Madrid is for Stingy Tippers

Besides always keeping a passport tattooed somewhere on your person, there is not much else you can do to keep from having a stellar time in Madrid.  So unlike the other ME blogs, where I instruct what not to do to avoid tragedy, Madrid gets some fun little facts about their country that may or may not improve your traveling experience.

• Spaniards almost never tip on a lunch-time menu.  In the States, if you don’t tip you instantly rank among murderers and Machiavelli villains.

“But they only make 3.15 and hour.” your friend will tell you, “They survive on tips!”

I tip, and hopefully you tip.  People in Spain, however, do not tip (unless it’s dinner).

• Spaniards prefer Bananas from the Canary Islands.  Try to coax them into eating anything else and they’ll call you a shyster.

• Indian food in Spain is laced with sugar.  Why?  Because Spaniards prefer their food toned down a notch.  Many Indian restaurants sweeten their curry by an overwhelming demand.

~ by memadrid on March 5, 2008.