ADVERTISEMENT

Around 41,000 Americans have made Spain their home. Content creator Morgan is one of them.

"I met my (now) husband at university in the US as he was an international student from Spain," she told Bored Panda. "A few years after graduation, he realized he wanted to be closer to his family and I was excited for the opportunity and adventure to live abroad, so we decided to make the move in June 2021."

But hopping over the Atlantic comes with its fair share of novelty; new places, full of new people and new customs take time to adjust to. Luckily, Morgan has managed to adapt to life in the old continent.

More info: Instagram | TikTok

Meet Morgan, an American who recently settled in Spain

The content creator has been covering the culture shocks she has experienced since making the transition

@morganinspain More ✨culture shocks✨ #cultureshock #americaninspain #lifeabroad #americanineurope #spain #expatlife #livingabroad #expat #spaingoals #immigrant ♬ original sound - Kacie Rose

And they provide interesting insights for comparing the two countries

Spain has a lot to offer. From tapas and wine, to bullfighting flamenco, there's a lot to experience even outside the Mediterranean Beaches and stone castles.

"In general, Spain is a beautiful country overwhelmed by its rich history and culture," Morgan said. "The people, food, and traditions are unlike anything from any other country and it's been such an incredible experience so far."

In 2017, before the pandemic transformed the tourism industry, it was the second-most visited country in the world with 81.8 million international travelers, behind only France (86.9 million) but ahead of the US (75.9 million), China (60.7 million), and everyone else.

#2

Culture Shock

morganinspain Report

Add photo comments
POST
May
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again - this is how the rest of the world does it. The US is the exception, not Spain

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

"The one 'culture shock' that has probably impacted me the most is the late dinner schedule," Morgan said. "It's insane!"

"In the US, it's normal to have dinner around 5-7 pm. In Spain, they don't even think of eating until it's after 8 pm (and that's considered early). It definitely took some time, but I'd say I'm pretty much adapted now and don't have dinner until at least 9:30-10 pm."

ADVERTISEMENT
#5

Culture Shock

morganinspain Report

Add photo comments
POST
Soggy Crumpet
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

It has nothing to do with being “civilized,” as separate sovereign states have different sales taxes, manufacturers cannot place final prices on the clothing. Massive eye roll on this one.

Load More Replies...
T. D. Bostick
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm starting to get the impression that Americans don't get out of the country much.

C. Wade
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that like everywhere but America?

Sue Simmons
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In every country but USA. I am a Brit who lived in USA 21 years. Never liked the tax added way you guys have it.

T. D. Bostick
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I like it because it psychologically makes it harder to raise the sales tax. In countries where you can't see it, it can spiral out of control, like here in Germany where it's 19%. Nobody notices it, so nobody protests it.

Load More Replies...
IlovemydogShilo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

America is the different one here. Spain is just being like the rest of the world.

Josias Sarquiz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WHY in the U.S they don't include the taxes in the price?? Is that optional to pay the taxes?

Pamela24
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They say it's because there are various amounts of tax depending on the states. I still think they could solve this if they wanted to, but...you know...

Load More Replies...
Rosie McLeod
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is basically things that are the same everywhere but America

Bill Evs
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was told by an American friend that sales tax isn't included in the US so that the consumer can see the portion the government takes. I'm not American so if that's true or not I don't know. If true however, that's fine. But if it's added on at the till you still end up paying it regardless so then why not just include it in the overall price?

Iara Ra
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Canada taxes used to be included in the price, bitthat changed abouta decade ago

Maurettis
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You know, tax OUTSIDE of price is a culture shock to the rest of the world visiting the US.

Dave P
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because in the US you have different taxes in every state plus local sales taxes (in some places you have 3 different sales taxes added), it is easier this way on retailers.

Got Myself 4 Dwarves
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Surely that could just be calculated automatically by the computers that print the price tags anyway? It'd be a fairly easy program to implement

Load More Replies...
Fritz Baumeister
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Out of sight, out of mind. When you include the tax in the price, you conveniently hide the fact that your government is bleeding you dry at every turn. Instead of VAT, in the USA they have different hidden taxes - very high corporate income taxes. Despite the usual tired Leftist refrain that "rich corporations should pay their share," the truth is that corporations treat taxes like any other business expense, they just factor it into the price. Corporation don't really pay the tax, their customers do and they don't even realize it.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#6

Culture Shock

morganinspain Report

Add photo comments
POST
May
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Imagine how she'll feel once she wanders into the nude section of the beach..

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Currently, Morgan lives in Madrid, the capital and most populous city of Spain. In fact, it is the most popular choice among all American expats with over 11,500 calling it home.

That makes the capital one of the few places in the country where there are more Americans than Brits, which is quite something when you keep in mind that UK nationals outnumber US nationals in Spain by almost 7 to 1.

#7

Culture Shock

morganinspain Report

Add photo comments
POST
François Carré
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Spent a sleepless night like this in a bar in Madrid when I was young and broke, because I had to commute between two buses and had nowhere to sleep. Sat at a table in the corner with a big book, ordered a couple of drinks, then they gently ignored me for the rest of the night. I could witness that weird moment around 6-7 AM, when the smell of beer is replaced by the smell of coffee. Great memory.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#8

Culture Shock

morganinspain Report

Add photo comments
POST
May
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We do that in Scandinavia too. Sometimes, if there's two teachers with the same first name, we'll use the last name instead, but without a prefix, so Thomas Berg, will just be called Berg.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Culture Shock

morganinspain Report

Add photo comments
POST
yeciye
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Umm… I mean this might be true but I still won’t publicly admit that I know it.

View more commentsArrow down menu

However, just because the two places are different, doesn't mean one of them is better than the other. "There are lots of things I miss about the US," Morgan said. "But there's also lots of things I don't miss."

"Regardless, it's where I'm from and it will always be my home and I'm grateful for that. I'm just fortunate enough that now I have the opportunity to experience a completely different world and am able to call Spain home as well."

#10

Culture Shock

morganinspain Report

Add photo comments
POST
troufaki13
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can't do that if it's "part of an offer", but yeah single cans are sold in Greece too

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

Culture Shock

morganinspain Report

Add photo comments
POST
yeciye
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s a lot of grapes in a short time. Does the clock bell strike slower there? Or maybe the grapes are smaller.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#13

Culture Shock

morganinspain Report

Add photo comments
POST
yeciye
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

First a pooping log, now a defecating nativity figure. I just hope naughty kids are still getting only coal.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

Culture Shock

morganinspain Report

Add photo comments
POST
Pamela24
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Same all throughout Europe. And it's a good thing because the staff in pharmacies are people properly educated in the field and can talk to you about all the risks even the most common and basic medication has.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

Culture Shock

morganinspain Report

Add photo comments
POST
Romenriel
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't they bake similar dessert in the US, too? I think Cajuns do it on Mardi Gras.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

Culture Shock

morganinspain Report

Add photo comments
POST
May
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Norway we no longer celebrate Three kings night, but it's traditionally the last day it's acceptable to have Christmas decorations up.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

Culture Shock

morganinspain Report

Add photo comments
POST
yeciye
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Roscón de Reyes (the dessert with hidden things) was already a lottery.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu