A Latina residing in Spain recently gained viral attention after revealing in a video her astonishment at discovering that in Spain, it is not uncommon for a doctor to be in a relationship with a domestic worker—something she described as "unthinkable" in her native Colombia.
In a clip shared by user @lau.vargas64 on TikTok, the young woman recounted a story about a visit to Colombian friends in Granada. "We arrived at a stunning villa. The gentleman was a doctor, and when he introduced me to his wife, he mentioned that she worked cleaning other villas. I was stunned. You don't see that in my country," she explained.
Vargas expressed that this experience prompted her to reflect on the cultural differences between Spain and Latin America. "Here, people connect regardless of social class or occupation. While it might happen in Colombia, it's not common at all. Over there, it's heavily frowned upon," she said in her video, which has already amassed nearly half a million views.
Reactions poured in swiftly. Thousands of Spanish and Latin American users commented on the video, sparking a heated debate about classism and social disparities. "In Spain, we don't marry for money; we marry for love," wrote one user, receiving over a thousand likes. Another shared, "My husband is a Doctor of Law, and I met him while cleaning his house; we've been together for 25 years."
Some commenters offered a nuanced perspective on her observations. "Classism does exist in Spain, but not to the extent seen in South America," a user remarked. Others pointed out, "The King of Spain married a divorced journalist, and that says it all." Several Latin Americans admitted that classism remains deeply rooted in their countries: "The poorer the country, the more classist it is," one user noted.
In response to the overwhelming feedback, Lau Vargas clarified that her intention was neither to offend nor to generalize but to share her perspective as an immigrant. "In Spain, I realized that people mix more, and I found that very beautiful. In my country, if a doctor falls in love with someone who cleans houses, it would be a scandal. Here, it's normal, and that really amazed me," she concluded.
Understanding Social Dynamics in Spain and Colombia
Why was the Latina resident in Spain surprised by couples' dynamics?
She was surprised because, in Spain, it is not unusual for people from different social classes to be in relationships, which is rare and frowned upon in her native Colombia.
How did the video shared by Lau Vargas impact viewers?
The video sparked a significant debate about classism and social differences, with many users from Spain and Latin America engaging in the discussion.
What cultural difference did Lau Vargas notice between Spain and Colombia?
Lau Vargas noticed that in Spain, people tend to form relationships without regard to social class, whereas in Colombia, such relationships are uncommon and often judged harshly.