This week I am going to explore a cultural difference that may be overlooked by many but which I think shows a lot about hospitality - doormen in NYC and porteros in Spain.
The doormen in residential buildings here in New York City can be quite emblematic; sometimes a wearing a full on suit with a golden rimmed hat and take much care in their appearance. In Spain however, the porteros wear casual clothing or royal blue, plumber looking one-pieced suit and hardly pay attention to their grooming style.
Manners are not supposed to part of a portero's work. He usually lives on the ground floor with his kids running around the lobby, smoking cigarettes as his wife prepares his 3 hour lunch. And he NEVER opens the door for you. He is more of just a live-in "take care of everything" person, yet whenever you need him he is no where to be found.
In New York, doormen are respectful and will open the door for you most of the time, especially if you live in a nice neighborhood. They do not show the whole building their living quarters and are there to maintain some kind of sense of security for the inhabitants.
For the Spanish speakers out there check out this funny link: http://sosungroso.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!D46DA81CD9A4801!431.entry
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