Para Llevar

To take away. This is a concept that isn't a big part of the Spanish or Catalan culture, except for things like portions of real home-made food on a Sunday or things like pizzas or roast chickens. Until now I don't think I'd seen locals getting coffee to take away here. It just isn't the done thing. They sit down and enjoy their coffee and croissant or whatever in the cafe or restaurant, often with work colleagues.  In the last two weeks and because of restaurants and cafes only being allowed to sell take-aways, I've seen people balancing a coffee on a parked car and, keen to be outside, standing on the street with their croissant or sandwich. They look awkward and obvious and nothing like the Londoners or New Yorkers who carry their coffee, talk on their mobiles and still manage to look cool.  Times are changing.