5 Things Spain Does Differently Than the US

There are always going to be cultural differences that you can highlight when comparing one country with another. It is also fair to say that some of these differences are more pronounced in not just attitudes, but the way things are done and how that impacts transactions.

There’s also the way different cultural influences intertwine when the two backgrounds meet each other. That’s perfectly illustrated in a country like the US. You only have to search Carros Usados Honda en Queens NY, for instance, to see how everyone is perfectly accommodated in that respect.

But what about some key differences between how things are done in Spain compared to the US?

Dealing with illness is a different scenario in Spain

One of the most pronounced differences to highlight is how easy it is to access medications in the US, compared to the hoops you have to jump through for the same result in Spain.

Walk into a pharmacy in the US and you can often pick the drugs and medication you need off the shelf. However, in Spain, you have to specifically consult with a pharmacist, tell them your ailment, and ask them to dispense the meds you need.

Global shopping is easier in the US

There are certain things you probably take for granted when living in America. One of them is how easy it is to order goods from almost anywhere in the world, pay an amount, and wait for the item to arrive.

When you put your US address into the online checkout, it automatically calculates shipping fees and gives you a simple total. In Spain, it’s not just the uncertainty of how much in taxes and duties you might have to pay, but the fact that you can get stung by Spanish custom taxes long after your item has arrived.

Consumer choice is so much greater when comparing the US to Spain

Another thing you probably take for granted when going shopping in the States is how much choice you have. It is not unusual to find loads of variations of the same product, which means that US customers get to pick and choose on price and other aspects.

You don’t have the same options in Spain. If you find what you need, it’s likely the only option available in that store.

Keeping fit is more expensive in Spain

If going to the gym is part of your lifestyle, you will find quite a marked difference between how much it costs to exercise in Spain compared to the US.

In general, you can often expect to pay almost three times as much for gym membership in Spain compared to the States. On top of that, it is not unusual to find Spanish gyms more sparsely equipped, which means you might need to wait to get on your favorite piece of equipment.

It is much more expensive to start driving

Learning to drive and getting your license is regarded as part of the teen experience in the US. The vast majority of young adults will have their license and be able to drive by the time they hit their 20s.

In comparison, taking lessons and passing your test is very expensive in Spain. To give you an idea of the huge disparity in cost, you could easily pay north of $2000 to get to the point where you are a qualified driver.

The fact that lots of young Spanish people don’t pass their test until they are in their late 20s or early 30s demonstrates how expensive it is to start driving in Spain.