Culture Wise Spain: The Essential Guide to Culture, Customs & Business Etiquette

by Joanne Styles

Overview

Culture Wise Spain is essential reading for anyone planning to visit Spain, whether for business or pleasure, for a few days holiday or to start a new life. It is guaranteed to help newcomers avoid cultural and social gaffes; make friends and influence people; and enhance their understanding of Spain and the Spanish people.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781905303199
Publisher:	Survival Books, Ltd
Publication date:	03/25/2008
Series:	Culture Wise Series
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.29(w) x 7.95(h) x 0.46(d)

Table of Contents

A Change of Culture     13
Spain is Different     13
Culture Shock     15
Families in Spain     22
A New Life     23
Who are the Spanish?     25
Timeline     25
The People     29
Humour     33
The Class System     35
Children     35
Attitudes to Foreigners     36
National Icons     37
Getting Started     45
Immigration     45
Bureaucracy     45
Accommodation     49
Buying or Hiring a Car     51
Emergency Services     52
Health Services     53
Insurance     57
Education     59
Council Services     62
Utilities     63
Staying Informed     65
Banking     69
Taxes     70
Breaking the Ice     73
Community Life     73
Sexual Attitudes     75
Meeting People     77
Invitations     79
Respecting Privacy     81
Taboos     82
Expatriate Community     84
Confrontation     85
Dealing with Officials     86
The Language Barrier     89
Learning Spanish     89
Other Languages     93
Slang & Swearing     96
Body & Sign Language     96
False Friends     97
Forms of Address     99
Greetings     100
Telephone, Letters & Email     101
The Spanish at Work     105
Work Ethic     105
Permits & Paperwork     105
Finding a Job     106
Contracts     109
Starting or Buying a Business     109
Black Economy     112
Working Women     112
Business Etiquette     113
Employing People     117
Trade Unions     118
Working Week     119
Holidays     119
On the Move     123
Safety     123
Driving     124
Public Transport     129
On Foot     131
The Spanish at Play     133
Dress Code     133
Eating     134
Drinking     138
Cafes, Bars & Restaurants      139
Nightlife     142
Family Occasions     143
Clubs     150
Popular Culture     151
The Arts     160
Spanish Artists     163
Painters     164
Spanish Writers     166
Retail Therapy     171
Customer Service     171
Opening Hours     171
Queuing     172
Sales     173
Types of Shop     173
Food & Wine     175
Clothes     178
Collectables     179
Mail-Order Shopping     179
Returning Goods     180
Odds & Ends     183
Climate     183
Crime     183
Flag & Anthem     184
Geography     185
Government     186
International Relations     188
Pets     190
Religion     190
Time Diffreence     191
Tipping     192
Toilets     192
Appendices     195
Index     213