Cough... America.... cough.....

It's interesting to read the Spanish take on UK, some good, some bad, but most that I read don't seem that worried about the weather, and comment that people always ask them why they come to UK, given the weather in Spain. (a job, obviously!)They seem to have problems with that. The Spanish don't even seem to have a problem moving to Scandinavia, they are going there in increasing numbers. I was recently reading a recommendation on places to visit in a London forum, and St Paul's always comes out on top, followed by all the other top tourist traps there. They seem to love London parks! Some of them, like this lady, even loves the food here!
And someone that has just lost her job, was given the following advice,
They're loving it!

In my experience this is very rare; in fact most foreigners have a very poor opinion of British food, especially if they're based in London. A shame really as decent home cooked fare is to die for, but all they experience is microwaved pub grub and various high street chicken and kebab type take-aways.

And why not there is a lot to love.

If there is one thing I cant stand it the Brits that have moved on and do nothing but slag off the UK, I rekon they must have lived in some god awful places.
Isnt it strange most people in the world would rather live in a country where they have social benefits and a comparitively crap climate, than stick it out in their hot and sunny country where such luxuries as care for the havenots does not exist.

I admit I would rather have a nice warm climate, that is one of the reasons I came back, but not at the expense of being without any protection in time of need.

Well, my quote said "comida casera".

I know it did, and I was making the point that a lot of foreigners, especially in London, never get to sample it. To be honest probably a lot of UK internal tourists don't either! I live in London, and I wouldn't know where to point people if they wanted good British home cooking. Now Portuguese - yes I know some good places here!

Anyway Mohamed Rugbymatt Ali, I agree with your points, by the way how is your camel breeding business going?
Camels R US isnt it?

Shalom

I hear this said about Spain. Yet there are news stories (I posted this earlier today) about major social security fraud. The two positions contradict each other

http://www.thereader.es/en/spain-new...ontent=Twitter

But that is true where ever you travel, do you think you get home cooked food when you go for a week in Manhattan, most meals are eaten in Fridays eateries, with plastic knives and forks.

Ain't that the truth! I've said many times, if I lived in some of those places, I'd have emigrated as well mind.

I'm fairly sure that if I eat a cocido in Madrid, a paella in Valencia or a Schnitzel in Vienna, it will have been made in a traditional way. So not "where ever I travel", no, but I take your point about a big metropolis, and yes, London qualifies in that respect

I think you are mistaking organised fraud, which the perps will always find a way, with the genuine "in needs".
There is help for people, but it get less as time goes on and then stops, there are limits, The fraudsters will always find a way round it to achieve their goal.
But I am not talking about those people, I mean Joe public.

Some will say that is right, but I bet if they do, they dont actually know an ordinary decent person who has lost their job and may be the wrong side of 40, with very limited job prospects.

oh dear, I was enjoying reading this thread about curry, charity shops, Tesco then it became another slanging match.

Any chance of pm ing each other - many viewers may get the impression that UK expats in Spain thrive on slagging each other off.

My nan use to say if you haven't got anything nice to say keep quiet.

I'm actually on your side in this respect. It's a nightmare to be out of work in your 40s and coming up against a brick wall - and remember the longer you're without work, the less likely that employment agencies/hirers will give you a break. I was in this position a few years back in the UK - instead of settling for a lifetime on the dole I moved to Madrid for work (which is one reason I will always defend the place). I'm now back working in the UK, but know full well how difficult the market place can be.

I go back to my home country, the UK, on a regular basis to visit family and friends and cemeteries. When I land at Stanstead, Gatwick or Edinburgh, I’m initially overwhelmed by nostalgia, and even rubbish coffee at £4 a cup doesn’t put me off.

Once I settle down, I study the local newspapers to look at property prices, contemplating a permanent return. Family visits take up most of my time but I’m only there for a week or so.

But when that plane lands at Alicante on my return, I’ve got a smile on my face. When I hear Spanish voices, I’m happy. If I did go back there would be a lot of things I would miss, I could make a list now and it would fill pages.