Business in Spain is in many ways different from the United States, but it is similar in many ways. It was interesting to visit Freixenet, a sparkling cava company. We were able to go down into the cellars where they ferment and store their wines. They also hold them for a process where they remove the sedimentation. While we were down there it was interesting to note that safety is not the main concern. The damp basement is necessary for the proper storage of the products, but it was a breeding ground for mold. At one point someone leaned against the wall and realized that they were covered in mold when they came off of it. When we asked the tour guide about the safety precautions employees would typically need to take when operating in the moldy areas they did not quite understand the question, but let us know that they wear their masks because of COVID-19. In the United States, these conditions would be monitored and employees would be required to wear much more safety gear. It was an experience that I will remember and talk with me when thinking about how various countries do business.
