Originally Posted by arko

I am indeed making sweeping comments based on my privileged position, and that is all I am doing: making a comment on my experience of living in Spain. It wasn’t an attempt to make light of the poverty that can be found in this country, as indeed can be found in abundance in the UK, and I'm sorry if it came across as that.

There are big problems affecting this country that I see everyday living in an area that is also suffering from the economic downturn.

I am lucky as I have my Spanish family living near me so I've been on the receiving end of their charity every time I've needed it. Without sounding too rude, I am just making a comment on how I feel much better off where I am, with much less money than I had in the UK and I really have absolutely no interest in why your parents had to leave. If I did, I'd join 'Spanish expats' and answer to the thread 'Reasons why you are staying in the UK'.

I answered this thread as someone was in need of some positive comments on staying in this country we have chosen as home and my flippant comment was an attempt at that, nothing else.

Originally Posted by me me

I understand what you are trying to say. We now live in Spain (so we are not Spanish ex pats) and we are fortunate enough to be able to help our family who have fallen on hard times here in Spain.
I am not just talking about people suffering due to the economic downturn, there is grinding poverty in Spain, and to some people and communities poverty is all they know. It has been the same for years, pitiful wages, not state help etc.
The comment about "having much less money than you had in the UK, still does not make you poor.

Originally Posted by arko

As I don't make comments on people's circumstances without knowing the person's history (I'll overlook your comment on my economic circumstances, of which you have absolutely no idea) I won't presume to know in which part of the UK you were living. I'm assuming it's wasn't in one of the many constituencies which are considered some of the poorest in Europe (pre-EU enlargement). Poverty that has been part and parcel of every day life for generations of families is also a part of British society, but of course, I have no idea about that so I won't make a comment.

Originally Posted by encodeme

No comments best as most Countries have rich and poor areas....but few as poor as in the African continent...(excluding a few of the leaders...but not all of them)

Originally Posted by arko

We can debate it in the 'Chad' forum

Originally Posted by encodeme

Oh...are you in need of a sugar fix ?

Originally Posted by arko

Definitely not. Just polished off the tin of 'Roses' I was sent So, why are you staying in Spain?

Originally Posted by The Oddities

I can only presume that this business of queue jumping etc depends on where you live because my experience is totally opposite. People around here check up on who is the last one in the queue then make sure that they join on appropriately.

Rosemary

Originally Posted by crispy

They don't the meaning of the word "Queue" down this way, in the doctors they had to put a ticket machine on the wall even though there was an appointment system working or not as the case may be

Originally Posted by JnK

Thanks again everybody house sale still going okay so can't wait to begin the next chapter in our lives in Spain ... and we'll take the bad as well as the good Happy New Year everyone wherever you are

Originally Posted by The Oddities

Strange how much difference there are between areas. When OH went for his flu injection one woman was torm off a strip for going in front of him. Even outside the post office they are great about correct queueing, it does not open until 12.15 so if it is too sunny people hover in the shade across the road but you can guarantee that you will go in in the correct order. No matter where you queue in the town the last person entering always asks who is the last in the queue because people do not necessarily stand in line due to chatting to each other.

Saying that we live in quite a small place where everyone knows everyone else so maybe that is why they are so good.

Rosemary

Originally Posted by JnK

Thanks to everyone who has replied it's nice to read about the positive too. Having moved countries twice in my life, I'm aware of the immense difficulties and stresses that go with it. We're also aware that in the 18 months we've been planning the move how much things have changed (house price and sterling plummet) but we still feel it's important to give it a go as we're now both in our 50s and feel that it could possibly be our last chance to have a new life. So thanks again and ... keep the positives coming

Originally Posted by annerock

Hi,

We are moving to Spain as soon as we have sold our House(don't hold your breath) but will get by with 2 houses until the time is right. We are still positive and can't wait to come over permantly and start a new life together.

Where looking forward to the warm and hot weather away from the real cold its 0 outside as I am typing this. We are in our 50 so this is the right time for us even if someone has switched the light of for the world we all need to be positive.