Well as we all know, the Spanish are not exactly - or shall we say in the least - the most punctual of people. Even people here ask one another "are we talking about real time or Spanish time", when they arrange meetings or gatherings etc. They know they are off the mark when it comes to timing.
So I thought I would share what "Spanish time" is.
The Spanish are often late so they have a reputation for not being punctual. For example, if volleyball starts at 3pm most people only arrive at around 5pm. There are only about 2 or 3 people at 3pm. If you arrive on time you will have to set up the nets and then wait for enough players to arrive in order to play the game!
Another thing is bed times! These people go to bed so late. It is not unusual for them to have dinner at 11pm or 12 at night. They go to bed anywhere from between midnight to 5am. On weekends sometimes people only come home from nightlife activities at 9am!! In the week, they start work at 9 or 10am and work until 2pm. Then there is a siesta until 4 pm. They return to work from 4 to 8 pm. It is a very strange schedule to understand but once you get into it, it becomes a habit. I also currently get to bed around the 2am mark most nights.
My American flatmate often comes home at 5am - and then cooks for an hour. He then watches movies until 7 or 8 am and goes to sleep from 8 to 4pm. This is his pattern for every day of the week. So upside down! The whole schedule is turned on its head here because the people believe they must have nightlife. Nightlife is so important to them. They can easily waste daylight hours but night cannot be forfeited as nightlife is imperative !!! What would Spain be without its famous nightlife?
So I thought I would share what "Spanish time" is.
The Spanish are often late so they have a reputation for not being punctual. For example, if volleyball starts at 3pm most people only arrive at around 5pm. There are only about 2 or 3 people at 3pm. If you arrive on time you will have to set up the nets and then wait for enough players to arrive in order to play the game!
Another thing is bed times! These people go to bed so late. It is not unusual for them to have dinner at 11pm or 12 at night. They go to bed anywhere from between midnight to 5am. On weekends sometimes people only come home from nightlife activities at 9am!! In the week, they start work at 9 or 10am and work until 2pm. Then there is a siesta until 4 pm. They return to work from 4 to 8 pm. It is a very strange schedule to understand but once you get into it, it becomes a habit. I also currently get to bed around the 2am mark most nights.
My American flatmate often comes home at 5am - and then cooks for an hour. He then watches movies until 7 or 8 am and goes to sleep from 8 to 4pm. This is his pattern for every day of the week. So upside down! The whole schedule is turned on its head here because the people believe they must have nightlife. Nightlife is so important to them. They can easily waste daylight hours but night cannot be forfeited as nightlife is imperative !!! What would Spain be without its famous nightlife?
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