Catering Industry
Spanish culinary culture is renowned, featuring a rich variety of delicious dishes primarily based on seafood. Famous dishes include Paella (Valencia), Sopa Castellana (Castilian soup), Cochinillo (roast suckling pig) and Cordero (roast suckling lamb) from the central region, Sopa de Marisco (seafood soup) from the northwest, Sangria, and Jamon (cured ham). Lunch is served from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and dinner is served from 9:00 PM until the early hours of the morning. It is customary to tip in Spanish restaurants or public places, usually around 10% of the bill.
National Holidays and Regional Holidays in Catalonia
January 1: New Year's Day; January 6: Three Kings' Day (Dia de los Reyes); April 14: Good Friday (Viernes Santo); April 17: Easter; May 1: International Workers' Day (Dia Internacional de los Trabajadores); June 24: St. John's Day (San Joan); August 15: Assumption of the Virgin (Asuncion de la Virgen); September 11: National Day of Catalonia (Dia de Catalunya); September 24: La Merce Festival (Dia de la Merced); October 12: National Day of Spain (Dia de la Hispanidad); November 1: All Saints' Day (Todos los Santos); December 6: Spanish Constitution Day (Dia de la Constitucion Espanola); December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception (La Inmaculada Concepcion); December 25: Christmas (Navidad); December 26: St. Stephen's Day (San Esteban) - a regional holiday in Catalonia.
Religion
The Constitution guarantees freedom of religious belief. In Spain, 79.3% of the population identifies as Catholic, 11.7% are non-religious, 4.9% are atheists, and 2% follow Christianity, Judaism, Islam, etc. The Church engages in numerous social charitable activities every year. Currently, it operates 107 hospitals, 128 health centers, 876 homes for the elderly and disabled, 937 orphanages, 321 kindergartens, 2,129 nurseries, 365 social activity centers, 305 care and family counseling centers, 5,197 primary and secondary schools, 7 universities, and 11 colleges nationwide.
Marriage
Civil registration and religious ceremonies are conducted. When attending weddings and wedding banquets, couples may generally bring one or two adult children or their spouses (sons-in-law or daughters-in-law). It is not appropriate to bring minor children, or the fiancés, fiancées, or friends of adult children. In Catalonia, Spain, it is also not advisable to bring elderly individuals or those with limited mobility, unless they are very close friends or relatives. Attire should be appropriate and decent—high-quality and neat, but not overly bright or flashy so as to avoid overshadowing the hosts.
Spain practices cremation
Before cremation, various forms of memorial and farewell ceremonies are held depending on the circumstances, such as memorial services or masses. These are held at funeral homes and crematorium chapels, respectively. Wreaths and bouquets are mostly presented at funerals. Attendees wear black or dark clothing, and men wear dark or black ties.
