Time to eat, by Cierra Taylor

One thing that I find interesting since I’ve been studying abroad in Spain is the amount of time it takes to eat a meal at restaurants. I have noticed that once you arrive at a restaurant, most places allow you to find your own place to sit and you don’t have to wait for a host to seat you at a table. In America, this is very uncommon because at each restaurant you are greeted by a host, walked over to your seats, and then immediately asked if you would like water or anything to drink. Then once you sit down the waiter doesn't rush to come over to greet you, but instead they will sort of leave you alone until you physically wave them down or grab their attention. In comparison to the United States, this is another big difference because we are used to not waiting as long to place an order in a restaurant setting. I think most people would find this as inconvenience back home because for most Americans the reason why there is such a main focus on the dining experience is because there is a feeling that they are essentially paying for good service and good experience which doesn't just come from the food, but instead from the whole experience and atmosphere of the restaurant itself. Because there is such an emphasis on service, depending on how engaging or friendly the service is at a restaurant depends on how large of a tip you may receive from a customer as a waiter or waitress. In Spain, eating out is seen as a social experience. It is where most people go to relax and take their time eating rather than rushing to get in and out like the restaurants in the US. According to Liz, a travel blogger who is originally from the US, she states that in Spain “eating out is a long, relaxed affair. Waiters in Spain make a salary and have pensions, so they don’t have to work for tips. I think this encourages big time laziness among restaurant staff” (Eating out in Spain). Instead, they allow you to choose when you’re ready to order and pay while allowing you the opportunity to socialize with the people you came with, without the expectation that you are required to tip. In my opinion, I think that the dining experience in Spain is a lot more relaxed, but I’ve been so used to having faster service that is provided in the US that it almost feels like a hassle to go out  to eat since it takes a lot longer than in the United States.

Link to blog: C. ollason, #4 Cuando en España Elena Turbenson – 2018 Spain IBUS 3033W says: says:, L., & says:, C. (2015, March 10). Eating out in Spain. Young Adventuress. Retrieved November 30, 2022, from https://youngadventuress.com/2011/03/eating-out-in-spain.html