Customs of Communication in Catalonia

Did you know that the way people communicate in Catalonia is much different than the ways we communicate here? In Catalonia the way people speak to each other in informal situations is often very direct and lacking what we consider in manors. For example it is not uncommon or considered rude for someone to ask for something without saying “please” or “thank you”. It is also not uncommon for people to speak or shout at the same time and switch topics very quickly, which is different from the more controlled conversations we are used to here in the US.  They also tend to use more body movements when they speak. It is considered normal to touch one another in the form of a hand on the shoulder or a pat on the back. It is also common to find someone you don’t know staring you directly in the eye.  It will be interesting to experience these things when we get there. I’m glad that I am learning about these things before we go so that I’m not surprised when the stranger on the train is staring at us, or when I’m talking to someone with their hand on my shoulder. I wonder if by the end of our trip we will be engaging in some of these different behaviors.   ~Bri