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To go to bed at night in Madrid marks you as a little…

“To go to bed at night in Madrid marks you as a little queer. For a long time your friends will be a little uncomfortable about it. Nobody goes to bed in Madrid until they have killed the night. Appointments with a friend are habitually made for after midnight at the cafe.” quote by Ernest Hemingway
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““To go to bed at night in Madrid marks you as a little queer. For a long time your friends will be a little uncomfortable about it. Nobody goes to bed in Madrid until they have killed the night. Appointments with a friend are habitually made for after midnight at the cafe.””

Ernest Hemingway

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

In Madrid, staying up late is seen as unconventional; friends feel uneasy until the night is “killed,” and late‑night cafe meetings are common.

In simple terms: Late nights in Madrid are socially odd but normal.

Key Takeaway

Accept cultural quirks in social habits.

Themes

cultural norms nightlife social discomfort

Mood

observational curious

Type

cultural anthropological

When to use this quote

  • late‑night work
  • travel
  • expat life

Key Concepts

urban sociology nighttime rituals

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do nighttime customs shape social interactions?
  • What does “killing the night” symbolize?
A Different Perspective

May reinforce stereotypes about a culture.

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