Walking on, walking on broken glass

Small yet notable cultural difference # 4567:

I think kids that grew up in my generation in North America were one of the first to be indoctrinated about the evils of litter. At one point in elementary school, "Litterbug!" was the worst insults you could call someone. I've talked to friends my age who have traveled outside of North America, and it always immediately catches our attention and pains our souls the way people in many places litter like crazy.

The Spanish don't have a problem with litter. Outside.

Inside? Well, I've been in several neighbourhood bars and cafes here where people just chuck everything on the floor. Wipe you face with your napkin? Throw it on the floor. Finish you cigarette? Crush the butt right there under your foot. Get your receipt? Drop it right there on the floor in front of the cash register. The guy who sweeps up at the end of the night has his work cut out for him.

I kind of thought it was something limited to cafes, until I went to a nightclub last night. And it was the same! Except instead of throwing your napkin on the floor, people would set down their glasses or beer bottles on the floor by the wall, and they were constantly getting smashed. Or on the dance floor someone drunk would drop their beer bottle right there and just keep on dancing. The whole dance floor was this crunchy mix of broken glass and alcohol.

I have to say I was glad to have worn boots and not some sexy open-toed sandal.