Taking Gender into Account Abroad

Understanding how my gender will take a role in my cultural adaptation.

Reflection Questions/Answers:

Are there types of clothing that are considered inappropriate in your host country that would usually not be considered inappropriate at home?

Spaniards dress conservatively, the Catholic church is a huge part of their daily life. No short shorts or mini skirts, most pants for girls are not tight-fitting either. They also dress very sharp, no baggy shirts, shorts, or pants, and no athleisure either. High-quality clothing with staple pieces fit well with stylish shoes, not plain athletic. The women and men dress according to season, whether it is hot or cold they will dress exactly how the weather should be during that time. Jeans are worn up to the start of summer.

What kinds of unwritten rules about gender roles exist in your host country? (e.g., How is direct eye contact or a smile from a woman usually taken by men?)

The women of the house will do all of the cleaning and cooking inside the household. Most traditional gender roles are held here but it is moving towards a more progressive role. It is polite to maintain eye contact here when talking, man or woman. Although smiling at one another in the street is a common thing for Americans it may be the green light for a man in Spain.

What kinds of acts are considered flirtation in your host country that you would usually not consider flirtation at home?

The priopo is very popular in Spain, it is very similar to a catcall in the United States. This means I will most likely get shouted at in the streets of Spain in regards to my appearance. The best way to deal with it will be to give it no attention and keep walking. It's practically harmless but will be uncomfortable and annoying, to say the least.

What obvious differences exist between the way you typically act on a night out, riding public transportation, walking through the city, in encounters with local men, etc., and the way the native women act?

Walking during the night is not as dangerous as it is in the United States. Almost all streets are lit at all times of the day and have people walking them throughout the night. Women in the bars dress more conservatively, they usually wear something similar to what they wore during the day. It is also not as common for men to buy women drinks here. When dancing their hands stay by their sides versus in the states our hands are high up. Walking through the city I might notice staring but it is a part of the culture, it is not something rude.