Going Out Culture #Barce

The strongest difference from America that I have felt since my arrival in Barcelona would have to be the going out culture. As a person of Indian heritage, I am on board with later meal times and multiple siestas throughout the day. However, Spanish young adults do not make a big deal out of going out. At all. Drinking every night is typical for them, just as natural as eating breakfast or walking their well-dressed dogs (apparently, playing with another person’s dog is considered rude here). But in America…

1. FB event: we invite 100 friends and eagerly check its status every hour of every day before the big night

Fuimos a la playa

1. Under 21? Drinking is a big deal, particularly because of the age. Even though I have been over the legal drinking age for a while, I still feel excitement in having the right to request alcoholic beverages and enter salsa clubs in America.

Flamenco performance at WashU Carnaval 2014

1. Late hours: There are more violent crimes in Dallas, TX (my hometown) than Barcelona, though general crime rates are comparable (link). As a result, staying out late in Dallas would be relatively worrisome; I would rather be harmlessly pick-pocketed than painfully mugged.

Carrera del Fuego

Oz Nightclub in St. Louis

1. Sex is a taboo: Honestly, I believe that Americans enjoy drinking more than Spaniards because of this issue. In moderation, alcohol increases the sex drive and lowers safety measures, such as protection (link). Because alcoholism is viewed as a disease in America, sexual incidents that occur during inebriation do not become a big deal and blame goes to alcohol. Another way to put it is that Europeans embrace nudity while Americans are comfortable with their uncomfortableness (link).

#Community

Despite these differences, I love going out and experiencing Barcelona just as much as the average American city. Even getting lost in the streets is exciting because the urgency of my situation pushes me to practice Spanish with locals. Not to mention the beauty and historical whispers of the streets I encounter.

Parc Güell en Primavera

My friends and I get together to explore the tourist areas in Barcelona, such as walking down Las Ramblas or attending Carnaval festivities.

Our group of friends here is incredibly diverse with people from New York, Holland, and Australia. We frequently hold potlucks with other students and interns in our building. Afterwards, we practice our Spanish with locals at the salsa clubs or tabernas together. The rush of being able to conversate at a normal speed gives this great sense of satisfaction and belonging. Even the historical buildings that had once seemed magical and formidably foreign have transformed into a comfortable reminder of the Baroque and Arabic influences in Barcelona.

Going out in Style

Furthermore, I find myself in the unique position of practicing not only Spanish but Hindi as well. There are many Indians and Pakistanis here who enjoy speaking in their native tongue and reminiscing about Bharat. Despite the bloody history between the two South Asian countries, there is a strong sense of unity and cultural hospitality here. As a result, I am working towards advanced trilingual abilities

That being said, I really miss my family. After almost four years at an out-of-state school, I have a lot to catch up on during the next few years in Dallas. I will enjoy my time in Barcelona for these two months, but I am excited to start the dental school near mi familia.

The Khanna Family