As a Belgian in the US, I had a bakery and imported that vacation mentality: three times a year we closed for 2 1/2 weeks. My customers at first were really bothered but I slowly convinced them that it was a need. Since then, numerous businesses in my town take regular time off. Since it’s expected, it doesn’t hurt our businesses, just makes people be happy when we return!
Love this, it speaks to how deep rooted this way of living was for you that you continued to prioritize it despite being in a culture with such a different mindset! And so cool that other businesses have followed suit! 🙌
I love the observation that almost everyone takes off so there's no "vacation envy" - I was having this exact conversation with my dentist yesterday about what we're doing for August, it's true how deep rooted the tradition is and how much it of a topic it becomes leading up to the end of July.
“The rampant Spanish belief that A/C makes you sick.”
Your article made my day. Because it creates an almost nostalgic, longing vibe for such a different lifestyle from what most of us experience here in America.
But also because it reminded me of my mom, a Polish war refugee who made her way to that same America many years ago in search of a free and better life.
Your comment also made my day, thank you for sharing! ☺️ I’ve wondered if the A/C belief is a European thing, it seems it stretches beyond Spain. Funny because as Americans I feel like we live with A/C on, and no one I know is getting sick from it 😅
You are very welcome. My cousins in UK, a few of whom have visited us here in US, also share the same belief. So yes, certainly stretches beyond Spain. Go figure...
Great questions! In Sevilla it’s about 50/50, half of the local business close down for the full month and the other half just close for 2-3 weeks, I assume for economic reasons. The unfortunate part is they’ll be hit financially anyway. Yesterday afternoon I was at a local clothing shop by my house and they said I was the second customer of the day!
Regarding PTO, it’s paid! Spain has fantastic PTO with a legal minimum of 22 days and an average of 25-30 (that’s not including the ~14 holidays, so it ends up being 36 annual minimum.)
And then with corporate companies in general it’s not trouble for them because since the summer time-off culture is so present, business is slower. And because business is slower, more people can be off 😅 Actually a lot of companies require that their employees take at least 2 weeks off in July or August for this reason. That being said in my experience they stagger vacations between July and August so there’s at least a few people per team in the office.
I’ve been thinking about what it would mean to have a little cottage on the coast for this purpose. The continuity of a family vacation home, the ease of knowing where to go and what is there, and a little income possibility on the side. It’s not realistic yet, and with changing rental laws it may never come to fruition, but it’s been on my mind as we make trips to the coast and hope to integrate more fully.
I have lives in Paris for almost 10 years and experience the same beautiful summer rhythms. It’s very apparent how this cultural rhythm is key to flourishing!
Wonderful post, thank you. I'm still somehow missing getting in the rhythm with booking a summer break after 3 years here and will be sweltering in Valencia all of August now like a rookie. Carmen, who runs my favourite vegetable stand, has just skipped off to the beach today for 4 weeks...major envy!
As a Belgian in the US, I had a bakery and imported that vacation mentality: three times a year we closed for 2 1/2 weeks. My customers at first were really bothered but I slowly convinced them that it was a need. Since then, numerous businesses in my town take regular time off. Since it’s expected, it doesn’t hurt our businesses, just makes people be happy when we return!
It’s one way I’m helping this culture change.🤩
Love this, it speaks to how deep rooted this way of living was for you that you continued to prioritize it despite being in a culture with such a different mindset! And so cool that other businesses have followed suit! 🙌
I love the observation that almost everyone takes off so there's no "vacation envy" - I was having this exact conversation with my dentist yesterday about what we're doing for August, it's true how deep rooted the tradition is and how much it of a topic it becomes leading up to the end of July.
I was also at the dentist on Tuesday and we had the exact same convo 😂
Brian - this point hit me really hard as well. A good example of how the culture can positively shape our lived experiences, versus pull us down.
“The rampant Spanish belief that A/C makes you sick.”
Your article made my day. Because it creates an almost nostalgic, longing vibe for such a different lifestyle from what most of us experience here in America.
But also because it reminded me of my mom, a Polish war refugee who made her way to that same America many years ago in search of a free and better life.
And who also believed that A/C makes you sick.
Thank you.
Your comment also made my day, thank you for sharing! ☺️ I’ve wondered if the A/C belief is a European thing, it seems it stretches beyond Spain. Funny because as Americans I feel like we live with A/C on, and no one I know is getting sick from it 😅
You are very welcome. My cousins in UK, a few of whom have visited us here in US, also share the same belief. So yes, certainly stretches beyond Spain. Go figure...
Super interesting...
I'm curious to know more about how they think about and handle the money side.
You mentioned business owners sort-of accept the pros/cons. Do some try to push through the summer to "get ahead", or is that socially repugnant?
Do regular workers continue to get a salary during the summer? And/or is it part of their time off?
And do companies have trouble when everyone wants to leave during the same time that they essentially have to shut down?
Just curious about all the above!
Great questions! In Sevilla it’s about 50/50, half of the local business close down for the full month and the other half just close for 2-3 weeks, I assume for economic reasons. The unfortunate part is they’ll be hit financially anyway. Yesterday afternoon I was at a local clothing shop by my house and they said I was the second customer of the day!
Regarding PTO, it’s paid! Spain has fantastic PTO with a legal minimum of 22 days and an average of 25-30 (that’s not including the ~14 holidays, so it ends up being 36 annual minimum.)
And then with corporate companies in general it’s not trouble for them because since the summer time-off culture is so present, business is slower. And because business is slower, more people can be off 😅 Actually a lot of companies require that their employees take at least 2 weeks off in July or August for this reason. That being said in my experience they stagger vacations between July and August so there’s at least a few people per team in the office.
Super helpful, thanks for the detailed responses.
Sounds like the perfect mixture of culture working together with laws to embed these practices.
I’ve been thinking about what it would mean to have a little cottage on the coast for this purpose. The continuity of a family vacation home, the ease of knowing where to go and what is there, and a little income possibility on the side. It’s not realistic yet, and with changing rental laws it may never come to fruition, but it’s been on my mind as we make trips to the coast and hope to integrate more fully.
That would absolutely be the long term dream for me too, having my own place on the coast. Hope we can make it happen 😉
Me, too!!!
I have lives in Paris for almost 10 years and experience the same beautiful summer rhythms. It’s very apparent how this cultural rhythm is key to flourishing!
That’s so cool 😎
Wonderful post, thank you. I'm still somehow missing getting in the rhythm with booking a summer break after 3 years here and will be sweltering in Valencia all of August now like a rookie. Carmen, who runs my favourite vegetable stand, has just skipped off to the beach today for 4 weeks...major envy!
Fun read, thank you.