Location

• Ancient Greek and Roman cultures were very different, but their descendants in modern-day Greece and Spain enjoy some commonalities, which are primarily traceable to their shared Mediterranean location. These influences are most obvious in the importance of agriculture and fishing, hearty cuisine prepared with fresh local foods and vibrant music and dances reflecting traditional lifestyles and a nostalgia for a romanticized past. For example, there are substantial similarities between the Spanish flamenco and the Greek rebetika, both highly energetic traditional dances.
  
  

Family and Social Structures

• Both countries share similar family and social structures. While the man is the family's face to the outside world and the primary breadwinner and business participant, the women (mothers, grandmothers, aunts) are in charge at home. In both countries, the women are the managers and organizers of the household and the family. Extended families form the core of many social structures in both countries; sharing meals with the extended family, both at home and in restaurants, is a beloved tradition in both countries.
  
  

Business and Leadership Styles

• Many international business organizations have recognized there are similarities in how Greek and Spanish entities conduct business. These cultures generally display very hierarchical decision-making processes; loyalty to the company and to the bosses is typically strong; and individual initiative is less highly regarded than in the United States, for example. This style is in part attributed to both countries' recent political histories--both had long-standing monarchies, then endured harsh dictatorships. Iin both cases, oligarchical-style leaderships placed high premiums on loyalty.
  
  

Religion

• Religion plays a prominent role in both Greek and Spanish cultures. Despite differences in early religious beliefs and observations, each country has now coalesced around a patriarchal monotheistic religion--Greek Orthodoxy in Greece and Catholicism in Spain. Religious holidays such as Christmas, Easter and Saints' (or name) days are virtually the most important holidays observed in both countries. Observances include participation in traditional church or temple services, large feasts and sometimes the exchange of gifts and extended family gatherings.