One thing I’ve really started to notice in my daily life here in Spain is how much people genuinely respect and care for their elders. It’s not just something you see once in a while; it’s everywhere, every day.
Something you may not know is that in Spain, and in many Spanish-speaking countries, it’s perfectly normal for people to live with their families well into their 30s and even 40s. In the U.S., that’s often frowned upon. The attitude is usually, “Wait, you still live with your mom? Grow up!” But here, it’s seen differently. It’s not a sign of immaturity; it’s a sign of connection, of valuing family, and of recognizing that as we age, our parents are also aging alongside us.
In the U.S., it’s perfectly normal to send our grandparents or parents to an assisted living facility or nursing home when the time comes. And while those places serve an important purpose, in Spain, it’s often not necessary. Families live together, support each other, and take care of their elders within the household. There’s this unspoken understanding that your parents cared for you, so naturally, you’ll be there to care for them.
And it’s not just behind closed doors; you see it everywhere in public. On buses and trains, people immediately stand up to offer their seat to an older person or to a mom juggling a stroller. In grocery stores, no one thinks twice about letting an elder skip the line. Just today, I watched an older man, leaning heavily on his rolling cane, slowly make his way to the checkout with a single item: a tub of chocolate ice cream. He bypassed the entire line, and everyone let him. No complaints, no sighs, no eye rolls. It was just understood, respect him, let him go first.
And when it was time to pay, the older gentleman simply handed his coin purse to the cashier. He didn’t bother digging out the exact change himself; the cashier did it for him. While the cashier was sorting through the coins, a woman walked up to the older man and gently patted him on the back, like she’d known him for years. He seemed to be very popular, almost like a familiar face everyone looked out for.
It’s moments like that that make me pause. Because in Spain, it isn’t just about manners, it’s about a cultural value. The older generation is deeply respected, not pushed aside. They’re visible, they’re included, and they’re cared for.
Living here has opened my eyes to how different cultures handle aging and family life. And honestly? I think Spain has it right.
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
