In the town of Salamanca, Spain, the contemporary Spanish culture is a fine mixture of global and local traditions and practices. Recreational activities such as eating, drinking, dancing and socializing are vital in everyday Spanish culture. One way that fun and entertainment in Salamanca have been affected in recent years is by the rapid spread of globalization to the city. However, Salamanca has still retained its authenticity and uniqueness despite strong global and pop culture influences.
Some main worldwide influences on the culture of Salamanca are heavy-hitting fast food chains becoming more abundant in the city, local bars Americanizing their music and atmosphere to appeal to tourists and international students, and the lessening practice in certain stores of the once prominent ¨siesta.¨ Salmantinos have always been fiercely proud of their cuisine and remarkable nightlife, and the intrusion of outside factors into this important means of culture is gradual, but noticeable nonetheless. In terms of restaurants, Salamanca (and Spain in general) is famous for their tapas, which now is being rivalled by McDonald´s, Burger King and various sandwich places that are located directly by the Plaza Mayor, as well as several smaller establishments around the city. Tapas bars show no signs of losing business anytime soon, but the fact that such international chains are being placed in such a traditional and historical town is slightly unsettling.
This is an example of the effects of globalization in Europe; successful corporations from the U.S. see potential for profit in tourist towns such as Salamanca, and therefore want to branch out to these areas. Even some grocery stores, such as Carrefour, are not native to Spain and can be compared to the likes of Wal-Mart in the sense that they can take business from the smaller, local shops. One of the many appeals of Salamanca is its restaurants, and if the chains become more commonplace, the overall historic feel of the town will change. For locals and visitors alike, this change is not a positive one.
Another affect of globalization on the culture of Salamanca is that of bares and discotecas changing their appearance to fit American or otherwise foreign interests. Music is a prime example of this; in popular clubs such as The Irish Rover, Camelot and Medievo, all or most of the music played is American hip-hop, rap or dance. Due to the large numbers of international students in the town, this is a smart way to draw in more business, but by doing so, they are deterring the local student population. Many discotecas also have purely American events, such as Beer Pong night at the Irish Rover, to bring students in on the weekdays when business is typically slower. In spite of this, several smaller clubs still play mainly European dance or house music, but they are less well-known among foreigners than the larger clubs.
A third cultural practice in Salamanca that is beginning to shift is that of the ¨siesta¨, a time between 2 and 5 pm or so each afternoon when shops shut down for a long lunch break. Many stores around Salamanca do not follow this habit, particularly the larger clothing stores, restaurants and grocery stores. Most of the smaller stores do shut down, at the exasperation of visitors who are used to doing their shopping during the prime afternoon hours. A majority of Spain practices siesta, but smaller towns like Salamanca tend to take it more to heart, as work hours differ significantly from those of other countries, both in Europe and in North America.
Nowadays, there are hardly any countries left that have not been affected in some way by globalization. Salamanca is no exception, but in spite of these outside influences, it has retained a distinguished allure and lifestyle that has yet to be disintegrated by globalization. As long as Salmantinos honor their traditions and history, globalization will not take over the city´s means of food, dancing and enjoyment, and Salamanca will remain a place of intrigue for all those who travel to it.
Contemporary Spanish culture, as previously mentioned, places a high emphasis on dining and nightlife, and there is always something exciting happening regardless of the time of day. It is not uncommon for people to go out for dinner at 10 at night. A lot of the time if one goes into a restaurant at 9 in the evening, they will be the only ones in the restaurant. People in Spain tend to eat dinner later because they enjoy a nice tapa before their last meal. Clubs and bars are known to be at their busiest quite a bit later than Americans are used to, normally around 2:30 am until 6 or 7 the next morning. Every night of the week is a fiesta night, which gives the city an unpredictable and sensational feel.
Eating is a huge part of the contemporary culture. Many people, young and old go out for tapas after work and school and have a bite to eat and a little drink. Around 8 in the evening the tapas bars are usually full of locals socializing with one another and having a good time. The atmosphere at many tapas places is very relaxed and it usually standing room only. Usually if you order a drink at a tapas bar they throw in a tapas for free, one can have a tapa and a drink for around three euro. Going out for tapas is a great way to experience true spanish culture and meet the locals. Dinner is usually a little on the expensive side in Salamanca, that is why tapas are so popular. As mentioned before dinner usually is a little later in the evening because many people don't go out for tapas until 8 at night. People living in Spain usually start everything later than what Americans are used to.
The main reason for the hectic after-hours schedule is the huge number of students, both local and international ¨high school¨ through college aged. The locals are known to dress up for religious and school-related holidays, and often times large groups of teens in costume are seen for whichever reason. Drinking at clubs are a highly successful means of business in the area, and promoters are scattered throughout the streets nearly 24 hours a day to hand out fliers and draw people into their doors. One cannot walk down a street and not see a bar or club. Going to a bar or club is the main source of entertainment in Salamanca. It is a great way to meet new people and relax after a long day of classes or work. Salamanca is a small enough town where one will probably bump into someone they know at the popular bars and clubs. There is a strange sense of community because everyone is looking to have a good time and to enjoy their evening.
One thing that is really nice about Salamanca is the fact that there are so many students from all over the world living and studying in the city. Salamanca is obviously a university town, but there are many other language schools that attract people from various places. By going out to different clubs and bars, one is guranteed to meet a new friend from a different country. Diversity in the in the clubs and bars is attractive to many people and it makes the nightlight in Salamanca very interesting.
Anyone looking to have a good time should consider visting Salamanca. Even though it is a smaller city, the nightlife does not resemble it's size. Every day of the week there is a party somewhere. The locals and the students go out on the town looking to have a good time. The people in Salamanca are welcoming, the food is amazing, and the drinks are abundant.
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