El Botellon

[natalia]

I've decided to do El Botellon for my oral presentation (AS Level), and I'd really appreciate your opinions!

Also, where is it legal/illegal?


I personally HAVE taken part in el botellon when I was in Spain, and it was good. We didn't disrupt anybody and I don't see how you can make something like drinking in the streets illegal...

[Jerezano]

As far as I understand, the botellon is illegal anywhere in a public space, this legislation was introduced during the Aznar/PP government. It has taken some time, however, to enforce it.

That's a little naive to state that your "botellon" wasn't disrupting anybody. The real issue has been less about drinking and underage consumption and more about unbelievable amounts of litter on the streets, noise pollution and drink driving. It is the fact that in doing botellons many youth have shown an utter disregard for their neighbors and for public spaces.

I myself am in favor of cities designating places where botellons can take happen on weekends, with the idea that those who participate actually clean up after themselves and end at a reasonable hour (like either of those two would ever happen in practice!)

[omeyas]

Agree with Jerezano, the noise alone created by these gatherings can be extremely annoying to a lot of people that aren´t involved in it. I remember someone telling me about living in Barcelona, and every weekend a botellón would start below their apartment, and the noise was incredible. And the following morning, the mess was unreal.
You ask if it is illegal, well as you have given your age as 16, it is for you! :D
I think the law is supposed to be tightening up on this, but like most Spanish laws, they are passed but rarely enforced
.

[natalia]

Honestly, we picked up our rubbish, didn't make much noise & when a neighbour came out, apologized. It wasn't that late either. I understand how people can complain about the noise though if they have cars with music on and stuff.

[Paco]

We alway had it when I was a kid, I used to go with my parents to restaurants and other business and they were drinking wine and use to give me some wine and water, never a problem. Probable the Snobs from the European comunity spoilt this too. My cousin used to sit in front of his house and drink the whole night sweet red wine needless to say he was a sweep guy, :Dand no one said a thing. he just passed away and we put a bottle of red sweep wine in his box. Ciao Paco

[Edith]

I personally HAVE taken part in el botellon when I was in Spain, and it was good. ...

:confused:

Well, to each his own, I guess... but how about the resaca afterwards? And the neighbors are left with all the puke...

[Marina]

Hola Natalia,

I did botellon sometimes when I was younger and I find it was a great way to be with your friends without spending a fortune. It didn't imply lots of drinking, at least in my case, it was just a way to socialise without having to buy a disco entry or a drink. Unfortunately it is true that in the last years, at least in Madrid, the botellón was out of control regarding the noise and rubbish.

I didn't go to a botellon every weekend but every now and again we would head to Ciudad Universitaria where certainly noise was not a problem, other botellon days were when we went into the fiestas of any town, as we would stay outdoors it was not worth it to buy drinks from the chiringuitos.

[Laguiri]

Botellon is loads of fun for the people who participate in it, not so much for people who don't...I think el botellon is an important part of Spanish youth culture. Certainely preferable to bull-fighting. As others have said it saves a lot of money, and when you're young and/or a student you want to be able to go out but not go broke in the process and thats why botellon is so popular. I have my doubts about the eradication of botellon, its been illegal for a while but its still so common and widespread. I'd be really dissapointed if there was no botellon anymore when I return to Spain. It was part of the Spanish experience for me when I lived there. I definately think the idea of designated areas is a good idea, because it does cause a looot of mess, but if it could be contained I think that would be a good compromise.

[Nic]

Good luck with your AS level oral exam. I toke mine last year and although you may feel really nervous going in, its seriously not bad. Trust me.

Buena suerte!