How close to the breadline?
#16
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I guess you just haven't taken the trouble to look for it.
..and it still gets exactly the same hours of daylight it got ten years ago, believe it or not.
What hour of day it shows on your clock is somewhat irrelevant in Spain I would have thought.
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#17
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I hope you are right, however I can´t see where all the new people are going to come from to give the increased numbers.
As I said, some services are 80% under the predicted break even point, there´s no way they´ll ever pay their way. The Americans looked at the AVE, thought it was great, but said there was no way they could afford it!
And as you say, Spain has had huge amounts of EU money thrown at it in the past, but that´s changing, and changing for the worse.
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As for numbers of passengers - already some services take millions of passengers each year eg Madrid to Valencia, Madrid to Barcelona. Also the local sevices Segovia to Madrid, and Toledo to Madrid are very well occupied. The fast train link up to Paris via Figueras and Barcelona is scheduled to start Autumn 2012, and already they are forecasting 2.9 million passengers in the first year on that line. Any of the sceptics like to bet it will be under 2 million in the first year? Once the fast train network is connected to the European system (via French SCNF) you'll see even better take-ups.
It's not directly connected to the high speed rail investment, but the following article shows how the increase in Spanish reputation in trains is leading to orders world-wide (in this case New Zealand)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/loca...land-train-job
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#18
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The "old" Spain still exists in very many places.
I guess you just haven't taken the trouble to look for it.
..and it still gets exactly the same hours of daylight it got ten years ago, believe it or not.
What hour of day it shows on your clock is somewhat irrelevant in Spain I would have thought.
I guess you just haven't taken the trouble to look for it.
..and it still gets exactly the same hours of daylight it got ten years ago, believe it or not.
What hour of day it shows on your clock is somewhat irrelevant in Spain I would have thought.
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Two days ago, we were in a Spanish town square on Columbus day. Watching the locals strutting about proudly is something I'll never tire off. I'd miss it back in the UK, I'm having nightmares about rain-sodden Suffolk.
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#20
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I think it's a north/south divide (Europe wide) with a secondary old/young divide here in Spain. Spain is producing highly educated people with no job prospects within their own country. It must be heartbreaking for a degree holder to work on a short term contract for pitiful wages and no security.
But the overall problem, the cause for such injustices, remains; the country itself is not able to collect the tax receipts it is due because of the historic, tax evasion practised by a large section of the population.
It begs the question, why does it not happen in Scandinavian countries. while it is rife around the Mediterranean?
But the overall problem, the cause for such injustices, remains; the country itself is not able to collect the tax receipts it is due because of the historic, tax evasion practised by a large section of the population.
It begs the question, why does it not happen in Scandinavian countries. while it is rife around the Mediterranean?
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/878350-u...ts-out-of-work
The number of people classed as economically inactive increased by 26,000 to 9.35million and, when taken together with the employment totals, it suggests half of all 16- to 24-year-olds are now not employed.
Last edited by steviedeluxe; Oct 14th 2011 at 9:28 am.
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#21
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I have lived in Spain so long that I became used to paying for nearly everything in cash. This week I had some work done in the house which came to £389. I got the cash out of bank and when I offered it he said sorry, but could I have a cheque, my accountant doesn't like it when I get paid in cash! Took me nearly a half hour to find the cheque book. He said the UK Gov. are clamping down hard on builders etc. Definately a North/South divide
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I know most of Spain and it doesn't exist at all, probably you are talking about out of the way pueblos with a load of inbreds and a lack of any culture. What would you know Stevie, your knowledge seems to only be of Madrid and tapas bars! Perhaps demolishing the costa concrete would be a start. It may get better as the economy gets worse, the spanish realise they have killed the golden goose perhaps they will attempt to get some things back and lose some of the arrogance.
I have just been to Italy and although I wouldn't want to live there the difference in friendliness and service is marked. The coast line is still stunning and not ravaged by third-world concrete blocks. Admittedly it is more expensive than Spain but I suppose you pay for what you get.
I have just been to Italy and although I wouldn't want to live there the difference in friendliness and service is marked. The coast line is still stunning and not ravaged by third-world concrete blocks. Admittedly it is more expensive than Spain but I suppose you pay for what you get.
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#23
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It is understandable that Spaniards will try to fiddle their taxes, with the level of corruption here particularly from their "betters" would you not feel exactly the same way. It becomes a personal necessity whereas in the UK we may grumble but understand that the higher the level of taxes the better the services although MPs with their corruption could create a similar situation there.
Another problem for Spain could be the decrease in the birth rate which may cause problems in the future when work increases.
Graham
Another problem for Spain could be the decrease in the birth rate which may cause problems in the future when work increases.
Graham
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#24
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Give it up Stevie, you should know that only two or three people on this forum know about Spain everyone else is an idiot.
Graham.
Graham.
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#25
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I know most of Spain and it doesn't exist at all, probably you are talking about out of the way pueblos with a load of inbreds and a lack of any culture. What would you know Stevie, your knowledge seems to only be of Madrid and tapas bars! Perhaps demolishing the costa concrete would be a start. It may get better as the economy gets worse, the spanish realise they have killed the golden goose perhaps they will attempt to get some things back and lose some of the arrogance.
I have just been to Italy and although I wouldn't want to live there the difference in friendliness and service is marked. The coast line is still stunning and not ravaged by third-world concrete blocks. Admittedly it is more expensive than Spain but I suppose you pay for what you get.
I have just been to Italy and although I wouldn't want to live there the difference in friendliness and service is marked. The coast line is still stunning and not ravaged by third-world concrete blocks. Admittedly it is more expensive than Spain but I suppose you pay for what you get.
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I don't recognise your view of the UK either, unless it's changed dramatically in the last few months. Here in London nearly all building workers seem to prefer payment by cash for services rendered - well the Polish, Bulgarians and Rumanians do
Maybe it's the customers, who prefer getting the job done half price. And maybe you're right - I'll ask around and find out if anyone has had a similar experience. If it has changed as you describe, the local indigeneous builders (if there are any left) will certainly be happy.
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There are countries already buying train systems from Spain, and it's looking likely that both Norway and Saudi Arabia (although France are still in the running) will be buying fast train systems soon from consortiums led by Spanish companies - talking billions, not millions worth of orders.
As for numbers of passengers - already some services take millions of passengers each year eg Madrid to Valencia, Madrid to Barcelona. Also the local sevices Segovia to Madrid, and Toledo to Madrid are very well occupied. The fast train link up to Paris via Figueras and Barcelona is scheduled to start Autumn 2012, and already they are forecasting 2.9 million passengers in the first year on that line.
As for numbers of passengers - already some services take millions of passengers each year eg Madrid to Valencia, Madrid to Barcelona. Also the local sevices Segovia to Madrid, and Toledo to Madrid are very well occupied. The fast train link up to Paris via Figueras and Barcelona is scheduled to start Autumn 2012, and already they are forecasting 2.9 million passengers in the first year on that line.
Spain's high-speed trains unprofitable
The Spanish railway company Renfe will close the AVE high-speed rail link Toledo-Cuenca-Albacete on July 1 after only six months in operation. As with other routes on Spain's high-speed railway network - among the largest in the world - the demand was too low. The Spanish daily La Vanguardia pokes fun at the ridiculous waste of money for the project: "Everyone here wanted an AVE link to score at the ballot box. This ghost train with its empty carriages and more staff than passengers is the parable of a country that went to bed rich and woke up poor; and went on dreaming the day after. When Merkel read the news at breakfast yesterday she no doubt cursed all the money Germany had invested in this absurd project. She probably thought it would have been cheaper to give a Mercedes to each of the nine passengers the train averaged daily rather than backing this senseless project in the land of Don Quixote."
Buenas noches.
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#29
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I wonder how you know all this
My workman was English and runs a bona fide company. We did have a very nice turkish guy to repair a gate and an iraqui and a Kurd deliver our dining room furniture. They were all excellent. I don't have a problem with foreigners if they work. Would be better if they threw out some of the workshy benefit addicted Brits![ROFL](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/rofl.gif)
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I agree that plenty of folk from the Middle East are decent hard working folk. Much like anywhere. Which is my basic philosophy on life. Some people do their best to point out I'm wrong though. Who knows?
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#30
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Judging by your posts of Spain (2 euro coffees standard, not knowing certain common dishes and having to look them up in the dictionary), I'm sorry, but I have zero confidence in your "knowledge" of Spain. A small part of the tourist coast near Marbellas perhaps. Even most of your article quotes are from the local paper Sur. Spain is a big country - you mention a stunning coast line in Italy - try Cantabria or Asturias or Galicia. Have you ever even been there? ![ROFL](https://britishexpats.com/forum/images/smilies/rofl.gif)
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