Things you get in Spain you don't get in the UK
Mar 28th 2009, 11:41 am
#1
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Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Madrid
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Things you get in Spain you don't get in the UK
On my last trip to the north of Spain (only a couple of weeks ago) I noticed these things:
1) A glass of wine at very cheap prices. In fact in one village bar it only cost 50 cents a glass! Even in Madrid I was able to get a glass of house wine for 90 cents (admittedly a superior Rueda or Ribera would cost 1.50 - 2 Euros).
2) Free snacks with your drinks
3) An extra delay when leaving an establishment and you want to pay. I've never quite worked this one out. Why the reticence in charging you?
4) You're always close to magnificent mountain scenery (ok, so this is an English comparison, outside of Cumbria).
5) Good public transport
6) Extra building noise. I've worked out why this is. The noise generated by building works isn't necessarily any louder in Spain, it's just that people live in higher density conurbations, so the chances of being next to some building work is so much greater
7) A generational mix in bars and restaurants.
1) A glass of wine at very cheap prices. In fact in one village bar it only cost 50 cents a glass! Even in Madrid I was able to get a glass of house wine for 90 cents (admittedly a superior Rueda or Ribera would cost 1.50 - 2 Euros).
2) Free snacks with your drinks
3) An extra delay when leaving an establishment and you want to pay. I've never quite worked this one out. Why the reticence in charging you?
4) You're always close to magnificent mountain scenery (ok, so this is an English comparison, outside of Cumbria).
5) Good public transport
6) Extra building noise. I've worked out why this is. The noise generated by building works isn't necessarily any louder in Spain, it's just that people live in higher density conurbations, so the chances of being next to some building work is so much greater
7) A generational mix in bars and restaurants.
Mar 28th 2009, 1:35 pm
#2
Maño-Americano
Joined: Apr 2003
Location: In the heart of the Ozarks
Posts: 10,216
Re: Things you get in Spain you don't get in the UK
On my last trip to the north of Spain (only a couple of weeks ago) I noticed these things:
1) A glass of wine at very cheap prices. In fact in one village bar it only cost 50 cents a glass! Even in Madrid I was able to get a glass of house wine for 90 cents (admittedly a superior Rueda or Ribera would cost 1.50 - 2 Euros).
2) Free snacks with your drinks
3) An extra delay when leaving an establishment and you want to pay. I've never quite worked this one out. Why the reticence in charging you?
4) You're always close to magnificent mountain scenery (ok, so this is an English comparison, outside of Cumbria).
5) Good public transport
6) Extra building noise. I've worked out why this is. The noise generated by building works isn't necessarily any louder in Spain, it's just that people live in higher density conurbations, so the chances of being next to some building work is so much greater
7) A generational mix in bars and restaurants.
1) A glass of wine at very cheap prices. In fact in one village bar it only cost 50 cents a glass! Even in Madrid I was able to get a glass of house wine for 90 cents (admittedly a superior Rueda or Ribera would cost 1.50 - 2 Euros).
2) Free snacks with your drinks
3) An extra delay when leaving an establishment and you want to pay. I've never quite worked this one out. Why the reticence in charging you?
4) You're always close to magnificent mountain scenery (ok, so this is an English comparison, outside of Cumbria).
5) Good public transport
6) Extra building noise. I've worked out why this is. The noise generated by building works isn't necessarily any louder in Spain, it's just that people live in higher density conurbations, so the chances of being next to some building work is so much greater
7) A generational mix in bars and restaurants.
Mar 28th 2009, 2:01 pm
#3
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Location: Madrid
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Re: Things you get in Spain you don't get in the UK
You get free snacks (often called aperitivos) in many parts of Spain. This can range from a plate of crisps, nuts or olives, to more prepared stuff like a small plate of paella, chicken wings or tortilla. It's very rare to get this in places close to the coast though - I suspect this is because bar owners know they'll get tourists/customers anyway. Valencia, Catalunya and the Basque Country are also places you don't get free snacks. The only Castilian city I've been to where you don't normally get free snacks with your drink is Valladolid, where they feel the quality of their tapas is high; consequently you pay a set fee per tapa.
Mar 28th 2009, 2:11 pm
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Re: Things you get in Spain you don't get in the UK
Things you get in Spain you don't get in the UK
Mar 28th 2009, 3:12 pm
#7
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,433
Re: Things you get in Spain you don't get in the UK
These rather loud brash new members of my fitness club, They call themselves British. I hope all you old English people out there like this clip which I took as evidence of their unsettling behavior which I will report to the committee and have their membership revoked. 
I am rather pleased they have taken up building in Spain much more civilized. They tend not to attend Gyms here in Spain. They like Johnnie Walker Black Label but not Gyms.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8OcABKNNOQ
I hope all you old English people out there like this clip which I took as evidence of their unsettling behavior which I will report to the committee and have their membership revoked. I am rather pleased they have taken up building in Spain much more civilized. They tend not to attend Gyms here in Spain. They like Johnnie Walker Black Label but not Gyms.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8OcABKNNOQ
Last edited by poshnbucks; Mar 28th 2009 at 3:17 pm.
Mar 28th 2009, 3:37 pm
#8
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Joined: Feb 2006
Location: Isla Canela & Mountnessing
Posts: 703
Re: Things you get in Spain you don't get in the UK
Cheap non prescription drugs treble the strength & a fraction the cost
ie, Nurofen,Paracetamol & Viagra if you need it
ie, Nurofen,Paracetamol & Viagra if you need it
Last edited by chrismortley; Mar 28th 2009 at 3:42 pm.
Mar 28th 2009, 3:56 pm
#9
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Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Benalmadena Pueblo,Spain
Posts: 20,156
Re: Things you get in Spain you don't get in the UK
You get free snacks (often called aperitivos) in many parts of Spain. This can range from a plate of crisps, nuts or olives, to more prepared stuff like a small plate of paella, chicken wings or tortilla. It's very rare to get this in places close to the coast though - I suspect this is because bar owners know they'll get tourists/customers anyway. Valencia, Catalunya and the Basque Country are also places you don't get free snacks. The only Castilian city I've been to where you don't normally get free snacks with your drink is Valladolid, where they feel the quality of their tapas is high; consequently you pay a set fee per tapa.
Mar 28th 2009, 4:01 pm
#11
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 569
Re: Things you get in Spain you don't get in the UK
Your body will remind you in a few years.
Having said that I just recieved a parcel from friends with Flumil 400mg and Ibuprofen 600mg.
On the missing UK thing
Queso de Oveja en aceite.
Cana de Lomo Iberico de Cebo.
People jumping in the queues in the bank.
Having said that I just recieved a parcel from friends with Flumil 400mg and Ibuprofen 600mg.
On the missing UK thing
Queso de Oveja en aceite.
Cana de Lomo Iberico de Cebo.
People jumping in the queues in the bank.
Mar 28th 2009, 4:59 pm
#13
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Joined: Feb 2006
Location: Isla Canela & Mountnessing
Posts: 703
Re: Things you get in Spain you don't get in the UK
Dustmen that empty all your bins everytime
Mar 28th 2009, 5:08 pm
#14
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Location: Benalmadena Pueblo,Spain
Posts: 20,156
Mar 28th 2009, 5:15 pm
#15
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Joined: May 2008
Location: Marinaleda, Sevilla
Posts: 223
Re: Things you get in Spain you don't get in the UK
Teachers that can kiss a child on the cheek, pick them up when they fall or cuddle them when they need it without fear of a law suit being issued .