Originally Posted by Dick Dasterdly (Post 10718385)

Another sign of the times.

http://elpais.com/elpais/2013/05/21/...15_570067.html

.....but good news at least for 5000 young Spaniards each year,

.....as long as they are happy to move to Germany.:unsure:

Originally Posted by Lynn R (Post 10718580)

I don't think the ones I've spoken to go that far back, they range from people in their '50s to their '80s (the older ones having been back in Spain since they reached retirement age). It was work they were looking for, and much like people from the poorer areas of the UK who go South looking for work, the Andalucians went North, some only got as far as Madrid or Barcelona (a fair number of my neighbours have come back home from those places too) but a lot went further afield. The chap whose house we bought was a chauffeur for a French industrialist, and I've met lorry drivers, factory workers, builders, all kinds of jobs. One guy we got chatting to one day told us how much his pension was per month from working abroad, it was enough for him to live like a King here, as he said. A Spanish friend of mine who is just 50 went to Switzerland with her parents when she was 10, when they moved so her father could get a job, and just returned here 3 years ago when her husband retired. She is fluent in 4 languages (Spanish of course, plus German, Italian and French), puts me to shame.

Originally Posted by Lynn R (Post 10718601)

I read an article a while ago in Sur in English about a group of Norwegian expats living in and around Fuengirola, I think it was, who had formed a voluntary organisation to help young unemployed Spaniards to find work in Norway. They were giving free language lessons and helping to make contacts with prospective employers and even linking up with people who could offer temporary accommodation to the young people when they first arrived in Norway. What a great initiative!

Originally Posted by me me (Post 10718609)

A cousin of mine has found a job in Tromso, pay is good and he is very happy there, he is even preparing to marry a local girl.

He does not even mind the long cold winters.

And they really are long and cold.

Originally Posted by Lynn R (Post 10718637)

Good luck to him. This is why I get a bit cross when people talk about Spanish workers in terms of the old stereotypes like "the manana syndrome" and say they are lazy, etc. I'm sure there are some lazy people around, every country will have a certain percentage of those, but I'm genuinely admiring that so many Spanish people have been in the past, and are again today, prepared to go to such lengths to make a good life for themselves and their families. It must have been even harder in times gone by when communication and transport was much more difficult than it is now.

Originally Posted by Lynn R (Post 10718601)

I read an article a while ago in Sur in English about a group of Norwegian expats living in and around Fuengirola, I think it was, who had formed a voluntary organisation to help young unemployed Spaniards to find work in Norway. They were giving free language lessons and helping to make contacts with prospective employers and even linking up with people who could offer temporary accommodation to the young people when they first arrived in Norway. What a great initiative!

Originally Posted by jennieJ (Post 10718654)

It's really encouraging to know that these initiatives are going on, Norwegian seems like it is such a difficult language to learn as well so it shows some people are prepared to make the necessary effort required, even when things aren't straightforward.

Originally Posted by Dick Dasterdly (Post 10718674)

It must be much tougher for the Spanish moving there as regards the language and much easier for us Brits, as there has been a huge surge of ppl in Scandinavia learning English in recent years, thereby making it much easier to settle in in the first instance, before becoming entirely familiar with a new language.

Originally Posted by jackytoo (Post 10718675)

we have a few Norwegian friends and they all speak perfect English, almost bi-lingual. Same when you go to the larger towns like Stavanger etc. As they say they have to speak English good as hardly anyone in the world speaks their language:D

Originally Posted by jennieJ (Post 10718717)

True I had forgotten that most scandiwegians speak English, I think most Brits dislike the climate there though and the price of alcohol.:D

Originally Posted by jackytoo (Post 10718880)

The scenery is wonderful and the houses really warm and cosy...prices, WOW:D

Originally Posted by jimenato (Post 10718790)

Love it! Satire at its best.:rofl: