1. Setting Sail : A Closer Look at the
Cultural & Social Mechanics of
Tenerife, Spain
2. Why Spain?
• International field experience
Tenerife
– Final component of MAIS degree
• International field experience component
• Spanish-speaking country
3. Why the Canary Islands?
• Numerous work industries
Tenerife
– University
– Government; municipalities
– Local papers, magazines
– Year-round diving
• Climate
• Versatile landscape
4.
5. History of Tenerife
• Originally three different islands
Tenerife
– Single island formed by volcanic activity
• Guanche people – original inhabitants
– Striking Scandinavian resemblance
– Hypothesized they sailed from African tip
6. History of Tenerife
• Spanish empire arrives in 1493
Tenerife
– Guanches conquered and enslaved in 1494
– Colonization and immigration
• Failed British attack in 1797
• Spanish Civil War 1936-1939
– Installed dictator Francisco Franco
– Ruled until 1975
7. Tenerife Today
• King Juan Carlos – Head of State
Tenerife
• Mariano Rajoy Brey – President
• Biggest of Canary Islands
• 908, 555 registered inhabitants
• Biggest industry - tourism
8. King Juan Carlos & Queen Reina Sofia
President Mariano Rajoy Brey
9. Major Religions
• Predominantly Roman Catholic
• High numbers of tourists and immigration
Tenerife
brought other religions
– Islam
– Hinduiusm
– Evangelism
– Judaism
– Afro-American religions
10. Culture & Traditions
• Known for carnivals and festivals
Tenerife
– Carnival of Santa Cruz
– Romerías ( religious pilgrimages)
– Corpus Christi
12. Culture & Traditions
• Highly respectful of Guanche people
Tenerife
– History
– Culture
– Present-day descendants
• Social classes dived by wealth
• Culture and education highly revered
13. Culture & Traditions
• Family as focal point of life
Tenerife
– Nuclear and extended
• Changing society
– Gender equalities
– Minority presence
14. Language & Communication
• Predominantly Spanish speaking
Tenerife
• Customary greetings
– Men: hug or handshake
– Women: kiss on both cheeks
– Small tokens at private residences
• Decreased personal space
– Decreases as relationship grows
16. Lifestyles & Pace
• Laid back, easy going
Tenerife
• Typical work day
– 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
– Siesta
– 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
17. Lifestyles & Pace
• Collectivistic
Tenerife
– Little need for motivation from superiors
– Teamwork natural
• Masculine vs. Feminine
– Children taught harmony
– Little appreciation for competition
– Recent strides in gender equality
18. Lifestyles & Pace
• Uncertainty avoidance
Tenerife
– “people like rules for everything”
– Change causes stress
– Concern for changing, ambiguous, undefined
situations
• Long-term orientation
– “live in the moment”
– Prefer quick results
19. Business Etiquette
• Cornerstone of business
Tenerife
– relationships
– Trust
• Face-to-face contact preferred
• Interruptions common
• Saving Face
• Sharing meals
20. Stereotypes of Spain towards
Americans
• Loud, noisy
Tenerife
• Arrogant
• Wealthy, materialistic
• Job efficiency
• Little time for family and living
21. Stereotypes towards Spain
• Lazy
Tenerife
– Siestas
– Party lovers
• Spanish is the only language
– 3 co-official languages
• Euskera (also known as Baque)
• Catalan
• Galego
22. What to Expect Upon my Journey?
• Stereotypes
Tenerife
• Language barriers
• Culture shock
