Having lived almost a decade in the UK, I would like to share some personal thoughts about the differences between Spanish and English people when it comes to food and eating habits. Obviously, one should never generalize but this is what my experience as a Spaniard living in the UK has shown me:

While English people are up for trying all sorts of cuisines, Spaniards are still reluctant, sticking to our traditional and local recipes and produce. Never ever will you see an elderly person eating a Thai green curry, sushi dish, or even a kebab. This just doesn’t happen! I would love to see my granddad tucking into a burger with chilli sauce!

Although the UK has some great food and drinks, I don’t really see the pride shown to food compared to the Spaniards, apart from their cups of tea. The one thing British people talk about is tea, and the thought of mixing milk with tea it is not a great one in my opinion. The only tea we drink is camomile and that’s only to help us digest a heavy meal.

At work Spanish people take at least one hour to eat, and many workers still prefer to go home to have their lunch then come back and continue their day with a full stomach. In England almost everyone eats at work which I found highly unusual!

During my time as a factory worker one summer when I was a student, I saw really big, burly, middle aged guys eating sandwiches, crisps and Kit-Kats for lunch, and what astonished me most was this was regarded as normal! I think if you eat this in Spain as an adult male you may get bullied.

Another aspect which shows some vital differences is when visiting friends and family in their houses. In Spain, you will get forced fed by everyone whether you are hungry or not, especially by the females and don’t you dare say no. Whilst here in the UK you may be lucky to get offered a cup of tea and a biscuit.

Typically the Spanish like stretching their meals out for hours and particularly enjoy sharing their famous plates of tapas slowly while chatting away. British people tend to eat fast and quietly particularly my English boyfriend. Nearly everything is served on the same plate, the meat, the fish, the veg, and even the sauce gets piled on. Sharing is loving or so they say!

One thing which is definitely shared in the UK is the bill, each person paying for their own, even when dating! Men here don’t normally pay unless they are really certain they like you and want to see you again, this is what my friend Lauren says anyway. In Spain we are a bit more old fashioned and guys tend to pay more than females.

As a Spaniard I always wonder why at Christmas British people eat the same as they would do on a regular Sunday afternoon? And how come rabbits are seen as pets instead of food and why don’t people here like frogs’ legs or snails?

On the same hand British people would probably think that putting loads of olive oil on everything is not that healthy, that we eat far too much salt and that maybe we should consider having dinner before 10.00 pm.

Obviously these are generalized sporadic thoughts that tend to float in and out of my head but I thought it may be fun to get them written down and see if anybody could add some of their own odd experiences of living and working in a foreign country.

Arrate Martin