Barcelona: Cultural Differences- Siestas & Tapas

Over the course of my six weeks in Barcelona, Spain, I have had a great opportunity to immerse myself in the Spanish culture. Living in a part of Barcelona that is home to many locals, there are a few things you learn quickly. Many people in the area speak little to no English, which can sometimes make regular transactions more difficult. In addition, many locals highly value two things during the day: Siestas & Tapas.

Siesta, which translates to English as “nap” is a 3 hour period of the day (usually between 2-5pm) where many smaller business owners in less touristy areas close their shops. In this period of time they relax, eat lunch, and take a nap (hence the name siesta). After, they re-open their shops and conduct business till the late evening. This can make regular errands tough, as many stores are closed during these daily breaks.

Another cultural difference from the United States is Tapas in Spain. Tapas are basically many different small appetizers that are eaten with a group of people at local restaurants with drinks. This is usually either considered dinner or the meal before dinner, depending on the night. The interesting thing is that Spaniards eat tapas/dinner very late at night, usually around 9-10pm. In addition, the meal usually lasts about 2 hours and is often eaten outside, regardless of the temperature. Tapas are a great way to quickly adjust to the Spanish culture and learn about a tradition that is so highly regarded in Barcelona and the rest of Spain!

Pinchos: A type of Tapas that you eat with your hands. They consist of different meats/vegetables on a piece of bread.