Relearning How to Dine

If one word could sum up my first experience in a bar/café in Spain, it would be unprepared. In Madrid, my friends and I walked into a café to order our first glass of alcohol. Unfortunately, we did not really know what to order or how to order it. We were the typical stupid Americans standing around trying to figure things out until we finally worked up the courage and speaking ability to order. Since that first interesting ordeal, I have enjoyed learning about the differences between Spanish eating and American eating. Some things that have shocked me the most:

1.      Don’t tip. What in the world? In America it is taboo to not leave a tip, and here it equally wrong if you do leave one. I definitely wish this was customary in the U.S.

2.      Don’t say thank you to your servers. Another custom that blows me away. I have to bite my tongue every time someone brings me a drink or my food so I don’t say ‘Gracias.’

3.      Bread with every meal.

4.      Paying separately is not typical. People pool their money and take one check.

5.      Meal times are completely different in Spain. Lunch at 2 and supper at 9.

6.      Tapas or pinchos are basically one of the best inventions in the world. Their equivalent in the United States is appetizers, but they are hardly comparable as far as taste goes.

7.      Meals are served in courses in Spain. Olive oil and vinegar are main components of almost every meal.

8.      The food here is of better quality than the United States overall. Also, meal times are expected to last a long time. Fast food hardly exists here.

Overall, I have enjoyed the dining experience here. The food has been absolutely delicious, and the prices are reasonable. For me, the best thing about Spain’s eating customs is their habit of savoring every meal.