If there's one thing that confuses newcomers to Andalusia, it's not the crushing heat or the joyful noise of village festivals... but the relationship with time. Here, punctuality isn't a priority. And that's what makes this beautiful region of southern Spain so charming—and sometimes confusing.
Ask an Andalusian how long it will take. Their answer will be simple: “Ahora vengo”
Literal translation: “I'll be right there.” Actual translation: “I'll come… when I come.” It could be five minutes, thirty minutes, or an hour. Sometimes even the next day, with a big smile as an apology.
Another classic: “un minuto.” In theory, this should mean sixty short seconds. In practice, it's closer to fifteen minutes. And that's if the person hasn't decided to stop and chat with their neighbor, cousin, or bartender along the way.
In Andalusia, arriving 20 minutes late doesn't shock anyone. Here, it's not considered lateness, but rather an adjustment to the pace of life. People take the time to finish their conversation, drink their coffee, or look out at the sea.
For a foreigner, this can be difficult to understand. Schedule a meeting at 6 p.m.? Expect the first people to arrive around 6:20 p.m. And that's okay: everyone else does the same thing.
This relaxation in the face of time undoubtedly comes from several factors:
In Andalusia, time adapts to life, not the other way around.
What if, ultimately, this approach was a form of wisdom?
In Andalusia, you learn that waiting isn't a waste of time, but a moment to be experienced. You chat with your neighbors, enjoy a coffee, and observe the street. Here, time is a companion, not an enemy.
So yes, we will sometimes have to learn to be patient. But this is perhaps one of the most beautiful lessons that Andalusia offers us:
👉 know how to slow down and remember that life is not a race.
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