On Sunday evening in Lisbon I stopped in a bar on my way to dinner and ordered a gin and tonic. I asked how much and was told 5.50. A little steep, I thought, as I was fishing for the money in my wallet. Then I felt the urge for another, so I ordered a second gin to use up the rest of the tonic in the bottle. I asked again how much, prepared for a fight if he tried to charge me another 5.50 as I didn't take a second bottle of tonic. "Cinco euros, por favor." There was only one other client at the bar, and I was only there ten minutes, so the barman clearly knew I had had the second gin, but the total came to less than the price of a single. I didn't argue, but I left a tip.
Tonight in Madrid, on my way home from dinner with MGG, I stopped in a bar for a coffee and a brandy as a nightcap. The barman put the bottle of brandy and a huge glass on the counter while he went to get the coffee. When he came back I indicated with my raised eyebrows and nodding head that I'd prefer my brandy in the glass. "Serve yourself," he said. So I did. Generously! Then we got talking and I said I'd like another. Again I was invited to serve myself. The bill? "Cinco euros, por favor" (Spanish and Portuguese are quite similar in their written forms). Five euros.
These European traditions really should be shared.
Tonight in Madrid, on my way home from dinner with MGG, I stopped in a bar for a coffee and a brandy as a nightcap. The barman put the bottle of brandy and a huge glass on the counter while he went to get the coffee. When he came back I indicated with my raised eyebrows and nodding head that I'd prefer my brandy in the glass. "Serve yourself," he said. So I did. Generously! Then we got talking and I said I'd like another. Again I was invited to serve myself. The bill? "Cinco euros, por favor" (Spanish and Portuguese are quite similar in their written forms). Five euros.
These European traditions really should be shared.
definitely
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