand, maybe bring something over?" and the answer tells me if I'm being treated as a guest or a relative-alike.
From my point of view, that question also has another advantage: it saves me from bringing an expensive bottle of alcohol as hostess gift for a teetotaler, as my friends abroad have very often done when coming to visit me. I mean, my stews do improve when I add some 12yo whisky to them, but it seems like such a waste of whisky!
I am English and wouldn't dream of asking or expecting my dinner guests to wash up! They are guests!
I am Spanish and when I moved to the US it was very strange to me that people bring food to your house to be part of the party you have created for them. In Spain if you invite someone to your house you prepare everything and serve it yourself, since you are the host and you are at home. You expect your guests to be in the living room having a good time, it may happen that someone is talking to you and could come to the kitchen and offer to help you, but you let the person go back to the living room or send him/her to the living room with something small, so doing the minimum because he/she is your guest. You start doing the dishes when everyone else has already left. This is often the case, because friends will also invite you to their home for special occasions. It is a Spanish custom and you invite people because you want to take good care of them.
I like how Yolanda explains about the inflections. She makes a good interpreter. Gracias Yoli
I'll take a beer at 5pm any day of the week with a big thank you
I like how you think Fernando! 😁🍺👍
Family is from Nicaragua, and grew up around mexicans, from what i noticed, we are taught to ask to help with dishes at least twice. The person cooked for us, or opened their house to us and its our way of saying thank you. Now, we mostly decline it but its nice to hear that they want to help as guests
about washing the dishes after being invited over for dinner, i think its entirely a matter of closeness and familiarity with the people that live there. Being allowed to help around a kitchen that is not your own is a sign of trust and strong bonds between friends, cause the kitchen is the heart of any home. So if you are welcomed over inside another person kitchen i would say its a sign of a good trusting relationship.
I'm a Slav, so ill break 7 of those rules on my first day in Spain.
LOL
Same same hahaha
LOL I would gladly allow you to do the dishes or this one doesn´t apply to you?
*_BLYAT_*
@@valiacocaserafin9175 *_I'M GREEK, SO I WOULD BREAK ALL OF THE DISHES._*
Bread on the table depends on the establisment (fancy restaurants will have their own plates).
Cleaning up after parties, only very close friends tend to stay and help out. Families will almost always stay to clean up and help.
Never talk about civil war or politics UNLESS you are in someway interested around the subject of wars.
Do not worry if you do not understand any of the other 4 languages that are in Spain, 99% of the spanish population knows spanish either as their first or second language. So tourists or students abroad should not worry, but respect the fact that they are not dialects.
Totally - thank you for that!!
IAN WARD valencian and catalan are the same language, but we call it our way. Just like Balear.
Its disrespectfull when you call it a dialect from catalan, because its the same. And it sounds like a second leveled catalan.
@IAN WARD I could also say that Catalan is a dialect of Valencian (which has older historical writings), but is all a matter of nationalisms.
IAN WARD Don’t feel bad. Its me who have to thank you for preserving and using our language. You keep it alive, thanks for that effort!
The question of which language is a dialect of wich is pointless bc they all evolved together from latin at the same time.
Olvidaste una importante:
No comer los kiwis con la piel.
jeje!
a los aussies y kiwis le tienes que sacar las piel para comerlos.. buen consejo.
La piel es donde están las vitaminas, !todo el mundo lo sabe¡.
Ni las pipas... he visto extranjeras que no sabían comer pipas y las masticaban con la cáscara...
Pero ¿quién hace eso? 😱
You both did a great job! I was at a cafe waiting for my cousin and on the phone with a friend who didn't understand Spanish culture (totally fine!), but my friend asked, "Oh my goodness! Are people fighting!?!?!" I'm like, No! They're just asking how the other person is doing, their kids, grandkids, etc. I forget that the tone, which is I was just completely used to, needs to be explained some times lol...As a Galician, thank you for addressing the province language/dialect subject. Absolutely proceed with caution if you're lumping all provinces and languages/together. You will be promptly corrected, especially by elders, and risk offending them. Yeah, do everything possible to not offend any Spaniard unless you're ready for a 1-2 hour lecture. Lol, love to all!
Passion and expressiveness, not fighting. 😂
At one point, Yoly says "I reckon", which she must've picked up from her husband. It's cute.
@@smarttreadersplatform7594 seriously?? And you can t even write "traders" properly? Go back sleep scammer🤣🤣
You offer me a beer I'm gonna hug you. Any time of the day.
My mother is From Spain (Castilla la Mancha) and my father is American ... I'm lucky to be able to grow up and appreciate both cultures.... pero esa sangre Española tira ! Jajaja y cuando estoy en España me da algo , me siento más tranquila, feliz! 🇪🇸❤ Saludos desde EEUU
Love the Channel
Te entiendo bién...Yo vivo en EE.UU. pero mi tierra siempre me llama...Saludos desde Pennsylvania
Pero que hablas si tienes genética de sudamerica ?
@@mrcrom87 Qué idioma se habla en tu país? Chino?
I want to visit Spain and ultimately retire there. My father was born in United States and my mother was born in Chihuahua Mexico and live United States for 75 years. Both parents have passed away now, which gave me a reason to do a family ancestors search and both sides of my parents bloodline came from Spain and now I know why Spain has always been in my heart to be there. My last name is Arenas which means Sand's. God bless Spain.
How can i find a job like artist for comic books in the Madrid?
The "no hands under the table"rule. applies to the WHOLE of western Europe! ( greetings from the Netherlands)
But I think not realy in Germany. Could it be, that you have it in Netherlands from spanish people?
That 100% true in Hungary 🇭🇺🇭🇺
@@Kms356xfgh I grew up on Germamy and my german granny used to pull me up on a hand under the table, with words like: "No feeding the dog" WE DIDN'T HAVE A DOG🤗
and russia )
So your elbows are on the table?
In Spain, life comes first. In English culture, work comes first.
So true. Here in CA, it's always money, money money. Ughhhh
In London maybe, not the rest of the country
This is also a generalization. Saying that in Catalonia will be a conflict 😂
thats one of the reason of siesta
@@Josepcarrion So wait, just to be clear, in Catalonia do they enjoy talking about what they do for a living, or rather avoid it?
One more thing for you to know for your next video: We Spaniards tend a lot to complain about the country, the system, the people. I would say that it is because we have a lot of self criticism because we include us in that complain. But if you are a foreigner and hear that self-criticism, careful, don’t get into it!!!, because although between spaniards we accept that and tend to create long conversations about it, we don’t like foreigners to comment bad things about the country. I think that comes from a typical phrase very rooted in spain which is “Ver la paja, en el ojo ajeno”. We are taught to see our flaws and try to change them, but it’s super unpolite (unless your relationship is very close), to point out others flaws. Same with countries.
I think that’s a normal concept. It’s like when parents complain about their children; you can listen, laugh, or even complain about your own kids but never would you hear a parent complain about their child and try to join in. Lol
I've heard this before too .. thank you
I do agree with this, we Ricans tend to do the same yet don't do it if you are visiting, I'm guessing it's the same all over, my wife from Peru and it's the same story.
So basically, if you’re a foreigner in a group of Spaniards then you’re excluded from the ‘long’ conversation. Great! Sign me up!
Sounds a lot like the Brits too (or at least the English). I witnessed some foreigners fall into that trap in Liverpool and it did not go over well.
I'm from England. We were always taught never to put our hands under the table - no elbows on the table either, like you. In a social situation, almost the first question you're asked is, what do you do - like in NZ. I think the Spanish system sounds much better.
I'm English and I've never heard the thing about no hands under the table. I do remember no elbows on the table from primary school.
I’m from the US and even I feel uncomfortable when people ask me what I do for work straight away. Maybe it’s my culture, not sure but, it bothers me. It feels almost equivalent to asking me how much money I make.
SurferGirl yes I totally agree! Here in Canada, people ask it often when they meet you. I think it’s more because they don’t know what to talk about...work and weather lol. I find it weird as if if they don’t have any interests
Salima Lavallee Yes! I usually ask them what they like doing or something about what’s going on at that moment. I think I’ve just always been one of those people that like to talk about meaningful stuff, although, I think talking about the weather can be a good start off because it shows people are interested in conversing with you. This gives us the sense that both people are welcoming and open. I like that. 😊
it is important to ask, i like to know who i'm talkin' with...what if i'm talkin' to a waiter???....i don't want to be seen talkin' to a waiter, i struggle to keep workin' class away from me
Interesting point! I normally ask about the job when I meet with a person for the first time, but never considered as if I was trying to identify how much they earn. It's more like I want to show interest on them and it is an easy way to start with. Doing this, you can also know about the type of things that that person likes. But reading your comments, this type of questions can be quiet uncomfortable for you, and there are many reasons to think so...
It's harmless, most people that ask are just attempting to have a passive conversation instead of having the awkward silence in a social setting, don't overthink it.
In Hungary, it's also kind of rude to eat with hands/ a hand under the table. It is said to be inappropriate because others may never know what you're actually doing down there, as some people jokingly say; you could be scratching your testicles or trying to grab someone else for all they know, so it's better to put both hands on the table, making it possible for everyone to see that you're not into some weird shenanigans.
But anyway, thanks for the entertaining and very informative video, as always! :)
haha ok!
I guess scratching your balls under the table is a NO NO in Europe lol
@Hillary Clintub Idk where you're from, but back here we eat at tables, on which you rest your arms. lol
@Hillary Clintub I agree with Csongor. While most countries disapprove of elbows on the table, hands and forearms are fine.
Csongor Kakuk both hands under the table is a no no🤭
Very similar to the culture in Greece, but then so very many Spanish Jews came to Greece after their expulsion from Spain, there is even a version of the Churro in Greece, generally the Mediterranean countries share a lot of culture.
Really! Wow!
Very many spanish jews this is a wrong Word we are Muslims too and i'm Spanish. So in our country we have three religion that's All
@@spainrevealed eso no es asi
@@pogonaVisitor ¿Tú sabes lo que es la historia? En España se expulsó a los judíos sobre el 1500 y a los últimos moriscos unos años más tarde, que obviamente es a lo que se refería el comentario anterior. BTW, la religión musulmana (Ya no te digo la judía) es muy minoritaria en este país, y ha sido reintroducida por los emigrantes durante las últimas décadas del S.XX.
@@pogonaVisitor Los judios se expulsaron de España por orden de los reyes católicos a finales del siglo XV, Y los moriscos fueron expulsados por orden de Felipe III a principios del siglo XVII. Obviamente el comentario se refiere al primer evento y en ningún caso se refiere a hoy en dia, aprende historia antes de meter así la pata.
I was in Salamanca for 7 months with a gang of international people, two of whom were Spaniards. We did everything together, including eating. At one point someone pointed out that my hand was always under the table at meals. But he didn't say it was considered rude. Actually I think the way he drew my attention to it was that he asked me if my hand was ok. But I was too obtuse to get what he was saying and so I continued to eat with my hand under the table. It wasn't until years later that I learned about that faux pas.
So having your hands on your lap between courses is not ok. What are you supposed to do with them, hold them up in the air?
@@chriswilliams6568 You lay them on the table or use them to gesture in conversation.
I love the chemistry between you two. Yoli is always smiling and you can tell James is infatuated with her. I’m really interested in Spain and Spanish culture and coincidentally I am an Anglo-Saxon man born in South Africa but raised in the U.K. I also happen to be called James 😂. I’ve been casually learning Spanish for the last 2 or 3 years and back in 2019 I cycled the entire length of the Iberian peninsula from Santander all the way back, in a clockwise direction. I was enamoured with the place and the people and I can’t wait to retire there. I love this channel and I’ve just subscribed. Great work guys!
You prob would do better than say an Afrikaaner..Wish you luck...
¿Qué no decimos casi por favor y gracias? Ein?! No comparto esa vivencia en concreto, pero que conste que los dos sois la mar de majos.
en comparación con los anglosajones lo decimos poquísimo.
@@xalau5270 Yo la verdad discrepo. He vivido varios años en Suecia y he estado varias veces tanto en Reino Unido y Estados Unidos (aunque no he tenido la oportunidad de visitar Oceanía). Pero nunca he tenido esa percepción. Supongo que varia de persona a persona.
Yo cada vez que voy a Reino Unido vuelvo abusando de esas palabras y aquí suenan excesivas. Sí que hay una diferencia cuantitativa importante.
@@blanche1935 Yo fui a un cole inglés... y si, se entiende que un anglosajón debe ser correcto (polite), y dar las gracias por todo, pedir por favor. NO es cosa de decir Thanks y Please... son otras muchas expresiones que se añaden al lenguaje del sentido correcto. Ahora, eso no implica que el inglés actual, no se comporte como un gentleman, o una dama, vamos... Expresiones como May you/I do this... son un ejemplo.
Yo tampoco coincido... En mi entorno todo el mundo dice por favor y gracias xD
In the Philippines we grew up using terms like “Kastila” (Castilla) and “Kastillano” (Castellano) for the the citizens and language of España.
Its correct.. its a synonym... castilla and castellano .. castilla was a kingdom within spain.. today two autonomias have that name.
Yeah people usually use Castellano as a synonym of Español but not for people. We don't say castellanos=españoles
how interesting omg
Maria Astin de hecho yo creo que es un término que se aplica al idioma para diferenciarlo del español latino. Al menos yo lo utilizo así.
eva LP español americano* , “latino” es una cagada semántica
Thank you very much. I think your introduction to Spain for foreigners is the most inclusive and respectful I ever found. Of course, as you say, some rules don't apply equaly in every part of Spain, but it remains a great introduction.
Besides, I agree with your rule number 1. Many people has the need, as Meritxell says, to speak about the civil war, but for a newcomer it's like opening an unsuspected can of worms. Almost everybody has a relative that has been dead in or because of the war, in any of the two parties. I don't feel most of us are yet ready to speak of it without all that pain crashing into the conversation and the people in it.
That holds true for the Greek civil war as well. So many decades after it.
La cerveza a las 5 pm no va bien porque ya se tomaron unas cuantas a las 11 am . Si no , compruebalo en los bares.
Yo diría que las 11 es muy temprano. A partir de las 12 o 12,30 si que ya ves gente tomándose un "aperitivo"
@@pedrofmc0000 como que temprano y hasta las 9 o 10 de la mañana a partir de semana Santa 😂
ademas lo del cafe con leche está relacionado con despertarse de la siesta del todo y aguantar hasta la noche xd
Lo que se conoce en las obras como "la hora del angelus"
Una cervecita a partir de las 2 o 3 de la tarde en verano especialmente en un bar se agradece y se vé por lo menos en Andalucia
I really don’t like when people do the dishes in my house. I want time with them to be cool and relaxing, I rather use the time to chill out in the living room and having some vermut or lemoncello...
Yeah, totally - I agree
That's totally true of lots of countries. If my guests and I have a belly full of food and wine the last thing we are going to do is wash the dishes.
Another fun cultural perspective... Here in Singapore, it's considered to be gracious to at least _offer_ to help clear/wash the dishes (washing the dishes is what a visiting boyfriend does when he intends to endear himself to the other side). The offer is usually met with a no from the host (more like a laughing "oh no you won't be doing any of that!"). James & Yoli, thanks for this week's great video! ;)
Codswallop yeah, that’s the way we do it!
As a Cuban living in the States for 25 years my recent first trip to Spain was a great experience, love that country, their culture and their people, me sentí como en casa propia, dije “gracias y por favor “ muchas veces y siempre fue bien recibido. No visitamos a nadie en su casa pero tanto en Cuba como en USA siempre ayudamos después de una fiesta o reunión familiar a los anfitriones. Thanks for the information, I guess is little different to everyone or depends where you go.
"Cuban living in the States" - american living in america, not cuban.
No es lo mismo una fiesta con amigos o familia, normalmente (navidades por ejemplo) cuando se reune la familia TODOS ayudan a cocinar y a fregar; cocinar como comer (y beber!) es un acto social. ¿Te imaginas una barbacoa con SOLO el anfitrion cocinando?
@@КонстантинМатвеев-д8ц Cuba, and all other countries in the Western Hemisphere, are part of America, but not part of USA.
@kohctahtnh Matebeeb I advise you to come visit America and learn a little before commenting on a subject you have no clue about lol …… oh yes I am a Cuban living in the States
Peter, I am Cuban too, this guy doesn't probably know where Cuba is located or that we speak Spanish lol...
I find that when I tell people in Spain that I speak a little Spanish and ask them to please speak slowly, they speak LOUDER!😂
I loved your comment kkk😅
Yep, it seems to me that some of them aren’t capable of speaking more slowly 😅
Hi im Spanish, if i find u i will speak slowly not Louder 😂
They are both very much in love with each other which makes this video a warm one as well as being very informative. Stay happy guys!
❤️❤️
Yo uso gracias y por favor continuamente y nadie me mira raro... XD
Yo también y me han llegado a preguntar por qué flirteo con todo el mundo.
Creo que os movéis en ambientes muy extraños...
En UK y USA es exagerado su uso. Si por ejemplo te olvidas de una palabra que ibas a decir el otro te contesta: "Sorry about that". Es demasiado jajaj
Yo también. Creo que depende más de tu educación y de el barrio del que seas.
Pensaran que eres un pargelas
lo de las manos encima de la mesa es porque parece que te estás tocando los huevos xDD
Es verdad, cuando me lo decían en las cenas de Navidad mi cabeza decía:
"Tío que estoy más cómodo así, no me estoy haciendo una p*ta paja xDDD"
Jajaja
Joder
@@david_ga8490 real😂😂
Thanks so much for these wonderful videos. My husband and I are discussing moving to Spain from the USA (he is originally from Slovakia) and I have been essentially terrified. Just wanted to let you know that your videos have gone a long way in easing some of my fears and based on your advice I have already started my Spanish lessons. Thank you both again!
Manners and etiquette are entirely personal in Spain. Huge differences from one family to the next in the same village let alone region or countrywide. Funnily enough I come from one of the most respectful countries (Canada) and I feel it's all appearance. People say thank you and you're welcome but they'd rarely say good morning or hello when entering an elevator, while riding your bike or running... Whereas that's standard in Spain: Hola, qué hay, epa, aúpa, buenas, buenos días, ey, cómo va la cosa, buenas tardes/noches, buen día, buen paseo... And so on, social interaction, small talk and chitchat is quite common among strangers. Great vid. I've learned about jotas and potes in the North
I honestly have to disagree. I've been in Canada for a year and I prefer their manners over ours a million times. People were really nice and always wished you a good day, or said thanks, or were always willing to help. I feel like here we mistake unpoliteness with being laidback, and we are barely nice to strangers, only when we need to. As you've said, it's probably a matter of the location, since I'm from the North and we are not as spontaneous as people from the South, but still.
@@xmxzng1617 let's agree that we disagree. I've lived in the North for several years and manners were constantly more honest than in Canada where politeness is just a politically correct kinda attitude... It changes from one province to another and from cities to small towns (like elsewhere) but I personally prefer the warmth I've received back in Asturias, Cantabrie, Rioja and Basqueland. Small villages and elders mostly but in larger towns too. It all goes down to personal experiences... But mine I wouldn't change for Hamilton, London, Quebec, Halifax... Pretty much it's just everyone on their own business and little real interaction with foreigners
@@mecsys Correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel like it's a matter of what we're used to. I've grown up in Asturias, and yes, people seem warmer and overally nicer, but don't confuse that with being nosy. People don't tend to stick to their own business, and you can't take a step without everybody knowing about it. It makes me sick just thinking about it, and it's really toxic because you grow up being conscious about every single thing you do. I've talked about this with some other friends who, like me, spent a year abroad in different places of Canada, and they all agreed with me: it's better because nobody gives a damn about what you are doing. It's as simple as that. Here everybody has an opinion about how you are acting and I find that rude and completely disrespectful. Also, maybe for you it seems cold (?) And fake (?) (Idk how to say it sorry) that Canadians are so politically correct. Here in Spain some cashiers stare at me in shock when I say "thanks" (and I've lived both in Asturias and Madrid). It's not that here, when we are nice, it's more sincere; it's that we are rude and disrespectful, and honestly, less understanding about people who don't fit in the "party" and laidback stereotype. Idk what your age is, and obviously that's a huge factor in how you see things, but I can assure you this is not the best place to grow up, even though I love my culture (and I'm not saying Canada is wonderful because no place is, but I find it slightly better)
@@xmxzng1617 as I said, generalizations would only lead us so far. There is certainly a line drawn between big town and small town attitudes and social habits. And that's almost universal. Small town people both in Spain and Canada are friendlier than their urban counterparts in that their lives aren't so busy and scheduled but that doesn't meant that they're better individuals. Donno about growing up there or somewhere else, coz it's all quite personal, but I'd say that gossiping is intrinsically linked to tight and small communities (that'd be suburbs, villages or whatever). However social and family networks are stronger in Mediterranean countries and those links up keeping the society together and make a safer environment (check substances abuse -ie heroin, alcoholism...- depression, burnout, homelessness, suicide rates... you should go and check our Greg North strong and free to see how Amerindians are treated there and how they're forced to immigrate South to become addicts and hobos... Telling you, Canada isn't such an amazing country as the economy rankings might want to show you
@@xmxzng1617 The Canadian guy is right, buddy. Just you underrate the Spanish point of view as worse being Spanish yourself. Foreign people don´t have better things than the Spanish. You can notice that with age and experience and interaction with people from elsewhere in the world. The Spanish, as usual, are wrong when they think foreigners or their points of view are better. People like Canadians or Germans can seem perfectly selfish to other nationalities like us Mediterraneans; the Japs think so, in fact, the Japanese don´t think positively about foreigners. They prefer their own vision, their own "method".
En verano la regla de la cerveza no existe, ya que chocaría con el deporte nacional de ir de terracitas.
siempre y cuando te la pongan bien fresquita 🤤
De todas formas hay bastante gente que toma cervezas en los bares a media tarde, e incluso a media mañana, y la verdad es que nadie lo ve como una cosa rara. Y con el vino lo mismo.
A mi me puede ofrecer a cualquier hora JAJAJA
Yo no se en que pais vives tu o que colegas tienes pero sea la hora que sea todo mis colegas quieren una birra. Siempre.
Si es la hora del cafe, bueno porque no. Pero la cerveza en españa es lo mas tipico siempre siempre a toas horas joder! Birraaaa cruzcampo y gambrinus!! XD
Supongo que dependerá de qué tan bien conoces a la persona y del tipo de "invitación" a tu casa que se trate. Siempre puedes ofrecer las dos cosas con una pregunta del tipo ¿quieres una cerveza o todavía estamos en la hora del café? Y santas pascuas. A mí también me pareció raro porque hay gente que a media mañana se toma una caña con unas tapas para "desayunar" en el break del trabajo. Pero luego lo pensé y sí, la verdad es que a las 5 yo voy más por el café que por la cerveza. Pero es que yo prefiero el café a la cerveza a cualquier hora.
I just got back from Barcelona. It’s truly a majestic city! Definitely, a must visit city. Espectacular!!
I am taking my family there for the first time this summer, and I can't wait!
@Adrian Anikeenko - yah, I was notified last week by Air Canada that they cancelled our trip. :(
@Adrian Anikeenko - I'm sorry. We are also under stay-at-home orders. Fortunately, here in Montana where I live we have a lot of open space and mountains full of woods, so it's not quite so confining.
I lived there happily for two years- unfortunately I was there for four years!
Wow, what a useful video, thank you. I'm British and am planning on doing a Spanish course in Spain, so I will definitely be taking note of these tips. Thank you.
Me watching a video about Spain as if I were not Spanish and had lived my whole life here 👁️👄👁️
LMAO
I like watching how other people see my culture.
Im so interested in Spanish people lol
Im mexican but not mestizo like I only have Spanish dna so I kinda feel like I would like Spain
You forgot a 12th rule...
Don’t go through life being paranoid about stupid rules!
Hola que comico saludos Ibero
Yeah, that is the best rule.
☝️☝️
I know right! Totally a Pesado move!
Yeah, I do say thank you a lot.
Beer o'clock is any time in Ireland. I lived in Spain for 8 years, loved it. ☺☺☺
I lived in both countries too and beer o'clock is any time hahaha
I love Ireland and Irish people. ;) I'm Spanish.
Iv been in a bar in the morning.. The Spaniards are right piss heads..
I've been offered a beer or a wine at all times of the day and night here in Spain. In fact at 5pm that is the time my Spanish in-laws are finishing lunch with a chupito!
Very informative! Here in the US our civil war was over 100 years ago and we are still not “over it”. Definitely a difficult subject. Interestingly, we don’t speak much about the civil wars of other countries. For example the civil war in Spain isn’t widely known about here. ✌🏻❤️🇺🇸🙏🏻
That was 160 years ago and they still do Civil War reenactments.
I thought it was a weird scene when I married into a U.S. Southern family (Georgia) they talked about the Civil War like it *didn't* happen over a hundred years ago. And they'd use "we" when referring to the Confederacy. It really got interesting when they discussed all the winning/losing theories (facts for them). Those were the times when I was really like, wow, what in the world did I get myself into here? 😮 😄
Great video. I am in California, USA. Many of my ancestors are originally from Azores, Spain, Portugal, Italy and France. This video made me laugh a bit because I catch some of these cultural characteristics in myself and my family.
Also in bars and other stablishments, bartenders can be in such a way a bit loud or "aggressive" when asking what you want. Specially in traditional bars with a lot of loud chatting and people to be attended.
In other occasions, there will be people that will talk you as if they knew you and speak you with "diminutivos" and lovely words. In València is way traditional to be called "cariñet" or "bonico" in supermarkets or even in offices. It's a way of making you comfortable.
So, bartenders are not being disrespectful when they talk out loud and cashiers in supermarkets are not being disrespectful when they speak you as if they where part of your family.
Spain is a place of cultural shocks in many aspects.
Thanks for the video. Great as always.
Totally - thanks for that!
so true, in the Canaries 'mi niño' and 'muchacho' make us sound warm, close and caring, especially to compliment strangers or give advice.
I must admit that Spanish speaking foreigners are sometimes horrified in the way we (Spaniards) ask for things because, to them, our requests sound like commands! We are too straightforward very frequently with no intention to be rude but to us is a normal way to addressing to one another
@@Sibila1983 it is all cultural and if we learn it is normal then nobody takes offense. I explain to my students they should just say what they want with an interrogative tone and a smile rather than try may I, could I, etc. with a poker face.
@@pepitaunderthesun4763 i am happy to hear that natural approach as a teacher because, yes, it is absolutely cultural and it helps students understand it. We are nice with each other in many ocassions just with a smile or making chit-chat or adding no pressure to the request by saying "cuando puedas" for instance
I have never liked the abrupt question “What do you do?" It's a bad anglo-saxon habit. I agree with the Spanish people on this.
I've been here in Spain 18 years, in Alicante province. You were spot on about the language norms in Spain, except that elderly people, new business contacts/customers and policemen seem to appreciate hearing Usted.
Yeah, the language generalities and civil war theme are things to steer clear of except with close friends. The quickest way to start everybody arguing is to compare Spanish languages or question the need for one of them, because language is at the centre of each separate culture here.
You missed the subjects of bullfighting, the national anthem and the national flag. These are controversial issues. Many citizens hate these things and many love them. It's best not to wear a tee shirt with a flag on it.
A Spanish guy once pointed out that the British always opened a conversation with "So what do you do for a living?" After some time back in the UK I've realised it's a class thing. Middle-class people with interesting jobs love to talk about them - in fact it's a big identifier of who they are. Meanwhile, working-class people would never ask this or want to discuss their boring job in a warehouse or factory - if you want to chat to a local in a pub, for example, do not ask this question straight off the bat.
My family is Puerto Rican, and most of my parent’s friends are as well, with an exception of a Colombian. My parents always hosted parties at our house - maybe it was just the culture within their friend group - but they would always stay and help clean dishes, even sweep and mop the floors. It never took away from their time together, in fact, it was cool to see it all happen. How they worked together, and got it all done while still going on about their conversations. For me, it set an example of showing love and interest, gratitude for your host. Everywhere I go now, I’m always helping with the clean up, and even though my own friends have come from different cultures, they all became appreciative of it, and even adopted it in their own ways. I don’t think it’s weird. I think it’s kind and shows consideration.
Exacto
Completely agree.
From my travelling experience, Europeans are very different to Latin Americans and Asian people when it comes to hospitality. Helping out someone in this respect is very well received in some cultures, but I find most Europeans especially the Lutheran Europeans really find this as being “Too much”. Almost as if it’s an invasion of their privacy. 😅
It is a mistake to compare Latin American culture with Spanish culture. Other than the language, and even that, they have almost nothing in common.
@@strand195 I also think it’s a matter of exposure to these practices. Like I mentioned, I have friends from different cultures: Latin, Italian, French, Indian, Asian, etc. A lot of them were surprised by it, at first, but they eventually grew to appreciate it because ultimately, the desire to help comes from a place of love, not of judgment. So, they definitely saw it differently, and a lot of them even started applying that.
We’d go to parties or gatherings, and these friends started offering help with the clean-up at the end. The hosts were always impressed and appreciative.
@@enewberg2812 I’m only expressing my own experiences in this context. No mistakes there.
I'm a romanian and I love so much the style of spanish people! :D
Eres gitano no mientas
@@mrcrom87 tu eres tonto?
The question of not asking about the job, I think also has hides something to do with how the Lutheran and Calvinist cultures see your job as a central part of their lives, as a way to redeem themselves socially and spiritually, it is common in these cultures that a large part of the friendships and social relationships are linked to job, however I believe that Catholic societies, perhaps also in Orthodox, they are much more separated personal and social life of each individual of their job, (although as in many other things the predominant culture that comes from the multinationals is being absorbed and this is lost), they like to share other things, or hobbies and thus be able to disconnect from their jobs, employment is a necessity to later be able to live, and "live life" they consider what is out their hours of work their "real" intimate, personal and social area, unless that they are passionate about your job and yes it is then part of their life in all yours time, and surely that question is not asked to people that you just met, because in a new group of friends there may be people of different types of economic levels, and it could feel a little classist and rude to be comparing them, and feel that it's the first thing that you care about that other person.
Interesting! I think there might be something in that
It’s also because job market in Spain sucks and most of people are not happy with their jobs, so job is the last thing people want to talk about in their free time. Not to mention those who directly don’t have a job
@@franciscor.9212 That's what I came to say. You don't ask people about their job because there's a high chance they don't have one, can't find one, or they recently lost one. Especially among younger generations.
san berds Yes. “Satan finds work for idle hands.” 😅
In Spain, until 19th century, working people were dismissed as "low class", and the noble people never works (despite they are poor and have no house, money, food...). So asking people about their work is like beggining the conversation assuming they are poor and low class. Basically, you are insulting us. Of course, right now things didn't work that way anymore, but the use of not asking about work for not being rude still remains.
Sooo helpful! I am so guilty of ¨please¨´ and ´¨thank you¨. Same with helping in cleanup. Just starting to study Español. Planning our trip in March of 2023. You guys are the best. You deserve all of the support you can get for doing what you do. Just joined ' VENGA LEGS GO CONNECT! You two are a joy to watch!!! Keep it up!
Such a charming couple. Wish I could be their friends anywhere. I love how she says "I reckon" lol so cute.
Hands above the table : also in Belgium :) Must be a typical European thing ;)
Interesting!!
@@spainrevealed And don't support the elbow on the table either!
we have this in england too! (this one probably mainly with old people), but we have a multitude of extra dinner manners that we dont notice are a lot for foreigners
Same in Poland. It doesn't look good when someone has a hand under the table. People might think you play with your private LOL :D in general, keeping hands on the table looks way more proper.
Definitely same in Germany :)
People appreciate 'please' and 'thankyou'. Here in Catalunya u can say 'por favor, gracias or merci'. Yes British people do say it a lot but there is nothing wrong with good manners in Spain, Britain or anywhere in the world.
I live in Barcelona for over 5 years, a d the please and thank you really lacks. I'm actually amazed when I travel somewhere else and hear so many thanks you, it's really nice.
@@gabyenbcn U live in a tourist trap and this is often the case in tourist traps. Foriegn visitors to London say the same i'm sure. I often feel in Bcn that unless i show otherwise i get treated like the stereotypical Brit abroad which the locals are more than a bit fed up with.... Once u get outside Bcn u find a different story. Catalunya is a very friendly, polite and welcoming country. Indeed i can't say the same about Bcn. However, it doesn't stop me being polite in Bcn. As i said unless u prove yourself better, you find yourself being treated like u were the drunk tourist that was shouting, peeing, vomiting and fornicating on their doorstep last night.
@@MMMMMMMMPPPPP..... Catalunya is an autonomous community on the northeastern corner of Spain, designated as a Nation by its Statute of Autonomy..... Visca Catalunya! Viva Espanya!
"si us plau, gracies i merci" en tot cas
sí, aixó as veritat.
Living as a German in Mexico (having a brother living in NZ) it’s been really interesting what you are bringing up here. I feel like there isn’t really a difference between countries or people.
Wars, colonization and cultural differences are “political topics” I was brought up not to touch in small talk situations, same as religion and business.
Especially when not being familiar yet with the personal situation of the one you’re talking to never ask personal questions potentially causing trouble for the other - touching family secrets (history), personal disasters (unemployment) and politics might even cause a conversational desaster.
Like the spanish civil war fascism in Germany “Nazi / Hitler” isn’t a small talk topic. Like in Spain there are big cultural differences between the north and the south (religion!) even in spoken languages in Germany. And same is in Mexico!
Totally! I also found this video quite superficial.
Dead on! As a Spanish diplomat abroad I had to lecture about the Spanish culture at chambers of commerce and other places, and I used almost the same list. Specially accurate is the idea that Sapin is a multi-cultural, even milti-lingual country and this may be difficult to grasp for people coming from more socially or culturally homogeneous countries. I used to say that Spain is a cake cut in many different portions, but not only that: each portion is also cut in three or four layers horizontally. Asked to talk about the Spanish business culture, I had to say: "Which one? A hight-tech sector in Catalonia or the artichoke exporters in Murcia?. They are totally different.
But a lot of Spanish people in the comment section disagree about saying please and thank you. They say you can say it as much as you like.
@@ajs41 not only Can you, but you should!
Too much fake forced homogeneus countrys
Correct, but the same applies to say France or Italy and even Germany, not to speak about Switzerland…
@@HookahBurdar As a Swiss living in Spain, I'd say Switzerland is more culturally homogenous than Spain!
Me , a kiwi as well and my Spanish wife are having a laugh listening to you guys as this is exactly what I'm going through🤣
Glad to know I'm not the only one 👍
13:04 The Canary Islands are part of Spain, and we use “usted” not just for formal situations. It’s normal for us. Mostly for the plural “¿ustedes van a ir al cine?” instead of “¿vosotros vais a ir al cine?”. We don’t use it for the singular though, unlike latin american countries.
En Rep. Dominica tambien usamos ustedes como plurar, para nosotros "vosotro" no existe. Sera porque somos una isla y lo ederamos de Ustedes?
Leí lo de ustedes van a ir al cine como Ignatius Farray
Solo en algunos países de Latinoamérica se usa "Usted" de manera informal, y se suele intercalar con el "Tú"... Esto pasa más al norte de Sudamérica y en Centroamérica. Recuerda que países como Uruguay, Paraguay y Argentina emplean "Ustedes" en vez de "Vosotros" pero "Vos" en vez de "Tú"
Países latinoamericanos no usan el usted como singular, solo en ocasiones muy formales o con gente mayor pero ls verdad ya quedó en el tiempo y las nuevas generaciones no lo usan ya
The Raposotroll me too😂😂😂
Good video.
I think we put bread on the table because culturally bread is always available to share. And on many occasions, even outside home, it feels good to break it without a knife, but with your hands. It is a very familiar gesture, and I think it is very beautiful and represents us.