Restaurants in General

No, there's not a place called General.  I just wanted to know why the waiters and waitresses in Spanish restaurants are so darned miserable?  Just been out for a week and ate in some lovely restaurants but, apart from the Chinese one, we never saw a waiter or waitress smile once.  One particular restaurant, the Bali Hai in El Galan, has a lovely menu, loads of choice, reasonable prices etc. but the most miserable set of serving staff I have come across.  Even though I spoke Spanish throughout, got understood, said please and thank you and smiled everytime she came to the table, not a glimmer.  The only joy the waiter seemed to get was when he told one couple they couldn't have Sunday lunch because the sign said "reservations recommended",  (It was a Sunday, the sign said Sunday Lunch and the reservations bit was chalked at the bottom, out of sight unless you moved a chair),  He seemed to enjoy saying "No roast potatoes, chips and salad only, several times.

The Chinese restaurant across the road, by contrast, was full of smiling staff and it made it a pleasure to eat there and not just for the new 1-2-3 menu (That's 1 euro starter, 2 euro main course, 3 euro dessert).  I noticed in other restaurants, whether on the sea front in Torrevieja or Guardamar, not a flicker of a smile from anyone.  Maybe it's just me?

Anyway, to put it all back in perspective, stopped at a motorway cafe on the M5 on the way back.  Cheeseburger, chips and a small coke was £8.20.  Wow, great to be back.

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

I just hope Susan doesn't read your post...you'll get her started on this subject.

We find the same in a lot of places.  The staff seem to be very serious and not very smiley. 

We've all be harping on about "El Estribo" restaurant in this section because apart from the food being great the staff are really friendly and happy.  I think you are right though, many restaurants don't have this "happy" feeling.

Justin

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

Must be you guys!

When we go out to eat in Torremolinos, we usually go to a very popular Argentinian place called La Baracca (C/Casablanca). The little guy who's been head waiter for as long as I can remember positively beams from ear to ear all night long, and actually looks like he's about to burst into song at any moment. Could be beacuse he has shares in the place. Last year they took over the locals next door and across the way, and their menu (irrespective of which part you are in) includes everything from tapas, pizzas, camperos, mixed grills, stuffed jacket spuds, huge salads, kebabs....perfect if you're with a group of indecisive friends! Great value, too.

Another very popular Spanish restaurant is Lanjarron (C/Europa). Although we haven't been there for a while, and don't go very often at all, even if we pass one of the waiters in the street they wave and smile and say hello. Perhaps that's why they're popular?

Or maybe it's just me?!  (More likely the better 'arf)

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

I agree with Roberto - most restaurants we have been to in Spain have had lovely, friendly staff.  I can only think of 2 exceptions in all the years we have been to Spain.  The first was in Madrid, where the elderly waitress seemed to be ignoring us.  John thought it was because we were Brits, even though we spoke to her in Spanish, however I noticed that she was also ignoring a young Spanish couple.  I was determined to get her to smile and eventually got a glimmer just before we left.  It could have been because she realised we were leaving, though!   Also, we went to a restaurant in Jumilla, which will be our local town when we move to Spain, and the waiter there was a miserable so-and-so.  We vowed not to go back, however as the food was good, we may try and again and hope that he no longer works there or that he has learnt to smile!

Sue

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

We've found it to be a mixed bag, some staff are friendly, others not so. We especially like La Posada (cancelada), same staff and very friendly and welcoming.    I think the more you visit a restaurant and get recognised as a regular the staff do become more pleased to see you, we have our favourite haunts and have found the staff that recognise us are usually genuinely pleased to see us.......could be cos im a generous tipper though!

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

Just back from two weeks and found all restaurant staff (Estepona area)  100% better than over here and some of the banter was great and we cannot speak Spanish.

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

Must be Estepona in general then Tinto, thats where we have our apt and tend to stick to that area too because of the friendliness,  they dont seem to mind too much if your spanish isnt up to much either, even when you do attempt to have a go they always answer back in English anyway!

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know

Gotta say that I agree in general that the staff in most restaurants in Estepona, Marbella and the surrounding areas are very friendly and welcoming - especially agree with Hobby about Posada at Cancelada (great value too but lets not tell everyone considering how small it is). Banus I guess can be a little impersonal but guess that goes with the territory as it is so commercial and there is a lot of abuse from Euroyob (male and female alike) that turn up on their stags and hens. However even there, there are some notable exceptions where there is great atmosp`here and a friendly smile.

 Spam post or abuse? Please let us know