Having lived here in Barcelona for almost half a year now, I’ve noticed some definite differences in daily life. Some are more than welcome and others I’m still getting used to. Here’s my top 10 list.
1) Everything is more relaxed here. It’s true. There’s just a laid-back attitude that makes you sit back and realize: “Why hurry? It’ll get done. Eventually.” And then it does.
2) Meals. Breakfast is usually nothing more than a cup of coffee and a pastry. Lunch is a full five course meal. And dinner isn’t eaten until around 10 or 11 at night. I like it.
3) Fashion. Spain is home to some of the most beautiful women in the world and all of them know how to dress well. The men, on the other hand, seem a bit feminine and wear pants that are too tight and aren’t always long enough. Plus when you get dressed up, the universal rule appears to be: wear black.
4) Metro doors. The doors on the metro will not open unless you push a little button on the door when the train stops. I learned this my very first day (the hard way).
5) That @#!* scarf. Everyone in Spain wears the same scarf! It’s so weird. It’s beige with a blue and white design. I pass so many on the street each day that a few of my friends and I have taken to yelling “Scarf!” every time we pass one. It’s fun and they don’t know what we’re saying.
6) Smokers. Everyone smokes! I thought a lot of people in the US smoked, but we pale in comparison to the black lungs of this country!! In fact, Americans have a reputation for not smoking very much at all. When my friends offer me a cigarette and I decline they say, “Oh yeah. You’re American. I forgot.”
7) Siesta. People don’t really take a nap at this time like I thought. They do in Andalucia, in the south, but not as much where I am. But all of the little stores close everyday from 2 until about 5. It’s so people can go home and eat that big lunch with their families.
8) Zippers. The zippers are on the other side of the jackets here. I still can’t do it fluidly.
9) Adios. When I see someone I know in the US while walking on the street I say “Hello”. Here, they say “Goodbye”. I’m not used to that yet, either.
10) Mopeds and pigeons. I read that Spain has more mopeds than any other city in the world (second is Rome). And we also have the highest pigeon population density in the world. That was hard to believe after being in New York.