British Expats
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British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)
-   Spain (https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/)
-   -   Welcome to Spain (https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/welcome-spain-791798/)

HBG Mar 27th 2013 11:02 pm
Re: Welcome to Spain
 
In the past I have tried a daft little experiment in a more Spanish location than where I live now. I've only tried it for the odd day.

I switched on the Spanish news first thing and left it on. Then I tried to dress Spanish which was always a failure because they don't dress any different to us expats. In my red top I went into a Spanish bar and ordered coffee and toast with tomato and garlic, being careful not to say Please.

And every time I paid the bill and left a tip, the waitress said Thank You, in English.

Pocaloca Mar 27th 2013 11:02 pm
Re: Welcome to Spain
 
Originally Posted by Rosemary (Post 10628455)
I am very much the foreigner, I am not religious but I stand and watch all of the processions and I am included in everything including my friends taking me to the various houses to see the saints. Traditions are also explained to me so that I will understand events, they seem to swell with pride when they tell me of how some of these traditions began.

Rosemary
I used to go and watch them, but quite honestly when you've seen a dozen you've seen 'em all ... :D

And when they involve small children and make them wear robes and capirotes it gives me the creeps.

http://img.bebesymas.com/procesion_ninyos.jpg

agoreira Mar 27th 2013 11:03 pm
Re: Welcome to Spain
 
Originally Posted by Pocaloca (Post 10628427)
Interesting. I've been here 13 years and have a Spanish partner but I am still a foreigner. It's not a problem, I am quite at ease here, but I feel different and I am treated differently.
You'll have to commit yourself 100% to Spain and become a Spanish citizen! Not that that will make any difference. Reading this morning, anyone now want to take Spanish nationality might have to pass a test.
Deberán acreditar un grado suficiente de idioma español.
También demostrar su integración en la sociedad.
Not a problem for you, but I suspect many would struggle!:) Never quite sure when Brits that are time qualified and apparently love everything Spanish, hate UK, but still insist on hanging onto the old UK passport. Why? Just in case?:confused:
http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/1771...idad-espanola/

agoreira Mar 27th 2013 11:07 pm
Re: Welcome to Spain
 
Originally Posted by Pocaloca (Post 10628474)
I used to go and watch them, but quite honestly when you've seen a dozen you've seen 'em all ... :D

And when they involve small children and make them wear robes and capirotes it gives me the creeps.

http://img.bebesymas.com/procesion_ninyos.jpg
Agree, it can be a bit of the same old same old, one procession much the same as another. But it doesn't seem to have that effect on the Spanish, well certainly not in places like Sevilla where they are all packed in like sardines. And none of these costumes come cheap, do they, to kit a family out must cost a fortune. Saw a photo this week of the Foreign Legion and seemingly they are the only troops to be able to wear a beard and open neck shirts. The photo showed some guy with chest exposed showing his chain around his neck with all manner of bling showing. Couldn't see UK Special Forces dressed like that! ;-)

Pocaloca Mar 27th 2013 11:12 pm
Re: Welcome to Spain
 
Originally Posted by agoreira (Post 10628477)
You'll have to commit yourself 100% to Spain and become a Spanish citizen! Not that that will make any difference. Reading this morning, anyone now want to take Spanish nationality might have to pass a test.

Not a problem for you, but I suspect many would struggle!:) Never quite sure when Brits that are time qualified and apparently love everything Spanish, hate UK, but still insist on hanging onto the old UK passport. Why? Just in case?:confused:
http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/1771...idad-espanola/
Commitment isn't really my thing ... I'm here through inertia, too comfortable to move! :D

Domino Mar 27th 2013 11:26 pm
Re: Welcome to Spain
 
Originally Posted by agoreira (Post 10628477)
You'll have to commit yourself 100% to Spain and become a Spanish citizen! Not that that will make any difference. Reading this morning, anyone now want to take Spanish nationality might have to pass a test.

Not a problem for you, but I suspect many would struggle!:) Never quite sure when Brits that are time qualified and apparently love everything Spanish, hate UK, but still insist on hanging onto the old UK passport. Why? Just in case?:confused:
http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/1771...idad-espanola/
It isn't just "Brits", many of those from other nations retain their passports.
I knew several in the UK who had Pakistani passports even though they had not been born there, but made great play of having a British Passport.
One was killed in an accident and his body was shipped "home".

But passing a tick the box exam is surely no way to get a new nationality, it only debases that nationality, especially when people only want it for the benefits they would gain.

Lenox Mar 27th 2013 11:31 pm
Re: Welcome to Spain
 
This Worldwide Asset Declaration deal, sounds like the authorities are making us all 'honorary Spaniards'!

Domino Mar 27th 2013 11:35 pm
Re: Welcome to Spain
 
COR ! !

Do I get a cerstifficate and or a nice medal to display :cool:

Or just a tax bill
:(

jimenato Mar 27th 2013 11:39 pm
Re: Welcome to Spain
 
Originally Posted by Pocaloca (Post 10628427)
Interesting. I've been here 13 years and have a Spanish partner but I am still a foreigner. It's not a problem, I am quite at ease here, but I feel different and I am treated differently.

This is particularly noticeable this week, Semana Santa, when even people who declare themselves as non-believers get swept up in the religious fervour and follow the pasos. Nobody expects me to join in, and I don't - I just don't get it!
I have been here a similar time and I too feel like a foreigner. I enjoy being a foreigner in a foreign land. If I start to feel that this is too much like home I will go somewhere else. The only difference is that I like to watch the odd rituals and ceremonies that my Spanish friends and neighbours get up to at various times of the year - it makes me feel even more foreign.:)

amideislas Mar 27th 2013 11:54 pm
Re: Welcome to Spain
 
Originally Posted by Lenox (Post 10628532)
This Worldwide Asset Declaration deal, sounds like the authorities are making us all 'honorary Spaniards'!
Well, at least your money anyway.

jackytoo Mar 28th 2013 12:07 am
Re: Welcome to Spain
 
Originally Posted by Pocaloca (Post 10628474)
I used to go and watch them, but quite honestly when you've seen a dozen you've seen 'em all ... :D

And when they involve small children and make them wear robes and capirotes it gives me the creeps.

http://img.bebesymas.com/procesion_ninyos.jpg
Give me the creeps too. Remind me of Torquemada the Inquisitor or the Klu Klux Klan. You can hear the drum beats from miles away and it reminds me of a Roman legion marching to war.

Domino Mar 28th 2013 1:21 am
Re: Welcome to Spain
 
Originally Posted by jackytoo (Post 10628594)
Give me the creeps too. Remind me of Torquemada the Inquisitor or the Klu Klux Klan. You can hear the drum beats from miles away and it reminds me of a Roman legion marching to war.
Cripes you are THAT old ? ?

:eek:

jackytoo Mar 28th 2013 2:09 am
Re: Welcome to Spain
 
Have you forgot Ben Hur and Cleopatra:D

jimenato Mar 28th 2013 2:17 am
Re: Welcome to Spain
 
Originally Posted by jackytoo (Post 10628594)
Give me the creeps too. Remind me of Torquemada the Inquisitor or the Klu Klux Klan. You can hear the drum beats from miles away and it reminds me of a Roman legion marching to war.
They came past our house around midnight last night banging away. Dogs went bonkers.

Pocaloca Mar 28th 2013 2:59 am
Re: Welcome to Spain
 
Originally Posted by HBG (Post 10628472)
Then I tried to dress Spanish which was always a failure because they don't dress any different to us expats.
:rofl:

Oh yes they do! I can always spot the Brits by their clothes, especially the Blue Harbour generation. :D


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