2. Introduction to Spanish punctuality
The truth is that in Spain you can find all kinds of people and customs. Generalizing is difficult in this case
because depending on the situation or people can happen anything. Therefore, let us draw to the idea that
the Spaniards are unpunctual.
3. Informal meetings
In informal meetings Spaniards are usually very unpunctual. Sometimes we did not even stay at
a specific time.For example: "We stay at your house after eating" As in Spain, we eat at around
2 or 3 in the afternoon, what time is it? At 4 o'clock, at 5 o'clock, at 6 o'clock? In general, this
phrase means that the person with the speech will go to your house after eating, but can present
at any time.
We were at nine o'clock in the square.Now this does not mean that you are going to see them at
9 o'clock at night. There may be some friends who arrive at 9:30, others at 9:15 and others at
8:30.
4. Formal meetings
Meetings at work or with students do tend to respect schedules. People are usually punctual. If you can not arrive at the
agreed time for some reason, the ideal is to make a phone call explaining the reasons and the time that you will delay. You
have to try to keep this from happening.
The time of departure from work is different. People tend to stay longer than they should. In general, full-time contracts in
Spain are 40 hours a week. In some cases 48 hours a week. This is about 8 hours a day. But almost everyone stays at
work longer than they should. The time you work extra often is not remunerated.
5. Hand Comunication in China
China is considered, like many other Asian countries, to possess a more collectivist and low-contact
culture than that of the United States, making their nonverbal communication different than, and
sometimes in conflict with American nonverbal behavior. However, there is evidence in all areas of China
of westernization and changing cultural norms, the area of nonverbal communication being no exception.
Though we can classify many nonverbal norms in China as the result of a collectivist low-contact lifestyle,
we must acknowledge that differences exist regionally and personally in such a large country.
6. Ways to comunicate with hands in China
greetings
When you meet your professor you should lower your head and bend slightly to show respect.
The same posture is used when a young man is greeting an old man.
agreement
This gesture is used in informal situations, when you reach an agreement with somebody else.
In China, it is not only a gesture, but also a good wish. Each of you hopes the agreement will be long.