Living in another country obviously makes you hyper aware of cultural differences, but with this usually an open and accepting attitude is necessary so that you don't start to go insane. Not only do I notice big differences between me and the Spaniards that live here, but also with other foreigners, like my roommate. She and I get along superbly, albeit we have had a few rough patches and misunderstandings, but we have always worked them out. In my case, I don't understand why she throws paper in the garbage. In her case, the "if it's yellow let it mellow" rule that I have always followed doesn't fly. But despite these things, I still feel like I do so many things that people here do not understand at all, but I can't really help it, so thus I continue, sticking out like a sore thumb.
A few examples:
1. I use a nylon bag when I go grocery shopping. My favorite grocer, this Moroccan guy down the street, always giggles and says, oh I forgot, you have your "special" bag. Only twice have I received an "oh that's cool, then you don't waste a bag" out of the 100+ times I have used it.
2. I wear sandals when it is hot outside. This is one thing that tips me off (aside from the obvious fair hair and blue eyes) as a foreigner, or "guiri". It can be 25º (78º F) and everyone is still wearing down jackets and scarves. For me, this is Seattle in July weather, so instead of feeling like I will die of heat stroke, I put on a pair of sandals and show off my pale feet.
3. Which leads me to: I wear tshirts inside school even when it's cold outside, because they have the heater on full blast. Everyone comments to me about this. Every day they get on my case about not bundling up. "You got sick last week because you weren't wearing a scarf". Or "the minute the sun comes out all the guiris think it's summer and take their clothes off".
4. Apparently I don't eat correctly. My friend Alena is constantly being badgered by her Spanish roommate about not eating the right things. Alena got sick with a throat infection and was told that she didn't eat enough fruit. Alena mentions that she eats apples, bananas and oranges almost every day. "Well, that isn't the good fruit. You should be eating pears and kiwis."
5. I am not rude enough in public. While walking down the street I am often cut off by other people who have no awareness of personal space. If I need to get around someone I say "excuse me" which no one ever seems to hear. But the minute someone yells at them "let me by!" then they move over. I still can't bring myself to talk that way, even though it is seemingly the norm.
While I am constantly adapting (and keeping my mouth securely shut to prevent myself from opening criticizing things here) I wish that others here would think for a minute about how many people are in this world, and how many different ways there are to do things. There seem to be a lot of people here set in their ways with not much desire to get out and see other places. If I had an EU passport and a "real" job here, ohhh the things I could do...my friend Chio is always traveling, but never leaves Spain. To me that is a shame. Italy is 2 hours away, Germany 3 hours, Portugal 5 hours driving. But it is all about comfort, I guess.
Ma'aselama
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