Expat Advice: Culture Shock in Barcelona, Spain

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Barcelona

Did you receive any cross-cultural training for your move abroad? If yes, was it before or after the move?

No

Balcells Group Lawyers
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With over 40 years of professional experience, Balcells Group provides legal advice on immigration, business, real estate, and tax. They help individuals, companies, investors, students, entrepreneurs, highly-qualified professionals, digital nomads, and more, to enjoy successful law processes in Spain by guiding their clients every step of the way. They speak Spanish, English, Catalan and Russian.

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Balcells Group Lawyers

With over 40 years of professional experience, Balcells Group provides legal advice on immigration, business, real estate, and tax. They help individuals, companies, investors, students, entrepreneurs, highly-qualified professionals, digital nomads, and more, to enjoy successful law processes in Spain by guiding their clients every step of the way. They speak Spanish, English, Catalan and Russian.
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Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

If they speak another language in your new country, do you speak the language? If yes, did you learn the language before you moved or while abroad? If no, are you planning to learn the language?

I learned enough Spanish to get by with, and I keep learning.

Were you worried or concerned about culture shock before you moved abroad?

No, not at all

How significant was the culture shock you experienced when you moved abroad?

To start with, there was none. As time went on I found out Spaniards have a different way of looking at punctuality. Nothing else negative to report.

Expats often talk about going through the "stages of culture shock." Examples include the honeymoon phase, the irritation-to-anger stage, the rejection of the culture stage, and the cultural adjustment phase. Do you feel like you went through these or any other stages as you settled into the new culture?

I don't think I ever went through any culture shock. Most people I met were very friendly and helpful. Particularly employees of City Council and similar places were nice, they spoke slowly for me and explained things properly. If it was culture shock it was definitely a positive one.

What, if any, were some of the changes you noticed in yourself that might have been caused by culture shock? These might include things such as anger, depression, anxiety, increased eating or drinking, frustration, homesickness, etc.

I still try to be punctual, but I accept the fact that Spaniards don't handle appointments and the beginning of meetings the same way I do.

What are some things you appreciate most about the new culture?

Friendliness, willingness to help, tortilla, gazpacho and sangria.

What are the most challenging aspects of the new culture?

Spaniards, like most people from Southern Europe, love loud music, even late at night. I'm more a quiet person.

Did you "commit" any embarrassing or humorous cultural blunders? If you did and you'd like to share them, please do tell!

I wouldn't know. There may have been some.

Do you have any advice or thoughts about culture shock you would like to share?

I think culture shock is a different name for lack of information and too many or wrong expectations. It's all about how people interact with each other. If you walk up to somebody and show you are interested in them and their way of life, you will nearly always have a wonderful experience.