It amazes me how the Spanish have different forms of dancing that are each unique to one another. Spaniards have some different traditions then Americans, such as siesta and bullfighting. Bullfighting was the only thing that I looked at within the culture that I could not relate to or learn to appreciate. Through this, I realize that I won't always agree with how other cultures function, but I need to learn to respect them regardless of differences in opinion. Spaniards also have different ways to categorize people, which was demonstrated through their use of motorcycles. On the other hand, I was also able to recognize the similarities between Spanish and American culture even throughout many seemingly unconquerable differences. For instance, just like we have different accents throughout different parts of America, Spain has different dialects of Spanish in different regions of Spain. Also, body image is a big controversy not only in America, but in Spain, as well.
Overall, I think this was an eye-opening assignment and I was glad to take part in it. Learning about other cultures is an important way to overcome ignorance in the world and the more people who are able to participate in this type of research, the better!
3 comments:
I thought that the part of the blog about the siestas had some great points. There is no reason for why we shouldn’t have siestas. I always get tired in the middle of the day, since our workday starts to early. Though I don’t have a job, but still get up early enough to feel the repercussions of getting up early. The siesta would be very beneficial, especially with the fact talking about how people need rest in the middle of the day. When we don’t make our most important meal in the middle of the day, that only makes our culture that much different though. Too much of out lifestyle is based around running around places, with very little time to take time off in the middle of the day. I know it sounds ideal, but too many things would have to change, which would then result in major culture shock. It was hard to take much out of the food part, since I was a bit familiar with the foods in Spain and Mexico. The types of food only surprised me, with the service in restaurants shocking me as well. I’m only familiar with flamenco, since a few flamenco dancers came to my high school a few years back. The dance is quite intriguing and fun to learn. I really loved watching the dances feel the rhythm and incorporate or show it, through their dance steps. Similar to here, it seems that the dances vary and are practiced, in different areas of the country. One of the more interesting things about this blog, was the entry about the motocicletas. It’s quite absurd and shocking that no one else in the world has the same mode of transportation as we do here. I think it’s very cool that other countries, like Spain, do differ from us. After all, who really wants to be identical to us? I’ve ridden the subway and a motorbike a few times, and really enjoyed it. I think the reason we have cars, is to have that feeling of freedom and comfort. People lacking money take public transportation, but one’s with money, buy cars and drive them to their destinations. The way other people use their public transportation, or other modes than cars, is very popular and just easier for their lifestyles. Finally, the discussion on fashion and the body was interesting only because it was something that is seen all over the world, and something that can be related to here. Knowing that there are so many differences between here and Spain, there is some form of similarity between the two countries.
Great job on your blog! I found it really interesting to read. I have taken Spanish classes over the past seven years and I hope to study abroad in Spain my junior year, so your blog was particularly enjoyable to read. You had great ways to gain insight of your culture because you could include participant observation in your methodology.
The section titled, “Los Bailes,” in which flamenco dancing was highlighted was an important entry for me. I have been a dancer for 15 years of my life and while reading this entry I had a flash of recognition. There are over fifty types of flamenco and this helped to understand how so many different types of dance exist. My specialties in dance have always been tap, ballet, and jazz, so it was great to learn about yet another style.
Your entry about bullfighting was insightful. As you mentioned, bullfighting is something that seems barbaric in our culture, however it has occurred for centuries in Spain. I am interested in knowing how the Spaniards find meaning in this activity.
The section “El Cuerpo,” about body image was interesting because body image in clearly an issue in many cultures. It is interesting that you found the article, “Too-.Skinny Models: Women with Very Low Body-Mass Index Not Allowed on Runway.” Last year for my AP Spanish class, we were required to read an article about this situation in Spanish. Since you mentioned the changes in BMI requirements for runway models and I learned about it in one of my classes last year, clearly it is an important cultural change that is occurring in Spain recently.
I like how you discussed topics that we study in anthropology class within your blog such as food, language, and music. By incorporating these topics and applying them to the Spanish culture, it helped me to further understand the variation in these things among various cultures.
The portion about siestas was one part of the Spanish culture that I struggle to understand. I always have been a busy person and even as a young child I have never been able to take naps. Although the daily siesta rejuvenates the Spaniards halfway through the day, it is almost unimaginable to think about entire cities closing down midway though the day.
I found both the pictures and flamenco video to enhance your blog. The pictures helped give a great visual representation of different aspects of the culture and helped the blog to be more enjoyable to view. The flamenco video was also extremely helpful. It was amazing to see a true flamenco dancer and be able to listen to the flamenco music.
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