This past Tuesday I was at Átame for their Happy Hour and merienda. A tourist came up to the bar next to where I was seated and ordered "one beer". His English sounded very formal, but it wasn't typically State-side or British sounding. When he was served his beer, he walked toward the back of the bar, without paying. I asked the camarero if the beer was gratis. He laughed and shook his head.

The tourist came back where I was sitting and I asked where he was from. He said "France". So I told him that at a bar here in Spain it is customary to pay when you are served. He seemed a little surprised. Later I told the camarero that the tourist was from la republica de Sarkozy.

As you know there can be a lot of animosity between different national/ethnic groups in Europe. The Spanish don't seem to care so much, just as long as they spend money.

Chuck