Originally Posted by Lynn R

I find it odd the way that most Spanish men always address my OH, never me, if we are together, even if I speak about a thousand times more Spanish than he does, and they know that! They carry on doing it even when I've had to translate what they say for him, and translate his reply into Spanish for them!

The other night we got a knock on the door asking to borrow something, I answered, went and found what was wanted and handed it over, and the guy still said Gracias to my OH, not me!

Originally Posted by HBG

Loosen up, I was only trying to stimulate the discussion, all my Spanish friends drive BMWs.

And it works both ways. My SIL went out for a meal last night to a Spanish restaurant that I know well. Some months ago, purely by chance, I found myself sitting with my back to a table containing four Spaniards, including the restaurant owner.

They were discussing the Brits and my ears were stinging. I can't even repeat a word of what they said, it would be too offensive. I sat there, stunned and let my coffee get cold. When they left to drive away in their shiny BMWs, I tried to reflect on what I had learned.

I came to the conclusion that a lot of it was true, but I haven't been back to that restaurant since.

Originally Posted by Lynn R

I find it odd the way that most Spanish men always address my OH, never me, if we are together, even if I speak about a thousand times more Spanish than he does, and they know that! They carry on doing it even when I've had to translate what they say for him, and translate his reply into Spanish for them!

The other night we got a knock on the door asking to borrow something, I answered, went and found what was wanted and handed it over, and the guy still said Gracias to my OH, not me!

Originally Posted by fionamw

I've heard others refer to this syndrome, but not experienced it. They might address him first, hearty handshake, etc., and yes I have to do 95% translation etc., but I get my fair share of thanks, chitchat, etc. Maybe I'm just lucky, or maybe I steamroller my way into being acknowledged

Originally Posted by stuboy

Is ignorance bliss? I too have heard negative remarks about myself and other Brits when in a bar/cafe. When they realise that you have understod they are in the main a little bit embarrased for they know as well as we do that all people are not the same. My friend (a lady in her early 60's) has lived in the same Spanish village for almost ten years, she waves and smiles to all and sundry and goes about her buisness. She cannot string two sentences together in Spanish and claims it's the only way, for if you knew what they really thought of you, you would run a mile.

Originally Posted by stuboy

Is ignorance bliss? I too have heard negative remarks about myself and other Brits when in a bar/cafe. When they realise that you have understod they are in the main a little bit embarrased for they know as well as we do that all people are not the same. My friend (a lady in her early 60's) has lived in the same Spanish village for almost ten years, she waves and smiles to all and sundry and goes about her buisness. She cannot string two sentences together in Spanish and claims it's the only way, for if you knew what they really thought of you, you would run a mile.

Originally Posted by HBG

I know a group of expat ladies where I live who have a sort of luncheon club. At least once a week two carloads get together and travel to a different Spanish restaurant every time, often way out in the sticks.

If they pooled their entire Spanish knowledge, they wouldn't be able to hold a conversation in Spanish.

But they are serenely happy. No Spanish person has ever said a bad word to them. They probably think Guiri is a Postre.

Originally Posted by HBG

I know a group of expat ladies where I live who have a sort of luncheon club. At least once a week two carloads get together and travel to a different Spanish restaurant every time, often way out in the sticks.

If they pooled their entire Spanish knowledge, they wouldn't be able to hold a conversation in Spanish.

But they are serenely happy. No Spanish person has ever said a bad word to them. They probably think Guiri is a Postre.

Originally Posted by Lynn R

I find it odd the way that most Spanish men always address my OH, never me, if we are together, even if I speak about a thousand times more Spanish than he does, and they know that! They carry on doing it even when I've had to translate what they say for him, and translate his reply into Spanish for them!

The other night we got a knock on the door asking to borrow something, I answered, went and found what was wanted and handed it over, and the guy still said Gracias to my OH, not me!

Originally Posted by Domino

it is quite common in a number of cultures, I would imagine in Spain its a long long hangover from the muslim attitude to women, but then the catholic faith of the inquisition that followed wasnt very women friendly either.

Originally Posted by jackytoo

A spanish friend used to have to accompany her Brother and girl-friend to the cinema so there was no hank-panky. She was 18 at the time and her Brother was 22

Originally Posted by bil

Franco's regime seems to have been dedicated to ensuring that the women out in the campos were kept uneducated and pregnant.

Originally Posted by Domino

so they could take the babies and pass them to Franco's supporters for adoption subject to "political donations"

Originally Posted by Domino

happens in the uk in all good muslim houses today

failure to comply could lead to honour killing

but there are very few teen pregnancies in those families