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Sobremesa timing
Sobremesa phases
- Plate clear, dessert in: shared platter + coffee ordered (caf茅 solo / cortado / carajillo). 5鈥?0 min.
- Coffee + copa: small digestif glass (Hierbas, Pachar谩n, Orujo, Moscatel) appears. This signals: we're staying. 10鈥?5 min.
- Conversation peaks: sobremesa proper. Politics, family, soccer, gossip. 15鈥?0 min.
- The wind-down: topics naturally end. Someone checks the time, says "Bueno, 驴qu茅?" 5鈥?0 min.
- The leaving: ask for "la cuenta", pay, leave a tip, say "Hasta luego / Buen provecho" (ironic if used at end), and walk out. 5 min.
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How to read results
- For lunch: 45 min鈥?h 30 min is the sobremesa sweet spot. Many locals return to work at 16:00.
- For dinner: 2h鈥?h 30 min is the norm. Restaurants don't rush you. Closing time is the only soft cue.
- Friends: 1h 30 to 2h 30 is normal 鈥?expect.
- Business: 1h is enough; sobremesa is shorter, more direct.
- Date: 1h 30鈥?h is the safe middle. Ask for a copa if unsure.
Limitations
- Spain varies hugely: C谩diz loves 4-hour sobremesa, Bilbao cuts it short.
- "Indiqu茅 que me voy a casa" / "tengo cosas" is the polite way to exit.
FAQ
What if no one orders copa? Order solo coffee (caf茅 solo) 鈥?short signal of "I'm staying a bit".
How do I politely exit? "Oye, 驴me cobras?" / ask for "la cuenta, por favor".
Do I have to order a copa? No. Coffee alone is fine.