Week 2 by Sofía Munguia-Arias

While in Spain, among the many things I have observed, one thing stood out in particular. I have noticed that family and friends are extremely important.  They are things you need to cherish and respect. It is rare to see someone eating at a restaurant alone. Here in Spain going out for a drink such as, the ever so popular, coffee or out to eat for tapas is common to do so with friends and loved ones. This is the same as the United States, but what is different is the fact that the people in Spain stay and talk after their meals are finished.  Americans eat and get out of the restaurant almost as fast as possible. Everything is more relaxed in Spain and nothing is rushed, including the meal times and what is called the “sobremesa”. The people here in Spain are more laid back and are willing to make time for friends and family no matter what, whereas in the United States, family and friends are the two things that get pushed to the back the most.  Americans are always busy and always in a hurry to get things done so they put family last because they will understand the reasoning behind it. From sunrise to sundown  Americans are always occupied, this is the lifestyle that we choose to live. I think I prefer sitting and chatting for a while at the table and overall living a more relaxed, healthy life compared the the lifestyles Americans live.