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Tip + sobremesawindow
The sobremesa timing (when to leave)
"Sobremesa" is the conversation after the meal 鈥?a Spanish cultural ritual. Forcing it ends awkwardly. General rules:
- Order caf茅 / copa (small digestif). It's a clear signal you're staying for sobremesa.
- When the cups are empty and nobody's ordered anything new for 10 minutes, ask for la cuenta.
- Pay, leave a coin, say "Hasta luego!" and walk out. Don't linger at the door.
- For dinner: stay 1h30鈥?h is normal. < 45 min = rushed, > 2h30 = restaurant hints.
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How to read results
- Tip suggested: for "great" service in Spain, 5鈥?0% rounding is plenty. 鈧? on a 鈧?8 dinner is more typical than 鈧?.
- Fine dining: tipping 鈧?鈥撯偓5 total is normal. Service charge may already be added.
- Touristy areas: tip accepted if your heart says so, but locals round up only.
- Poor service: don't tip; ask for the cuenta / say "no" to extras.
Limitations
- Some high-end restaurants add 10% service in factura 鈥?double-tipping is wasteful.
- Tourist destinations (Benidorm, Salou) may have different conventions.
- Service workers' base pay is generally fair in Spain; tipping is recognition, not survival.
FAQ
Should I leave coins on the table? Yes 鈥?leaving 鈧?鈥撯偓2 on the table is the polite gesture. Don't hand to the waiter directly.
What about caf茅s for a coffee? A caf茅 solo is 鈧?.20鈥撯偓1.80. 鈧?.20 tip (鈧? total) is fine; nothing is normal.
What if the waiter is rude? Skip the tip, ask for la cuenta immediately. No confrontation.
Do I tip the tour guide? Yes 鈥?鈧?鈥撯偓5 per person for half-day tour. Not mandatory, appreciated.