French Expat in Madrid Puzzles Over Spanish Voice Notes, Familial Nicknames, and Leisurely Walks

Madrid, Spain – A French expatriate, known online as elrealclem, has sparked a lively discussion by sharing his candid observations on everyday Spanish habits that he finds perplexing. In a recent viral video, elrealclem, who resides in Madrid, highlighted three specific cultural differences that have caught his attention since moving to Spain. His first point of confusion revolves around communication. "Why do you always speak with voice notes?" he questioned, describing how a simple text message asking a question often elicits a four-minute-long, rapidly spoken Spanish voice note in return. He contrasted this with France, where sending a voice note often leads to the recipient stating they will "listen later" – and then never doing so. Secondly, elrealclem expressed bewilderment over the common use of 'tía' and 'tío' (literally 'aunt' and 'uncle') to refer to friends. "For me, 'tía' or 'tío' is like your mother's sister or something like that," he explained, finding it unusual to use familial terms for non-relatives. Finally, the pace of life on Spanish streets drew his attention. "Why do they walk very slowly on the street?" he wondered aloud. Recalling his year in Paris, he noted, "In Paris, you go from point A to point B, and you have to run, like, walk very fast." He then humorously imitated the slower, more leisurely gait he observes among people in Spain, contrasting it sharply with his own faster pace. The video has resonated with many, prompting a flurry of comments from both Spaniards explaining their customs and other foreigners sharing similar experiences.

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