Should Spain adjust its work schedule?
Spain Work Schedules
If you have ever been lucky enough to be on the coast of Spain in the summer, you undoubtedly understand why dinner is at 10 or 11pm. With the sun setting around 9:30pm, there is just so much day light to do things…whether it is taking a nap, eating tapas, sunbathing or just hanging out with your friends. You would also realize that their schedule/timetable/”horario” is a bit different than most countries and pretty much revolves around eating.
Work can start around 8 or 9am but if you are waiting for a supermarket to open early, good luck. “Early” for most is 9:15. Then, most workers have “almuerzo” around 10 or 11. This almuerzo is usually a “bocadillo” (sandwich). Back to work they go (helpful advice: don’t go to government offices around 10-11:30am as most workers are having their break and will not wait on you). Then soon enough it is 1:30 or 2 and it is eating time again. Workers who live nearby often go home where they eat and sometimes take a siesta. Soon enough it is 4 or 5 and they must return to work (civil servants usually stop working at 3 and banks close at 2:30 so good luck getting anything done if you are busy in the morning). Workers then work until 7 or 8pm depending on their job.
Spaniards days are long. And some are asking that the Spanish government change the clocks. Will it happen? Check out the New York Times’ article on the topic.
Spain, Land of 10 P.M. Dinners, Asks if It’s Time to Reset Clock