Spanish Restaurants Different or the same ?

Greeting and leaving Never slap a Spaniard on the back as a greeting or a good- bye Never slap a Spaniard on the back as a greeting or a good- bye Shake hands with men; women may give “air kisses” to ladies or men, right to left cheek. Shake hands with men; women may give “air kisses” to ladies or men, right to left cheek. Never touch a Spaniard unless they touch you first. Never touch a Spaniard unless they touch you first.

What to wear? Appearance is very important to the Spaniards. They are the most elegantly dressed in Europe and the most conservative. No bold colors or you give the wrong impression. When dressed informally they would still be considered “dressed up” to us. Appearance is very important to the Spaniards. They are the most elegantly dressed in Europe and the most conservative. No bold colors or you give the wrong impression. When dressed informally they would still be considered “dressed up” to us.

What to wear (cont’d) Shorts are not worn in public by adult men or women. Shorts are not worn in public by adult men or women. Women do not always have to wear dresses and are permitted to wear pants, but they add a scarf to keep it feminine. Women do not always have to wear dresses and are permitted to wear pants, but they add a scarf to keep it feminine. Jewelry is important and should be stylish and of good quality. Jewelry is important and should be stylish and of good quality.

Personal space It is very common for a Spaniard to get very close the person with whom they are speaking. It would be considered impolite to back away from the speaker. It is very common for a Spaniard to get very close the person with whom they are speaking. It would be considered impolite to back away from the speaker. Spaniards also gesture with their hands when speaking. Spaniards also gesture with their hands when speaking.

Table manners When approaching the table, at home or in a restaurant, do not sit down immediately. You may be directed to a particular seat. When approaching the table, at home or in a restaurant, do not sit down immediately. You may be directed to a particular seat. While dining keep hands above the table with wrists resting on the table edge. While dining keep hands above the table with wrists resting on the table edge. Never begin eating before the host or hostess. Never begin eating before the host or hostess.

Rude or acceptable With all the emphasis on being polite there is one area that is somewhat different in Spain. With all the emphasis on being polite there is one area that is somewhat different in Spain. It is common to watch men “scratch” in public and on TV. It is not considered a rude act. In other countries this would be wrong, but in Spain “no pasa nada.” It is common to watch men “scratch” in public and on TV. It is not considered a rude act. In other countries this would be wrong, but in Spain “no pasa nada.”

Rude or acceptable With all the emphasis on being polite there is one area that is somewhat different in Spain. With all the emphasis on being polite there is one area that is somewhat different in Spain. It is common to watch men “scratch” in public and on TV. It is not considered a rude act. In other countries this would be wrong, but in Spain “no pasa nada.” It is common to watch men “scratch” in public and on TV. It is not considered a rude act. In other countries this would be wrong, but in Spain “no pasa nada.”

Time? Arriving minutes late is acceptable for all things except business. If one is late, the saying is –No pasa nada. (it is not that important.) Arriving minutes late is acceptable for all things except business. If one is late, the saying is –No pasa nada. (it is not that important.)

How about bread? Many restaurants do not put a bread and butter plate. They generally charge for bread by the piece. Do not ask for butter because most restaurants do not have any. Spaniards dip the bread in olive oil, which is always available. Many restaurants do not put a bread and butter plate. They generally charge for bread by the piece. Do not ask for butter because most restaurants do not have any. Spaniards dip the bread in olive oil, which is always available.

Being seated When you enter a restaurant, it is the custom to pick the table you want, unless there is a sign that says it is reserved. In Spain the customer is always right. It is acceptable to ask for substitutions, such as a salad in place of French fries. When you enter a restaurant, it is the custom to pick the table you want, unless there is a sign that says it is reserved. In Spain the customer is always right. It is acceptable to ask for substitutions, such as a salad in place of French fries.

Ordering Do not over order food. It is considered bad manners not to finish your food. Always ask the waiter the size of the portion and he will explain it. In Spain, as in other countries, it is considered wrong to waste food. Most Europeans consider Americans as wasteful. Do not over order food. It is considered bad manners not to finish your food. Always ask the waiter the size of the portion and he will explain it. In Spain, as in other countries, it is considered wrong to waste food. Most Europeans consider Americans as wasteful.

Who pays the bill? Customs change according to the region regarding who pays the bill. “Dutch treat” is not common in some areas and is thought of as a “foreign invention. In other regions it is the norm to share the bill. Always offer to pay your part. Customs change according to the region regarding who pays the bill. “Dutch treat” is not common in some areas and is thought of as a “foreign invention. In other regions it is the norm to share the bill. Always offer to pay your part.

Getting the bill The waiter will NOT bring the bill until you ask. If you are paying for everyone, tell the waiter when you enter the restaurant. At the end of the meal quietly find the waiter, pay the bill, return to the table and begin to leave. Tell the others that the bill has been paid. The waiter will NOT bring the bill until you ask. If you are paying for everyone, tell the waiter when you enter the restaurant. At the end of the meal quietly find the waiter, pay the bill, return to the table and begin to leave. Tell the others that the bill has been paid.

Getting the bill… You may share the bill. There will be one bill and you would divide it equally by the number eating. It is not exact or done with a calculator. You may share the bill. There will be one bill and you would divide it equally by the number eating. It is not exact or done with a calculator. In most restaurants there is not tipping. You may decide to leave the leftover change and that is acceptable. In most restaurants there is not tipping. You may decide to leave the leftover change and that is acceptable.

Smoking The Spanish are heavy smokers, but there are new smoking laws. Some say the law was passed because the health system is going bankrupt (along with everything else) caring for smokers. The Spanish are heavy smokers, but there are new smoking laws. Some say the law was passed because the health system is going bankrupt (along with everything else) caring for smokers. Smoking along the curbs is encouraged. Smoking along the curbs is encouraged.