From Business Insider · Brian Hodge · · 2m
American family's first year in Spain: lessons from culture shock
At 40, Brian Hodge moved his family of four from the US to Spain. A year in, he shares what surprised them most about daily life abroad.
In brief
At 40, Brian Hodge moved his family of four from the US to Spain. A year in, he shares what surprised them most about daily life abroad. Brian Hodge moved his family of four to Spain about a year and a half ago, learning to adapt to different restaurant hours, business closures and a slower pace of life. Originally…
A family of four leaves America for Spain
About a year and a half ago, Brian Hodge and his family sold their home and most of their belongings to move from the US to Spain.
Spanish restaurants don't open until 8 p.m.
Restaurants in Spain open later and stay open later than in the US, especially during summer. Hodge's family struggled to find dinner before seven thirty pm when most local restaurants were still closed.
Shops close for siesta in the middle of the day
Local supermarkets and shops throughout Spain shut down for siesta, a post-lunch rest lasting two or three hours. The Mercado Central closes on Mondays and Sundays, forcing Hodge to plan shopping trips carefully.
Café culture means meals take much longer
In Spain, café culture is alive and well.Diners take their time sipping, chatting and sharing food.It is considered poor form to eat while walking or commuting, and there is no rushing you out of restaurants.
Spanish has a word for lingering after meals
The Spanish have a word, sobremesa, for the idle chatter and company that follows a meal.
“sobremesa”
A language mix-up led to a bargain meal
Hodge thought he was ordering the menu but received a menú del día, a three-course meal.The waiter talked at length about each dish, but Hodge misunderstood.
The family now seeks out menus of the day
What started as a language mistake became a discovery.Hodge and his family now actively seek out menús del día whenever they eat out, having learned this is one of the best dining values in Spain.
Planning ahead and slowing down became the lesson
Hodge learned to take things more slowly and make plans in advance for meals and errands.He set out to push his family outside their comfort zones and learn new things.
The bottom line
Brian Hodge moved his family of four to Spain about a year and a half ago, learning to adapt to different restaurant hours, business closures and a slower pace of life.
