Spanish Culture, According to Smart, Old People

It is a cool feeling to see something that you have been talking about in school. Whether it is as simple nature or as complex as human behavior, it is always awesome to be able to see something happen and know why, how, etc. In the international business class that I am taking, we are studying some of the great management theorists who categorize cultures, which includes Geert Hofstede, the most well-known and researched in the field (I know you all knew that, I was just saying it to sound smart and try to add some credibility to my writing). Of course, since we are in Spain, it has been (along with the US) a huge part of our discussions and subsequent lectures.Hofstede defines culture as "collective mental programming." Are we all really just products of generational norms after generational norms after generational norms (you get the point) that have created this mental code that we all inherently follow? Come on...but his results are actually dead on! That's what is scary.

He groups the Spanish as having "Large Power Distance and Strong Uncertainty avoidance," among other things, but I have experienced these first hand and have had that, "I know why you do that, I am smart, I can't believe I remembered that" awesome feeling and I want to share my stories...

When describing large power distance, Hofstede says that in these countries, "few people should be independent, most should be dependent." My good friend Jorge (I had classes with him at OU, he and I were partners for a group project, he picked me up from the airport when I landed in Spain) is a resident of Alcala, he was studying at OU last year. He is in college and still lives at home, along with ALL of his other friends. I asked him about it and he said that college students don't have apartments when they go to school. They go in the town they grew up in (or in a neighboring town) and live at home. He said that most don't move out until they are 30, or get married! WHAT!?! Yeah, my mom and dad are thanking the Lord that they are Americans!!

When talking about strong uncertainty avoidance he writes that, "more showing of emotion is preferred." So, I live with a Spanish family and if I had a nickel everytime MaMa or PaPa yelled at Sergio or each other (but it isn't yelling, it is that emotion showing thing), this whole trip would be paid for (even with the dollar being as HORRIBLE as it is). Here is a video that Aaron took on his phone of Sergio, the 3 year old that MaMa calls "El Diablo!"



If that isn´t showing emotion. What is? Sure he is a 3 year old, I get that, but this personifies all of the Spanish culture. They are loud talkers who talk with their hands and get in your face, it is hilarious. Just having a conversation here (or people watching, during a heated conversation) is a serious spectacle!

Spain is not for the faint of heart, but you definitely learn to love it!