[Dixielandjazz] How do they do it?

[Jim Kashishian]

I was asked:

>How do people work if they start clubbing at 1:00 AM?

Although this subject may not directly relate to OKOM, it does lead one to
think about the state of live music the world over, and how that is directly
related to life styles & the local economy (& where the money is spent).

Spanish people think we (anglo-saxons in general) have it all wrong with our
attention to the work ethic.  I've often said that if Spanish workers put as
much effort into their jobs as they do in planning their vacations, Spain
would be a world leader in business!  

They spend their money on enjoyment.  Most get 14 pays a year (your yearly
salary divided by 14 instead of 12 months), and those two extra pays are
given one before Christmas & the other just at the beginning of summer.
Both of these pays are joyously & completely spent on fun!

They believe they are put on earth to have a good time, and work is a
necessary evil.  They scorn our attention to work which we might put at 80%
work & 20% relaxation.  (I'm just guessing on the percentages.)  The Spanish
would say the opposite (20% attention to work, 80% enjoyment).  The work day
is divided in half with 2 to 3 hrs in the afternoon for a huge lunch which
will traditionally (even for workers) require a bottle of red wine, and an
after dinner cognac & a cigar!  30 days vacation per year + innumerable
other holidays throughout the year, both local & national/religious = about
45 to 50 days a year of paid vacations.

Along with that mentality, we have well over 20% unemployment due to the
world economic crisis, and with the young people (20 to 30 yrs of age), it
is closer to 45%!  There are plenty of folks with only time on their hands,
particularly the young.

All young people live at home until marriage in their late 20's/early 30's
(women), and late 30's for men.  Most are in college up to their 30's, and
are supported by the family.  Spending money is used for entertainment, so
there you have the audience with time & money on their hands to do the late
nite clubbing!

So, even though the country is in dire straights, the mentality keeps the
people outdoors, walking on the streets, dropping in for a drink, a bit of
food, a listen to a local jazz band!

The people are out on the streets, there is money.. albeit limited.. to
spend, and the mentality is aimed at having a good, loud time as much as
possible.  All of this is a good thing for live music!

Jim