A campaign has begun in Spain to do away with marathon lunches and a languid, unproductive afternoon and replace it with the 9-to-5 routine common in the rest of Europe.
According to the International Herald Tribune, "Spain has become a nation of sleepy souls who wake early and go home late, but no longer stop to nap in between," leaving Spaniards with an average of 40 minutes less sleep than the European average.
Supporters say that shortening the workday would also give a boost to Spain's economy. Spaniards work more hours per week than the average European, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, but they accomplish less.
International Herald Tribune | In Spain, some dream of trading siestas for 9 to 5
