Few typical foods in Spanish gastronomy have as much recognition beyond our borders as Iberian ham. Consequently, it is not surprising that people of other nationalities living in our country take full advantage of the wide availability of this product, which, while possible to find outside of Spain, is usually more expensive.
In this regard, an American residing in Spain has shared a video on his TikTok profile expressing his surprise upon discovering something he didn’t know he could request at the butcher’s shop: buying a whole ham and having it sliced. This discovery has brought him much joy.
The joy of an American upon learning that he can order this at the butcher’s shop in Spain
Nick is an American based in Catalonia and on his TikTok profile (@cataloniawithnick) he shares content recounting his experiences living in Spain, often related to our culture and gastronomy.
Recently, you have posted a video on your profile showcasing a discovery at the butcher’s shop: the possibility of buying a whole ham and having it sliced. “How is it that I’ve been here in Spain for two years and didn’t know that you can buy a whole ham at the butcher’s and have it sliced, thus obtaining this treasure?” you share in your video.
Proceed to show a bag full of vacuum-packed ham containers, indicating: “Look how many packages have been sold, keep looking.” Also, add that “it’s a great price.”
“This is crazy, I have ham for months. Long live Spain!” concludes in his plea. The post has received over 12 thousand likes, and in the comments section, many people have highlighted the sweetness of his reaction. “I don’t know why, but I find you super adorable, he’s so happy with his ham,” writes a user.
There have also been many who have asked him if he took the bone, to which Nick has replied that he did not: “Everyone tells me the same thing, I can’t believe I left it, I didn’t know.” And even in some comments, there are people who, being Spanish, claim they didn’t know this option existed in butcher shops.
His surprise at the waiting order in the butcher’s shop
In their profile, we find another video related to their experience in Spanish butcher shops. This time, what caught their attention was the system for requesting a turn, in the absence of numbered tickets.
“I had to learn how lines work, which is crazy,” he says. He mentions that he arrived at the butcher’s shop and was “lost” trying to figure out the waiting order, but “a group of really nice grandmas” explained to him what he needed to do.
“When you arrive, you have to ask who the last person in line is, and someone will answer you. You have to remember who it is,” Nick explains, adding that “when the next person arrives, they do the same and you answer them, and that’s how a very strict line starts to form, and the grandmothers maintain order.”
