jackytoo

FFS stop bringing out the old "I speak spanish" crap. You aren't the only Brit to speak the language. Why would I speak english to a spaniard

cricketman

I was using the third person "you"

The Spaniards I spoke to in Andalucia had never come across a British person who spoke Spanish. Many different people told me and they used to ask me why

I replied that it is because they are ignorant ego-maniacs

The few British people up here of course do speak Spanish, or at least that is what an someone at tennis told me, I've never met one

amideislas

You're too right about that - too many Brits expect Spain to be Britain with sunshine (or Germans expecting it to be Germany with sunshine, or Swedes... or Dutch...) - and obviously it's not. Of course, Britain isn't Germany and Italy isn't Russia, either, but I digress.

Maybe you're right - anyone who speaks English (or doesn't speak Spanish) deserves to be treated unfairly. Unfortunately, that idea isn't yet well embraced in the rest of the world, which is only further testament how backward the rest of the world is.

Still, if you are amongst those Brits or Germans or Swedes (or whomever...) who believe that where you now live is perfect, whilst whinging incessantly about how terrible everywhere else (and everyone else) is, it might help explain one irony of the nature of humans.

jackytoo

The majority don't speak spanish. One man I knew couldn't pronounce his address after 10 years He was about 75 so suppose it is difficult. There are a lot of Anglo-Spanish familes on the CDS and they all speak spanish. One of my friends is celebrating her 27th wedding anniversary with a Marbellí this year

steviedeluxe

I imagine that it would be nearly impossible to survive in the north without speaking Spanish. Even in Madrid where there is a larger expat community, you won't get far without speaking the lingo, so most speak Spanish to a varying degree.

Pocaloca

I don't know any Brits (or Germans, Dutch, Swedes or Belgians) living in my part of Andalucia who DON'T speak Spanish, at least enough to get by.

I'm guessing your comment is referring to the costas?

Calling them ignorant ego-maniacs isn't really helping Anglo-Spanish relations, is it?!

amideislas

For lack of any better argument proving that everyone except the Spanish are crooks and whingers, he always resolves to the "they deserve it 'cause they don't speak Spanish" argument. Apparently the same applies even to those who do.

cricketman

I was talking about the small bit of Andalucia where I lived, although someone did once tell me that the CDS isnt really Andalucia, it starts 30 km inland Which is a fair enough point

My comment was a little tongue in cheek, actually I said the majority of Brits are there for the sun and not anything Spanish, which also wasnt very good for Anglo-Spanish relations But hey, it didnt stop them calling me up for a game of football or tennis

Countryboy1

What always strikes me a odd is that when I go to an Indian or Chinese restaurant I always try to converse in Spanish which for the majority of the workers there, is not their native language.
Inevitably, they recognise I am English and seemingly can't wait to switch to English!

Dick Dasterdly

Jeez, give us a break Cman and put another record on.
You are becoming boring in the extreme .

People will do as they will the World over, wether its live out in the sticks and integrate or be content amongst their own.

Regardless if they do or don't, the Spanish and local economies are reaping the benefits, so if there is a problem at all, it's certainly not yours.
It's supposed to be a free country so please stop bleating just for once because folk don't fit in with your criteria and live and let live.

Oh and by the way I've lost count of the number of Central and Northern Europeans who have remarked to me about what a warm and friendly welcome they received when visiting London.

sensationalfrog

yes,got banned from every other forum,most annoying was the forum where i live as the expert comes here every 2 years for 2 weeks and lives in manchester,i mentioned that this was wrong,all her info was wrong and got so many complaints,i got banned,still she posts out of date info and is still the de expert,just shows how crap that website is really

rachelk

You could look at this from another persepective. Brits aren't specifically targeted by the ID rules, it's just that other EU nationals have ID cards provided by their own states. For whatever reason the UK govt has not seen fit to do this.

As for the houses, while there are so many flats unsold it's hard to justify building on green spaces and coastal strips to provide holiday or retirement homes. And however some choose to portray it, it's not just britons who've had their homes threatened.

megmet

You really are incredible in your blinkered views, over thirty years ago the Brits here in Andalucia were speaking Spanish....you are not the first!

Domino

Once again another generalisation to make the world rotate.

All towns and cities can have their problems, but I have found that being welcoming yourself in a foreign place works wonders.
Treat people the way you would want to be treated and they will respond to you

Treat people the way many Brits do - whether on holdiay or as residents, with their noses in the air, their heads up their bums, continually muttering "bloody dagoes" and guess what - you get a reaction alright.

Retired in Euskadi

Too true. You hardly ever meet English people. Those tourists that do come here are usually more interested in either language or culture, rather than just sun, so will tend to know some Spanish often.
Mustn't be forgotten that learning a language when you're over 60 is twice as hard as when you're younger, due to memory retention, or lack of it!!