Member-only story
Even the Lottery in Spain is About Community
Success is a group activity
As an American, I grew up learning that gambling was selfish, wasteful, risky, and just plain wrong.
It wasn’t even up for debate in my house. I was told by my parents, teachers, and others that gamblers were degenerates who didn’t belong in a civilized society.
But I guess nobody told Spain that.
Because the annual Spanish Christmas lottery, aka El Gordo (“the fat one”), is not only one of Spain’s oldest and most cherished traditions (the lottery was originally started in 1812 to raise money to fight Napoleon!), but the day of the drawing (December 22nd) is one of the most watched events in Spain and considered the start of the holiday season as millions of Spaniards gather with family, friends, and neighbors in hopes of winning the big prize.
As a team.
Because it turns out that community is such a fundamental part of Spanish life that Spaniards can’t even gamble without involving their friends and family.
And this deep, almost primal sense of community might be the secret to understanding why life in Spain is so different from anything I’ve ever experienced anywhere else in the world.
