I’d like to clarify a bit about what this blog is supposed to be. I want to reflect on my life in Spain in 2005 by posting the blogs I had written at that time, as well as how my opinions, views, and experiences have changed since my return in 2007. Furthermore, this blog is Spain through my eyes, then and now. As soon as my previous blogs from 2005 are posted here, I will continue to write about my everyday experiences as I live them, and try to include my adventures from the past three years along the way. I regret not starting this project three years ago when I arrived, and because of that this blog will be a bit all over the place. I don’t feel the need for this blog to keep a continual timeline. Most of the events haven’t got the need to be in chronological order. They are separate experiences at different moments throughout my time here in Spain, that will be joined together by the fact that they are collectively my life, whether it be my past life in Sevilla, or my current life in Granada.
And with that said, here I share another post from 2005 written about work weeks in Spain. Unlike my previous posts, I’ve added an updated entry expanding on the idea. I hope you enjoy!
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
 | Tabajando en España? NOOO Well now, I just can’t quiet understand why at all hours of the day there are people in bars, sitting out at cafés, eating tapas and just moseying along... don’t people work in this country!? I'm not just talking about in the afternoons after siesta (which is going to be a whole other blog!) but when I walk back from class at 11 am there are men, and some women, at tapas bars, cervecerías, and cafés having coffee, sometimes... but CERVEZA A LAS ONCE DE LA MAÑANA!! ¡QUE LOCO! Sounds like a great way to start off the day to me.. go to work for what, an hour? Stop at a bar with some friends and get a little tipsy... maybe work some more till about 2 and go home for la comida and SLEEP until 5 or 6!! Spaniards really do have it figured out, what a life! And everyone seems to always be taking a holiday; the US needs to adopt some of these policies in my opinion. Current mood: curious However, it is kind of annoying to be rushing to class and get stuck behind some slow pokes taking up the entire side walk. I would pass them in the street, but I FEAR for my life around here! Cars don’t stop for pedestrians; neither do the mopeds and vespas! If I die in Spain it will be because I was hit by a car, no joke. just a few things I guess I have to adjust too... |
Ok, so back in 2005 I didn’t seem to appreciate the relaxed atmosphere which is Spain. It is true though, that at all hours of the day bars and cafés are packed with patrons. One great example of this relaxed work mentality is the funcionarios, they are “civil workers”, which in the US we don’t really have. They work in schools, town halls, public offices like the post office and social security office; they are doctors, police and firemen, judges, university professors, and basically anyone who works for public administration offices. Their work day begins at 9 AM, but at 10 or half past 10 they leave their desks, and the waiting clients, to go have breakfast and a smoke at a nearby bar. They return to work until 2 or perhaps 3 in the afternoon, and generally they don’t work after lunch (except for police and firemen, but most other public offices are usually closed in the afternoons). I should clarify, a civil worker is someone who has a job for life, like tenure, a guaranteed salary and pay raises, guaranteed holidays, pension plans, etc. As the Spanish say, “Los funcionarios solo podrían ser despedidos si asesinan a alguien, y aún asi no es seguro tampoco,” which means they can’t be fired unless they kill someone, and even then it’s possible they keep their job. I know firsthand how frustrating it is being one of those waiting clients. To apply for my Spanish Identity card, I had to go to the Oficina de Extranjeria, the foreigners’ office. I knew the name of the person I was to meet with and I arrived at 10 and asked to see him. The secretary politely told me he was out having breakfast, and to take a seat, he would be back shortly. At half past 11 I was finally summoned to see Don Juan Manuel. I gave him the paperwork for my ID card, and within 20 minutes I was out of the office. As an American it’s a little hard to understand how public offices can work this way, a way which to us seems inefficient and slow. But think about it, if we all had the opportunity to bag a job for life and guaranteed salaries we’d all be on top of it! We would take advantage of that and also have an unhurried breakfast with colleagues and friends. I wouldn’t mind having such a laid-back work environment, taking breaks throughout the morning and only working until 3 everyday to have the afternoons invested in hobbies, or meeting friends. This uncomplicated and unrushed mentality then translates into their everyday lives. They are never in a rush. If they arrive 10 or 15 minutes late it’s not considered rude. They walk slowly on the streets enjoying the company of friends and family. At restaurants they take the time to talk with the people around them, enjoy the meal, have a few drinks and aren’t rushed to pay the bill and give the table up to the next paying customers. They sit down to have their morning coffee, you’ll never see a Spaniard with a Dunkin Donuts to go cup on their way to work or class. It’s stress-free, relaxing… It’s quite nice actually, unless you’re an American used to the hustle and bustle and kept waiting in one of those public offices … but still, maybe the Spaniards are on to something here… | |
