Mon, 28 May 2012
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The American expat remains amazed at how alive the streets are when everyone is out but has yet to comprehend why certain thing has to be a struggle when it's completely unnecessary or nonsensical.
If you could change anything about Spain, what would it be?
I'd like to reverse the 20 years of nationalism that's breaking the country apart. After having lived in Cadiz in Andalucia and Barcelona in Catalunya, which are probably the two most opposite cities in Spain, I can honestly say - there are more similarities than differences.
True, the Catalans put in the hours and the longer days, but there's still no planning or mid-to-long term strategy behind their decision making, and they don't work any more efficiently.
And yes, the people in the north take life, work and themselves more seriously than the those from the south, but ninety percent of all Spaniards, when asked where they'd live if they won the lottery, said: In my village with my friends, my family and my bar.
What advice would you give to a newcomer?
Remember you're in Spain and Spain is different than where you're from. Life is backwards here. Stores and offices are closed when you think they'd be open, and open when you'd expect them to be closed.
People will chase you down the street to return a dropped pen, but won't let you out the metro before storming in, and Spanish is spoken in South American, but not here ,where it's known as Castellano.
Would you like to add anything?
Don't expect a high-level of English or any foreign language for that matter, so it's best to learn Spanish, and if you're in Barcelona – a little Catalan wouldn't hurt.
29 April 2009
If you would like to share your perspective about life in Spain and contribute to Expat Voices, send an email to editorES@expatica.com with 'Please send me an Expat Voices questionnaire' in the subject line.
I¨m another American from NJ who was ¨suckered into¨moving here by my Catalan wife five loooooong year ago. I´ll keep this short and sweet..I would NEVER be here if my wife wasn´t from here. she didin´t fit in back east and I don´t fit in here. Yes, this country is backwards and now with the ¨CRISIS¨ (as they call it here) it´s even worse. The salaries are shit , immigraion is a HUGE problem, and living in a two-berdroom ¨piso¨ just isn´t my ¨cup of tea¨..LOL Spain..I just don´t see any future here.
I lived in Barcelona during the 2007 - 2008 school year. I taught ESL and travelled all over the city. I had a great time. I do agree with the service - there is almost no sense of customer service. So different from the USA. The thing is to roll with it. Don't get upset or mad it's not worth it. I was aked to leave a small bookstore because I had a can of pop in my hand but the cashier was bale to smoke at the entrance - of which I could smell at the back of the store - things don't make sense. I told her that I could smell her cig. smoke at the back of the store and she became very upset. Spainards get defensive when you mention the "smoking thing." Funny in a way.
Melissa
Buffalo, New York
Never127@aol.com
I¨m another American from NJ who was ¨suckered into¨moving here by my Catalan wife five loooooong year ago. I´ll keep this short and sweet..I would NEVER be here if my wife wasn´t from here. she didin´t fit in back east and I don´t fit in here. Yes, this country is backwards and now with the ¨CRISIS¨ (as they call it here) it´s even worse. The salaries are shit , immigraion is a HUGE problem, and living in a two-berdroom ¨piso¨ just isn´t my ¨cup of tea¨..LOL Spain..I just don´t see any future here.
I lived in Barcelona during the 2007 - 2008 school year. I taught ESL and travelled all over the city. I had a great time. I do agree with the service - there is almost no sense of customer service. So different from the USA. The thing is to roll with it. Don't get upset or mad it's not worth it. I was aked to leave a small bookstore because I had a can of pop in my hand but the cashier was bale to smoke at the entrance - of which I could smell at the back of the store - things don't make sense. I told her that I could smell her cig. smoke at the back of the store and she became very upset. Spainards get defensive when you mention the "smoking thing." Funny in a way.
Melissa
Buffalo, New York
Never127@aol.com
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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