Things that surprised me to work in business in Spain vs in the United States

I grew up in Barcelona in a bicultural house – my mother in the United States and that of my father from Spain.

I especially lived in Spain, but I visited the United States regularly and I never felt that I fully belonged to one culture or the other.

For many years, I worked in corporate communications in Spain. In 2019, I moved to the United States and pursued my business career.

I have now spent about a decade working for several American and Spanish companies, but I am always surprised by the difference in corporate cultures and office environments of the two places.

The training of personal connections at work was greater than networking in Spain

In Spain, it was quite natural and easy to connect with colleagues to a personal level and to become friends.

I am still in contact with about a dozen people I met during my first job, as well as many colleagues from my other previous roles at home. We are always witnessing the birthday parties and weddings of the other.

However, in the three companies in which I worked in the United States, I had more trouble establishing solid links with my colleagues.

At the office, it is rare to have conversations that are not linked to work or that become deeper than the weekly “How was your weekend?” banalities.

Instead, it seems that the best and most important means of establishing relationships with other professionals here is networking. The American workplace may seem competitive, so maybe the motivation to move forward allows people to connect more easily in this way.

Lunch breaks feel so different

While working in Spain, it was common to regularly have lunch with colleagues or my boss and enjoy a full one hour break.

A company in which I worked gave employees a daily allowance for lunch, which covered the meals of the fixed menus which included an aperitif, an entrance and a dessert or a coffee.

I felt encouraged to eat a full meal at noon, which helped me take a well necessary break every day.

In the United States, lunch breaks feel shorter and as they should be optimized. Many of my American colleagues pass their lunch breaks or eat in front of their computers.

It is more common to lunch in solitude than with a large group of colleagues here, and people tend to eat sandwiches and cold salads instead of hot meals.

Job titles seem to have more variety here

When I moved, I quickly noticed the importance of many Americans on corporate hierarchical titles.

In Spain, I thought that the employment titles were quite simple and direct and the companies in which I worked seemed to have less levels.

In large American companies, however, it is common to find several titles and levels linked to a single role. For example, deputy vice-president, executive vice-president, vice-president and main vice-president.

With as many levels and roles available, it seems almost easier to climb more quickly in the world of American companies than in Spain.

Finally, I miss PTO policies in Spain

The paid policies of the vacation day vary in the world, but Spain seems definitively to prioritize the balance between professional and private life that the United States.

In Spain, employees get at least 30 days off leave by year. In the United States, workers are not guaranteed of PTO – it is up to employers to decide how much they will offer (if applicable).

Many Americans have to work for months to win less than half of the paid vacation days that I have automatically received in Spain.

With my upcoming marriage, I especially lack Spain’s policy which gives employees for up to 15 days of paid leave when they go legally.