Sleepless Spaniards?

To think that in today’s time and day, there are countries which actually have an indulgence of an afternoon siesta? In India, maybe there are smaller towns and villages where business is shut for 2-3 hours in the afternoon but that is fast fading. We are looking at even our share of holidays cut; forget getting the luxury of an afternoon siesta!

But things might change fundamentally in Spain, which enjoys a good 2-3 hours siesta time. The Spanish Govt there wants to do away with this tradition – it might not affect many in the cities but in villages, it is sure to change things on a social, family and working life. Children in school start early, break from around 1.30pm till 3pm and then go back until 5pm.

Multinationals have tended to impose a standard 9-5 working day, but the majority of Spaniards still work a long day split into two parts: from 8 or 9 until 2pm, and from 4.30 to 8pm. The proposal is now mooted to end the working day at 6pm.

Well, there has been enough research to show that a mid-day nap of 20-40 minutes does wonders to the mind and body. Most of us do not have this luxury, which is probably when we read this news of Spanish govt doing away with the afternoon siesta, there is a sense of indignation and out comes our vehement support for a day full of work!