The best way to describe the differences between how the aspect of time is viewed in Spain vs. the US is with one word — opposites. Think of your routines, activities, etc. which involve time and flip them onto their backside.
Examples:
In the Workplace (US / Spain)
- Start of the Day (fixed time / whenever you have a chance)
- End of the Day (fixed time / whenever you get a chance)
In Everyday Life (US / Spain)
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (when people wake-up, noon, six / what is breakfast?, three, ten)
- Parties (start at 10 and end at 3 / start at midnight and end at 7am)
These few example are obviously not going to be true for every person of each respective country; this is just what I have noticed as a general trend in my life and those close to me in both countries.
One thing to note, is that in general I have found Spaniards to be more relaxed with their time than Americans, as they tend to adopt an open schedule when Americans tend to adopt more of a regimented and planned out schedule. How do you personally spend your time? more like an American, or a Spaniard?
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A Spartan in Spain 