lundi 18 août 2014

Spanish traditions

Religion 

Certainly, according to recent polls, 73% (94% officially) Spaniards recognize Catholic, which leaves little room for others. But this figure hides a marked decline in church attendance, especially during Sunday Mass, especially among young people. 22% of Spaniards say agnostics or atheists. Declare themselves Catholic does not mean to have faith, but rather be a Catholic culture.
Baptism, communion, the church wedding make essential social events in the lives of Spaniards. Their function is rather to spread prosperity and impress his family and neighbors that demonstrate his faith.
In fact, religion is often the best excuse to party.

And non-Catholics in all this? Well, expect a little less than 1 million Muslims throughout the country, mostly from immigration, although grows an island of new converts in Granada. The few Protestants and Mormons (about 310,000) are also half of immigrants from Northern Europe. Jews are about 50 000 As to the sects, they appear somewhat established, and often linked to far-right movements.


Habits

- At the restaurant, the service is included, but not the possible tip. Certainly, it is not mandatory, but it is polite to leave something (up to 10% of the bill).
- It is a ritual found in the Iberian peninsula, the paseo (literally walk). Around 19h-20h before dinner, the Spaniards used to wander the streets of the city, along the promenades of the seaside for example, with family or friends. Elegance is in order. This is a very good time, often punctuated reunions. We ended up sitting on a bench to watch others pass ... A show not to be missed.


Los fiestas ( parties )

Any excuse will do to Spain to organize a party. Of course, all saints spend but also snails, donkeys, crops, bulls! There were over 25,000 holidays a year, or a party every 20 minutes!
The origin of these festivals is primarily religious. Early Christianity recovered all pagan festivals to be accepted and, unlike the Protestantism of northern Europe, remained attached to all the celebrations and all the old rites.
Ironically, the millstone Franco lifted once had no effect on the festive fervor. The Spaniards say themselves: beyond religion, it is their identity they celebrate.
 


Nightlife

The Spanish nightlife is certainly, it must be said, one of the most developed in Europe, if not the world. After 23h, at the exit of the restaurants, the street belongs to the night owls that rotate from bar to bar and from box to box - that thrive in the most vibrant neighborhoods.
 

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