Food, meals, etc.

One of the biggest differences Í´ve noticed since coming to Spain is food. First of all, mealtimes are different. In Spain, people typically eat breakfast at about 8:00 or 9:00. Lunch, the big meal of the day, is usually between 1:00 and 4:00. Dinner is typically between 8:00 and 12:00. For breakfast, most people eat bread and coffee - maybe a fruit on the side. Another popular breakfast is churros with chocolate - they dip the churros in a cup of very thick hot chocolate. Lunch is usually 3 courses. The first plate is a starter - a salad, soup, rice plate, etc. The second plate is usually the main dish. Then the third course is a dessert or coffee. During the lunch hours, most shops and stores are closed so that their employees can eat too - and maybe take a siesta. In southern Spain especially, where it is too hot to be out and about (think Phoenix or Tucson). Because most business take a break in the early afternoon, businesses close later, so people go out for dinner later too. Dinner can be a 3 course event too, but is typically smaller (two courses). Another popular variation is to go out for "tapas." Basically, a small group of friends will often go bar hopping. (These bars are more like English pubs, where you can order drinks, meals, or both.) Usually, someone will order a large plate of something divided into portions to share. The person who ordered it will pay for it; then someone else will pay at the next place. Or, if they go somewhere where everyone orders combination plates, they usually just get one bill and split the price among everyone - without worrying about how expensive each plate was. Also, most restaurants bring out a couple of bread rolls and a bowl of olives to eat while waiting for the first course. Taxes are usually included in the listed price (for everything, not just food) unless is says IVA (impuestos van aparte). Also, the servers salaries are already figured in as well. You aren´t expected to tip unless you felt the service was really good - but most people leave the change anyway. Another interesting novelty is the menu del dia. Most restaurants will have a posted menu of the day. They make it in bulk that day because most people will order it: 1) because it is usually cheaper; 2) because it is usually a house specialty; and 3) because it doesn´t take as long to be served. It is usually 2-3 courses and usually has a 3-4 options for each course. Smoking is permitted in most small restaurants, but large restaurants must offer a non-smoking area. Also, restaurants usually have certain hours. It is hard to find one open between 10:00 and 12:00 in the morning or 4:00 and 7:00 in the evening. And if you do find one, the available menu will be limited. Also, if you go late, they often run out of many items on the menu. Since meals are a major social event, most people tend to stay for 30-60 minutes after the meal to talk. Waiters do not rush their clients and won´t bring the bill until asked. This is why the veranda seats are extremely popular. Many restaurants charge slightly different prices for the same food depending on where you are sitting - the bar is the least expensive, then the tables inside, with the outside dining being the most expensive (up to 10%). Some popular Spanish dishes are paella (Spanish rice with many things mixed in - vegetables, sea food, meats - with many different varieties depending on the region), gazpacho (a cold tomatoe soup with other veggies mixed in), and Tortilla Española (an omelate type dish made with potatoes instead of eggs). They´re all delicious - even the gazpacho.
Like I said, it´s a different culture. Buen provecho!