I would usually describe myself as outgoing, charismatic, pretty much all surrounding words associated with extroverted (I'll even give you obnoxious if I am surrounded by the proper comrades). However, after coming to Spain, I have learned, I am not as extroverted as I thought I was.... Spanish people, THEY are extroverted, but Americans are most definitely introverted as a whole country. We value our peace and quiet and being a monoculture, can't have too many things going on at once. For example, in the US, interrupting is frowned upon, and it is not out of the ordinary to have a quiet night-in. Interrupting is the only way to get a word in edgewise in the Spanish culture, and is not considered rude at all. When the Spanish need to wind down, they talk, they go out, they drink. The exact opposite of Americans. They all talk at the same time, and somehow all know what is going on in each situation (as far as paying attention in class though, they have not yet developed this skill). Regardless, I came to the realization that yes, while I have an extroverted personality, it is by no means deemed as extroverted internationally. Just extroverted in an introverted country.
The Spanish culture is also a very dramatic culture (look at Flamenco), whereas I have learned Americans internalize their feelings much more (even the 16 year old divas). When something is funny in Spanish, the whole room erupts in a boisterous laughter, when in America it would be a unified chuckle. And, man, when they stub their toe, or elbow a door, it's comparable to that of a soap opera. There is no beating around the bush, the way there is in the English. It is a very straight forward language and they don't have all the filler words and words to avoid hurting feelings like we do.
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