It's heartening to hear of happier experiences from other expats in different parts of Spain. I don't want to run down the place where I spent so many happy years of my life. It was only one daft receptionist at MRW's Alicante office who upset my wife yesterday.

If there is such a thing as 'sides', I've often witnessed atrocious behaviour from expats here in Spain, Only the other day a table of them called out to a Spanish waiter 'Oi, Franco, get your arse into gear we want six pints of lager over here.'

After a few years of it that Spanish waiter is not going to like his expat customers.

(She's back on the phone to MRW right now and I'm getting worried).

Pure ignorance on their part and they assume that the waiter will accept it and see it as banter etc. That type of person actually believes that they are far superior to the waiter, as you say that waiter is going to "love" all expats due to this. Many of my friends say that the stereotypical Brit is heavy drinking, aggressive and foul mouthed and unfortunately they hear stories about Brits in the holiday areas and make this judgement.

Good luck with gaining your parcel.

Rosemary