Posted on 03/12/2012 by englizz
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In the following post, I’m going to discuss dining differences between Spain and the U.S. Going out to eat in one of these places? Here’s what to expect:
TIPPING
In Spain, restaurant-goers tip next to nothing (or actually nothing), whereas in the United States, tipping is an ingrained cultural practice.
One must take into account that waiters are paid more in Spain than they are in the United States. American waiters usually make less than minimum wage*. Spanish waiters don’t make a ton of money, but they’re not as dependent on tips.
- When in Spain: I’d say leave at least a euro or two as a tip after a nice meal out. If your party isbig, leave a little more. Some people say leaving 10% of the bill is customary, but I almost never see people leave that much.
- When in the U.S.: If you’ve had table service, leave between 15% and 20% of the bill as a tip. Some people leave up to 25%. The amount you leave should depend on the service you’ve received. Note that with larger parties, the tip (gratuity) might already be included in the check.
CUSTOMER SERVICE ANDTHE CHECK
One can imagine that without tips as an incentive, service isn’t as good in Spanish restaurants as it is in American restaurants. That by no means means that service in Spain is abysmal. It just means that you might have to flag down* the waiter a little more in Spain than you would in the U.S.
- When in Spain: Don’t expect the waiter to bring you the check. Even if it is clear that you have finished your meal, you won’t get your check unless you ask for it or if it’s closing time. It would be considered rude for the waiter to bring you the check without you asking for it.
- When in the U.S.: The friendliness of the waiters may make you feel uncomfortable if you’re not used to it. Waiters in the U.S. tend to smile a lot and be very attentive. Don’t get offended if the waiter asks if you’re ready for the check while you’re still working on your meal or dessert. They usually aren’t trying to rush you.
SHARING
I get the feeling that in the United States people are more possessive with their food than people in Spain are. After all, tapas represent the preferred eating style in many Spanish restaurants.
Spanish Tapas
- When in Spain: Try to be more open to sharing food. It’s common to ask for a few dishes for the table and have everyone share them. This way you can sample different types of food!
- When in the U.S.: Always ask before trying someone else’s food. Often they won’t mind. If they do allow you to try their food, don’t have more than a bite unless they offer you more. Joey from Friends is a funny, albeit extreme, example of an American against sharing food:
SPLITTING THE BILL
Americans can be a little more stingy with their money while Spaniards have a more relaxed attitude when it comes to splitting the bill.
- When in Spain: DO NOT whip out your phone in order to calculate exactly how much each person owes. If four people ate, then the bill is usually just split equally four ways. Maybe one person had less food than the others this time, but they figure that it all evens out in the end. That person will likely have more food the next time.
- When in the U.S.: Be prepared to pay for what you ordered. If someone in your group had a small or inexpensive dish, they will expect to pay less. This is not considered rude. It is also common for American restaurant-goers to ask the waiter for separate checks.
TIMING
Not only do Spaniards eat their meals later than Americans, but they also eat for a longer period of time. Spanish meals aren’t usually rushed and can last over an hour… or two… or three.
- When in Spain:If you go to a sit down restaurant, don’t expect to get in and out quickly. Dining in Spain isn’t just a way of combating hunger, it’s a time for socializing. Dining is an experience to be enjoyed at a relaxed pace.
- When in the U.S.:It might seem strange if you willingly stick around at the table for more than an hour or so. If you are dining with an American, they might become anxious if the meal goes on for too long.
A Spanish Meal
WATER
Someone once told me that they could never live in Europe because you have to pay for the water. Although you do sometimes have to pay for water in Spain, I think it all evens out in the end given that you have to leave a bigger tip in the U.S.
- When in Spain: Don’t expect free water at a restaurant. If you ask for water, the server will bring you bottled water, which you will have to pay for. You can always ask for tap water in Spain, but they might look annoyed if you do or refuse to serve it. It’s sometimes even cheaper to order beer or wine than it is to order water.
- When in the U.S.: Tap water is free.Waiters often refill your water glass without you even noticing. What a luxury!
BREAD
Where to put the bread:
- When in Spain:The waiter will likely bring you bread without a plate to put your bread on. Spaniards just put their bread directly on the table (as long as there is a tablecloth). It’s normal. If it is a very fancy restaurant, there might be a bread plate.
- When in the U.S.:Do NOT put your bread directly on the table or the tablecloth. If you have a plate, any plate, put the bread on it.
VEGETARIAN OPTIONS
Both Spain and the U.S. are big on meat, but it might be a little easier to find vegetarian options in the United States.
Ham on Display in Spain
Artichoke Hearts with Iberian Ham–a Typical Spanish Vegetable Dish
- When in Spain: Vegetarian restaurants do exist. However, you might not have much luck at a traditional Spanish restaurant. The pig legs hanging on the wall or from the ceiling should be the first sign that Spanish restaurants aren’t very vegetarian-friendly. Ordering vegetable dishes may seem like a safe bet, but they might come with some ham mixed in.
- When in the U.S.: It depends on the restaurant. If you visit a BBQ joint, you’ll likely be stuck eating cole slaw. However, more and more American restaurants are including vegetarian options such as black bean “burgers” in their menus. They also often include options for people with allergies or special diets.
Black Bean Burgers
Nevertheless, Spain does provide plenty of fish and seafood options if you’re a pescetarian!
DOGGY BAGS
It’s not uncommon for an American to ask to take their leftovers* home. In Spain it could be considered rude to ask them to pack up your leftovers.
- When in Spain:If you are dining in a Spanish restaurant, do not ask for a doggy bag. They might think that you didn’t enjoy the food. However, if you dine at an ethnic restaurant within Spain, taking home leftovers is more accepted.
- When in the U.S.:In certain restaurants, like The Cheesecake Factory, it’s almost expected that customers take home leftovers. With American-sized portions, there’s nothing wrong with taking the leftovers home and having them for lunch the next day.
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- minimum wage=salario mínimo
- to flag down=hacer señales a alguien para que pare
- leftovers= sobras
Alright, let me break it down for you. The dining scene in Spain and the U.S. has its share of nuances. First off, tipping—it's practically a cultural institution in the U.S., with 15-20% of the bill being the norm. In Spain, it's a different story; tipping is minimal, if not non-existent, thanks to comparatively better pay for waitstaff.
Now, customer service and the check. In Spain, don't expect the waiter to hand you the bill without asking, it's considered rude. In the U.S., expect smiles and attentiveness, and don't be surprised if they offer the check while you're still enjoying your meal.
Sharing is caring, especially in Spain. Embrace the communal spirit and share those tapas. In the U.S., politeness dictates asking before trying someone else's dish.
When it comes to splitting the bill, Spain keeps it easy with a straightforward split, while in the U.S., it's more about individual contributions, especially if someone had a less expensive dish.
Timing is everything—Spain takes its time with meals, making it a social affair. In the U.S., a longer meal might raise eyebrows.
Now, the liquid side of things. In Spain, water isn't always free; you might get charged for that bottled water. In the U.S., tap water is a gift that keeps on giving.
Bread etiquette varies too. In Spain, no plate for your bread, just put it on the table. In the U.S., use any plate you've got.
Vegetarian options? Well, both countries love their meat, but the U.S. tends to be more veggie-friendly with options like black bean burgers. Spain, not so much—watch out for ham sneaking into seemingly safe veggie dishes.
Doggy bags, a.k.a leftovers, are a different story. In the U.S., it's common and even expected. In Spain, asking for one might be a bit off-putting, so tread carefully.
In a nutshell, whether you're in Spain or the U.S., understanding the dining customs adds an extra layer to your gastronomic experience.
