Noticeable differences between New York and Madrid – Dpto. de Inglés

Noticeable Differences Between

New York and Madrid

In my year and a half of living in Madrid, I’ve noticed many ways that Spanish culture differs from American culture. I grew up in New York, so I thought it would be particularly relevant to compare my home city to my new city. Below are 10 distinct characteristics that separate Madrid from New York, in the classroom, on the streets, and everywhere in between.

Meal Times

This probably doesn’t come as a surprise. Most places outside of Spain have different typical meal times than what is considered normal here. However, in New York and in the United States in general, we tend to eat on the earlier side, with lunch falling between 12pm and 2pm, and dinner between 5:30pm and 7:30pm. In contrast, I’ve noticed Spanish meal times lie generally between 2pm and 4pm for lunch and 8pm and 10pm for dinner. This also means that lunch time is a part of the school day in the U.S., meaning the students have an hour - 30 minutes for eating and 30 minutes for outside play like ‘recreo’ - built into their day, as opposed to how most students arrive home for lunch after the school day ends in Spain.

Water Bottles

This is particularly noticeable at school, but it seems as though the American auxiliares are the only ones who constantly carry around reusable water bottles. This is not to say that no one in Spain drinks water, but I’ve been told it’s a very American thing to take your bottle with you everywhere you go.

Breakfast

In the United States, people like to call breakfast the “most important meal of the day,” and the typical “American breakfast” reflects that sentiment: eggs, bacon, cereal, oatmeal, pancakes, french toast, waffles, sausage links, etc. Not everyone eats like this every morning for breakfast in the United States, but the concept differs drastically from what you might find in Spain. I’ve noticed it’s typically lighter: pastries or toast with a Colacao/Nesquik or a coffee however you like it.

Personal Space

This is hugely apparent, maybe not just in Spain but in Europe as a whole! Especially compared to New York, everything here feels closer and more friendly. As a result, people get closer to you! In the U.S., personal space is a BIG thing. You do not stare or encroach on other people’s space. In Spain, that personal space bubble is smaller, so people who speak with you or pass you on the street take less distance. It is definitely an element of culture shock!

Public Transportation

Particularly in New York, public transportation can be questionable. It is often dirty, confusing to use, and can sometimes be unsafe. One of my favorite things about living in Madrid is how incredible the public transportation is. While Madrid is already an incredibly safe city, the metros, buses, and cercanias reflect that tenfold. And the fact that they are relatively easy to navigate is an added bonus!

Home Appliances

The biggest comment to make here is DRYERS. In the United States, most people do not hang their clothes to dry. Obviously dryers exist in Spain, but they are less common here than they are in the U.S. Ultimately, it seems that Spanish people make the choice to hang-dry their clothes both for financial and sustainability purposes. It’s a win-win!

Street Culture

Street culture is another really amazing aspect of life in Spain that doesn’t exist in the United States. The concepts of botellón, terrazas, and other communal hangouts are less common in New York, and as soon as it gets cold, the city moves inside. I love the way that street culture contributes to the community, as these environments become opportunities to meet and mesh with other groups of people and make new friends. Another thing I notice on the streets here is that people walk much slower. It sometimes feels like everyone is running to their next destination in New York!

School Organization

There are many things that are different about schools in Spain vs. in the U.S., but one of the most glaring differences is the fact that teachers move from class to class here, and the students remain in one place. In the United States, teachers stay in one place, oftentimes having their own classroom, and the students move throughout the halls to their next class. This also means that students in Spain are responsible for decorating their classroom walls, whereas teachers in the U.S. hold that responsibility for themselves.

Health Care

Something that American expats envy about Spaniards is the accessible public health care they have! While we expats do not have access to it while living here, it is obvious to us that this system is widely beneficial. In the United States, the majority of citizens have private insurance. Although many jobs offer private insurance plans to their employees, many do not. Insurance and healthcare costs are expensive, and many people suffer financially because of this.

Time at Home

On a lighter note, there are a few key differences I’ve noticed in students’ lives at home. In general, it appears that students (particularly between the ages of 12 and 14) go to sleep much later at night in Spain than they do in the United States. This

could have something to do with the later dinner times. Students of Middle School (1°-2° ESO) age in the U.S. are usually not awake after midnight or 1am, while many of my students in Madrid express that they stay up into the morning hours. On the contrary, it seems that high schoolers (3°ESO - 2 Bachillerato) stay up late no matter where in the world you live.

In a different vein, children tend to leave home in the U.S. at 18 years old, whether for work or for university. I have noticed that this happens less frequently in Spain, I assume either because students tend to go to universities close to home here, or because the family unit tends to be much stronger in Spanish households, which keeps the older children around for longer.

Haley Fullerton – Auxiliar de conversación

I am certainly no expert at understanding Spanish culture (but trying to learn more everyday!), yet these experiences of mine in Madrid stood out in the ways in which they contrast what I am accustomed to in the United States. These differences, for better or for worse, have made my experience in Spain what it is: a challenge in adjustment, oftentimes outside of my comfort zone, but a reward of new friendships, fresh perspectives, and culturallyrich immersion.