Que aproveche!
by Ben Curtis
I was sitting in a bar having lunch today, a place I go about once a week for a menu del dia, quiet, mostly full of local residents and ‘obreros’ (workmen). I always sit at the back, facing everyone else, so I can do some people watching while I have my lunch.
Two young guys came in wearing paint-splattered overalls, and made their way towards the last empty table, next to mine. As they crossed the room they said ‘Que aproveche’, enjoy your meal, to every table they passed, finishing with me before taking their seats. And they really meant it. It may not sound like much but ‘back where I come from’ people avoid speaking to strangers in public places. They’ll talk to their friends but stuff everyone else.
So courtesy, decency, respect - all still alive and well in Spain (stop thinking about it, just move here for goodness sake!) When I finished my meal the painters’ first course was just arriving. ‘Que aproveche,’ I said to them, as I left my table, though I didn’t manage it for the other diners as I made my way out of the bar. Even after 7 years the Englishman inside me still has a long way to go…
And by the way, for all of you eating Turkey today across the pond (well, yesterday now), que os aproveche tambien!
Posted: November 25th, 2005 under Living in Spain.
Comments: 14
Comments
Comment from Ben
Time: November 25, 2005, 1:41 am
A quick question. If it’s traditional to eat Turkey for Thanksgiving in the USA, what gets eaten on Christmas day?
Comment from Peter
Time: November 25, 2005, 4:17 am
It’s “que (te) aproveche” and “que (os) aproveche”.
Comment from Ben
Time: November 25, 2005, 10:17 am
Damn, you’re right, I’ve changed it (from que aprovechen). Thanks! Just when you think you’ve got Spanish grammar right where youu want it….
Comment from Sin
Time: November 25, 2005, 11:20 am
Ben Said:
“So courtesy, decency, respect - all still alive and well in Spain”
De acuerdo.
Comment from Pol
Time: November 25, 2005, 11:41 am
The funny thing about this, is that in fact, saying “que aproveche” is considered innapropiate if you want to keep your good manners, I would say it could be even somewhat rude. It is one of those courtesy manners coming (maybe) from the popular and working classes that is becoming obsolete. I don’t know if I like that, I find it charming when a complete stranger wants to have courtesy and respet to another stranger…
Comment from Ben
Time: November 25, 2005, 11:50 am
Absolutely. There is nothing better than being told nicely, and by a complete stanger, to enjoy your meal.
Comment from Marina
Time: November 25, 2005, 2:08 pm
It is true that according to the protocol you should not use it. But I would only apply the protocol to certain ocasions, for example if eating with someone that is not very close to you, Clients, Boss or Aristrocacy. Otherwise I consider it’s nice and I would nevers say is rude. It is just one of those stupid rules that don’t make much sense.
Comment from JH, Businessman
Time: November 25, 2005, 2:23 pm
dont go slagging your home, benny boy. just the other day I was given free rice and vegetable curry at a restaurant just for being interested in the food. Its aint all bad you know.
Comment from Lesley
Time: November 25, 2005, 2:52 pm
“Bon appetit” to you too!
Comment from Amy
Time: November 26, 2005, 11:44 pm
In the USA at Christmas what is eaten varies from family to family. We are Italian-American so we follow some of those traditions, eating various types of fish and pasta. Some have turkey (yes, again!) or ham is very common as well. What you eat may depend on what your culture/ethnicity is.
Comment from Sabine
Time: November 27, 2005, 5:23 pm
I enjoyed the vignette. But I’ll probably never understand why there are so many expats who feel the need to put either their own or their host country’s culture down.
Please, explain.
Comment from Ben
Time: November 27, 2005, 7:15 pm
Hmmm, Sabine, I imagine you are classing me as one of those ex-pats for my comments about the English. I had no intention of putting down my own culture, I am as fond of British culture as the next Brit, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t things about the place that aren’t perfect. The English are not particularly socially extrovert when it comes to strangers in public, that was my point, and that is a trait which I value in the Spanish. Equally the Spanish have enfuriating traits. But really, I hope I have a balanced view of the pro’s and con’s of both my ‘host’ country (which I’m beginng to feel is my own as well), and the one in which I was born.
Comment from Mirentxu Urkidi
Time: November 30, 2005, 2:44 pm
“Que aproveche!” is missing the inverted exclamation point at the beginning.
Comment from Mike P.
Time: December 13, 2005, 12:23 pm
This is something that astounds me about Spain. The biggest, scariets looking alvañil will walk by and give you a "Que aproveche!â€. Nice.
Great for the human spirit.
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