If you haven't noticed by now that the world is in a huge economic crisis, then you either live in a cave or under a rock. Spain was hit pretty hard. They call it "La Crisis."
The unemployment rate here in Spain is the second worst in the European Union. The unemployment rate for young people is first worst in the European Union at 40 some percent.
On top of that, a few weeks ago Spain exported a bunch of cucumbers to Germany. Spain, Italy and Greece are the major exporters of vegitables and fruits in Europe. After Germany started eating some of these cucumbers, people started dying from E. coli. Germany publicly blamed Spain and soon everybody was refusing to buy and produce from Spain and they were dumping what was sent to their country.
Spain started testing their cucumber and other produce. There was nothing in them. No E. coli to be found. No other country in Europe had an outbreak of E. coli. People who weren't eating cucumbers in Germany were dying from E. coli.
Spain is suing Germany for blaming them. And this only added on to the crisis Spain is in. They lost thousands upon thousands, if not millions of euros in this.
So, why are the bars and cafes still full of people if no one has any money according to the news? Because its the Spanish way.
The Spanish people are a friendly, socializing sort of people. They'll give you two kisses on the cheek when you first meet them, when you say good bye, when you meet them again (provided you have Spanish people to greet). It is their custom to eat breakfast at a cafe with friends, every day.
Food in Spain is a huge deal. Its why they siesta. That break in the afternoon, its not for napping. Its so families can reunite and have a nice long two hour lunch before returning to work. Its like dinner for some families in the United States - those who actually eat it together.
I don't think, no matter how bad the situation ever gets here, that you'll ever see the Spanish stop socializing and having fun.
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