Buying at butcher, fishmonger and bakery counters

Key rules

• Queue: Ask "¿Quién es el último?" when you arrive, then answer "Yo" when staff ask who is next.
• Ordering: Say the amount by weight or units, then the cut you want.
• Cash: Carry some cash, as small stalls may not take cards.
• Greeting: Greet when you arrive and say thanks when you leave.

How the queue works

Counter shopping is easy once you know the queue ritual. At busy counters there is often no ticket and no line. When you arrive, ask "¿Quién es el último?" Someone will answer "Yo". That person is the one you follow, so keep track of them. Then you can browse while you wait.

When the person before you is served, it is your turn. If staff ask "¿Quién sigue?" or "¿Quién es el siguiente?", answer "Yo". If you are the last to arrive, others will ask you the same question.

You may also hear "¿Quién da la vez?" or "¿La vez?". They mean the same thing. Some shops use a number ticket machine instead, so look for one by the door.

How to order

Order by weight or by units:

• A kilo: "un kilo". Half a kilo: "medio kilo".
• Grams: "250 gramos", or "un cuarto" for 250 g.
• Units: "dos filetes", "una docena".

Start your order with "Póngame..." and say what you want. Adjust with "Un poco más" or "Un poco menos". For cold cuts, add "en lonchas" and "fino" to get thin slices.

Meat

• "fileteado" is sliced.
• "picado" is minced.
• "troceado" is cut up.
• "sin hueso" is boneless; "con hueso" keeps the bone.

Fish

• "limpio" is cleaned.
• "sin espinas" is boneless.
• "en rodajas" is steaks and "en filetes" is fillets.
• "sin cabeza" is without the head.

Staff normally clean and cut at no extra charge.

Bread

Ask for a "barra" (a loaf) or "media barra" (half). Add "integral" for wholegrain or "cortado" for sliced.

Manners and payment

• Greet everyone with "Buenos días" or "Buenas" when you arrive. Say "Gracias" and "Adiós" or "Hasta luego" when you leave.
• Do not tip at counters.
• Cards, including contactless, are widely accepted. Some small stalls prefer cash or set a minimum amount, so carry some cash.
• At stalls where staff serve you, do not touch the produce without asking. Self-service fruit stalls may allow it.