Crowded cervecerías

One of the most obvious aspects of Spanish culture that I have noticed is how late people of all ages stay out eating dinner on Thursday-Sunday nights. This doesn’t surprise me, but what does surprise me is how the young parents bring their children along with them and how dogs are common guests at the dinner table. Often times when I go out with my friends in Spain, I pass by cervecerías crowded with people. Here, I have noticed children kicking soccer balls, new born babies sitting along their parents in strollers, and dogs patiently waiting for spare crumbs to fall on the ground.

In the U.S, it is very uncommon to bring children out to dinner when young parents make plans to meet up with their friends. It is especially uncommon for children under the age of 5 to be allowed to stay awake past 8 pm. Typically you will find parents in the U.S calling a babysitter to watch the kids until they return. This makes me wonder if people in Spain do not rely on babysitters or if they have more tolerance for young children. In the U.S., a night out away from the kids is a stress reliever, but it does not seem like Spanish parents like to be away from their kids for very long. I am not sure if I agree or disagree with parents taking their kids to places like cevecerías late at night. On one hand, it gives them early exposure to seeing people drink which may make the idea of drinking less tempting, but on the other hand seeing it could make the children think that since their parents drink so casually, it is ok if they do the same at a young age.

What shocked me even more than the young children staying out late with their parents is the fact that pets are allowed at restaurants. In the U.S. , this is strictly prohibited. In fact, if you show up with your pet at a restaurant, even an outdoor restaurant, it is considered to be rude. This, I have noticed, is a very common practice in Spain. I like this idea personally because I do not think pets should be kept alone in a house all day by themselves. The pets are also extremely well behaved to the point where some of them do not even wear leashes. In the U.S. you will never see a pet owner walking their dog without a leash. Overall, the more I see these practices in the streets, the more used to it I get, and the more that I understand Spanish culture.