I've been making a list lately of the things that are different from what I've been used to in the States (in anticipation of the questions that will probably be asked as I visit with people while I'm home). For those of you who haven't been reading this blog very long, I commented on some of the things that are different in this post last January.
I thought perhaps I would share some of the things I've added to that list. Paper bags are not an option at the grocery store, they only have plastic. People throw trash on the streets regularly (I think in part because they have city employees who are supposed to clean the sidewalks and streets) and you find broken glass and bottles on the streets and sidewalks surrounding the bars almost every weekend.
Speaking of bars, they are very different here than they are in the States. There is no age limit to who can enter a bar. And they are just as likely to serve coffee, tea or soda as they are to serve alcoholic beverages. They also serve food (usually referred to as "tapas"). They are a place for friends to meet and it's more about relationships than it is about what you're drinking.
I suppose meal times are one of the biggest differences. Spaniards have five "meals" a day. Breakfast is usually only coffee and maybe a pastry of sorts. Then at around 11:00 they take a break and visit one of the bars for more coffee and a snack. Lunch is somewhere between 2:00 and 3:00 p.m. usually (with the whole family gathering because they have about 2 hours for lunch) and because dinner is not until 9:30 or 10:00 p.m. they usually have another break for coffee and a snack at around 5:00 p.m.
Fast food is pretty much a foreign concept (although there are McDonalds, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pizza Hut in the larger cities). But normally Spaniards don't hurry their meals and you almost always have to ask for your check because it's considered bad manners to give it to you before you ask, in case you think they are trying to get rid of you.
The banks, post office and small businesses close somewhere between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. for lunch. The banks and post office stay closed for the rest of the day (except during the school year the banks open again from 5-8 p.m. onThursdays), but most of the businesses open up again around 4:30 or 5:00 p.m. and stay open until about 8:00 p.m. when everyone heads home to prepare for dinner. So if you're going to run errands in the middle of the day, you have to remember to get there before they close for siesta.
There is more on my list, but this post is already too long and if I don't save some of them, I won't have anything to tell you when I see you.
5 comments:
Thanks for those interesting tidbits. I had heard about their many meals but I didn't know that dinner was at 9:30. That would kill me. There must not be any morning people in Spain!
Well I wish I could see you when you're home but I'm not sure it'll happen. It didn't sound like you'd be anywhere around Oregon. Unfortunately I'm visiting your daughter this coming week and not when you'll be in Colorado. I'm sure I'll see you someday though. I'm glad things are going well for you though. Maybe when you're in the states we could have a quick chat on the phone.
I love this entry! I can not wait to see you! Keep them up!
Isn't it great that there is no fast food? I dream of a world like this :)
I always laugh at the "have to ask for your check" thing -- it's definitely a European thing. What a nice idea, no? Don't rush the customer out the door :) (such a difference from classic table-turnover in our restaurants!)
mmmm. . . tapas!
Nice one, Mom. The more you talk about Spain, the more I think I belong in Europe. Long meals. Late bedtimes. Sweet!
Pat, let's have five meals a day while you are with us!! :) :)
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