Three Things to Know About Life in Barcelona 

I didn’t know what to expect when studying abroad in Barcelona. It’s common to hear so many different experiences and opinions, as many aspects of life are different here; things that we might think are common in the United States may not be here. Big or small, these were some differences that I noticed when compared to life in the United States. 

Tipping Culture 

Tipping culture is not a thing here. Unlike in the United States, waiters and waitresses don’t usually expect you to tip them at the end of your meal. It sounded crazy to me at first, as it would come off as rude not to tip your waiter in the US. However, waiters and waitresses in Spain are guaranteed the legal minimum wage; they are not living largely off of tips. The United States typically doesn't guarantee the wait staff a minimum wage, which is why it’s expected to tip them. This was a bit of a culture shock to me, as tipping culture has become a regular and expected thing in the United States. I do think this is important to know, as someone who is studying abroad may think the same. Therefore, remember this when you are indulging in tapas, as I am sure you will do here.  

Public transportation is the main transportation here. Even though I live in Chicago, which is a big city where public transportation is available, it is still not something you use every day. This goes for many other states and cities throughout the United States. The metro, bus, tram, and even city bikes are all at your disposal when trying to get around in Barcelona. No matter what your socioeconomic status is, everyone uses public transportation as it is reliable and safe. Need a ride to the airport? No worries, Aerobus can get you there and back. Trams run along a majority of the city, while the buses and trains guarantee easy access to anywhere in Barcelona. And if you’re looking to get to a shorter distance without walking, bike paths are prioritized throughout the area for an easy ride to your destination.  

While this wasn’t my first time using public transportation, it was my first time being very impressed with it. Public transportation can tend to have a stigma in the US as only for those without a car, but that’s not the case here. For many people here it’s preferred to take the metro over driving.  

Lots of bike stations and bus stops around :)

Dinner Time 

Dinner time is probably later than you are accustomed to. Locals eat dinner here around 9 or 10pm, while lunch will typically be around 3 or 4pm. It is common to eat smaller portions during the day, such as tapas, and then have the biggest meal at dinner. This was something I really had to adjust to, especially given the time difference from the United States. However, it was really comforting being out at these times and seeing the city still alive as restaurants were open and ready to serve dinner. Therefore, it's not like the US where restaurants typically close at 10, and dinner is at 8pm. This can take some time to get used to, but it is very rewarding when you do.  

Dinner during sunset in Madrid! 

There are countless other differences that I can name, but I will leave it at these three. Learning how to adjust to things outside of what I know and learn about other cultural habits has been very interesting. It has helped me expand my knowledge and foster a growth mindset, which I hope to continue doing.