Comments on: Que aproveche!

By: Javier

Javier — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 10:23:56 +0000

“Aprovechar” does not mean enjoy but “make good use of”, “take advantage of”. I wouldn’t say it is rude (it’s not disrespectful) but it is very uncool. My opinion is that it originally meant “enjoy your meal now because maybe tomorrow your plate will be empty”, therefore the working class connotation. Having said that many people in Spain are not aware of that.
As a Spaniard myself, when someone tells me “que aproveche”, I don’t feel hurt or offended, and I normally answer “gracias”, but I wouldn’t repeat it myself.

By: Hitesh Sawlani

Hitesh Sawlani — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:29:38 +0000

I actually find it kind of annoying as every time someone says that to me I have to thank them, regardless of what I was doing in the first place, e.g. having a conversation with someone else or stuffing my face.

By: Mike P.

Mike P. — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 10:23:34 +0000

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.

By: Mirentxu Urkidi

Mirentxu Urkidi — Wed, 30 Nov 2005 12:44:41 +0000

“Que aproveche!” is missing the inverted exclamation point at the beginning.

By: Ben

Ben — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 17:15:26 +0000

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.

By: Sabine

Sabine — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 15:23:14 +0000

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.

By: Amy

Amy — Sat, 26 Nov 2005 21:44:04 +0000

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.

By: Lesley

Lesley — Fri, 25 Nov 2005 12:52:17 +0000

“Bon appetit” to you too!

By: JH, Businessman

JH, Businessman — Fri, 25 Nov 2005 12:23:53 +0000

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.

By: Marina

Marina — Fri, 25 Nov 2005 12:08:58 +0000

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.