The routine of Spanish working life varies depending upon where you live in Spain. Certainly, what happens in the big cities such as Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia is quite different from that in provincial towns and villages. The siesta, for example, whilst hardly apparent in the major cities tends to be de rigueur elsewhere. This is particularly true of Mediterranean areas.
Siesta has a profound effect upon working life in Spain and will influence your working day irrespective of what you do. Siesta lasts all year and is roughly between 14.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs daily. It is a time during which no work is undertaken with shops and offices closing and many Spanish workers returning home to their families. The major meal of the day will be consumed at this time and a rest of some kind taken.
The impact of siesta upon Spanish life is considerable as it significantly lengthens the working day. Indeed, depending upon local custom, you may find that the working day in your area is as follows:
· 08.00 Work starts. Bars/cafes open.
· 09.30 Breakfast.
· 10.00 Work recommences. Shops open.
· 14.00 Siesta starts. The bars and restaurants remain open
· 16.30 Siesta ends. Work starts again. Shops reopen.
· 20.00 Work finishes. Shops close.
· 24.00 Bars/cafes close
There will be variations on the above but it provides a reasonable picture of daily working life and the long working day of the Spanish. Of course, it may also become your ‘long working day’ as well! So, appreciate that the timings you may be used to in the UK could be very different - despite any desire or efforts to the contrary. Certainly, few people who end up running Spanish bars and cafes fully recognise the devastating working hours that exist within their industry.1
Siesta has a profound effect upon working life in Spain and will influence your working day irrespective of what you do. Siesta lasts all year and is roughly between 14.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs daily. It is a time during which no work is undertaken with shops and offices closing and many Spanish workers returning home to their families. The major meal of the day will be consumed at this time and a rest of some kind taken.
The impact of siesta upon Spanish life is considerable as it significantly lengthens the working day. Indeed, depending upon local custom, you may find that the working day in your area is as follows:
· 08.00 Work starts. Bars/cafes open.
· 09.30 Breakfast.
· 10.00 Work recommences. Shops open.
· 14.00 Siesta starts. The bars and restaurants remain open
· 16.30 Siesta ends. Work starts again. Shops reopen.
· 20.00 Work finishes. Shops close.
· 24.00 Bars/cafes close
There will be variations on the above but it provides a reasonable picture of daily working life and the long working day of the Spanish. Of course, it may also become your ‘long working day’ as well! So, appreciate that the timings you may be used to in the UK could be very different - despite any desire or efforts to the contrary. Certainly, few people who end up running Spanish bars and cafes fully recognise the devastating working hours that exist within their industry.1
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