Time to change: 76% in favor of transitioning to more typical European schedules

One of the most striking differences when moving to Catalonia from abroad, or even just visiting, is the radically different timetable by which people live their lives – late lunches, long working days, late dinners, and late-night parties too, at the weekend at least.

But, according to a study from the Catalan Consumer Agency released on Monday, the vast majority of Catalans think it is time for a change.

Some 76.2% of consumers in Catalonia are in favor of implementing more "rational and healthy" schedules in order to help improve the quality of life of the general population.

52% are in favor of implementing a commercial timetable of between 7am and 7.30pm. The current situation, which 70% say "could be changed" sees smaller shops typically stay open until 8 or 8.30pm, while shopping malls often don't shut until 10pm.

For cultural activities, the favored time for most survey respondents is between 6pm and 12.30am, with nightlife running until 2.30am.

The survey also found, however, that younger people are completely opposed to night clubs shutting at such an early hour!

Changing minds and habits

The Consumer Agency says that the results of the survey show that the Catalan population is broadly in favor of taking steps to move towards "timetable reform."

The biggest concerns are "how they can harmonize the schedules of all sectors and how to change the mindsets and habits of a country that does everything an hour later than the majority of European countries."

Business and Competitiveness secretary Albert Castellanos said the findings ought to push the administrations to act, as they have the most tools available to implement real change.

He also pointed out that "cultures are not static" and current habits "have little to do with those of our parents."

Earlier meal times

Overall, 68.8% of people say that they already have a healthy schedule, but, somewhat contradictorily, 69% say they are in favor or strongly in favor of shifting things two hours earlier, to bring lifestyles more in line with the daylight hours.

When it comes meal times, the vast majority, 73%, think that it would be better to have lunch at the earlier time of 1pm. Similarly, 78% would like dinner at 8pm. As any tourist who has tried booking a restaurant in Catalonia knows, locals tend to eat around 9pm or even later.

In terms of working hours, 73% say that a working day from 8am to 5pm would be better than one from 9am to 6pm.

Almost 43% would be in favor of a school day from 8am to 7pm, extracurricular activities included, and 79.2% favor an 8am to 5pm timetable for public bodies.

Podcast

The 'timetable reform' debate is a hot topic in Catalonia and one that has been around for a while. The government is in favor of making changes but actions have been thin on the ground. Listen to the podcast below from December 2020 to learn more.