Mon, 28 May 2012
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Blogger Kristen Bernardi wonders why love is in the air in Madrid more than in the US.
The other reason people take their make-out sessions to the streets? BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO GO TO GET IT ON.
First of all, the average age that Spaniards fly the family nest is much older than in the States, with 49 percent of Spaniards aged between 25-29 living at home, a figure that has risen with the current high unemployment rates.
That, combined with shockingly high housing prices that prevent people from buying a place of their own in the city, keeps folks living with mom and dad or flatsharing a lot longer. And if we Americans think back to high school, we know what that’s like – sneaking around for privacy occupies a LOT of frisky youngsters’ time.
When you’re 25 or 30, or hey – even 35, it’s not exactly ideal to bring a date back to the family home for some luuurve. Couples are forced to improvise and try to get some wherever they can, be it at a bar or on the bus. Without a place to call their own, everywhere from Retiro Park to the charcutería down the street become optimal places to sneek in some loving gazes and lip locking, crowds of nearby strangers be damned.
Plus, Europeans’ sense of personal space is a lot different than ours. Americans speak at a greater distance (CITE) and require more breathing room at home, in the office and on public transport. So seeing a couple gnawing at each others’ faces in such close proximity at a bar or restaurant can make it seem like people are not only all over each other – they’re all over YOU in the process.
Stealing kiss in Barcelona plaza
Even though a look at the housing situation in Madrid has diminished my beliefs about Spanish passion slightly, I still think madrileños have the right idea. If you’re crazy about someone, don’t be shy, even if you’ve got your own place to go home to. Hold ‘em tight, plant one on ‘em, and kindly apologise if you bump into the three people next to you in the process.
Kristen Bernardi is an American journalist who just moved back from Madrid to the States. This is the last of her fortnightly Fridays on Expatica.
Photo credits: admiretime; degreezero2000
While you do have a point with the higher age of leaving the family nest and the fact that city life here is more "crowded" then in the US, I wouldn't say these are the main reasons why there are a lot more of public passion displays... (and the fact that you "shout" the "reason" feels almost like a cheap shot - who are you trying to convince?)
Anyway, I'd say it's just a more relaxed attitude towards the carnal side of things. You're focused more on the beautiful woman (or man) that's right there in front of you, a sly smile spreading across her face and eyes shining. You're less focused on whatever the hell's around you or their opinions.
Seems like a good trade off to me.
Well as true Italian.... the situation in Spain is the same as Italy.
We have same mentality and same way of the life as Spanish;
Over here, when summer is come, the plaza, the street are fully of people!!!
Is amazing the true atmosphere of friendship that you are surrounded, going around with 28°C is a pleasure!!!
Enjoy a good Ice cream (homemade of course)..with the new particular flavour that is just come up since the begin of the summer … or enjoy a coffee o some light drinks .. and of course some many others food variety that you can normally find in our country!!
Yes indeed, you meet nice girls … you meet many new friends, outside, you ear the new song of Laura Pausini … or some other new the singer just come from the beach.
On the street people is sitting outside of the home.. chatting with neighbours and play card or watching television with them.
Now may questions is;
how you can do all this in America? A place where everybody has a gun? …how you can enjoy life if the only thing you can eat is popcorn and coca cola?
How you can enjoy life if everybody has a different nationality and different story and culture?
Please advice!
When somoene gets a chance can they pleaaaaase translate the two comments above to Englsih, I don´t underatand Catalan..anyway...a note to my American ¨Comrades¨living in one of the PIIGS countries for whatever god forsaken reason..please stop trying to compare the life of this third world country and the USA..it´s insulting! It´s like apples and oranges, stick to Europe or one of the other PIIGS!
Es Lo Que Hay,
Oh Boy Another Mistake America (OBAMA)
Wowww!! Republican... well done, good reply!
You need translation to "English" .? and sorry since when American are talking in English? ...
By the way PIIGS country ...you mean Pigs country? or what? ..
Anyway since now I now only 1 Pigs country ...were everybody just eat junk food ..only x Pigs and they get fat as a Pigs!!...
About 3°world in Europe we eat food...good food.
In American you eat shit ...indeed like a Pigs!...
About you comrade ...I feel sorry for them I hope they will be out of Europe ASAP ...
My dear... you still don't understood a lot of thing but what we can expect from a stupid american baba pig!
Small brain ..;fat body!! absolutely
Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and yes, your third world country SPAIN..aka..PIIGS! take your king and royal family and stick them where the sun don´t shine!! Again, can someone please translate the above comment, I don´t understand Basque...
OBAMA
Listen this Republican... PPPprrrrrrrrrrr!!!
ahahahahah
From third world ...PPPPPPPPRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!
Without translation......ahahAhhhahahh
Articles like this help dismountig myths. I lke them. Don't believe what cliches tell you. People have the same worries, fears and hopes eveywhere, and just a bunch of cultural peculiarities that makes them see each other as different.
I expect a dramatic drop of housing prices in Spain for the next 2 years, and a dramatic decrease of public shobbering. Nevertheless it's true that we, as southerners, like personal contact and can't help showing affection in public, but I don't think its a med or PIIGS thing or anything. Mrs Bernardi should do some further research and analyze public behavior of couples over 35. Let's see what she founds out.
Both Ismaele and Mr. Republican should cross the Atlantic, if only once in their lifes. Visiting other countries doesn't hurt, believe me. @Mr. Republican. Your knowlege of european economics really amazes me. I never imagined you'd care that much.
Hasta luego, rubia.
Shobbering=sobeteo
While you do have a point with the higher age of leaving the family nest and the fact that city life here is more "crowded" then in the US, I wouldn't say these are the main reasons why there are a lot more of public passion displays... (and the fact that you "shout" the "reason" feels almost like a cheap shot - who are you trying to convince?)
Anyway, I'd say it's just a more relaxed attitude towards the carnal side of things. You're focused more on the beautiful woman (or man) that's right there in front of you, a sly smile spreading across her face and eyes shining. You're less focused on whatever the hell's around you or their opinions.
Seems like a good trade off to me.
Well as true Italian.... the situation in Spain is the same as Italy.
We have same mentality and same way of the life as Spanish;
Over here, when summer is come, the plaza, the street are fully of people!!!
Is amazing the true atmosphere of friendship that you are surrounded, going around with 28°C is a pleasure!!!
Enjoy a good Ice cream (homemade of course)..with the new particular flavour that is just come up since the begin of the summer … or enjoy a coffee o some light drinks .. and of course some many others food variety that you can normally find in our country!!
Yes indeed, you meet nice girls … you meet many new friends, outside, you ear the new song of Laura Pausini … or some other new the singer just come from the beach.
On the street people is sitting outside of the home.. chatting with neighbours and play card or watching television with them.
Now may questions is;
how you can do all this in America? A place where everybody has a gun? …how you can enjoy life if the only thing you can eat is popcorn and coca cola?
How you can enjoy life if everybody has a different nationality and different story and culture?
Please advice!
When somoene gets a chance can they pleaaaaase translate the two comments above to Englsih, I don´t underatand Catalan..anyway...a note to my American ¨Comrades¨living in one of the PIIGS countries for whatever god forsaken reason..please stop trying to compare the life of this third world country and the USA..it´s insulting! It´s like apples and oranges, stick to Europe or one of the other PIIGS!
Es Lo Que Hay,
Oh Boy Another Mistake America (OBAMA)
Wowww!! Republican... well done, good reply!
You need translation to "English" .? and sorry since when American are talking in English? ...
By the way PIIGS country ...you mean Pigs country? or what? ..
Anyway since now I now only 1 Pigs country ...were everybody just eat junk food ..only x Pigs and they get fat as a Pigs!!...
About 3°world in Europe we eat food...good food.
In American you eat shit ...indeed like a Pigs!...
About you comrade ...I feel sorry for them I hope they will be out of Europe ASAP ...
My dear... you still don't understood a lot of thing but what we can expect from a stupid american baba pig!
Small brain ..;fat body!! absolutely
Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece and yes, your third world country SPAIN..aka..PIIGS! take your king and royal family and stick them where the sun don´t shine!! Again, can someone please translate the above comment, I don´t understand Basque...
OBAMA
Listen this Republican... PPPprrrrrrrrrrr!!!
ahahahahah
From third world ...PPPPPPPPRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!
Without translation......ahahAhhhahahh
Articles like this help dismountig myths. I lke them. Don't believe what cliches tell you. People have the same worries, fears and hopes eveywhere, and just a bunch of cultural peculiarities that makes them see each other as different.
I expect a dramatic drop of housing prices in Spain for the next 2 years, and a dramatic decrease of public shobbering. Nevertheless it's true that we, as southerners, like personal contact and can't help showing affection in public, but I don't think its a med or PIIGS thing or anything. Mrs Bernardi should do some further research and analyze public behavior of couples over 35. Let's see what she founds out.
Both Ismaele and Mr. Republican should cross the Atlantic, if only once in their lifes. Visiting other countries doesn't hurt, believe me. @Mr. Republican. Your knowlege of european economics really amazes me. I never imagined you'd care that much.
Hasta luego, rubia.
Shobbering=sobeteo
Expatica's Getting Started section will provide practical information on how you can open a bank account, exchange your driving licence, improve your Spanish, and more.
Here's a guide to an extensive list of groups and clubs in Madrid for expats, from sports groups to social and family gatherings.
A brief introduction to our Tax section for Spain, from help with inheritance tax to accounting advice.
Here's a short introduction to our Banking section for those living in Spain, from what to ask the experts to opening a Spanish bank account.
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