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| They dip everything in coffee |
1. What do Spanish people have for breakfast?
It's not unusual for them to have toast with olive oil, tomato and salt for breakfast. Dunking cupcakes, biscuits, cookies, Jaffa Cakes, "mojar el churro"... in milk (with cocoa) or in coffee is socially acceptable!
"Café au lait" is pronounced "Café olé", but don't ask for that, it's "Café con leche".
2. Which are the best bars in Madrid?
The oldest bars are the most authentic. Those where they wouldn't think of throwing napkins [the waterproof ones, which spread more than clean] in the bin, but go straight on the floor, together with the shrimp heads and olive pits. They're dirty, they smell funny and they're ugly, but they're awesome!
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| 'Pan con Palillo' isn't my favourite |
3. What are TAPAS?
When they order something to drink and don't get free food, they get annoyed. They expect at least a handful of almonds or a bowl of olives. You can go out and eat for free with the snacks while ordering wine, "sangria" or a few beers. Typical arguments between locals are:
Where are the biggest, nicest and safest tapas?
4. What is Menu del Día?
At Noon ~ between 1 pm and 4 pm ~ they don't eat "a la carte" but order from the Daily Menu for around €10-15 which includes first course, mains, dessert, bread and maybe drink? And even a coffee - but always ask first to confirm - might also be included.
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| How do you pour and drink cider in Madrid? |
5. What is EMPALMAR?
- To go from lunch time to dinner time - They sit around the table for at least two and a half hours! They leave the restaurant only when the staff want to close and go home.
It is also used when you go out all night until 7 am and go straight to school or work, by literally splicing two days into one. Ask any local. They've all done it.
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Orujos, Licores y Aguardientes...
Cojonudo tio! |
6. What are CHUPITOS?
- Shots - Who finished their meal with herbal mint tea? That's ridiculous! "Orujo", "Licor" and "Aguardiente" are insanely digestive drinks. Yep, beverages with over 40º alcohol [a la sombra] which they claim are healthy for the stomach...
7. What are PUENTES?
- Long Weekends - And by that we mean they have really long weekends; like when they go away on vacation; like "Monday is a Bank Holiday, so they take Friday off, phone in sick on Thursday, and go to the beach for 5 days" kind of long weekend. Totally normal when a Festive Day lands near the weekend, so productivity rate plummets as early as Wednesday afternoon.
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In Spain, to go home
before 3 am isn't
going out. It's having dinner |
8. Do Spanish people DANCE?
No! It's undignifying. They don't know how to dance "Sevillanas" either. Well, maybe down south, but the rest of Spain have no idea.
9. What is LA PENULTIMA?
- The 'next to last' drink - They finish work at 6.30 pm on Thursday; go out for some beers and "se lian" (get tied up) until 1 am. They go home drunk and spend the whole of Friday swearing they'll never go out again on a weekday. Nowadays, they call it "After Work Party". But traditionally it's called "tomar unas cañas después del trabajo" (have a few beers after work).
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| Raising prawns... |
10. Where is the best NIGHTLIFE in Madrid?
Their party starts at 11.30 pm. When Europe starts to close down, here they're still grooming themselves. Dinner after 9.30 pm is an eating habit entirely incomprehensible beyond their borders. Just as it is for them to understand why in USA and UK dinner is prepared at 5.30 pm, because that's when they have their "merienda" (a simple, light meal in the afternoon filling the gap between lunch and dinner).
This Facebook Group announces the venue and they post a review after the meal. They look for cheap and cheerful dining experiences with good company. They also evaluate the service and general presentation of each restaurant.
What’s it all about?
They have lots of friends in the service industry, i.e. teachers, barmen, waiters, chefs, delivery drivers as well as promotional agents and museum exhibition organisers. During ‘typical Spanish lunch hours’ [2 pm – 4 pm] they meet up with their friends and discovering the multiple pockets of Madrid for its “Menu del Día” culture and gastronomy.
What's the story so far?
A few Menus and months later, with the addition of a few friends, the seed has grown. Their Facebook group features reviews and photos of the places we have experienced so far.
It’s all about a fun day out but yet its popularity has grown far beyond their expectations. They have enjoyed Menus from “Getafe” to “Cuatro Caminos” and “Vallecas” to “Moncloa” discovering quite a few “barrios” in between. Join friends from all over the world residing in Madrid.
Doesn’t matter if it’s your day-off or if you have to go back to work, it’s all about the “craic” and the banter. If, however, you are lucky to be off on a Tuesday or have a few more hours to spare, it’s customary to partake in the odd after-lunch liqueur and local "barrio" beer culture.
While experiencing different languages, cultures, aspects of Spanish cuisine and the diversities of Madrid’s numerous "barrios", what MMDDMM has always been about is just having a laugh at lunchtime.
Click here to join: MMDDMM
