Gecko Towers
It’s important to impart a few key, though intentionally light hearted, tips that will make your transition to your new life in Marbella all the more enjoyable. The aim is to reduce any potential culture shock. The results are not guaranteed!
Today’s topic is the “Puente” Holiday.
It’s true that in many ways Spain, though a lot is remaining reliably Spanish, much is changing.
In the many years I’ve know the Costa del Sol, the diversity of celebrations, such as at Christmas, has evolved to embrace many more of the customs and traditions of the people who now call Marbella home wherever they may have originally hailed from.
My abiding hope is that European standardization, forget the Euro and Brexit, I am talking cultural diversity, doesn’t produce a “cookie cutter” sameness across all the countries of Europe. The “It’s Tuesday it must be Belgium” style of whistle stop tourism is perfectly suited to the one size fits all cultural imperialism of those who really want their burgers to taste the same in Sauchiehall Street or Promenade des Anglais.
No, my aim is to celebrate the core differences between the Spaniard, the Brit, the Belgian and the Dane. Geographic – as opposed to political – Europe, a very “broad church” with many “official languages” and that doesn’t include the wide variety of linguistic mixes from within Spain – for example. With the banning of Bullfighting in Catalunya, the perennial “’elf and safety” concerns over the “San Fermin Festival” (Bull Running) in Pamplona and attempts to address the “Puente” holiday, is the essence of Spain really being whittled away?
So what is the “Puente”? The linguistics amongst you will recognize the word to mean “Bridge” and that is what it means in context. In relation to workers rights, the Puente has an added significance.
Let me explain. If a Public Holiday, and there are several, falls, on a weekend, Tuesday or a Thursday then the custom has always been that the earlier or following Monday or the following Friday should be locked into the actual day off as an additional holiday day linking to the weekend. The expression being easily understood as the day in question makes ’a Bridge‘ from or to the weekend.
The next effect of these holidays is closed shops so shop early to stock your larder!
For me there is simply no insult in the expression “Working to Live”. My feeling is that our Spanish neighbours have probably got the balance about right. Sufficiently “wage slave” to keep the bank happy and sufficiently chilled to feed the Soul.
Historically, the regularity with which Puente holidays appeared was a little irritating. So in recent years attempts have been made to limit these holiday days as clearly there was a significant loss of working days as a result of this practice. This even necessitated legislation under the Rajoy Government that in 2012 sought to call time on this national pastime by ensuring that all public holidays fell on Monday or Friday. The backlash from many quarters including the Catholic Church was audible!
Puente Holidays will no doubt continue, so when you arrive outside a favourite store to find it firmly closed you may well have your answer.
Should you be interested in discussing the Legal process involved in buying a property in Marbella, we would be delighted to assist you. Our team of bi-lingual, highly experienced and wholly independent team of Abogados are ready to help you.
Please call me, Mark FR Wilkins, during usual business hours on +34 600 343 917.
Please note that our posts are for general interest. They are no substitute for proper legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances as provided by a qualified Abogado who is experienced in the application of the Spanish Law.
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