Anyone from Spain knows the very famous advertising slogan: “Ya es Navidad en El Corte Inglés“, whose American equivalent could be something like: “It’s already Christmas at Macys“. El Corte Inglés is the most important department store in the country. … Continue reading →

"Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé !" (The Beaujolais Nouveau has arrived!) has become an adage, popularized by the eponymous novel by French writer René Fallet. Each third Thursday in November at midnight, the international release of le Beaujolais nouveau marks the culmination of a year's work for wine growers, just a few short weeks after the end of the grape harvest. Continue reading →

Perhaps the most unique cultural component of work life in Japan involves the use of honorific language. This formal style is required when speaking to both superiors and customers or clients. Continue reading →

In Spain, work hours are often ruled by the meals. For Spaniards, meal breaks are very important, especially lunch, which it is taken sometime between 1pm and 3pm. Spaniards like to take their time eating, and we spread our meals out during the day. That also means that we adapt our commercial hours and office hours to our eating habits. Continue reading →