Luv it! I somehow can't imagine a salesman bullying me, (or you!) telling me what I want or don't want. I tell him what I want, not the other way around. I guess if someone is so weak willed they allow themselves to be "bullied", buy in Comet/Curry's etc, maybe they deserve it. Talking of shavers, recently my two year old one packed up, I e-mailed Phillips saying I didn't think it was great service, they said send it back, they'd look at it. Few days later, brand new shaver arrives, no charge, just a note apologising for it's failure.

anyone with a battery powered something should remember that the batteries only have a limited life of discharge/charge cycles before they fall off rapidly.
problem is the batteries are available - if you know where to look and are competent to fit but many still don't perform the same way as manufacturers originals which are harder to find and more expensive.

but then not many things nowadays are expected to have a long life anymore, be they battery or mains.

the UK has planning officers who endeavour to have a "good mix" of shops and are not overkeen on coffeee shops. but then it is a shame they seem frightened to have a liquor licence so if you want anything else you have to find a pub.

ISTR John Major when PM extolling the virtues of the European lifestyle with street cafes and sitting out under an umbrella - it rained for 3 weeks after that.
But my local council expect exhorbitant rents, exhorbitant rates and then when a local shop put some chairs and table outside demanded a further charge of 50% of the rates for them to do so.
They still expect everyone to close at 5.30pm so there isnt anywhere to stop off and get a coffee before wending the weary way home.

so little incentive whilst here anyone seems able to set up a cafe/bar, open when they like, if that is what you want to do.

take this as knocking the UK if you like, but life there is so rigid - open @ 9 close at 5.30, no evenings. Is it small wonder the high streets are so dull and boring on the way home ?? No one opens their living room or the unit under the flat anymore. All segmented - homes/shops/offices/factories in different coloured areas on a planning map.

Small wonder people convert ice cream vans and trailers as take away snack bars.

To compare the UK with Spain must be the most obvious focus for any discussion on a British Expat Spanish forum. The next one is often the campo versus the coast one.

I love the sea and the company of my fellow expats, as well as the Spanish people; and also the ability to get anything I need within walking distance - from doctors, police stations and banks to exotic meals from all over the world.

I admire Camposinos from afar, those hardy people prepared to do without all sorts of things to taste the authenticity of true rural hardship in a foreign country.

after so many years as a youth yearning for it, then spending many years bobbing about on it, feeling its calm and its anger to the highest level, I miss it, but do go back for a quite moment of contemplation from time to time.

favourite CD ? Sounds of the Sea. something to go to sleep with.

Me too J2.....

The Bad...

I have just been back to the UK due to the death of my mother, while there I went to Curries to buy a laptop, I knew exactly the make I was going to buy...HP (same as my existing PC), I just had to decide on the spec and price to pay!
I was harassed from the moment I walked through the door by a young woman of foreign decent who proceeded to pressure me into first a Sony....
I don't want a Sony says I....
But this is on special offer says she....
I DON'T want a Sony!
How about an Acer....
I don't want an Acer....
Have you tried one?
Yes I didn't like it, it was faulty and I took it back.
Have you thought about a Mac?
I don't want a Mac!
They are much better....
I DON'T want a Mac!
You would if you tried one!
I have...I don't like Mac's...
Well you are the first person I've ever heard say that, everyone likes them!
I'm NOT everyone, I DON'T like them!
I want an HP, it's between these too, I do a lot with Photoshop so I need lots of Ram....it looks like it's going to be this one.
But this one has a bigger screen and it's £10 cheaper!
I'm not bothered about the price, I need the extra Ram!
But you get a bigger screen for $10 less with this one...
I DON'T want THAT one....I want THIS one!
How about Office, it's on offer.
I already have it!
But you get it cheap when y......
NO
Well then security, you can have Norton for.....
I DON'T want Norton, I use something else.
But Norton is....
NO
Well how about extended warranty?
No!
But.....
NO! I only want the Laptop I came in for, I am not buying anything else no matter how hard you push it, so you can stop giving me the hard sell!
But I have to! I'm only doing my job...I have to get you to buy the extras.
NO YOU DON'T, if you irritate me enough I shall simply walk out that door!


That was actually a cut down version of what I had to put up with before walking out of the shop after buying ONLY the Laptop of my choice!

Now for the good....

Santander, the bank that gets so much bad publicity were in fact absolutely wonderful, it made sorting out my mothers affairs easy!
The staff member I dealt with was brilliant, so much so that on our return home I made a phone call to her boss telling him how good she had been with us.
If only all staff dealing with the public could take a leaf out of that young ladies book!

You need to take an assertion course Know what you mean though about the extras, I was offered the same.

€1.80 for coffee & €2.20 for a caña???? Wow, that's speedy inflation. Sounds like Parador prices!
Here, (in the "north" as you say) the average is €1.30 & €1.70 respectively.

Phew I'm glad to hear that. I'm meant to be on a visit to the Basque country this month, those prices from Cman were a little frightening, although it may be they were terraza prices in posh places?

Sorry to state the obvious, but ever tried a wet shave? Cleaner, more reliable.
Perhaps only more costly if you live where there is a hosepipe ban.
And those soft bristles dipped in shaving cream, applied to the face, mmmmm, paradise.

In view of the various mostly positive opinions regarding Spanish coffee bars I was surprised to happen upon a Starbucks the other day.

Seemingly they are not only widespread but have achieved quite a toehold in the market and followed on from the success of the US style fast/junk food joints in Spain.

Here is one guys take on why they've succeeded...

http://spanish-podcast.com/2007/12/1...xist-in-spain/

There are a few posts pointing out the more limited choice of coffee bars in the UK, but it should be remembered that England is still a nation of tea drinkers to a certain extent at least and Spain is not, also there has been quite an increase in the number of pleasant tea houses/tea cafes in the UK in recent years.

The only thing I entered Starbucks for was to make use of their toilets for free; ditto McDonalds.
Cannot understand why Starbucks insist on
a) filling the huge mug right to the very top
b) using thick mugs

Coffee & tea taste so much better in thinner, porcelain-type material.

Well I knew that was an old article when I saw this I have to admit I thought that was the main reason Starbucks had previously done reasonably well in Madrid - plus they made a tie-up with the VIPs people.
Nowadays I think they appeal to the wi-fi generation - plus it's meant to be a good place for professionals on the move to meet up without running the risk of sitting next to a drunk.
It's not my cup of tea but I suppose we're stuck with this type of chain for a few years yet. Just shows there are still plenty of people around who are prepared to pay 3-5 euros for a coffee.

Of course there a people who will not quibble over the price of a coffee, Starbucks, and the other chains will always have their fans.

There is even a starbucks in the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan , and alot of people want to be seen there, meet there etc. cost is irrelevant and so is the taste of the coffee.

I don't like Starbucks, Costa either. The muffins are foul and overpriced. I can't drink all that coffee, even a regular!

What they are good at is the marketing...starbucks sells the American dream, like Mcdonalds. The idea of squishy sofas was a good one but some small shops have copied that now, free newspapers too. I am not sure I understand all this obsession with coffee, give me a good smoothie bar anyday