Moving from Australia to Spain has been nothing short of an adventure, filled with moments that have made us pause, laugh, and adapt. Some differences are big, others small, and a few are so unique that they’ve reshaped how we view everyday life. Here’s a rundown of the culture shocks we’ve encountered since settling into life under the Spanish sun.
Disclaimer: The insights we share are based on our personal experiences. It's important to remember that Spain is a vast country with a rich tapestry of cultures, customs, and even languages. What we mention here reflects the specific areas where we live and the places we’ve visited.
Walking at Night and Kids Playing Outside
One of the most striking differences we’ve noticed is how safe it feels here, especially at night. In Granada, women walk freely at night without concern, and kids play in the streets until 10 PM. It’s like stepping back in time to when we were kids. In Australia, the idea of a child walking even a short distance—like to the Milk Bar—often meant someone watching from the balcony to make sure they returned safely. Here, there’s a refreshing sense of community and trust that we haven’t experienced in years.
The Spanish Approach to Time
If there’s one thing to adjust to in Spain, it’s the relaxed sense of time. The garage repair guy might say he’ll arrive at 9 AM, but don’t be surprised if he shows up at 1 PM—or the next day. No one seems stressed or bothered by delays. Even in busy places like Zara, people wait patiently in line, unbothered by how long it takes. It’s a far cry from the hurried pace of Australia and a reminder that life doesn’t always need to be rushed.
The Gluten-Free Revelation
This one has been life-changing for both of us. Andrew has had a gluten intolerance for years, and I’ve developed one more recently. In Australia, we had to carefully avoid pastries, bread, and so many other things. But here in Spain, the quality of the food is so high that we can eat pastries and bread without any problems. It’s been a small miracle and has added so much joy to our meals.
Siesta Culture: A Rhythm of Rest
In Spain, siestas are sacred. From around 2 to 5 PM, many businesses close, allowing people to rest before returning to work later in the evening. Restaurants don’t even open until 8 PM, so life takes on a slower, more balanced rhythm. Sundays and public holidays are even quieter, with everything shutting down except for petrol stations. While it was strange at first, we’ve come to love this relaxed pace.
Creative Parking and Patience on the Roads
Parking in Spain is a spectacle. People park in ways that seem impossible, and yet it works. Drivers are also incredibly patient, often waiting calmly as someone stops their car in the middle of the road to chat with a friend. It’s a level of patience and understanding that’s rare to see elsewhere.
Language: Fast and Full of Quirks
Learning Spanish has been both exciting and challenging. People here speak much faster than we expected, and words are often shortened. Acronyms are pronounced like words—for instance, “NIE” becomes “near.” These little quirks make the language fascinating but also take some getting used to.
The Glorious Weather
One of the things we love most about Spain is the weather. Even in the middle of winter, the sun shines almost every day. Coming from Melbourne, where overcast skies are the norm, this constant sunshine has been an incredible mood booster.
Smoking Everywhere
In Australia, smoking laws are strict, with designated smoking areas carefully enforced. Here in Spain, it’s a completely different story. People smoke everywhere, including around children. It’s one of the bigger cultural differences we’ve noticed. As smokers, personally we prefer this.
Rubbish Collection, Simplified
Instead of individual rubbish bins, Spain uses shared bins placed every 40-50 metres. These are emptied daily, keeping the streets impressively clean. It’s such a simple system, but it works beautifully.
Homes Are Built Differently
Spanish homes are full of charming quirks. Beds are shorter, ceilings are lower, and garages are typically manual rather than remote-controlled. These small differences add character to everyday life and have been fun to adapt to.
A Natural Approach to Beauty
In Spain, there’s far less pressure to look a certain way. People wear minimal makeup, and the overall vibe feels more natural and relaxed. This shift has been refreshing and has even helped me feel more confident in my own skin.
Everyday Oddities We’ve Grown to Love
Tampons: Applicators are standard here, unlike in Australia. While intimidating at first, they’ve turned out to be much more comfortable.
Eggs: They aren’t refrigerated because they’re sold unwashed, keeping a protective coating intact. It felt strange at first, but now it just makes sense.
Packaging: Packaged meats are easier to open and reseal, and sausages aren’t linked, which makes cooking them so much easier.
Shopping Centres with a Twist
Navigating shopping centres in Spain is a surprisingly delightful experience. Many have street-style names to help you find your way, and they often include tapas bars and cocktail lounges. It’s not just about shopping—it’s about enjoying your time.
Blackout Shades: The Perfect Napping Partner
Spanish homes come equipped with blackout shades on the windows, making daytime naps effortless. It’s a simple feature, but it’s made a world of difference in helping us embrace the slower pace of life here.
Moving to Spain has been full of surprises, and these culture shocks are just the tip of the iceberg. Each one has taught us something new and reminded us why we made this big change.
We’d love to hear about your experiences too! Have you encountered anything similar? Share your thoughts in the comments or connect with us on social media.
Until next time, stay sunny! 🌞
– Jasmine & Andrew, Under El Spanish Sun
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