Basic Information

Cultural Dish

Here is a little extra info about the food.

One of Spain's native dishes is Gazpacho, which a cold tomato soup. It is normally eaten during summer months when it is very hot outside and is used to cool people down. Gazpacho is not hard to make at all and the ingredients and recipe will follow.

The ingredients are stale bread, tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, onion and garlic, olive oil, wine vinegar, and salt.

The recipe is:

1. The vegetables are washed and the tomatoes, garlic and onions are peeled.
2. All the vegetables and herbs are chopped and put into a large container (alternatively, the tomatoes may be puréed in a blender or food processor, pounded with a mortar (the traditional way of making it) or strained and de-seeded with a food mill
3. The soaked bread is then added (optional)
4. Some of the contents of the container are then blended until liquid, depending on the desired consistency.
5. Chilled water, olive oil, vinegar and salt are then added to taste.
6. The remaining contents of the container are added to the liquid, then briefly puréed until there is some texture remaining for garnish. (optional)
7. Garnishes may be made with fresh bell pepper slices, diced tomatoes and cucumber, or other fresh ingredients.

Key Phrases

1. Thank you.                                                      Gracias.
2. Thank you very much.                                    Muchas gracias.
3. You're welcome.                                             De nada.
4. Please.                                                             Por favor.
5. Yes.                                                                 Sí.
6. No.                                                                  No.
7. Excuse me.                                                     Con permiso.
8. Pardon me.                                                     Perdone.
9. I'm sorry.                                                        Lo siento.
10. I don't understand.                                         No entiendo.
11. I don't speak Spanish.                                    No hablo español.
12. I don't speak Spanish very well.                    No hablo español muy bien.
13. Do you speak English?                                 ¿Habla inglés?
14. Speak slowly, please.                                     Hable despacio por favor.
15. Repeat, please.                                               Repita, por favor.
16. What's your name?                                        ¿Cómo se llama?
17. How are you?                                                 ¿Cómo está?
18. Do you speak English?                                  ¿Habla inglés?
19. Where is the subway?                                   ¿Dónde está el metro?
20. Is the tip included?                                       ¿Incluye la propina?
21. How much does that cost?                           ¿Cuánto cuesta?
22. Is there a public phone here?                       ¿Hay algún teléfono público aquí?
23. Can I get on the internet?                             ¿Puedo conectarme con el internet?
24. Can you help me?                                        ¿Me podría ayudar?
25. Where is the bathroom?                               ¿Dónde está el baño?

Customs

Greetings

Hola                                        Hello

Como estas                             How are you

Polite Phrases

Mucho Gusto                         It's nice to meet you

Lo pase de maravilla             I had a wonderful time

Languages

Main: Spanish (aka Castilian)

Co-official: Aranese, Basque, Catalan/Valencian and Galician

Recognized: Aragonese, Asturian/Leonese, Catalan

Unofficial: Cantabrian, Extremaduran, Eonavian, Fala, Riffian, Caló, Portuguese as well as some distinct varieties of Spanish and the Gomeran whistled language

Main Immigrant Languages: American Spanish, Arabic, Romanian, English, French, German, Italian, Bulgarian, Chinese, Portuguese

Appropriate Gestures

1. When introduced expect to shake hands. 
2. Once a relationship is established, men may embrace and pat each other on the shoulder. 
3. Female friends kiss each other on both cheeks, starting with the left. 
4. People are often referred to as Don or Dona and their first name when in formal occasion as a general rule. 
5. Many men use a two-handed shake where the left hand is placed on the right forearm of the other person.

Cultural "No-no's"

 The Corna

Meaning: Your wife is a W****