We were in our favourite local (smoke free 
) bar today, when the waitress came round with a tray of tasty looking jamon Iberico rolls announcing ‘Pulgas de la crisis a 80 centimos’ (“Crisis ham rolls for 80 cents”).
This is a very good deal, but I’ve got a feeling it’s more a product of an enterprising bar owner than anything else.
There is evidence of ‘la crisis’ in some sectors clearly (over 30% of Spain’s GNP is based directly or indirectly on the totally-ruined construction business), but in other apparently troubled sectors, such as the media, it seems that some canny CEO’s may just be using ‘La Crisis’ as an excuse to kick out a percentage of their less than productive staff members.
Still, harsh realities aside (and I don’t want to mock those horribly effected by this economic downturn that looks set to last at least another year in Spain), you can’t beat cheap ham sandwiches, especially when it’s Jamon Iberico! Looking forward to ‘Crisis Vino Tinto a 50 centimos’ next…
jon
31 Jan 09 at 9:37 pm
no way that was Iberico ham at 80 cents – I reckon she sold you a pig in a poke.
David Jackson
1 Feb 09 at 1:17 am
“Pulgas de la crisis”? Not a phrase in common use in Almeria. Mind you, we have to get used to a local real estate agent saying “La crisis? Me rio de la crisis! Pisos a 90,000€!!!!”
And yes, more probably it was Jamos El Pozo rather than Jamon Iberico… but still, no doubt, nice. Of course, down here we’re used to FREE tapas.
Bill (Legazpi)
1 Feb 09 at 3:49 am
@David Jackson – are you sure those are FREE tapas you get down there in Almeria? Or do they only come “free” when you BUY a drink at a price that also covers the cost of the tapas? In which case we’re pretty used to that here in Madrid as well
Ben
1 Feb 09 at 2:16 pm
@John and David, I know my Jamon Iberico from the cheap stuff, and this joint is classy. This was Iberico
ValenciaSon
1 Feb 09 at 4:35 pm
How come we have a similar crisis but not similar ham?
ShawnJ
1 Feb 09 at 7:14 pm
ValenciaSon: Just go to Las Vegas. They’ll give you all the free stuff you want. All you have to do is lose $1000.00 per hour at the blackjack table. They’ll treat you like a king!
RayTibbitts
2 Feb 09 at 11:16 pm
I have deep respect for Spanish entrepreneurs! I love the little deals and promotions that they do like this.
It takes real balls to run your own business.
I used to have to drive through Vegas a couple times a year. I don’t think I’ve ever paid for a meal there, as there always seems to be some hotel with an open buffet.
Well, there was that time I ate at the In-N-Out. Man I miss In-N-Out.
acosta
2 Feb 09 at 11:17 pm
“All you have to do is lose $1000.00 per hour at the blackjack table. ”
LOL, pretty high price.
Everytime I go to Las Vegas / Lost Wages, I just tell me wife let’s spend our money on food, shows and enjoyment. Gambling isn’t pleasurable for me and if I am going to lose money it will be on my terms.
Geoff Harrison
4 Feb 09 at 11:33 pm
Regarding ‘La Crisis’… apparently the Spanish economy is predicted to contract by around 1.5% this year, Britain’s by about 1 percent more. I understand, in principle, that this is not a good thing, but find it hard to comprehend why this would lead to such a huge increase in unemployment and collapse in house prices (not to mention the price of jamon Iberico rolls). However I’m inclined to go along with Ben’s theory that many companies are using the current situation as a smoke screen to make cut-backs which they wouldn’t get away with in more optimistic times.
Anyone who can explain all this in terms I can understand is invited to a slap up buffet lunch in my local Chinese Restaurant (new price, €5).