teach in spain - UW Study Abroad

culture, history and traditions 117
Europeans use their left hand for the fork and the right for the knife. They do not switch back and
forth as Americans tend to do. It is considered bad table manners to eat with one hand under the
table. If you still want to use your right hand for your fork, keep the left hand on the table.
If a certain dish your family makes does not appeal to you AFTER you have tried it, let them know
in a very nice manner.
Remember that fish is usually served with the head still attached. Don’t be surprised.
Spanish mothers take the job of cooking seriously. If you are not a big eater, don’t get upset if your
host insists on feeding you more. This is normal, so don’t take offense. Simply say you are satisfied
and prefer not to eat more.
Bill Paying Etiquette
One of the first things you’ll notice about bill paying in Spain is that Spaniards eat first and pay
later at bars. This is particularly true when going out for tapas. Once orders are received at the bar,
take a seat and enjoy your meal. It is only when you are ready to leave that you pay your bill. The
bartender marked down your order at the bar, so he or she knows how much you owe.
When going out in a group, keep in mind that it is extremely uncommon in Spain for each person to
pay his or her specific share of a restaurant bill. Normally, the bill is divided equally among friends,
regardless of how much you’ve had to eat or drink. For some Americans, this may take some
getting used to. But, remember, Spaniards see this manner of cost sharing as proper etiquette.
Sometimes you pay a bit more, sometimes a bit less, but among friends you always pay an equal
part. If not, you may be seen as stingy (rácano).
Lastly, you’ll notice that Spaniards love the “art of inviting.” Picking up the tab for a group of friends
is simply seen as a detalle, a way of sharing something nice with those around you. So, once the
bill arrives, don’t be surprised to see a mad grab for the check. At times, things can appear to get
somewhat heated–shouting, hands waving in the air, etc. In such cases, the best response is to say
muchas gracias and to be sure to invite the next time around.
Tipping
Tips are not obligatory in Spain. Some people may give a small tip (around 30 to 60 céntimos) to
taxi drivers, waiters, bellhops, hairdressers, and so on. Keep in mind, however, that tips are not
generally expected. Some bills include tax for services. If that is the case, it is not considered illmannered
to leave nothing at all.
Spanish Names
In unraveling the mystery of Spanish names, remember the following information. Spaniards use
two surnames, or apellidos. The first one comes from their father’s first surname, and the second
from their mother’s first surname.
Example:
Father: Pedro Chaves Gutiérrez
Mother: Nancy Merchant García
Son: Carlos Chaves Merchant
For practical purposes, Spaniards may use only their first surname. Some may have a hyphenated
name, such as González-Moreno. This is considered as one last name, be it the first or the second:
Example:
Juan González-Moreno Rodriguez-García
Spanish women retain their own last names after marriage. On rare occasions, a woman may be
referred to as señora de for social purposes. A couple is introduced as los señores de.... An unmarried
woman may be referred to formally as doña or señorita if she is young. Don and Doña are used
as a sign of respect in speaking with someone on a first-name basis. When writing to someone,
you usually use these salutations when addressing an envelope.
culture, history, and
traditions