Cultural Differences: Spain & Slovakia
Cultural Differences: Spain & Slovakia
Country and Culture Research Assignment
October 8, 2008
Adding sparkling lemonade or coke to red wine in Spain during lunch time is usual habit, while in Slovakia, people often drink, with their lunch, still, sparkling and gently sparkling mineral water or, of course beer of Slovak or Czech production. Even small details make these two countries different. Although there are some similarities among Slovak and Spanish population, mainly between the young generation, country and culture differences, such as general information, history, language, educational system, lifestyle, traditions, or cuisine would predominate. In order to be successful in the Spanish or Slovakian market place, it is important to get known the country, its business culture, etiquette, lifestyle and traditions. All these have a strong influence on the expenditure of doing business, future economic growth and business culture. General Information Spain is located in the South-Western part of Europe with an access to Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. It has border with Portugal on the West, France and Andorra on the North and Morocco on the South. Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla, two autonomous cities in Northern Africa, also belong to Kingdom of Spain. The whole area of Spain represents 504,788 sq. km with population of 39.2 million. Capital city is Madrid. It is also the biggest city by population in Spain, followed by Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Zaragoza (Facts at a glance, 2006). GDP shown in the Economist journal is 0.9% or $1.4 trillion in 2008. Forecast for future portrays decline by 0.6% in 2009 while GDP should grow up to 1.6% in 2010 (Economist Intelligence Unit, 2008 ). In comparison with Spain, Slovakia is directly situated in the heart of Europe; thus, it is located in the Central Europe. It has border with Austria and Czech Republic on the West, Poland on the North, Ukraine on the East and
Country and Culture Research Assignment
October 8, 2008
Adding sparkling lemonade or coke to red wine in Spain during lunch time is usual habit, while in Slovakia, people often drink, with their lunch, still, sparkling and gently sparkling mineral water or, of course beer of Slovak or Czech production. Even small details make these two countries different. Although there are some similarities among Slovak and Spanish population, mainly between the young generation, country and culture differences, such as general information, history, language, educational system, lifestyle, traditions, or cuisine would predominate. In order to be successful in the Spanish or Slovakian market place, it is important to get known the country, its business culture, etiquette, lifestyle and traditions. All these have a strong influence on the expenditure of doing business, future economic growth and business culture. General Information Spain is located in the South-Western part of Europe with an access to Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. It has border with Portugal on the West, France and Andorra on the North and Morocco on the South. Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla, two autonomous cities in Northern Africa, also belong to Kingdom of Spain. The whole area of Spain represents 504,788 sq. km with population of 39.2 million. Capital city is Madrid. It is also the biggest city by population in Spain, followed by Barcelona, Valencia, Seville and Zaragoza (Facts at a glance, 2006). GDP shown in the Economist journal is 0.9% or $1.4 trillion in 2008. Forecast for future portrays decline by 0.6% in 2009 while GDP should grow up to 1.6% in 2010 (Economist Intelligence Unit, 2008 ). In comparison with Spain, Slovakia is directly situated in the heart of Europe; thus, it is located in the Central Europe. It has border with Austria and Czech Republic on the West, Poland on the North, Ukraine on the East and
References: Basic macroeconomic data for the Slovak Republic. (2005). Retrieved October 4, 2008 from the web page: http://www.slovensko.com/about/macroeconomy Economist Intelligence Unit History. (2008, February 13). Lonely Planet. Retrieved October 4, 2008 from the web page: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/spain/history Kwintessential Ltd Spanish art & culture. (n. d.). Retrieved October 4, 2008 from the web page: http://www.spainexpat.com/spain/information/spanish_art_culture/ Spanish recipes and cuisine. (n. d.). Retrieved October 4, 2008 from the web page: http://www.spainexpat.com/spain/information/spanish_recipes/ Strong, T. (2008, February 24). Differences with the USA: The Catalunya factor. Retrieved October 4, 2008 from the web page: http://www.spainexpat.com/spain/information/ spanish_cultural_commentary/ Weather in Spain What kind of food do people eat in Slovakia? (2006). Retrieved October 4, 2008 from the web page: http://www.slovensko.com/about/food/