Tapas bars in Barcelona - avoid the mayonnaise! and other Barcelona, Spain Warning Or Danger Tips

Tourists are often see as easy prey for the unscrupulous. The souvenir industry provides plenty of examples, especially in Barcelona. Many northern Europeans seem to think that Mexican-style hats are traditional in Catalonia. This is curious because one never sees Catalans or Spaniards wearing them. If you do see someone sporting one you can bet that he (or she) is a tourist of the first water. Similarly, Flamenco is about as typically Catalan as a ham sandwich at a Bar Mitzvah.

Some of the cons are a bit more subtle- Tapa bars for example. Contrary to what most tourist think, tapas are not typical of Catalonia. In fact, if you want real tapas , you’ll have to go to Southern Spain or the Basque country. In those areas, generous portions (often free of charge) are set before customers to accompany their drinks. If the tapas are charged for, the price is usually a token one. In Catalonia, by contrast, local caterers and bar owners see tapas as a quick way of fleecing tourists. The quality of the food is often pretty indifferent, the portions minute, and the prices wholly unreasonable. You’ll probably find yourself paying as much for two or three tapas as you would have for a proper meal. Particular care should be taken with tapas containing mayonnaise. A combination of poor display and conservation practices, general lack of hygiene in food preparation, and virtually non-existent official inspection of catering establishments means Salmonella is a real threat. Dozens of cases are reported every year, including a few deaths.

If you do decide to shell out on tapas in Barcelona, make sure you see the price list first - the local waiters have a nasty knack of hacer el despistado (making mistakes on purpose) when it comes to adding up the bill. Better still, if you are in a group, make sure someone keeps tally. Japanese tourists are a favourite target because they are so polite and unassertive.

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