CULTURAL CORNER

After interviewing, some native speakers from different countries, I have realised that there are many cultural differences between speaking English countries and Spain.

As a result of this, if I had to teach some aspects of the English / American culture, firstly, I would focus on our particular use of imperative form. For instance, when we have to order or ask something to our partner or to a waiter. Even more, we hardly ever use the word “please”, whereas in England, they always say “please” and “thank you”.

Furthermore, when you are invited to a party, you have to confirm the appointment and also, you cannot be present there with a friend, since he / she has not been invited. In addition to this, an English friend will nearly always invite you to have dinner at home. On the contrary, in Spain, you can be invited to have dinner or lunch at home or in a restaurant; and also, you can go to a party with a friend without having said that to your inviting friend in advanced. Speaking about food, we can find a very typical meal called brunch. It is a mixed breakfast and lunch that the English and Americans generally have at midday on Sundays.

Another striking aspect would be the fact that when the Spanish people talk, they move a lot their hands, their eyes, they are very expressive. As well, they are usually closer to their hearers and they have a physical contact such as touching his / her shoulder. This is typical Spanish. However, in any speaking English country, they use a constant Raising-Falling intonation when they want to show their feelings and emotions. Besides, they always keep distant in their conversations, there is rarely physical contact which is different from Spain.

When we speak with native speakers, we listen to them saying cheers in two different contexts. On the one hand, when they are saying good-bye! or see you!. On the other hand, when there is a toast. As we know, in Spain, we employ different words according to the context, they are “adiós” and “salud”. In addition to this, there are many different English ways of greeting, such as: “How are you doing?”, “What’s up?”, the same as in Spanish. However, when an Englishman answers the telephone, he always employs “hello!” instead of the Spanish idiom “dígame”.

It is necessary to add that the English always say “excuse me!”, “sorry” or “pardon” either to interrupt or to address someone; whereas in Spanish, you can interrupt somebody without those words, you can leave out “perdona”, “disculpa” and you are not being rude. Nevertheless, Spanish make a distinction between addressing to an old or unknown man employing the pronoun “usted” and to a teenager or known person “tú”. By means of these tow different pronouns, the Spanish show their respect and courtesy.

Moreover, we could point out that the English always say “thank you” for everything, even if in an informal context. Here, I would like to add one of my experiences when I was abroad. I surprised when people always said “thanks” to the bus-driver, although you were not allowed to speak to him. On the contrary, in Spain, if you do not say “gracias”, you are not being impolite, but this always depends on the context. In Spain, when you are invited or asked for something, you can refuse this more directly, for example: “No, no me apetece”: whereas in England, they never tell you that, they usually give you an excuse or even a lie, although they are friends. Furthermore, the English never show their opposition in a direct way, for instance: “Let’s go to the cinema” / “ That’s OK!, but why don’t we go to the park?”. In contrast with Spanish, since they can show their point of view, likes or emotions in a straight way.

Focusing on the role of men and women, there is another distinction because the English men are not generally as chauvinist, dominant as the Spanish seem to be at first. And also, the English men usually treat women as “lady” or “madam”, they are more courteous and they are used to help with the house-tasks. Fortunately, there are more men who clean the kitchen, prepare meals at home. Therefore, there is apparently less chauvinism and more politeness and courtesy in England.

Paying attention to the children, I would like to stand out that the Spanish are very effusive and tender with their sons or any other child. The parents not only take their children to the park, but also they are taken to a “bar”. Related to the timetable, in Spain, children usually go to bed later at the weekends, and they seem to be less controlled about what they watch on TV. Nevertheless, this always depends on the parents. On the contrary, when the English see a baby, they always keep distance, they hardly ever touch it if they do not know it. And also, children never go to the pubs with their parents who control their timetables, video games. Focusing on the old people, we point out that the seniors seldom look after their grandsons, they are visited once a week or a month by their families because they live far away. Sometimes, they come into a rest home voluntarily or their families send them there. Moreover, we could state that they enjoy their retirement more than the Spanish. In contrast with the senior English people, the Spanish are starting now to enjoy their retirement as well as changing their clothes. For instance, there are more old women who are wearing trousers, and also, they are coming out of mourning. Moreover, the old people live alone, in a rest home or at their sons’ homes.

In England, you are never asked about your salary, marital status and even in a queue, you and your space are always respected. Nobody pays attention to your clothes, what you are reading, etc. at the bus stop or in the train. Whereas in Spain, many people ask you this kind of openly or they start talking to you, although they do not know you. Thus, the Spanish do not mind talking about personal things in the subway or in the bus; whereas, the English prefer talking about weather, news, etc. they avoid indiscreet questions, they are very respectful. Nowadays, the feminist English women want to be treated as Ms instead of Miss or Mrs, because they think that nobody can be interested in their marital status. As in Spain, the number of bad words is increasing among teenagers, women and on TV. However, according to one Scottish professor, some swearwords are never heard in public.


Focusing on the superstitions, we also find certain differences. For example, in England, if you leave your new shoes on the table, this will bring you bad luck. In Scotland, you will be unlucky if someone opens an umbrella over you; whereas in Spain, you will bring bad luck if you open this in a room. Moreover, it is believed that the first coming person to your home has to wear something black in order to bring luck to your family and you.


In conclusion, the English people seem to be more courteous and polite than the Spanish, although we have to explain further to our pupils. They will understand better the compulsory use of “please” and “thank you”, if we follow the explanation with an example. Besides, thanks to this assignment, I have realised that we should respect our cultures, we have to adapt our behaviour and idioms attending to the context and the country.