Hello forum! My husband and I just got back from two amazing weeks running all over Spain (Barcelona, Granada, Nerja, Tarifa, Tangier, Ronda, Sevilla, Toledo, Madrid) and something is bugging me. It doesn't REALLY matter now, but I wonder how big my faux pas was, and I hope you all can help me. While in Sevilla, we went to breakfast at a super cute place near our hotel, and ordered a coffee and a pastry each. It was so delicious, so we ordered another coffee each. Now I'm not a complete idiot, I absolutely did not think that we'd just get a refill or something (like at a diner in America) -- this was really good, freshly made coffee. Unfortunately my Spanish isn't as smooth as it used to be, so when I asked for two more coffees I was met with some confusion and a little bit of hostility. If they thought I assumed it was going to be free, I wish I could have explained to them that I of course knew that wasn't the case. I also understand that people in Spain generally only drink the one cup in the morning, but I didn't think asking for another should have been THAT weird. My question is: did I make some cultural mistake by asking for another coffee? We paid for four coffees (they did eventually bring them to us) but I can't get this ridiculous interaction out of my head. Anyone?
Posted by
4978 posts
I can't think of why that would have been an issue--did you say it in Spanish? I have run into trouble by asking for "another" coming across as "a different one" rather than "one more." (with beer, not coffee, but still--maybe that was it?)
I wouldn't sweat it, if having two coffees is a problem, then I don't want to be right!
Posted by
OP
Oak Park, MI, USA
62 posts
Valadelphia, I am pretty sure I said "dos cafe mas, por favor," like, I know a LITTLE Spanish, you know? But yeah, it's dumb to be thinking about this after it's done, we got our coffee and we'll never see that place again, but I can't get it out of my head! Ridiculous.
Posted by
Barcelona (Catalonia)
3071 posts
Nope, I think all of this is in your mind. Why would any waiter make any weird face for asking for a second coffee? besides, who told you 'people in Spain generally only drink the one cup in the morning', for one this is not true. I think you misread whatever situation happened.
Posted by
Barcelona + Sweden
4180 posts
Actually, I do feel the typical thing in Spain is to have 1 cup of coffee per meal, I myself enjoy a cortado (a typical Spanish coffee) with breakfast and one after lunch. In Spain, I would only order two at a time if I really need energy. Compared to USA, where I see people having multiple cups of coffee regularly every morning, in Spain you just don't see those big ol' mugs of coffee that are typical of American diners ;-)
However, it should not be outlandish to ask for another coffee in Spain, the guy could have thought you were ordering ones for your friends, who would be joining you at your table.
Posted by
Bilbao
745 posts
There´s no reason why they should find it weird that you asked for another two coffees, in general waiters and waitresses are very nice and would not mind you having as many coffees as you please. You may probably know, but in general (and with several regional variations), coffees in Spain are known as "solo" (bigger than espresso, which is Italian and smaller); "cortado", which is a solo with a tiny bit of milk, and "con leche", half coffee, half milk. Also, "americano", which would be a solo with double water. And "carajillo", a solo with some drops of brandy on it, that is burnt so it just has the aroma.