spain or uk
Apr 23rd 2010 | 9:03 am
#31
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,753
From: Alicante province
Re: spain or uk
It is very strange, your post has made me think, I dont know where my natural home is.
ok, if we are speaking literaly Spain must be my home, but, as for feeling "at home" I dont really know how to answer.
I think that I have more in common with British people than Spanish, I enjoy their sence of humor, I find that saying the same kind of things in Spanish to my friends and family is not half as much fun as saying it in the UK to British people.
The British humor is a lot more refined and they seem to laugh more in everyday life.
I have noticed that when my wife is on the phone to a UK mate, she seems to spend most of the time screaming with laughter, and I think I am the same when talking to mine, just about everyday stuff.
When a Spanish friend phones, even though I cant hear the conversation, I know it is not one of her British mates, through the lack of laughter.
People talk about Spanish being friendly, but I have found that British are far friendlier.
We went for a "mariscada" with a group of Spanish couples, all the conversation was about the seafood, everyone telling the others how they like their "pulpo, Almejas"etc. An how they like the sauce finer, thicker, etc..
So boring....................
Then we went to visit British friends in Torrevieja, we went for a menu of the day, and had a ball.......
ok, if we are speaking literaly Spain must be my home, but, as for feeling "at home" I dont really know how to answer.
I think that I have more in common with British people than Spanish, I enjoy their sence of humor, I find that saying the same kind of things in Spanish to my friends and family is not half as much fun as saying it in the UK to British people.
The British humor is a lot more refined and they seem to laugh more in everyday life.
I have noticed that when my wife is on the phone to a UK mate, she seems to spend most of the time screaming with laughter, and I think I am the same when talking to mine, just about everyday stuff.
When a Spanish friend phones, even though I cant hear the conversation, I know it is not one of her British mates, through the lack of laughter.
People talk about Spanish being friendly, but I have found that British are far friendlier.
We went for a "mariscada" with a group of Spanish couples, all the conversation was about the seafood, everyone telling the others how they like their "pulpo, Almejas"etc. An how they like the sauce finer, thicker, etc..
So boring....................
Then we went to visit British friends in Torrevieja, we went for a menu of the day, and had a ball.......
But neither of us were born here, which is a stupid thing to say – Cliff Richard was born in Pakistan, but what does that matter. Obama was born in Hawai of Kenyan parents, and he’s the President of the US, so what does it matter?
We’ve had a ball with Spanish people in totally Spanish surroundings, and I’ve been reduced to tears when the songs from back home made me homesick in a UK venue.
And when I hear the bagpipes, I’m totally f****d..
Apr 23rd 2010 | 10:08 am
#32
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,753
From: Alicante province
Re: spain or uk
I think you have hit the nail on the head, two places in Spain and UK can be very different. I'd hate to live in London, or any big city come to that, I much prefer rural living. Today I have been walking the coast path for about six hours, and have been out walking every day this week, the weather has been great. On the way, in the middle of nowhere, I came across an "honesty"organic fruit & veg stall, nobody there, but everything was priced with a box to put your money in. It's all done on trust, couldn't see that lasting five minutes in London!
It's not unusual to see similar honesty stalls here. I love where I live, but next month we'll have a few weeks in Spain, I can enjoy both. Just stay away from Torrevieja and CDS!
It's not unusual to see similar honesty stalls here. I love where I live, but next month we'll have a few weeks in Spain, I can enjoy both. Just stay away from Torrevieja and CDS!I’ve just spotted your post, and I know it’s in jest, but if you stay away from Torrevieja and the CDS, the local residents will be much relieved. We’ve got enough prats living here, without more coming to visit. Swansea is a nice place for people like you, or Port Talbot, a real arsehole place.
Apr 23rd 2010 | 5:57 pm
#33
RETIRED ;-))
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,156
From: Benalmadena Pueblo,Spain
Re: spain or uk
I’ve just spotted your post, and I know it’s in jest, but if you stay away from Torrevieja and the CDS, the local residents will be much relieved. We’ve got enough prats living here, without more coming to visit. Swansea is a nice place for people like you, or Port Talbot, a real arsehole place.
Apr 23rd 2010 | 7:55 pm
#34
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,367
Re: spain or uk
I think that sums up the place nicely, couldn't have put it better myself. You two didn't disappoint, far too easy really, just as well jdr is on my ignore list. I do agree about Swansea and Port Talbot though, like Torre but without the sun.
Last edited by agoreira; Apr 23rd 2010 at 7:59 pm.
Apr 23rd 2010 | 8:03 pm
#35
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,753
From: Alicante province
Re: spain or uk
Having recovered from the vicious attack by the man from Port Talbot, I got to comparing two places to enjoy a meal (to keep it simple).
The first one is the Buffet Libre on Playa del Cura beach in Torrevieja, where you can eat as much as you like on the terrace overlooking the ‘Spanish’ beach, which gets so busy in the summer that people are standing shoulder to shoulder all the way out to sea.
The second one is the Star of India in High Street North, Manor Park, east London, where you can eat authentic Indian food, and you will be surrounded by Indians, both in the restaurant and on the streets outside.
From my own personal view, I couldn’t put a cigarette paper between the places, I’ve enjoyed them both, and I’m a foreigner in both, an authentic guiri.
The first one is the Buffet Libre on Playa del Cura beach in Torrevieja, where you can eat as much as you like on the terrace overlooking the ‘Spanish’ beach, which gets so busy in the summer that people are standing shoulder to shoulder all the way out to sea.
The second one is the Star of India in High Street North, Manor Park, east London, where you can eat authentic Indian food, and you will be surrounded by Indians, both in the restaurant and on the streets outside.
From my own personal view, I couldn’t put a cigarette paper between the places, I’ve enjoyed them both, and I’m a foreigner in both, an authentic guiri.
Apr 23rd 2010 | 8:15 pm
#36
Straw Man.
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 46,302
From: That, there, that's not my post count... nothing to see here, move along.
Re: spain or uk
Not that I actually like these comparison threads but this one WAS quite interesting to read for a bit... you know, until it all started to get testosterone fueled and narky!
Apr 24th 2010 | 1:46 am
#37
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 346
From: Valencian Province
Re: spain or uk
I love living in Spain and in almost 18 years here I've only been back five times, both to Orkney, where we have two houses and land rented out, and to London where my extended family lives. Everytime I go back there I feel depressed and can't wait to get back to Spain. It's as though Britain is in black and white and Spain is in glorious technicolour. In Britain everything is so expensive and everyone is moaning all the time. I love the way everyone in Spain kisses you everytime you meet and I found it difficulty to restrain myself back home as I got some funny looks. The Spanish here laugh all the time and are never too busy to stop for a chat. I would be very sad and disturbed if I was told to return to the UK for whatever reason. I hate staying in other peoples' houses but love when people come to stay with us as they seem to get more and more relaxed as life is so easy here and my neighbours kiss them and shout 'guapo or guapa' every time they see them. You don't get much of that in Orkney or London.
Apr 24th 2010 | 3:13 am
#38
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 9
Re: spain or uk
Having recovered from the vicious attack by the man from Port Talbot, I got to comparing two places to enjoy a meal (to keep it simple).
The first one is the Buffet Libre on Playa del Cura beach in Torrevieja, where you can eat as much as you like on the terrace overlooking the ‘Spanish’ beach, which gets so busy in the summer that people are standing shoulder to shoulder all the way out to sea.
The second one is the Star of India in High Street North, Manor Park, east London, where you can eat authentic Indian food, and you will be surrounded by Indians, both in the restaurant and on the streets outside.
From my own personal view, I couldn’t put a cigarette paper between the places, I’ve enjoyed them both, and I’m a foreigner in both, an authentic guiri.
The first one is the Buffet Libre on Playa del Cura beach in Torrevieja, where you can eat as much as you like on the terrace overlooking the ‘Spanish’ beach, which gets so busy in the summer that people are standing shoulder to shoulder all the way out to sea.
The second one is the Star of India in High Street North, Manor Park, east London, where you can eat authentic Indian food, and you will be surrounded by Indians, both in the restaurant and on the streets outside.
From my own personal view, I couldn’t put a cigarette paper between the places, I’ve enjoyed them both, and I’m a foreigner in both, an authentic guiri.
Apr 24th 2010 | 3:20 am
#40
HOODIE
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 536
From: The Woolpack
Re: spain or uk
Hope to God they are not like the Buffet Libre on the end of the paseo in Benalmadena Costa and the so called Indian Restaurants in the same place. The only thing I would do with a cigarette paper is set it on fire and throw it in there and hope it does something like set the chip fat on fire.
Apr 24th 2010 | 3:55 am
#42
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,753
From: Alicante province
Re: spain or uk
If your earnings are commission based and the product you are selling is more in demand in Spain than in the UK, then you would be better off in the sun. Take ice cubes as an example . . .
Apr 24th 2010 | 4:45 am
#45
Not Banned (yet)
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,404
From: East Sussex
Re: spain or uk
I agree - it's always a pleasure to read his posts, even if you don't agree with them.
As for comparing Spain and the UK, I think you have to compare like with (relative) like. For example if you're looking for the best place to get work, then compare Madrid with London. If you're thinking of moving to the coast then compare Skegness (or Falmouth or Weymouth) to the Spanish resort. I suppose the difference is that there is (or was, rumour is a lot are moving back) a sizeable British expat community on the Spanish costas, and not a few venturing inland too. The majority of Spanish in the UK would be found in the big cities.
As for comparing Spain and the UK, I think you have to compare like with (relative) like. For example if you're looking for the best place to get work, then compare Madrid with London. If you're thinking of moving to the coast then compare Skegness (or Falmouth or Weymouth) to the Spanish resort. I suppose the difference is that there is (or was, rumour is a lot are moving back) a sizeable British expat community on the Spanish costas, and not a few venturing inland too. The majority of Spanish in the UK would be found in the big cities.
