Breakfast protocol.

[allgram]

My wife and I recently had our breakfast paid for by Spanish friends , this is not the first time this has happened to us , all the payments have been from Spanish people , are we expected to reciprocate ? also is there some protocol we are missing ?

Thank you,

allgram.

[pilgrim2]

Its your turn to pay next time.

Well that's how I play it and it seems to work.

[markwilding]

If they keep insisting, just get in and pay before they've had a chance to pay.

[Manchesteral]

I guess it works on the same principal as buying a round, I buy you one and you buy the next, although in the case of my mate (dig dig) he knows who he is ! it doesn't always work out in practice

[rafiki]

When we have been for meals with a small group of Spanish people in our area the blokes get up at the end of the meal and go to the bar/cashier and look at the bill together and each puts in a his share. If there is a lady in the group who is on her own she is not expected to pay.

[katy]

I would say do as you do in any other country. If someone pays for you make sure you pick up the tab next time. Surely you can suss out when to pay or have a quiet word with the waiter. It is the same etiquette the world over.