Alicante: Costa Blanca's Mediterranean Light

Alicantino Time Runs Late: Dinner reservations before 9 PM get you an empty restaurant and a confused waiter - locals eat around 9:30-10 PM, especially in summer when the Explanada doesn't cool off until then. The Explanada Wave Pattern: The red, cream and black marble tiles of the Explanada de España form deliberate wave patterns - locals will tell you newcomers immediately by watching whether someone walks the promenade in a straight line (tourists) or drifts with the pattern (locals, out of habit). June Means No Sleep: During Hogueras de San Juan the whole city runs on firecrackers, mascletás and street parties until dawn for a full week - don't book a hotel near Plaza de los Luceros if you value sleep. Bocadillo Breakfast, Not Continental: Locals grab a bocadillo de calamares or a coca amb tonyina from a bar counter standing up before work, not a croissant sitting down. Language Code-Switching: Menus, street signs and official documents often appear in both Spanish and Valencian (look for 'Alacant' alongside 'Alicante') - locals switch between the two mid-sentence without thinking about it. Siesta Reality Check: Small shops in the Casco Antiguo still shut 2-5 PM despite tourism pressure - only the big chains on Avenida Maisonnave stay open through the afternoon.

Hogueras de San Juan (June 20-24): Alicante's defining festival - satirical wood-and-cork monuments (hogueras) are erected across the city, judged, paraded past, and then burned in the cremà on the night of June 24th while firefighters hose down the cheering crowds. Daily mascletás (deafening synchronized firecracker shows) go off at 2 PM sharp in Plaza de los Luceros. Read more about the festival's origins and modern program from the official tourism board. Nit de Sant Joan Beach Bonfires: On the same June 23-24 weekend, Playa del Postiguet and Playa de San Juan fill with bonfires, and tradition says jumping over one three times or dipping your feet in the sea at midnight brings good luck for the year. Moros y Cristianos (April-October, varies by town): Nearby towns like Villajoyosa and Alcoy stage elaborate mock battles between Moorish and Christian armies in period costume - Alicantinos regularly road-trip to the closest one. Holy Week (Semana Santa): Solemn processions through the Casco Antiguo with penitents in traditional robes, quieter and less flamboyant than Seville's but deeply felt locally. Fira de Nadal: The Christmas market fills the Explanada and Plaza del Ayuntamiento with stalls selling turrón and roasted chestnuts through December.

Hogueras de San Juan - June 20-24: The city's defining week, with satirical monuments, daily mascletás at 2 PM in Plaza de los Luceros, and the cremà bonfire finale on the 24th. Nit de Sant Joan - Night of June 23-24: Beach bonfires and midnight sea rituals along Playa del Postiguet and Playa de San Juan. Semana Santa (Holy Week) - March/April, dates vary: Processions through the Casco Antiguo, quieter and more solemn than the June festivities. Feria de Alicante / Fira de Nadal - December: Christmas market on the Explanada and Plaza del Ayuntamiento with turrón stalls and roasted chestnuts. Volta a Peu (Alicante Night Race) - Autumn: A popular night running race through the city center that locals treat as a communal event as much as a competition.

Arroz a Banda: The Alicante rice dish - rice cooked in a rich fish and shellfish stock with sofrito of garlic, tomato and ñora pepper, served with the seafood on the side and a dollop of alioli. Locals order it at family-run rice houses in the Barrio, not tourist strips. Salazones and Mojama: Salt-cured tuna (mojama), roe and anchovies from the coastal salt flats appear on nearly every serious tapas menu - a taste locals grew up on and tourists either love or find baffling. Gambas Rojas de Santa Pola: The deep-red prawns from nearby Santa Pola's salt-rich waters are considered some of the best in Spain, simply grilled a la plancha with sea salt. Turrón de Jijona and Alicante: Two styles of the almond-honey nougat come from the neighboring town of Jijona - the soft, paste-like Jijona version and the hard, crunchy Alicante version, both eaten year-round locally, not just at Christmas like in the rest of Spain. Horchata de Chufa: A cold, sweet tiger-nut drink, technically more a Valencia city thing but sold everywhere in Alicante in summer alongside fartons (sweet elongated pastries) for dunking. Mercado Central Breakfast: Locals start the day with a coffee and bocadillo standing at a bar inside the Mercado Central de Alicante before the fishmongers even finish setting up their stalls.

Beach as Daily Life, Not Vacation: Locals treat Playa del Postiguet the way other cities treat a park - an after-work swim at 7 PM in summer is completely normal, towel and all, straight from the office. Direct Alicantino Wit: Conversation here is blunter and faster than in Madrid, closer to the sharp, teasing humor found across the Valencian Community. Family Sunday Rice: Extended families gather for a long Sunday lunch built around a shared paellera (paella pan) - showing up late or skipping it without a very good excuse is genuinely frowned upon. Terraza Culture: Life happens on café and bar terraces, not indoors - even in the sharp winter sun, Alicantinos will choose an outside table over a heated interior one. Valencian Identity Pride: Even where Spanish dominates daily speech, locals are proud of the Valencian language and the broader Comunidad Valenciana identity distinct from Madrid or Catalonia - for a deeper regional picture, the official Spain travel guide covers how this fits into the country's wider patchwork of regional cultures. Noise Tolerance: Between motorbikes, firecrackers and terrace chatter, Alicante is a loud city and locals barely register it - newcomers adjust within a few weeks or buy earplugs.

Alicante Slang:

• "Achavo" (ah-CHAH-vo) = wow/go on - classic Alicantino interjection of surprise
• "Manac" (mah-NAHK) = pesky/annoying kid, said half-fondly
• "Xe" (cheh) = Valencian filler word, like "hey" or "man," used constantly in conversation

Valencian Basics (co-official with Spanish):

• "Bon dia" (bohn DEE-ah) = good morning
• "Gràcies" (GRAH-see-es) = thank you
• "Voldria..." (vol-DREE-ah) = I would like... (e.g. ordering food)
• "Alacant" (ah-lah-KANT) = Alicante in Valencian - appears on bilingual signs

Practical Spanish:

• "¿Dónde está la playa?" (DON-deh es-TAH lah PLAH-yah) = Where's the beach?
• "La cuenta, por favor" (lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR) = the bill, please
• "Está muy rico" (es-TAH mwee REE-koh) = it's delicious - the standard compliment to any cook
• "¿A qué hora es la cremà?" (ah keh OH-rah es lah kreh-MAH) = what time is the burning? - a very June-specific but essential question

TRAM Alicante (Metropolitan Tram):

• Single ticket approximately €1.45, connects the city center with San Juan Beach, the airport area and coastal towns
• Line 4 (MARQ) and Line 5 (Postiguet) run through the city center, other lines head north up the coast
• Locals use it daily for the beach commute in summer, far cheaper and less stressful than driving and parking

City Buses (TAM):

• Around €1.45 per journey, with a rechargeable Móbilis card offering discounted fares for frequent riders
• Monthly pass runs about €23.50, popular with students and commuters
• Dense network covering neighborhoods the tram doesn't reach, like Benalúa and the university area

Santa Bárbara Castle Elevator:

• A free lift carved into Monte Benacantil connects Playa del Postiguet directly to the castle, avoiding the steep uphill walk
• Locals recommend it over the walking trail, especially in summer heat

Walking:

• The Casco Antiguo, Barrio and Explanada are all walkable from each other, generally flat except the climb into the Barrio itself
• Comfortable shoes matter for the Barrio's uneven, sloped stone streets

Taxis and Airport Transfers:

• Alicante-Elche Airport is about 12 km from downtown, a taxi runs roughly €20-25
• The C6 bus line also connects the airport to the city center for a fraction of the cost, around €4

Food & Drinks:

• Tapas at a tasca: €3-8 per plate, menu del día (fixed lunch menu): €12-18
• Coffee: €1.30-2.20, beer (caña): €1.80-3.50
• Arroz a banda for two at a local rice house: €25-40 total
• Mid-range dinner with wine: €20-35 per person
• Chiringuito beach lunch: €12-20 per person

Groceries (Local Markets):

• Weekly shop for two: €50-90
• Fresh fish at Mercado Central: €8-20/kg depending on catch
• Turrón (gift-quality): €8-20 per box
• Local wine (DO Alicante): €5-15 per bottle
• Bread and pastries: €1-4 per item

Activities & Transport:

• TRAM/bus single ticket: €1.45, monthly pass: €23.50
• Santa Bárbara Castle entry: free, elevator up: free
• Tabarca Island boat trip: €20-30 round trip
• Museum entry (MARQ, MUBAG): €3-6, many free on Sundays

Accommodation:

• Budget hostel: €20-35/night
• Mid-range hotel: €60-110/night
• Beachfront apartment (short-term): €80-150/night
• Long-term one-bedroom rental, city center: approximately €850-1,000/month

Year-Round Basics:

• Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot, dry summers - among the sunniest cities in Spain
• Locals dress smart-casual and put real effort into evening wear for the paseo, even in summer
• Comfortable sandals or espadrilles work for most of the year given the flat, sun-baked streets
• Sunglasses and sunscreen are daily essentials, not vacation extras

Seasonal Guide:

Spring (Mar-May): 14-22°C

• Pleasant and increasingly warm, locals shift from jackets to light layers by May
• Ideal walking and beach-prep weather, occasional light rain

Summer (Jun-Aug): 24-34°C

• Hot and dry with high humidity near the coast, locals live in light linen and cotton
• Siesta hours (2-5 PM) genuinely matter - the sun is intense enough to plan around
• Evening sea breeze cools the Explanada and beaches after sunset

Autumn (Sep-Nov): 17-27°C

• Still warm enough to swim through September and into early October, locals extend the beach season
• Light layers for evenings, comfortable walking weather returns

Winter (Dec-Feb): 8-17°C

• Mild by European standards, locals wear jackets but rarely heavy coats
• Sunny days still common, terraces stay busy even in January
• Occasional cold snaps when the wind shifts, worth packing one warm layer

Evening Social Scene:

• Terraza Vermouth Hour: Locals gather for a pre-lunch vermút around 1 PM on Explanada and Barrio terraces
• Hoguera Committee Meetings: Neighborhood associations meet year-round preparing for June's festival, a genuine year-long community activity
• Beach Volleyball Pickup Games: Evening games at Playa de San Juan, open to anyone who shows up
• Pádel Clubs: Widely popular racket sport, courts booked out evenings and weekends across the city

Sports & Recreation:

• Morning Open-Water Swimming: Year-round swimmers at Postiguet, informal groups forming at sunrise
• Cycling Along the Coast: Paths connecting Alicante to San Juan and beyond, popular weekend routes
• Running Groups: Organized runs through Parque de Canalejas and along the Explanada

Cultural Activities:

• Hoguera Craft Workshops: Community members help build the satirical monuments in the months before June
• Language Exchange Meetups: Spanish/Valencian and English practice groups in cafés near the university area
• MARQ Museum Programs: Archaeology museum runs family workshops and evening talks

Volunteer Opportunities:

• Beach Cleanup Groups: Regular organized cleanups along Postiguet and San Juan
• Hoguera Festival Support: Committees welcome extra hands in the weeks before the festival
• Community Garden Projects: Small urban garden initiatives in several neighborhoods

Climbing to Castillo de Santa Bárbara: Perched atop Mount Benacantil at 166 meters, this hilltop fortress offers sweeping views over the marina, Postiguet beach and, on a clear day, the silhouette of Tabarca island - take the free elevator carved into the mountain from Postiguet beach rather than the steep walk up in summer heat. Day Trip to Tabarca Island: Spain's smallest inhabited island, a former pirate refuge turned protected marine reserve, reachable by a short boat trip from the port - locals go for a long lunch of caldero (Tabarca's own rice-and-fish stew) rather than a quick photo stop. Wandering the Barrio (Santa Cruz): The old fishing quarter's whitewashed, flower-pot-lined stairways climbing the hillside are at their best early morning before the day-trippers arrive from cruise ships. Watching a Mascletà: Standing in Plaza de los Luceros at 2 PM during Hogueras week for the synchronized gunpowder shows is a full-body experience, felt in the chest as much as heard. Mercado Central Food Crawl: The modernist covered market near Avenida Alfonso el Sabio is where locals shop daily for seafood, jamón and produce, with tapas bars tucked into its corners for an impromptu lunch. Nearby coastal cities offer their own version of this Mediterranean rhythm - see how it compares in Cádiz's Atlantic take on Andalusian coastal life.

Mercado Central de Alicante:

• Grand early 20th-century covered market near Avenida Alfonso el Sabio, the city's main food market
• Locals shop here for fresh fish, jamón, cheese and produce, especially Saturday mornings
• Ground-floor tapas counters make it a lunch destination as much as a grocery stop

Mercadillo de Babel / Rastro:

• Weekly flea market on the outskirts, popular for secondhand goods, clothing and household items
• Locals go early for the best selection before the midday heat sets in

Mercado de Abastos neighborhoods:

• Smaller neighborhood markets in areas like Benalúa serve daily shopping needs away from the tourist center
• Personal relationships with vendors matter here more than in the central market

Supermarket Tips:

• Mercadona and Consum are the locally preferred chains over international brands
• Own-brand products (Hacendado at Mercadona) are significantly cheaper and locally trusted
• Many supermarkets close Sundays, so locals plan the weekly shop for Saturday morning

Playa del Postiguet at Dawn: Locals swim before work, roughly 7-8 AM in summer, when the beach is nearly empty and the water is calm - a five-minute walk from the city center. Explanada de España Evening Paseo: The palm-lined, wave-tiled promenade fills after 8 PM with families and couples walking slowly, stopping for ice cream - a nightly ritual rather than a special occasion. Parque de Canalejas: A shaded downtown park where retirees play cards and dominoes at outdoor tables most afternoons, offering a quieter break from the coastal bustle. Cabo de las Huertas: A rocky, less crowded coastline east of the city where locals swim off natural rock platforms instead of sand, away from the main beach crowds. Monte Benacantil Trails: Paths around the base of the Santa Bárbara Castle hill offer quiet walking and jogging routes with sea views, favored by early-morning locals avoiding both heat and crowds.

Tasca (TAHS-kah):

• Small, no-frills bar serving tapas and local wine, often standing-room only at the counter
• Locals order by pointing at what's already out rather than reading a menu
• Found densely packed through the Barrio and around Plaza Santísima Faz

Chiringuito (chee-reen-GEE-toh):

• Casual beach shack bar/restaurant right on the sand at Postiguet or San Juan
• Serves grilled sardines, cold beer and mojitos through the summer season, often closing entirely in winter
• Locals treat these as the default after-work or weekend beach base, not a tourist-only spot

Bodega:

• Traditional wine cellar-style bar, often family-run for generations, pouring local Alicante DO wines like Fondillón
• Quieter, older-skewing crowd than the terraces on the Explanada

Horchatería:

• Specialist shops selling horchata and fartons, busiest on hot afternoons
• A social pit-stop for families after a beach day, not just a tourist novelty

Terraza Bars on the Explanada:

• Rows of café terraces along the wave-patterned promenade, popular for an evening vermouth or beer while watching the paseo (evening stroll)
• Prices run higher here than in the Barrio, so locals treat it as an occasional splurge rather than a daily habit

Mascletà Face: Locals develop a completely deadpan expression during the deafening 2 PM mascletás while tourists visibly jump and cover their ears - it's a point of quiet pride to not flinch. The Playa vs. Piscina Debate: Alicantinos genuinely mock anyone who visits a hotel pool when the actual Mediterranean is 200 meters away and free - "¿Para qué pagas por una piscina teniendo el mar ahí?" (why pay for a pool when the sea is right there?) is a running joke. Levante Wind Blame: Any bad mood, headache or bout of bad luck gets blamed on the levante, the hot easterly wind - "es el levante" explains everything from arguments to bad hair days. Hoguera Rivalry Jabs: Neighborhood hoguera committees needle each other for months over whose monument will win - the satire aimed at politicians and celebrities during Hogueras is razor-sharp and locals debate the best ones for weeks after. Valencia Envy Jokes: Alicantinos have an affectionate rivalry with Valencia city over which has the real paella, the real horchata and the real festival culture - conversations often end with a shrug and "bueno, cada uno con lo suyo" (well, to each their own).

Gabriel Miró:

• Modernist writer born in Alicante in 1879, widely considered one of the city's greatest literary figures
• His prose captured the light and landscape of the Valencian coast; several Valencia schools and libraries carry his name
• A monument stands in Plaza Gabriel Miró, a square locals simply call "la plaza de Gabriel Miró" near the port

Óscar Esplá:

• Alicante-born composer whose works drew on Valencian folk music and Mediterranean themes
• The city's conservatory and concert hall bear his name, reflecting his lasting influence on local musical life

Miguel Hernández (connected region):

• Poet from nearby Orihuela in Alicante province, one of Spain's most celebrated 20th-century voices
• His verses on rural hardship and the Spanish Civil War are still taught to every schoolchild in the region
• Alicantinos consider him a provincial hero even though he was born just outside the city itself

Hércules CF:

• Alicante's historic football club, founded in 1922, playing home games at Estadio José Rico Pérez
• Local identity runs deep - fans (Herculanos) are almost entirely from the city and its metro area, unlike clubs with wider fanbases
• The Costa Blanca/Alicante Province derby against Elche CF is the fixture locals circle on the calendar
• The club has fallen from Spain's top flight in past decades, but loyalty hasn't wavered - it's described locally as "the club of your grandparents and parents"

Beach Sports:

• Beach volleyball and paddle tennis (pádel) courts line Playa de San Juan, packed on summer evenings after work
• Open-water swimming groups meet at dawn year-round at Postiguet, using the calm bay as a natural pool

Sailing and Watersports:

• Alicante's marina and Bay of Alicante host regional sailing regattas, with several clubs offering lessons to residents
• Kitesurfing and windsurfing are popular along the San Juan coast when the levante wind picks up

Alioli on Everything Rice-Related: Garlic mayonnaise gets dolloped onto arroz a banda, grilled fish, even bread as a starter - locals consider a rice dish incomplete without it. Horchata with a Fartón, Dunked: The tiger-nut drink is meant to be sipped through the elongated sugar-glazed fartón pastry, dunked repeatedly until it goes soft - eating either separately marks you as an outsider. Mojama with Almonds and Olive Oil: Wafer-thin salt-cured tuna slices drizzled with oil and scattered with almonds - an odd-sounding tapa that's a genuine local favorite, not a tourist stunt. Turrón in a Sandwich: Some bakeries sell turrón crumbled into a bocadillo with soft bread, a sweet-savory snack locals swear by around Christmas despite outsiders' confusion. Salted Fish for Breakfast: A slice of bread with olive oil topped with anchovies or mojama is a completely normal 8 AM order at a bar counter, alongside the coffee.

Basílica de Santa María: Built in the 14th century on the site of the city's former great mosque, this is Alicante's oldest church and the site of the most important religious festivities, including the image of the Virgen del Remedio, one of the city's patronesses. Concatedral de San Nicolás de Bari: A 17th-18th century co-cathedral blending late Renaissance restraint with early Baroque details, quieter and cooler than Santa María, with a strikingly plain sober façade that surprises visitors expecting typical Spanish ornamentation. Cultural Catholicism: Most Alicantinos are culturally Catholic rather than devoutly practicing - churches fill for baptisms, weddings, funerals and Holy Week, but Sunday mass attendance among younger generations is low. Patron Saint Festivities: Alicante's patroness, the Virgen del Remedio, is honored each October with processions and a smaller but heartfelt counterpart to the June Hogueras. Moros y Cristianos Religious Roots: The mock battles staged in nearby towns are rooted in Christian-Moorish reconquest history and typically culminate in a religious procession honoring the local patron saint.

Payment Methods:

• Cards widely accepted, including contactless, though small tascas in the Barrio may prefer cash
• ATMs common throughout downtown and along the Explanada

Bargaining Culture:

• Not practiced in shops or restaurants - fixed prices are standard
• Some flexibility possible at flea markets, but locals don't haggle over daily purchases

Shopping Hours:

• Larger stores and Avenida Maisonnave chains: 10 AM-9 PM, often without a midday break
• Small Casco Antiguo and Barrio shops: 10 AM-1:30 PM, then 5-8 PM, closed for siesta
• Sunday hours are limited, with many independent shops closed entirely

Tax & Receipts:

• 21% IVA (VAT) included in displayed prices
• Non-EU visitors can claim a tax refund on qualifying purchases over €90.16 via the Tax Free system at the airport
• Keep receipts for electronics or higher-value souvenir purchases

Absolute Essentials:

• "Hola" (OH-lah) = hello
• "Gracias" (GRAH-see-ahs) = thank you
• "Por favor" (por fah-VOR) = please
• "¿Cuánto cuesta?" (KWAN-toh KWEHS-tah) = how much does it cost?
• "Sí, no" (see, noh) = yes, no
• "Entiendo" (en-tee-EN-doh) = I understand
• "No entiendo" (noh en-tee-EN-doh) = I don't understand
• "¿Habla inglés?" (AH-blah een-GLEHS) = Do you speak English?
• "Perdón" (pehr-DOHN) = excuse me/sorry

Daily Greetings:

• "Buenos días" (BWAY-nohs DEE-ahs) = good morning
• "¿Qué tal?" (keh tahl) = how's it going?
• "Muy bien" (mwee bee-EN) = very well
• "Hasta luego" (AHS-tah loo-EH-goh) = see you later
• "Buenas noches" (BWAY-nahs NOH-chehs) = good night

Numbers & Practical:

• "Uno, dos, tres" (OO-noh, dohs, trehs) = one, two, three
• "Cuatro, cinco, seis" (KWAH-troh, SEEN-koh, says) = four, five, six
• "Siete, ocho, nueve, diez" (see-EH-teh, OH-choh, noo-EH-veh, dee-EHS) = seven, eight, nine, ten
• "¿Dónde está...?" (DOHN-deh es-TAH) = where is...?
• "La cuenta, por favor" (lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR) = the bill, please

Food & Dining:

• "Está muy rico" (es-TAH mwee REE-koh) = it's delicious
• "Tengo hambre" (TEN-goh AHM-breh) = I'm hungry
• "¿Qué me recomienda?" (keh meh reh-koh-mee-EN-dah) = what do you recommend?
• "Sin carne" (seen KAHR-neh) = without meat
• "Un vino de la casa" (oon VEE-noh deh lah KAH-sah) = a house wine

Authentic Local Products:

• Turrón de Jijona/Alicante: Almond-honey nougat from the neighboring town - €8-20 per box
• DO Alicante Wine: Including the rare sweet Fondillón - €8-25 per bottle
• Salazones: Vacuum-packed mojama and cured fish products - €10-30
• Espadrilles (Alpargatas): Traditional woven sandals, some still handmade regionally - €15-40
• Saffron and paella spice blends from Mercado Central stalls - €5-15

Handcrafted Items:

• Ceramic tiles echoing the Explanada's wave-pattern designs - €10-40
• Woven esparto grass baskets and mats, a traditional regional craft - €10-35
• Local pottery from small workshops in the province - €15-60

Edible Souvenirs:

• Turrón and mantecados (shortbread-style sweets) - €5-20
• Local olive oil from the province - €8-20 per bottle
• Horchata concentrate or dried tiger nuts (chufas) to make it at home - €4-10
• Anise-flavored liqueurs and Fondillón dessert wine - €10-25

Where Locals Actually Shop:

• Mercado Central: Fresh and packaged local specialties under one roof
• Barrio artisan shops: Small, family-run stores for ceramics and crafts
• Local bakeries and turronerías rather than airport gift shops for the freshest turrón
• Avoid Explanada tourist stalls: Locals know the same items cost less two streets back

Family-Friendliness Rating: 8/10 - a genuinely easy, safe city for families, with the beach doubling as the main entertainment venue.

Beach-Centered Family Life:

• Playa del Postiguet's calm, shallow water and central location make it the default family beach, often walkable from downtown hotels
• Playa de San Juan offers more space and shallower entry points further from the city center, popular with local families on weekends
• Lifeguard presence and flag warning systems are well maintained in summer

Dining with Children:

• Restaurants generally welcome kids without fuss, and menu del día lunch deals make family meals affordable
• Ice cream shops (heladerías) along the Explanada are a nightly ritual for local families, not just a tourist treat
• Sharing tapas plates works naturally for picky eaters trying small portions

Family Activities:

• MARQ (Archaeological Museum of Alicante) has interactive, child-friendly exhibits and workshops
• The Santa Bárbara Castle elevator makes the fortress accessible for young kids and strollers alike
• Explanada de España's flat, wide, car-free promenade is ideal for children on bikes or scooters in the evening

Practical Family Notes:

• Hogueras week (June) is exciting but very loud and crowded late at night - families with young children often watch the daytime mascletás and skip the late cremà
• Public transport (TRAM and buses) is stroller-friendly with low-floor access
• Pharmacies (farmacias) are plentiful and pharmacists are used to helping tourist families with minor issues