Mission Statement: to assist the integration of foreign residents living in Spain
By Marc Menendez-Roche •
Updated: 13 Nov 2024 • 10:36 • 2 minutes read
Mastering this one crucial trick when dining out in Spain will not only help you enjoy a more authentic experience but might even save you a few euros.
There s absolutely nothing wrong with being a tourist, of course, but fitting in with the locals often means a more stress-free, memorable experience.
Walk around with a spring in your step and an air of confidence that says, “I am the master of my own holidays. I m no clueless tourist.”
With this insider tip, you ll be blending in like a true Spaniard in no time. Navigate tapas, bars, and taverns like a seasoned pro.
So, pack your bags, put on your best sunhat, and get ready to experience Spain like you ve lived there your whole life.
ABA- Always Be Assertive
Today s unspoken rule is about eating out, and trust us, it s a big one.
In Spain, if you re expecting waiters to hover over your table, topping up your glass every five minutes, you re in for a shock in most places. Spanish service is laid-back, and it s all about the customer taking charge.
Don’t sit around waiting; speak up or risk going thirsty. Whether you re perched at the bar or relaxing at a table, just stick your hand up, catch their eye, and confidently say “disculpe.”
Waiting staff tend to have more tables to handle than a Saturday night in Ibiza, so don’t be offended if they don’t rush over. Stay cool and polite, but don’t back down; channel your inner matador (or matadora ). And the bill? Forget about it magically appearing the moment you’ve put down your fork unless you re eating in one of the cheaper tourist hotspots where it s one in and one out bums on seats. In Spain, most of the time, they aren t in a rush to send you packing, so if you want to pay, you’re going to have to ask and maybe even chase them for the bill.
Unlike in other cultures, Spanish waiting staff are more hands-off.
If you want service, you must ask for it and chase down the waiter or waitress for a drink, menu, or bill.
Raise your hand and catch the waiter s eye to get attention.
Staff often manage many tables, so be polite but persistent if they don t come right away.
Unless you re in a particularly cheap or touristy area, they generally won’t bring the bill unless requested, as there’s less focus on turning tables quickly. Spaniards understand this when they go to restaurants. They usually expect different treatment in good places as opposed to tourist places or cheap bars.
Get ready to live llke a local in southern Spain.
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Written by
Marc Menendez-Roche
Marc is a writer, teacher, and language enthusiast with a passion for making complex topics simple and accessible.
With a background in business and legal communication and an interest in educational neuroscience, Marc has spent over a decade teaching and writing.
Now, as part of the team at Euro Weekly News, Marc enjoys diving into entertaining topics and stories that matter to the community.
When he’s not writing, Marc loves practising martial arts, playing football, cooking up a storm in the kitchen, or spending quality time with friends and family, but above all, Marc enjoys spending time with his son, Macson.
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