Hasta la Vista for Spain's Siesta?

The traditional lengthy lunch break long associated with siestas in Spain will end for civil servants under a law that took effect last week. Government ministries will close at 6 p.m., meaning workers must take shorter lunch breaks--but can get home to their families sooner. Stereotypes notwithstanding, Spain's siesta custom is often problematic for workers, who typically toil well into the evening after returning from lunch. Despite their long hours, a new report found, Spanish workers' productivity is low.

Civil servant: noun: a public official who is a member of the civil service

siesta: afternoon rest: an early afternoon rest or nap


[Mid-17th century. Via Spanish < Latin sexta (hora) "sixth (hour of the day), noon"]


toilnoun: noun: productive work (especially physical work done for wages)
verb: work hard