Some Assembly Required: Adjusting to Spain’s High-Context Culture

The first time I tried to tackle an administrative task in Spain, I was bewildered by the vague information I received. Why wasn’t I provided a checklist, a clear timeline, and detailed instructions? How was I supposed to figure out what to do with nothing but scant breadcrumbs to lead me along the way?

Gradually, I began to put the pieces together. I discovered that what seemed like “unclear” communication was simply a different way of communicating. And thus began my initiation into Spain’s high-context culture.

Culture Clash: High-Context vs. Low-Context Cultures

In the mid-twentieth century, anthropologist Edwin T. Hall introduced a model to explain key differences among cultures. One important distinction he made was between high-context and low-context societies.

People living in high-context cultures tend to have very similar backgrounds and a common set of experiences. Because of this, communication is often less explicit since people can rely on shared context to derive the meaning.

Spain sits toward the high-context end of the culture spectrum. With a history spanning thousands of years, tight-knit social networks, and, until recently, low geographic and social mobility, communication doesn’t need to be explicit since (it is assumed) everyone has the same reference point.

Much is left unsaid, leaving it to the reader or listener to fill in the blanks based on tone, body language, knowledge, experience, or context. Take the word mañana, which means both “morning” and “tomorrow.” The difference is obvious once you know the context — but it took me a while to stop wondering “Wait, are they talking about the morning or tomorrow?” It’s a small example, but it captures a much bigger truth: in a high-context culture, the details are often implied, not spelled out.

By contrast, low-context cultures like the U.S. are built on diversity, mobility, and less shared history. Americans come from a wide range of backgrounds, and clear, explicit communication helps bridge those gaps. In the U.S., we tend to favor spelling everything out to avoid misunderstanding.

Put the two cultures together, and confusion, frustration, and misunderstandings are bound to happen — like trying to assemble an IKEA dresser and realizing you're missing a page from the instruction booklet. I definitely had days early on when I wanted to tear my hair out...until I learned to embrace the reality of being a low-context girl living in a high-context world.

Curious to know more about the high- and low-context cultures? Here’s a great video from culture expert Erin Meyer, author of The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business:

Between Two Worlds: Bridging the High-/Low-Context Gap

As an immigrant to Spain, I take it as my responsibility to adapt. And this means learning to live — and communicate — in a high-context world.

That said, I also need the system to work for me. So I’ve learned to use different strategies depending on the situation.

For legal, financial, and compliance-related matters (e.g., visa renewals, tax filings, lease agreements), I need to be absolutely clear about what’s expected. In these moments, I’m politely persistent: I confirm next steps in writing, recap my understanding over email, and ask specific follow-up questions — always with the acknowledgment that I’m still learning the system.

In social situations, however, I’ve learned to lean into the high-context rhythm. When I first moved here, I found it strange that making plans often lacked specifics. Someone would say, “Let’s do something Saturday,” but by Friday night, I still wouldn't know when or where. When I asked, “Are we still getting together this weekend?” my friends would reply, “Of course — we talked about it.” Now I know: the details come when you need them. And I’ve learned to just roll with it, prioritizing connection over clarity.

A User Guide: Tips for Navigating a High-Context Culture

After reflecting on my own experiences over the last couple of years, I’ve come up with a short set of suggestions to help ease your entry into a high-context environment - whether you’re moving to Spain or doing business in any high-context culture.

1. Kindly Ask for What You Need

If you need concrete information, soften your directness with curiosity:

“Just to make sure I’ve understood correctly, could we walk through what the next steps are — and any deadlines I should be aware of?”

2. Follow Up in Writing

After a conversation, send a friendly recap email:

“Thanks again for your time today. Just to confirm: You’ll send the paperwork by Friday – I need to submit my documents by July 15. Let me know if I’ve misunderstood anything!”

3. Ask for Examples

If something feels vague, ask:

“Could you give me an example of how that usually works?”or“In situations like this, what typically happens next?”

4. Prioritize Connection When You Can

Not everything needs to be perfectly clear. In relationships and everyday life, try embracing the ambiguity. Let plans evolve. Go with the flow. It can feel freeing — and it’s often where the real connections are built.

Learning By Doing

Living in a high-context culture has challenged me to adapt my default communication settings — and made me more attentive and attuned to nuance. Not that I always get it right! But when I make a misstep, I'm usually quick to catch myself and course-correct.

If you’re moving to Spain, know this: you may not have an instruction manual — but with curiosity and patience, you’ll start to understand the unspoken rules, assemble your strategies, and build a life that you love.

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Elizabeth Pinkerton is a coach, consultant, and founder of VidaNova Barcelona, which provides expert guidance to Americans moving to Spain. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she spent many years in the San Francisco Bay Area before making the leap to Barcelona. Now, she helps aspiring expats navigate the transition with confidence.

(Images by Freepik)