Re: A Life in the UK or Spain?
 

You are right, and this is basically the argument for forgetting about who invaded who, and when, and just get on with our lives! As people have said on here already, in the western world we really don't realise how lucky we are.

Re: A Life in the UK or Spain?
 

It would seem from the definition of expatriate that most Brits here really should be defined as immigrants as they most certainly haven't withdrawn allegiance to their native country. And why should they? Assuming they had any to start with, that is.
And then there are those fleeing from debts, the long arm of the law, Child Support Agency etc.?
They would definitely qualify as expatriates as their stay here is a form of self-banishment, wouldn't they?
As for integration......since we lived in caves and invented language, we have learnt to discriminate. It's an innate human tendency, imo and generally a harmless one.
Discrimination in the form of sexism, racism and homophobia etc. is another matter and it's not at all the same kind of sentiment that propels British immigrants to Spain to form whist clubs, pensioners' groups etc.

Re: A Life in the UK or Spain?
 

Try one of these: Germany, Italy, Libya, Burma, Algeria, Ethiopia and a whole load more who were all "pillaged".:D

Jim

Re: A Life in the UK or Spain?
 

Iraq? Afghanistan? Iran-in-waiting? Oops, getting too political now!

Re: A Life in the UK or Spain?
 

Let's hope they don't bring in the WMDs. (Weasels of Massive Deceit, Warmongering Murderous Destroyers...)

Re: A Life in the UK or Spain?
 

Name me a country not guilty of it.

Re: A Life in the UK or Spain?
 

Come on guys, lets keep on topic please :)

Re: A Life in the UK or Spain?
 

Yes. To keep on topic I would say that in 20 years time, maybe 30??? The difference between the UK and Spain will be the climate and thats all!! In fact I reckon that even the language will be pretty much "watered down" with other european languages and become more or less "integrated"

Jo xxx

Re: A Life in the UK or Spain?
 

It´s official, I´m integrated..........my Mum told me!:D
I was talking to my Mother on the phone and I don´t know how long I´ve been doing it but she pointed out that I finish most sentences with the word "no". I say "yes no?", "no no?" and tend to stick the word "no" onto pretty much everything.
Anyone else that wants to know if they´re integrated let me know and I´ll ask my Mum! :rofl:

Re: A Life in the UK or Spain?
 

You're saying we'll all be speaking German?? :rofl:

Re: A Life in the UK or Spain?
 

I doubt they'll be any "german" language - they'll probably be pockets of people who'll try to keep "indigenous" languages alive - as there are now with other dying "tongues"! But in the main I suspect English will be predominantly spoken - for whatever reason - America I suspect. Like it or like it not, it seems to be the international business language with a few other favourite words and phrases thrown in (oh dear, this forum will want to argue this one wont it!!). But when you see the numbers of Spanish kids at international schools now, whose families are prepared to pay for them to get an English spoken education and most of the "institutes" around here have full bilingual classes - english - not to be confused with "english lessons". It seems to be where its heading.

So yes, I think Europe is going to be an amalgam - the towns and cities will all be the same - I think its a shame, but it seems to be heading that way

Jo xxx

Re: A Life in the UK or Spain?
 

There are only Spanish kids in English international schools in the poor areas of the country that depend on tourism. And still, there are not that many.

There are 4 languages in Spain which Spanish people hold very dear to their hearts. If in 30 years time we are all speaking English in Spain it would have to be after a very bloody war

Re: A Life in the UK or Spain?
 

I totally disagree with that one!!! The school fees are extortionate (700€ a month per child). The type of cars the Spanish drive to the school are all very expensive - BMWs, Audis, Mercs, Porshes - mostly 4x4s and top of the range (my son is into cars and is very jealous!) and they all seem to have at least two or three kids at the school. Málaga (where our school is) is not a poor area of the country, it may rely on tourism to a point, but that isnt why these people are sending their kids there - they want them to be more than just bilingual waiters. And, as I say, even the local state schools are all starting to operate bilingual classes - not for the British either, my daughter goes to a state school and isnt allowed to join the Bilingual classes

Jo xxx

Re: A Life in the UK or Spain?
 

Agree, however I think a lot will be speaking a watered down Spanish, peppered with lots of English words and expressions. Already there are a huge number of English words used in IT, and in business in general. I've read several articles where academics have been moaning about the use of English words, or worse Spanglish, when there are perfectly good Spanish words than could be used. It's good that they want to keep the language pure, but it isn't going to happen, all languages evolve with time.

Re: A Life in the UK or Spain?
 

I don't know what the fees are, but friends of ours have 3 properties in Spain, retired at 50, so well off, but they still moan like hell about the fees! And yes, they arrive in one of their 4x4's, usually the Jeep! :)