What a better way to start writing about the differences about working in Spain vs working in the US, than with a picture of the World’s Best Boss. We are BIG (capital letters) fans of The Office, but for those who haven’t watched it yet, please have the pleasure to meet Michael Scott:
So this being said (and leaving the laughs apart -just for a little while), the truth is that what we really love about this show is the way it gets us to reflect on the “work culture”. We laugh through those iconic characters involved in ridiculous situations. But it kind of helps us to realize how those surreal situations are not that surreal in real life. Sometimes the nonsense happens in real life. In real jobs.
So after this introduction (basically an excuse to pay tribute to one of our favorite shows, to be honest), let’s focus on the topic: working in Spain vs working in the US. Because every country has its own “work culture” and that might imply a double culture shock.
Working in the US vs working in Spain: The holidays
This is probably one of the things that brings more joy to someone from the United States that is being informed about how many days off he/she will have throughout the year. Compared to the United States, in Spain we do have more holiday periods (not only during summer but throughout the year), and that is one of the most significant differences.
The “Spanish Dream”?
Well, walking on thin ice here… ;-) A lot has been written and said around the “American Dream”. But we want to focus on the fact that “work” is actually crucial to achieve the famous “American Dream”. And what does it imply? What kind of goods are we investing to achieve the dream? The formula for balancing life and work is not easy to find. Is there something valuable we might lose on the way to achieve that dream? (Food for thought :-))
The truth is that we don’t really have a “Spanish Dream” here, and in general there is a “family first” culture. That means that people are willing to make time for quality time (forgive the repetition). And when it comes to professional dreams, there might be no nationality involved, just personal reasons. For instance, Brian chose Spain to build his dream: Brian and his adventure of creating a gin distillery in Poblenou.
Lunch is lunch
Forget about eating a sandwich in 15 minutes. In Spain, lunch is lunch (naná-naná-naná), and that means (okay, in general) a quite generous break to enjoy the biggest meal of the day. So taking one or even two hours for having lunch before coming back to work is not a rare thing to do in Spain. Actually, it is a pretty common thing.
“Parties” at work
By these “work parties” we mean that official celebrations are also held at the workplace in the US (and it is not that common in Spain). For instance, Valentine’s Day, Halloween or even the National Ugly Christmas sweater Day! (We loved that one). In Spain, when it comes to parties and work, “afterworks” are more common.
There is always a Dwight
Unfortunately (or fortunately?) there are “Dwights” everywhere, and that includes Spain also. But fortunately, there are many Pams and Jims in Spain as well, from our experience in the “office world” here. And that means supportive people that you can trust and be friends with. And the most important part: they have the key to turn the surreal into fun :)
These are for sure general assumptions, and a country implies infinite ways of living and balancing work and life (as many as people living in it).
