Spanish Culture 101: Why People Take Siestas?

When discussing Spanish culture, the siesta is a must. For Spaniards, taking a siesta is extremely significant. They have adapted it to their daily lives and have continued to do so for many years. Of course, when I say it like this, it can be understood as if only the Spanish people take a siesta, but this is not the case. One of the countries that maintains the siesta culture most widely is Spain.

The history of siestas goes back further than everyone thinks. Understanding its place in history is necessary to explain why this culture has become so popular.

The origin of siesta dates back to the Ancient Roman period. The word "siesta" derives from the Latin term "sexta hora" (sixth hour of the day). The Romans counted the hours from sunrise, and the sixth hour of the day (approximately between 12:00 and 14:00) corresponded to the hour when the temperature was highest. Therefore, it was common practice in Roman society to take breaks and rest during these hours.

This sleep phase, which is very common in countries with hot tropical climates, has been called different names around the world over the years. In Spain, it is known as siesta.

The reasons for the siesta tradition in Spain can be given as climatic conditions, long lunches, and social life lasting until late at night. In many regions of Spain, the temperature reaches 35–40 °C in summer. Traditionally, farmers and workers working outdoors prefer to rest rather than work during the hottest hours of the day. Spanish lunches are usually quite long and heavy. For this reason, it has become a common habit to rest the body by taking a short break after a meal. Also, in Spanish culture, dinners, and social events continue until late. Since people go to bed late at night, they want to recover their energy with a short sleep during the day.

So, how did siesta shape Spanish culture?

Siesta culture shaped working hours. Traditionally, in some small cities and villages, workplaces close for a few hours at noon. Moreover, it has an impact on tourism. Some tourists may encounter closed shops and restaurants at noon, and for people who are not used to this situation, this is often seen as a problem. It is a tradition that seems quite strange, especially for countries like Turkey that attach importance to the service sector.

Spanish people are generally slow workers. We can say that they don't have the same service speed and responsibility awareness as we do. It is known that they pay more attention to their pleasures and individual problems. Over the years, siesta has become more than just a break from work for Spanish people. For many Spanish, this is a sacred time to rest, rejuvenate, and spend time with their loved ones.

The siesta is an important part of the historical and cultural fabric of Spain. Although it is still practiced in some regions today, it is gradually decreasing due to modern lifestyles and economic dynamics.