Expat Land
Jan 1st 2011, 9:59 am
#61
Straw Man.
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: That, there, that's not my post count... nothing to see here, move along.
Posts: 46,302
Re: Expat Land
I'm lost, did the OP start this thread specifically to facilitate a bitch fest or have I completely misunderstood the intention?
Jan 1st 2011, 9:59 am
#62
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,749
Re: Expat Land
Grotty old Benalmádena, or somewhere down there. And he wonders why none of his football mates speak Spanish. He's thinks he's the only Englishman that ever spoke Spanish. 
I think my friend's 17 year old son could lose him when it comes to speaking Spanish. He has only Spanish friends, spends his holidays/weekends with their families, is the only foreigner in the town band, studies music at the conservatoire in Granada, in short, he leads a totally Spanish speaking life outside of home. And he doesn't live anywhere near Benalmádena.
I think my friend's 17 year old son could lose him when it comes to speaking Spanish. He has only Spanish friends, spends his holidays/weekends with their families, is the only foreigner in the town band, studies music at the conservatoire in Granada, in short, he leads a totally Spanish speaking life outside of home. And he doesn't live anywhere near Benalmádena.Benalmadena Costa is horrible and grotty, but I fail to see what is so grotty about the Pueblo. I was very impressed, I was expecting much worse when we moved here!
Jan 1st 2011, 10:07 am
#63
Banned
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: Living in a good place
Posts: 8,824
Re: Expat Land
Lots of Romanians and Morroccans employed on the CDS. All working in bars and restaurants for about 4 euro per hour
As a spaniard told me you get two workers for the price of one. The Spanish won't consider employing foreigners in proper jobs. Infact even a lot of spanish can't get access to a decent job because of enchufismo!
As a spaniard told me you get two workers for the price of one. The Spanish won't consider employing foreigners in proper jobs. Infact even a lot of spanish can't get access to a decent job because of enchufismo!
Jan 1st 2011, 10:09 am
#64
squeaky clean
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Spain 4th feb 08 - October 11, now flits batck and forth from sunny Worthing
Posts: 1,576
Re: Expat Land
Good for your friend's 17 year old son. Though dont think he could "lose" me. I still make grammatical mistakes, but my Spanish is at a level where I understand and can converse with everyone. And is good enough to work in a Spanish working enviroment.
Benalmadena Costa is horrible and grotty, but I fail to see what is so grotty about the Pueblo. I was very impressed, I was expecting much worse when we moved here!
Benalmadena Costa is horrible and grotty, but I fail to see what is so grotty about the Pueblo. I was very impressed, I was expecting much worse when we moved here!
Jo xxx
Jan 1st 2011, 10:13 am
#65
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,749
Re: Expat Land
Lots of Romanians and Morroccans employed on the CDS. All working in bars and restaurants for about 4 euro per hour As a spaniard told me you get two workers for the price of one. The Spanish won't consider employing foreigners in proper jobs. Infact even a lot of spanish can't get access to a decent job because of enchufismo!
As a spaniard told me you get two workers for the price of one. The Spanish won't consider employing foreigners in proper jobs. Infact even a lot of spanish can't get access to a decent job because of enchufismo!Someone told me the other day that they will have to move back to Britain because the Spanish wont employ Brits. This woman speaks not one word of Spanish and has sent out precisely 0 CVs.
Never mind, much better to blame the Spanish. Xenophobia at its finest!
Jan 1st 2011, 10:20 am
#66
Not Banned (yet)
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Madrid
Posts: 6,400
Re: Expat Land
I remember seeing a news clip on the building of the 4 towers in Madrid (it was towards the end of the building process). The building workers were interviewed, and it transpired that nearly all of them were extranjeros - Russians, Portuguese, Columbians, Ecuadorians, Roumanians etc. The one nationality you didn't see was the British (or Irish). My guess is more that at that time a British building worker could earn a lot more say in London than travelling to Spain.
As for the Spanish not wanting to hire a Brit (or an extranjero) in a "proper" job, I suspect Michael Robinson, Terry Venables or even our own CM would disagree with that. Spanish businessmen are just as greedy and/or ambitious as other nationalities, and if success means hiring a foreigner they'll do it.
As for the Spanish not wanting to hire a Brit (or an extranjero) in a "proper" job, I suspect Michael Robinson, Terry Venables or even our own CM would disagree with that. Spanish businessmen are just as greedy and/or ambitious as other nationalities, and if success means hiring a foreigner they'll do it.
Jan 1st 2011, 11:48 am
#67
FreeThinker
Joined: Nov 2009
Location: the moors and levels
Posts: 9,702
Re: Expat Land
Again, I'd say show me the money. I have yet to meet or hear any British person in Spain who speakers fluent Spanish, i.e. at a level where they could be employed in that language.
The one or two I have met who do, went to Spanish state school and grew up in Spain.
And I've spoken to Spanish people here who say I am the first British person they have met who speaks Spanish fluently. And there are lots of lots of British people here, so I'm sure I am not the first they have met!
As for British people eating at Spanish restaurants...hardly.
The type of "Spanish restaurants" the Brits tend to eat at are the ones aimed at tourists where Spanish people wouldnt go to, and are as likely to serve pizza or burgers as any Spanish food. There are some chains where British people go, but at the restaurants serving Spanish food, there are prodominantly Spanish people. Although there are always exceptions of course.
Actually recently we were invited to a "Spanish restaurant" by some of my relatives up in Mijas. When we got there we realised it wasnt Spanish at all. OK, the waiters were Spanish, but the food was a kind of a watered down Spanish-style food for foreigners and for that reason there were only foreigners eating there.
The one or two I have met who do, went to Spanish state school and grew up in Spain.
And I've spoken to Spanish people here who say I am the first British person they have met who speaks Spanish fluently. And there are lots of lots of British people here, so I'm sure I am not the first they have met!
As for British people eating at Spanish restaurants...hardly.
The type of "Spanish restaurants" the Brits tend to eat at are the ones aimed at tourists where Spanish people wouldnt go to, and are as likely to serve pizza or burgers as any Spanish food. There are some chains where British people go, but at the restaurants serving Spanish food, there are prodominantly Spanish people. Although there are always exceptions of course.
Actually recently we were invited to a "Spanish restaurant" by some of my relatives up in Mijas. When we got there we realised it wasnt Spanish at all. OK, the waiters were Spanish, but the food was a kind of a watered down Spanish-style food for foreigners and for that reason there were only foreigners eating there.
You must be mixing with the wrong people because many British people here speak fluent Spanish - I wouldn't say I was fluent but I speak well enough to run a business where every supplier and many customers are non-English speaking Spaniards.
Restaurants? There is only one non-Spanish restaurant for miles around and it's only been open for a few months. Before then all of the Brits here ate at Spanish restaurants and they still do largely. I realise that I live in 'real Spain' and you don't but do you know that not all of Spain is like where you live?
Anyway, like jojo I don't actually think there is too much wrong with the Spanish catering for expat tastes.
Jan 1st 2011, 11:57 am
#68
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,749
Re: Expat Land
All I can say cricketman is that my experience is very different from yours and I'm glad I don't live where you live - it sounds awful.
You must be mixing with the wrong people because many British people here speak fluent Spanish - I wouldn't say I was fluent but I speak well enough to run a business where every supplier and many customers are non-English speaking Spaniards.
Restaurants? There is only one non-Spanish restaurant for miles around and it's only been open for a few months. Before then all of the Brits here ate at Spanish restaurants and they still do largely. I realise that I live in 'real Spain' and you don't but do you know that not all of Spain is like where you live?
Anyway, like jojo I don't actually think there is too much wrong with the Spanish catering for expat tastes.
You must be mixing with the wrong people because many British people here speak fluent Spanish - I wouldn't say I was fluent but I speak well enough to run a business where every supplier and many customers are non-English speaking Spaniards.
Restaurants? There is only one non-Spanish restaurant for miles around and it's only been open for a few months. Before then all of the Brits here ate at Spanish restaurants and they still do largely. I realise that I live in 'real Spain' and you don't but do you know that not all of Spain is like where you live?
Anyway, like jojo I don't actually think there is too much wrong with the Spanish catering for expat tastes.
Personally I never go to British bars or restaurants unless I really cant get away with it. But that is because I wanted to move to Spain for the Spanish things we love so much, warts and all.
However, Brits can spend all their days in British places if they like, its up to them. I am just reporting what I've seen and experienced during my time in this part of Spain
Jan 1st 2011, 1:43 pm
#69
On the road again.
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: On Top of the World
Posts: 17,507
Re: Expat Land
Jan 1st 2011, 4:41 pm
#70
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2010
Location: London (mainly)/Oliva
Posts: 2,137
Re: Expat Land
I daren't ask what constitutes the "Real Spain"
Jan 1st 2011, 4:59 pm
#71
Straw Man.
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: That, there, that's not my post count... nothing to see here, move along.
Posts: 46,302
Jan 1st 2011, 5:16 pm
#72
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Vejer de la Fra., Cadiz
Posts: 7,653
Re: Expat Land
Like most things, it depends on where you stand, and as the 'Real Spain' is the viewpoint of thousands of disparate people, there is no 'Real Spain'.
Jan 1st 2011, 6:21 pm
#73
On the road again.
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: On Top of the World
Posts: 17,507
Re: Expat Land
What is the Real Spain to the Spanish themselves ?
Rural bliss, or the never ending hustle and bustle of the big city, which they are possibly more comfortable with than most expats ?
Jan 1st 2011, 6:42 pm
#74
squeaky clean
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Spain 4th feb 08 - October 11, now flits batck and forth from sunny Worthing
Posts: 1,576
Re: Expat Land
According to a friend of mine, "Real Spain" or what the British like to think of as real Spain are the cutesy litttle white wash villages, donkeys, little squares with old men sitting on benches watching the day go by. The spanish are only too glad to sell their "real spanish" houses to these brits cos they wanna get the hell out and move to civilization and the towns where things are modern, clean and life is easier! Thats fine cos it suits everyone dont you think???? But its a little daft to assume because you are living in your "real spanish village" that you are integrated and a "real spanish" person!!!!
In the end it doesnt matter as long as everyone is happy and gets what they want out of it! Sadly this forum seems to always end up as a competition to see who actually is the most "real Spanish" expat here!!! - well it aint me, I live in Benalmadena, my kids go to an international school, I speak fairly poor spanish, I have blonde hair and I occasionally shop in Iceland! But this is where I want to be, I'm happy!
Jo xxx
In the end it doesnt matter as long as everyone is happy and gets what they want out of it! Sadly this forum seems to always end up as a competition to see who actually is the most "real Spanish" expat here!!! - well it aint me, I live in Benalmadena, my kids go to an international school, I speak fairly poor spanish, I have blonde hair and I occasionally shop in Iceland! But this is where I want to be, I'm happy!
Jo xxx
Jan 1st 2011, 7:04 pm
#75
Not Banned (yet)
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Madrid
Posts: 6,400
Re: Expat Land
It's a bit like asking what is the "real England"? The steel works closing down in Middlesbrough? The Investment bankers earning a fortune in the City of London? Or a mackerel fisherman in Devon (or wherever they operate from). I'm English, but all of those examples are alien to me.