DISQUS

Fun post Gabriella! About the bread, to me it seems much more normal in Spain to put the bread on the tablecloth, not on your plate. And at nice restaurants you will be given a seperate little plate for your bread. And about the tipping, I think this depends on the region, of course at restaurants people usually tip 5 or maybe 10% but some of my friends from the Basque country are very adamant about NOT tipping. One friend claims that in his small town they will run out the door after you to give you the change if you leave a tip, and its taken as somewhat of an insult. I also know a bar in Madrid that doesn't really like tips, but another one that rings a cowbell everytime they are left one. I think I have never seen anyone tip at a nightclub or bar where food is not served. Especially if there is a cover to get in.
Besos!
J.

The one of Txarlito!! Seriously, These are really great. I don't know if I can choose just one, but there are several that I really like, Great job! Heres to more in 2009!

Richard, and all,
I have not heard from them yet but I do know that Ryan and Gabriella were going to be mostly in and around New Delhi this week, not Mumbai. Hoping they can get back to Spain safe and sound!

Hi Richard and Emily,
Thanks for your comments. Richard, I just fixed the link on my Madrid Tapas Bars page and it should work now. Thanks for letting me know. I hope you enjoy your time here and you find some helpful tips!
And Emily, glad I could help you reminisce about Spain, thanks for reading! Hope you can come back and visit Spain soon!
Janelle

Hi all,
I haven't tasted wine in Spanish too often but that was my general impression as well. Maybe in this area English speakers are more open to what kinds of words they find acceptable to use for talking about flavors
As for number of words: English tecnically has almost double the words of Spanish (its a fact) but any given persons working vocabulary is similar in both languages. I dont know about actual words used (or accepted for use) when describing food and wine.
But in some areas of Spanish, they have a much richer vocabulary than in English, take swear words for example. I wont go farther to explain but they have quite a few more expressions than we do in English. And anyone who has done translations knows that they usually come out shorter in English.
To bbennett: wet slate could be translated as "pizarra mojada" but im wondering if that would be used here for a "flavor". :)

Happy Birthday Ryan!!
Its settled, I will have to go visit you soon! Prepare the grill!
Janelle

Well, maybe they have got THE formula to becoming a wine expert. Have you actually tried it? Maybe if I followed their advice I really WOULD become a wine expert in just 28 days! You never know if you dont try it! Thanks for the Moleskine link, I'm gonna get one!

I get these feelings too when I come back to the US. But after 5 years going back and forth I guess I am used to most of the differences, but I still get caught off guard. Such as, in Minnesota they speak in English in the stores (surprise, surprise) and I have to stop myself from saying "Hasta luego" when I leave. And I have to stand farther away from people so they don't get uncomfortable and back away. I realize the Spanish language has gotten into my hand motions too, I have to try not to do that finger waving side to side to say "no". I did it to a waitress the other day and then remembered that in the US its a little condescending. Oops!

Hi Ryan, nice article. Its important because these are really quite popular drinks. I wanted to just add something about tinto de verano. Its quite popular with Lemon Fanta or Orange fanta. My favorite is Tinto de Verano con Limon. Nice and refreshing in the summer.
Cheers!