Spanish Culture El Gente reading in English

Work and Rest

Who Works? In Spain, a smaller percentage of the population works compared to other European countries: 63% of people aged 16 to 64 (compared to 73% in Sweden). (2018)

The percentages of the active workforce are similar to those of other European countries. 9% work in agriculture, 31% in industry, and 60% in services.

In Latin America, the figures vary significantly from one country to another, but agriculture still has high employment percentages, and services have not reached high numbers.

In Spain, and especially in Latin America, the informal economy (undeclared work, spontaneous street vending) represents a large percentage. It’s said that in Spain, it reaches up to 15-20% of the GDP (gross domestic product).

The inclusion of women in the workforce outside the home has been very significant. Just 30 years ago, women’s participation in civil or professional life in Spain or Latin America was very low.

Although with some limitations, in Spain, the State provides citizens with free education and, through Social Security, protection against misfortunes such as accidents, illness, or unemployment. It also guarantees pensions for the elderly and four weeks of paid vacation per year.

Unemployment Spain has very high unemployment rates, which is one of the country's most serious problems. Though improving, it still reaches 16% of the active population, meaning more than two and a half million people. Additionally, the contractual situation is worrying. Weekly or monthly contracts (called "junk contracts") create a situation of great job insecurity.

In Latin America, the situation is even worse: unemployment is higher, contracts are more precarious, and unemployment benefits are less widespread. Additionally, child labor in sometimes poor conditions is widespread.

Working Hours Although Spanish and Latin American schedules are changing, people still stay up late and do not get up very early. In Spain, people stay up later than in the rest of Europe.

Generally, the Spanish workday is divided in two by lunch. People work from eight or nine in the morning until one or two in the afternoon, and from three or four until six or seven in the evening.

Shops close at one-thirty. Banks, public offices, and private companies with continuous hours, without a lunch break and no afternoon hours, remain open. In some places, flexible hours have been established. Schools are also increasingly adopting continuous schedules.

Vacation Spanish workers have one month of paid vacation, usually in August. They spend it in second homes, rented apartments, hotels, or campsites. Some still have roots in their hometowns and spend the summer there with family.

Family Life

In the Family Spanish and Latin American families are quite close-knit. It’s not uncommon for parents, especially if widowed, to continue living with their children and grandchildren.

Families (parents, siblings, in-laws, uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews) gather on many occasions: parties, meals or Sunday afternoons, birthdays, saints’ days, baptisms, Christmas, communions, weddings, and funerals.

Sundays Sundays are dedicated to family life. Sunday is also the day when Catholics go to mass. Everyone dresses nicely ("endomingados" was the term used years ago), especially children. Then, people go for a walk, have an aperitif, buy sweets for dessert, and enjoy a family meal.

The Spanish Family

Children In Spain, it's said that children are the "prince" or "princess" of the house, and they are indeed very spoiled. Families make an effort to keep them well-dressed and satisfy their desires.

Society has changed, and young people are more liberal than their parents.

Many aspects of family life (especially between men and women) have changed in recent years.

Under Franco (1936-1975):

• The father was authoritarian and the "king" of the house. This authoritarian father figure is now nearly extinct.

• Women only worked at home, cleaning and caring for children.

• Divorce was illegal.

• Women needed “marital permission” to work, spend money, and sometimes even to travel.

• Families always cared for their elderly (their parents) at home.

Today:

• Family unity remains very important.

• Divorces, while not very common, are legal.

• Especially in rural areas, the man is often still the “king” of the house, and children are pampered.

• Young people (often the boys) do not need to do household chores (cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc.).

• Many young people live at home with their parents until they get married (sometimes much later in life).

• The elderly are highly respected, and it’s common for three generations to live together or nearby.

• Many elderly people also live in retirement homes today.

More customs have changed in urban areas than in rural areas, where it is more traditional.

"Pijos" (Preppy/Posh Youth) In Spain, “pijos” are obsessed with branded clothing and expensive items. But earning that money isn’t easy; there is high unemployment. Because of this, young people don’t move out to live on their own. They hang out at bars, listen to music, drink, and dance. Neither sports nor reading are usually priorities. Studies are important as a way to obtain a degree and find a well-paying job for a quick professional career.

A typical "pijo" description:
"I’m 29 years old, but I still live with my parents. I get along very well with my family; my dad is a cool guy. I feel very comfortable at home, and I don’t have any expenses. I go out with my friends, have a blast, and, of course, I come back whenever I want. My friends think I overdo it a bit because my mom takes care of everything (she cooks for me, irons my clothes...), but I know when to tone it down, and I don’t think I’m taking advantage of my parents." --a Spanish "pijo"

Education

A Constitutional Right In Spain, education is mandatory and free from ages six to sixteen. Higher education is not free. The baccalaureate is necessary to enter university. Professional training prepares young people for the workforce.

In School Most Spanish students attend fully free public schools. Private education, mostly state-subsidized, remains significant. In the Hispanic world, prestigious religious schools, mostly Catholic, and foreign bilingual schools hold high social status.

Primary schools are taught by teachers, while secondary schools are taught by professors with university degrees.

In some places, the school day is split into two, from nine in the morning to one in the afternoon and from three to five. However, continuous schedules from eight-thirty to three with two recesses are becoming common.

University Today, Spain has more than 60 universities, most of them public, with over a million students.

In Spain, those wishing to attend university must pass entrance exams. The overproduction of university graduates has created high unemployment among degree holders.

The Spanish Education System

Illiteracy Illiteracy remains an issue but is improving. In Spain, it exists mainly among older people and in certain regions. In Latin America, the situation varies. In many countries, like Uruguay, Costa Rica, Cuba, and Argentina, illiteracy rates are under 10%, while in others, such as Guatemala, Honduras, and Bolivia, it is around 50%.

Having Fun!

Weekends The popularization of the car, an effect of Spain’s economic development, has changed customs. Many families leave the big cities on Friday afternoons to spend weekends at their second homes.

On Friday and Saturday nights, those who stay fill the streets, discos, cinemas, and restaurants. Young people don’t sleep; they spend the night going from place to place until dawn. Saturdays are for resting and shopping (and in some cases, shopping on Sundays at large department stores), while Sundays are for family life.

Tertulias A "tertulia" is a group of people who meet in cafés to discuss ideas, events, art, and politics. Nowadays, it’s also common to hear "tertulias" on the radio. 

Extra

On weekends and during vacations, many people enjoy leaving the city and going to their second homes.

On Friday and Saturday nights, many people are everywhere—in the streets, movie theaters, restaurants, cafes, clubs, bars, and discos. Spaniards enjoy staying up late. Young people typically go out partying until the early morning.

Saturday during the day is a time for relaxing and shopping.

People spend a lot of time outside the house (in cafes, plazas, restaurants, etc...).

Spaniards enjoy chatting with family and/or friends after a meal—this is called "sobremesa."

People love games of chance—lotteries and betting. Spaniards are very fond of gambling. Every week they bet billions of euros (formerly pesetas) on lotteries and football games.

In addition to the numerous lottery types, there are around 20 casinos in Spain to satisfy the national passion for gambling. Slot machines are the most common way to play, making up 40 percent of the total amount spent on games.

It’s very popular to watch a movie on TV or video, just like going to the cinema.

Sports

The most popular sport in Spain is soccer.

With the popularization of television, other sports have also become more popular (tennis, cycling, basketball, baseball, volleyball, etc...).

For young people, participating in a sport requires joining a club. There aren’t school-based activities like at GHS. Some large schools have sports, but typically young people need to be club members.

Bullfighting

According to many Spaniards, “It’s more an art form than a sport.” There are three "acts," like in a play