When you say that you will pick me up at 8am that means I will be on my front steps at 7:59am waiting for you to pull up. This aspect of my daily life reflects the impact of the monochronic scheduling our culture in the States has developed. In the case that someone does arrives late I am quick to build frustration, which did not bode well for me in the polychronic scheduling culture of Spain. Another aspect of our study abroad trip that made me uncomfortable was talking with accents. Although there were plenty of times I was frustrated and uncomfortable, my experience abroad has positively affected my Global Intelligence.

Loosening my perspective of scheduling

I’ll be the first to admit that my irritation towards the scheduling of Spain did not subside quickly. My first irritation really came when we experienced La Boqueria for the first time. I expected everything to be open from when the website said it was open to when it was closed. Many stalls were closed early. To me this seemed like a lost opportunity from a business perspective. However, after reflection I realized the importance of life outside of business opportunities and following a schedule closely. I now see the value of closing early because you want to spend time with family or friends and in that realization, I also feel myself becoming more understanding of a polychronic schedule. Also, this made me more self-aware of the offensiveness of my outward expression of my frustration.

Using an accent is polite

I should preface this section explicitly stating this is purely subjective. As a white male in the States I have felt that any references to other cultures and ethnicities I make are usually offensive or racist without any intention of doing so. An example of how this feeling has shaped my perspective is when I speak Spanish I feel like I am being offensive when I use an accent. This belief made me uncomfortable speaking the language at first. However, after reflection and discussion with other classmates I arrived at a different conclusion. I put myself in a local’s shoes and thought about how I would feel if some foreigner spoke my language with the proper accent. I would greatly appreciate the effort and understand them better. Speaking with an accent helps understanding and shows a consideration of the other cultural because it shows that you are willing to be uncomfortable to make them comfortable.

You must leave your comfort zone to understand and care for others of a different culture

As a US citizen, it is easy to believe that we are supreme relative to most countries due to economic success and other technological advancements. However, this is a toxic belief system to have if we ever want to comfort those of another country. Whether it is a difference in scheduling perspective or the way we communicate with each other there is always an opportunity to show awareness and empathy to an individual of another culture by listening and willing to adapt to their own norms. I am thankful for this experience and look forward to having meaningful relationships with others from a different culture.

Western African immigrants flood the sidewalks of Spain with counterfeit goods. They can seem pushy and intimidating at first, but after realizing these people have a story behind their situation your perspective changes.

Hopeful immigrants set sail to a new country

The population of the manteros, mantero is the local name for a sidewalk blanket seller, is primarily made up of immigrants from Senegal. They have left their lives and families at home in hopes of finding a warm welcome and prosperity in Spain. However, both are hard to come by once they step foot off the boat.

The punishment materos face if legal action is taken against them

Barcelona has been faced with having to decide what to do with these blanket top sellers since the mid 1990s. The law on whether unlicensed blanket top selling is a criminal offense has fluctuated since then, but as of 2015 the government has decided to criminalize it. This means that any of the manteros can be charged with a fine, confiscation of their goods, six to twenty-four months of jail time, and or deportation. This is a huge consequence for the poor immigrants serving a much larger organized empire. Spain has been conflicted with punishing the manteros because they know that they are just the grunts serving wealthier employees that run the counterfeit goods empire.

Social efforts have risen to help undocumented sellers gain citizenship

Driven by the collectivism culture in Spain there have been efforts to help these hopeful immigrants gain legal citizenship. Although the legal process in place takes three years for immigrants to become citizens with documentation allowing them to work, rent, and take Spanish classes, there are cooperatives providing legal jobs to the manteros right away. Social projects like Diomcoop and Top Manta brand are employing a portion of the manteros while they are in the limbo of being an undocumented worker. These initiatives are small and high cost, but will hopefully grow and help the rest of the manteros.

My experience with the manteros

As soon as I saw the knock of products I knew I was going to be headed home with some sweet new stuff. One evening in Barcelona I had set out to the sidewalk on the beach with orders from family and cash in my pocket. When I arrived, I was immediately approached by the manteros because they could see in my eye that I was going to buy something. I like to think of myself as a great shopper, which means I would move around to all the blankets closely examining each item. The manteros did not like that I was shopping competitively and even yelled at me in some cases. The other discomforting event that happened was one of the vendors held onto my wrist while trying to sell me a bag with no intention of letting go. That turned out to be effective because I did buy a bag from him. Despite these semi-concerning experiences, I was able to friendly haggle and talk with the vendors. I asked them about their lives and they even offered me some food. My heart softened towards the mantero community. They were kind and generous in the few moments I shared with them and I truly hope that they will be granted legal documentation swiftly.

Having never been to Europe I was only able to prepare myself for the culture shock through research and conversations with colleagues. I am a very punctual person influenced by the linear scheduling of my culture, which made the flexible time scheduling of Spain’s business difficult to understand and frustrating. Also, I have always been extremely competitive in everything I do. This mindset seemed rather foreign during some of our site visits in Spain. Lastly, I hear about high up corporate employees sitting at desks just like normal employees in the States; however, this concept was not reflected in one of the site visits we experienced.

Time is very flexible across Spain

Before our departure to Spain I had the privilege of researching La Boqueria. Upon our arrival in Spain we were fortunate enough to come across the market on our first day. Our group was given 15 minutes to take a quick look around before we went to dinner and what we found wasn’t what I had anticipated. There was 30 minutes left until the closing time that is posted on the website, but there were already many stalls closed and cleaned. This was strange; however, this is explained by the cultures flexible scheduling relative to what we are used to in the States. Another example of the flexible scheduling was shown when one of my fellow students had made a reservation for 8pm at a nice restaurant. Edward arrived at the restaurant on time for his reservation but it was still closed, and it wasn’t until 30 minutes later when they finally opened their doors wondering why he was their so early. 

Spanish entrepreneurship focuses on community rather than individual competition

One of the site visits during our time in Spain was at Tetuan Valley. Tetuan Valley is a pre-accelerator community that brings together and educates motivated teams with great ideas and even better attitudes. At Tetuan Valley they really emphasize the collectivism instilled in their culture with their focus on creating a community that is well connected and comfortable with each other. In the states the process seems more individualistic and I think there is something to be learned from the way Spain has leveraged their cultural norms in this space.

Organizations in Spain are hierarchical as shown by office locations

Our last site visit took place at a specialized packaging firm called Quadpack. The presentation was well done and interesting to listen to. An element that was mentioned during the presentation was where certain employees were located. In the Barcelona office, there were three floors Quakpack occupied and the executives sat at the highest and most renovated floor. This can seem like a minor detail, but I believe this reflects the hierarchical culture of Spain relevant in the organization.

Culture is always better understood when experienced first hand

The amount of information that can be learned about a culture from online resources is great, but limited. Research I accumulated prior to our trip was accurate; however, it was only until after experiencing some of the cultural dimensions first hand that I could fully comprehend the reality of the everyday differences. This experience expanded my global intelligence and will aide in understanding the cultural backgrounds that drives the decision making of others.

Introduction:

La Boqueria has developed a rich history over the last eight centuries. It’s an incredible open-air market that is conveniently located in Barcelona and offers its visitors food, dining, cooking, and much more. This well-regarded tourist location is sure to provide a cultural experience we are unable to find in the U.S.

La Boqueria has origins almost as old as time itself

Back in 1217 there was a “presence of meat stalls on the Pla De la Boqueria, as part of a series of street market located on Rambla.” The document containing this information is the first confirmation of La Boqueria’s existence. Between the years 1777 and 1840 La Boqueria moved to a variety of locations within Barcelona due to politics and changes of power. However, in 1840 under the leadership of architect Josep Mas I Villa a stone foundation for the market was made and cemented its current location.

Getting to the best market in the world is only a short walk

If staying at the Hotel HCC Montblanc, you will be one kilometer away from the best market in the world. This twelve minute journey south of the hotel towards La Boqueria includes a scenic walk on the famous La Rambla. See below for a visual representation.

Go and get a free map at La Boqueria

Given the convenient location it should be a must on your trip to Barcelona. Plus, it’s free to visit. Here are the hours for La Boqueria: “Monday to Saturday: 8:00am – 8:30pm.” I would suggest attending on a Saturday at 10am because you can score yourself a sweet free Boqueriamap. Toilets are available free of charge for customers with a receipt, but if mother nature calls and you have no receipt expect to hand over 0.50 euros to relieve yourself.

Expect delicious food, a lot of people, and pickpocketing

I’m excited to visit La Boqueria and try the regarded fresh produce. The exotic fruits and edible flowers are sure to provide visually appealing displays worthy of an Instagram post. A stall that I am looking forward to visiting is Eslice Pizza, see below for supporting evidence. These are a few of the many things to look forward to at the market, but it does have some drawbacks. To put it nicely, I expect to be one of many at the market. Given the popularity of the market it’s crowded from open to close, which means I will have to be assertive as I push my way through the crowds. Also, I will have to be extra aware of my belongings as this crowded area is a hot location for pickpockets looking to do some damage.

La Boqueria provides more than just food in the market:

A great option for those wanting a unique experience is to sign up for a cooking class that includes selecting ingredients from around the market with a professional chef. Barcelona has modernized and La Boqueria has followed suit. They have expanded their presence online where you are able to place orders for pickup and delivery. They also have an incredibly well done website. Between the food, bars, and other services La Boqueria provides it should be evident that La Boqueria is a stop worth every second.

A billion dollars or nothing

Having a billion-dollar idea is a great start to a successful company, but that’s all it is, an idea. Turning that idea into a reality is a difficult process that must not be over looked. During the transformation process a startup company must overcome many hurdles such as funding, product development, market research, and more. Those hurdles can seem daunting, and Tetuan Valley understands. That is where Tetuan Valley comes into the picture.

Tetuan Valley brings together talent and support

Tetuan Valley is the first of its kind. It’s a pre-accelerator program designed to help train startups in making their dreams viable and believable. Founded in 2009, the Madrid-based Tetuan Valley became a reality with the teamwork of three entrepreneurs determined to help other talented entrepreneurs take their first steps. The vision was to create an institution where like-minded individuals would come together and no longer go through the startup journey alone.

What to expect once accepted into Tetuan Valley

After acceptance into the Tetuan Valley program, participants can expect an intensive six-week program filled with comprehensive content on what it takes to move forward in the startup process. During the six weeks, classes will be held to develop presentation skills, value propositions, marketing, and other essential skills that can be found here. Although you must be accepted to fully participate in the Tetuan Valley program, they open one of their sessions to the public on a weekly basis.

Tetuan Valley has a small team, but growing alumni network

According to the Tetuan Valley website Iñigo Peña, Camila Polensvaig, and Carlos Ruisánchez are the three employees that run Tetuan Valley; however, the organization would not be able to function without the exceptional support of Tetuan Valley alumni and organizational sponsors. Currently, Tetuan Valley has 70 top-notch mentors that assist in educating the Tetuan Valley participants.

Tetuan Valley must continue to prove its value to startups and further develop its roots in the startup community

To continue to operate, Tetuan Valley must produce successful startups that can prove the value the program brings to its graduates. After all, no one will apply if they are not optimistic about post-graduation opportunities. Tetuan Valley must continue to expand its roots in the startup community through partnerships and collaboration. Doing this will increase brand awareness and networking resources that will be valuable to participants. By leveraging expertise and producing successful companies, Tetuan Valley will secure needed sponsorship to compete with other incubators such as Demium Startups and Wayra.

Questions I have for Tetuan Valley:

1. How do participating teams handle proprietary information during the program?
2. What seems to be the hardest concept for teams to adopt?
3. What skill set do startup teams lack most often?
4. Is there a reason that there are only two six week sessions being offered?
5. How do you the pitch the value Tetuan Valley provides for its sponsors?

No more celebrity treatment in Spain

Athletes, famous musicians, and royalty benefit from special treatment in many dimensions. However, Spain officials have put their foot down when it comes to paying taxes. With an economy that is still struggling to recover from the financial crisis, something must be done to generate revenue at the government level. Perhaps a solution has been found to help hinder the crippling cost of a poor economy and reverse its inability to pay debt.

Spain scores on Ronaldo

Former Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted to four tax offenses between the years 2011 and 2014. Arguably the most famous person in the world was scene entering the court house on a Tuesday morning to sign his sentence of 23 months in jail and an €18.8 million euro fine.

Talk about an expensive morning. Although it looks like Ronaldo will spend time in prison, that is not likely. Because this was his first sentence and it was under two years, Ronaldo can suspend his sentence. We won’t see the Instagram model behind bars soon, but we can be sure his wallet will be a little lighter.

Spain takes a shot at the crown

Princes Cristina, sister of King Felipe IV, was the first member of Spain’s royal family to stand trial in modern history. Cristina was accused of being involved with the illegal practices of her husband’s company. During the judicial process the Princess claimed to have not been involved or aware of such illegal acts.

Choosing to investigate the royal family makes me believe that in Spain everyone is willing to confront injustice. Although the Princess was found not guilty, she was still expected to pay more than €587,000 of the embezzled money she has accumulated.

The real motivation behind the intolerance of tax fraud

With all the publicity of famous people being shaken down by Spanish officials one must wonder: why now? Back in 2012, a number of measures were approved by the Spanish government to crack down on tax fraud. The goal was to reassure investors Spain could generate sufficient funds to pay back debt. This would allow businesses to reduce labor costs by leveraging government subsidies. And so, the investigations began on high profile individuals to uncover hidden wealth.

The pursuit of justice is a part of the Spanish culture

Erin Meyer’s Culture Map, has been used to help understand different cultures, and we can use it to see the motivation behind the pursuit of justice. Spain scores low on the evaluating scale, which means they are very direct with negative feedback. This accurately describes why officials have no problem going after high profile individuals. The Spanish government will continue to collect what they are owed, but I suspect those funds will not significantly influence the economy.