Comment from Colin
Time: December 15, 2007, 10:05 am

Well done and said, Ben. I’ve yet to publish my Negatives about Spain to go with the Positives I posted a few weeks ago. Some would say, I guess, I don’t really need to compile them as I’m always predominantly negative. But I would strongly contest this. Anyway, I like lists. . .

Comment from Andr w
Time: December 15, 2007, 10:37 am

When this page loaded I thought I’d visited the Daily Mail website by mistake. Is Ben just trying to get the hit-rate up or is he pressing the self-destruct button. Is he just a whinger or has the real Ben been captured by aliens and the last 3 posts were those of an imposter…

Comment from Ben
Time: December 15, 2007, 10:39 am

@Andr w - It’s possible that my common sense has been abducted by aliens…. back to more Guardian and less Daily Mail next week

Comment from richardksa
Time: December 15, 2007, 11:11 am

11. Cost of living
12. Climate
13. My ex wife still lives there.

Comment from luke
Time: December 15, 2007, 11:13 am

As someone still living in North London, I agree with most of your points. The only misjudged point is the one on CCTV. When they started putting up cameras, I along with many people, felt that is was sinister. But when you live in these crime ridden areas (as I do) you want more. When you ring the police after an incident they ask if you have CCTV in your road; unfortunatlely I don’t so there is no chance to catch criminals here.
There have been many crimnials caught with CCTV; look at the terrorists whose bombs failed to explode. They’re all off London’s streets now, thank God and CCTV; at least my wife is less likely to be blown up on the Piccadilly line.

I think the superior British thing is dying out; where I live the majority of British people have only been British for a couple of generations so they don’t feel this. Their history maybe of being slaves etc. I think there is more of a connection to Asia and Africa than Europe in my area of Britain.

Comment from Andr w
Time: December 15, 2007, 11:23 am

“…back to more Guardian and less Daily Mail next week”

Phew!! I was just ordering a pile of t-shirts with the ‘Release Ben’ campaign slogan (English on the front), ‘Libera a Ben’ (Martian on the back).

Comment from Ben
Time: December 15, 2007, 11:33 am

@Luke - interesting point about CCTV - I suppose the thing is that it’s a shame it ever got to this stage in the first place…

Comment from Beckett
Time: December 15, 2007, 11:59 am

Ben,
It’s mighty generous of you to give equal time to the shortcomings of England in a blog about Spain. But….it wasn’t necessary. I highly doubt that a Spanish blog focused on Anglo culture or the English language would’ve done the same thing (giving equal time to gripes about Spain) in response to reader reaction from British people. Actually, come to think of it, I doubt British people would’ve gotten so bent out of shape about it. They know how to laugh at themselves.

You and Marina have singlehandedly done more to elevate Spain and promote Spanish culture than the Spanish tourism board. You’ve got NOTHING to apologize for!!! If you feel like ribbing your adopted homeland every now and again, it’s your right to do so!! Adelante! Don’t succumb to the temptation to kowtow to a bunch of hit-and-run posters who don’t even bother to take a few seconds to browse through your blog to see whether or not their silly outrage is even warranted.

Keep on doing what you’re doing, blogging about Spain, (good stuff, bad stuff, warts and all) and ignore the trolls!

Comment from Ben
Time: December 15, 2007, 12:17 pm

Thanks Beckett, I know I didn’t have to write this post, but I felt I had to, and not just because I upset some Spanish people! Again though, I was amazed by how many Spanish people actually said ‘well done, we agree’!

Comment from Aloriel
Time: December 15, 2007, 12:43 pm

Although I can’t say everything is true (I’m not English and I don’t live in UK) I would agree with some of the points, or what is worse Spain shares some, at least in some parts, IE: #2 (is increasing, however not very big), #3 (at least TV says so), #4 (in some hospitals, but not often), and #9 for sure!

Comment from nowald
Time: December 15, 2007, 1:00 pm

Thanks about the post Ben , here is another “new” fan from Spain

PS: also Im half agree with Beckett

Comment from Frank
Time: December 15, 2007, 1:06 pm

1.Agree, a big problem, but fortunately not where I live.
2.Agree.
3.Agree, but a similar problem throughout Europe.
4.Agree, but I see Spain has contracted many Polish and Moroccan surgeons, as so many Spanish ones are working abroad for a lot more money. Despite mostly singing the praises of the Spanish health system, most of the Brits I know use private health insurance. Not a problem here if you have private insurance!
5.Like previous comment, I don’t have a problem with CTV cameras, the more the merrier.
6.Agree
7.Agree
8.Agree, depressing.
9.Agree, but no different to anywhere else. Spain will take some beating when it comes to gutter press magazines,Hello etc.
10. Agree and disagree! Disagree that we think we are superior, but agree 100% that I feel “como un isleño”, like an islander and wish we were not part of Europe. Great for Spain who have been the biggest net recipient of EU funds until recently, but I don’t see any benefits for us.

Comment from Pek
Time: December 15, 2007, 1:36 pm

Now you’have been very polite… congratulations.

Comment from poliket
Time: December 15, 2007, 2:19 pm

Ecstasy is cheaper than a beer!!!

Comment from Lavin
Time: December 15, 2007, 2:36 pm

Your blog and the Spanish post appears today on an spanish newspaper. You are famous! LOL

http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/322259/l/#comentarios

Congratulations, I´m spanish and I could not agree with you more.

Comment from Lavin
Time: December 15, 2007, 2:37 pm

Sorry, the link is this one:

http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/322259/

Comment from Andr w
Time: December 15, 2007, 3:09 pm

“Your blog and the Spanish post appears today on an spanish newspaper. You are famous! LOL”

Cool! But I think the venues for the next GME should be kept highly secret now or you could all go home with a severe dose of the shiits!

Comment from Moscow
Time: December 15, 2007, 3:21 pm

Ben,
Totally agree that more surprising than the vitriol is how many people claiming to be Spaniards actually agree with you - I’d say it’s a 50/50 thing. Then again most of these seem to either live abroad or have lived abroad at sometime stage in the past. I have been living out of Spain for 21 years now, the last 8 in Russia - which is undoubtedly much worse to live in than either Spain or Britain. So, everybody who is not living in Russia - cheer up!

Comment from la pícara viborita
Time: December 15, 2007, 5:17 pm

11. Lots of english sick people using the spanish social security and hospitals, paying no money… that’s a robbery!!!
12. Gibraltar…
13. Lots of english people buying houses in Spain cause they are sooooooooo cheap for them with their wonderful salarys… and the spanish people living in the streets… The english people NEVER try to live with the spanish people… the english make ghettos.
14. The english people think ALL the world HAS TO speak english… jajajaaja.
15. the hoolingans… yuck!!!!
16. the superiority they think they have…
17. All the guiris think andalucia is all spain. Please. delete that picture.
ok. no more for today. Nice to know your blog. And always welcome to Spain.
I´ve never been in UK. I prefer USA.

Comment from echulin
Time: December 15, 2007, 6:42 pm

I’m spanish, and I was in UK in summer in 1992. We walk on the beach with a pullover while english were taking a sunbath.

I used glasses, and every day little drops rained on them ¡IN JULY!.

Weather and food were shocking for me, and some stupid people that dislike foreigners (some bus drivers, some waiters, …). But finally I enjoy, and I learnt a bit of english.

I suggest to you: why don’t write now about the 10 things that make Spain great, for example:
- People are very friendly.
- People drink alcohol moderately, without getting drunk everytime they do so.
- Doctors and hospital are free for everyone, and government pays 60 per cent of the price of drugs.

Comment from miriam
Time: December 15, 2007, 6:44 pm

@ A la picara que pica.

11. En primer lugar, si eso te parace un robo, por que no hablamos de los españoles que van a el Reino Unido y viven del gobierno or seguridad social ( job seeker allowances, housing benefit, etc) y tiene un trabajillo en el que les pagan dinero negro. Eso si que es un robo y para colmo el promblema no se limita al Reuno Unido solo, que tabien esta cobrando el “paro” en España.

Para tu information solo son gratuitas las urgencias hospitalarias para Ingleses, para tener accesso gratuitos a otros tratamientos tienes que ser residente.

12. Creo que hay cosas mas importantes que el peñon.
13 . Desde luego yo no veo a muchos españoles que vivan en la calle. De hecho la guente que viven en la calle son los pobres inmigrates (Latino America, Africa, Hungria etc). Y en cuato a lo barato que estan las casa or pisos en España. No se si sabras que España el coste de la vivienda sea cuadriplicado en los 7 ultimos años, de hecho un piso en le centro de Madrid es tan caro como en Londres (cerca del centro o centro). Dime dode compra tu? Si es cierto que “algunos Ingleses” que viven en España solo se relacionan con Ingleses. Pero si te digo la verda si tu viveras en otro pais, como vivo yo, siempre tiendes a relacionarte con lo conocido.

Luego respondo a los demas.

Comment from Maria
Time: December 15, 2007, 6:47 pm

11.- Las uñas de luto

Comment from richardksa
Time: December 15, 2007, 6:58 pm

Some points I cannot let pass:
11. The British contribution to the EU is equal to what Spain takes out… that’s a robbery!!!
12. Gibraltar…Really! You don´t want it.
13. The EU says any member can live anywhere. You have a nicer country, so we come here. I live in a very nice part of Madrid and as far as I know I am the only Brit in the barrio. Does that make where I live a “Spanish Getto”?
14. The english people think ALL the world HAS TO speak english… Nope! The Americans do. Hollywood, the Internet. Here´s one Brit determined to learn your language.
15. the hoolingans… yuck!!!! Totally agree. We don’t like these idiots either.
16. the superiority they think they have…No we don’t.
17. All the guiris think andalucia is all spain. Please. delete that picture. I prefer, and live in, Madrid. There are not so many Brits. If I wanted to live in a British community, I would have stayed there.
And I think Spain is the nicest and friendliest country I have ever lived in - and I have lived in a few.

Comment from Kate
Time: December 15, 2007, 7:24 pm

As a Spaniard I consider most of your comments about Spain quite accurate. We all should be able to recognize our faults

Comment from Jon Hundt
Time: December 15, 2007, 8:21 pm

Ha-ha-ha Ben, man, you are the best! I love reading your stuff. Nothing like calling a spade a spade (or is that politically incorrect?)

I could give you similar lists about California (where I’m from) and the Netherlands (where I chose to live). It’s a crazy world.

If you think UK kids are:

overly armed with deadly weapons
too frequently alcohol fuelled
tending towards obesity
living in run-down cities

then I wish you would visit my hometown, Oakland (California) and take a little ride through the East Side on a Saturday night. You might find that things aren’t nearly as grim in London as they might be (or might become).

How’s that guitar stuff coming along?

Comment from Ben
Time: December 15, 2007, 8:48 pm

@Jon - guitar going well, but slooowly, love discovering new sounds though, been playing around with maj7 chords this weekend

Comment from Cesar
Time: December 15, 2007, 8:52 pm

Beckett, you are a really close-minded english person and you think that english tourism gives Spain all his economic wealth. Don’t be such an egocentric please; thank God I have english friends nicer than you. Of course spanish society are not perfect and we know this but we try to do our best to go on improving our faults…

Comment from kirods
Time: December 15, 2007, 8:53 pm

FOOD is a big shit. ^^

Comment from Suso
Time: December 15, 2007, 9:38 pm

Don’t worry, Ben. Your post about spain was funny and clever. Just like today’s one.

Come back and enjoy our country.

Comment from Frank
Time: December 15, 2007, 10:19 pm

“Beckett, you are a really close-minded english person and you think that english tourism gives Spain all his economic wealth.”

I think you are making it up as you go along, he never said anything of the sort! ALL it’s economic wealth?Where did you get that from? Whether you are prepared to admit it or not, tourism is a very big earner, and the most visitors come from UK. You already have an unemployement rate twice that of UK, without the tourists, you would be stuffed.

“Tourism is one of the country’s biggest money earners, contributing about 9% to Spain’s gross domestic product and employing 11% of its population.

Spain even uses revenues from tourism to balance its trade deficit, Manuel Butler, director of the Spanish Tourist Office in London, told BBC News Online. “

Comment from fer
Time: December 15, 2007, 11:02 pm

i like uk
i like spain
i like sex
a nice day for everybody, a great noche de marcha too.

Comment from Queen elisabeth
Time: December 15, 2007, 11:13 pm

Bueno, rectificar es de sabios y creo que has reflexionado sobre lo que escribiste, hay que ser comprensivo y humilde con otras culturas y otras formas de comportarse, las grandezas y las miserias pertenecen al genero humano y no a porciones de territorio en el globo, y tu post fue una falta de respeto, pero sin duda tu reacción posterior contiene más que felicitar que la anterior de criticar.

un saludo

Comment from Mr.Bickle
Time: December 15, 2007, 11:25 pm

Iba a escribir en inglés pero supongo que es bastante obvio que hablas español.

¿A quien le importan cuatro idiotas españoles que se ofenden por nombrar varias cosillas que realmente ocurren en España? Es más, 4 de los puntos tenían que ver con medio ambiente y con muertes de españoles en carretera, demostrando así cariño a España, a mi modo de ver.

España tiene cosas realmente malas. Muchísimo más malas que cualquiera de las que has dicho. Y estamos yendo a mucho peor. Un ejemplo es la cantidad de gente que añora tiempos de Franco. Aunque luego declaren ser adalides de la Democracia y la Libertad. Con todo lo malo que ese tipo de ideologías conlleva, claro.

Ese tipo de gente que se ofende en defensa de su bandera antes que leer o razonar sobre el tema, no merece ni respuesta. Es algo demasiado infantil como para dedicarle tiempo. Aquí estamos acostumbrados a vivir con ellos.

Si haces un análisis (o recopilación de comentarios) de las cosas realmente malas que pasan en España (incluídas esas sobre nacionalismos que tan nerviosa ponen a la gente), muchos te apoyamos y aplaudimos.

Sigue así con el Blog. Saludos desde Barcelona.

Comment from Andr w
Time: December 15, 2007, 11:40 pm

“You already have an unemployement rate twice that of UK, without the tourists, you would be stuffed.”

I don’t think statements like this are helpful or factually correct. Ben’s 9 Spanish annoyances were tame and mostly well observed but this has already degenerated into quite a nasty little debate without you insultingly telling the Spanish how they owe their success to British tourists which they don’t. You’ll be banging on about the benefits of the British Empire next. Despite tourism being pretty flat for a number of years GDP has risen substantially.

This isn’t only directed at Frank but can we please not have a war between Americans/Brits and the Spanish. It is so pointless and dispiriting when all 3 nationalities/countries have so much to enjoy and learn together.

Comment from MURCIANICO ¡AGUA PARA TODOS!
Time: December 15, 2007, 11:45 pm

GIBRALTAR IS A SPANISH TOWN ROBBED. PLEASE, RETURN IT TO US, LIKE CHINESE CITIES HAVE BEEN DONE!

Estuve en Inglaterra (Margate) en Julio de 1992 y la verdad es que me sentí tratado con racismo. Casi me matan (si no me escondo) el aniversario de Trafalgar. Mucha gentuza y mucho macarra.
Ojalá pusieran lengua y cultura ESPAÑOLAS obligatorias en vuestro sistema para que los inglesitos que vienen a jorobar a las playas tuvieran un poquico más de respeto.
Por cierto, si te has creido la publicidad de los P$ociatas sobre el golf, vente a MURCIA y verás nuestra agricultura y sequía REAL. Prueba nuestra comida local y entenderás que el agua la necesitamos de verdad y la usamos mejor que nadie.
SEE YOU!

Comment from elpensador1987
Time: December 15, 2007, 11:59 pm

Ben, vas a tenerle que dar las gracias a 20 minutos, por la publicidad que ha hecho de tu blog.

http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/322259/0/blog/errores/espana/

Comment from Frank
Time: December 16, 2007, 12:42 am

“but this has already degenerated into quite a nasty little debate without you insultingly telling the Spanish how they owe their success to British tourists which they don’t.”

I think I said, ““Tourism is one of the country’s biggest money earners, contributing about 9% to Spain’s gross domestic product and employing 11% of its population.” of which the English make up the majority, nearly 28%.What facts do you want to discuss? Are you suggesting that if 28% of their tourism suddenly stopped, they would not feel any pain? Have a read of this link, your figures about a stagnant tourism rate is, like your argument, is woefully lacking.

http://tinyurl.com/2mmqmf

Comment from Desi
Time: December 16, 2007, 1:17 am

Hi Ben. Congratulations for your blog. I know you are receiving quite a lot of annoying comments from my country but… don’t feed up the trolls… Every place has good and bad things

Comment from Joppa
Time: December 16, 2007, 1:34 am

Ben,

As an American I could write my own list about the USA, and it would be even easier.

The 10 Most Annoying Things About the USA

1. The Natives
2. The Immigrants
3. The Government
4. The Cars
5. The Crime (caused by No. 1 and No. 2)
6. The Pollution
7. The Religion
8. The South
9. See No. 1
10. See No. 2

But Hey, it’s home. Love it or leave it, which I will, when I can afford to, or when Canada will take me!

Comment from Antonio
Time: December 16, 2007, 2:23 am

Spanish with 6 months experience living and working in England.
My best things of England: love to culture, kindness, parties, blonde women everywhere. Worse things: food, crime rates, arrogance, sensationalist press.

Comment from Juan Linares
Time: December 16, 2007, 2:33 am

Well about “2. All the alcohol-fueled violence on Friday and Saturday nights (don’t see that in Spain either).” I will tell you that “Botellon” is not the best example, teenagers or kid drinking and getting violent is almost #2

Comment from osocanoso
Time: December 16, 2007, 2:41 am

I hope Mr. Curtis, next time you critizice anything you think about it twice.
About a comment you make in response to one of the opinions, you said you’re surprised about how many spaniards said you were right.
We, Spaniards, are generally honest people as you well know, and recognice our own faults.
Shame british don’t. Yes, I know…, is genetics…

Comment from Ben
Time: December 16, 2007, 2:51 am

many thanks to whoever put this on meneame as well:

http://meneame.net/story/10-peores-cosas-gran-bretana-segun-ingles

… doubt this one will make the front page of 20minuots.com though!

Comment from Moscow
Time: December 16, 2007, 8:08 am

1) The British class system. In no other country are people judged by their accent to the extent to which they are in the UK. Class consciousness might have waned over the decades, but despite frequent denials it still persists.
2) The British humour. At it’s best a form of art, undoubtedly. After a while it starts becoming slightly tiresome, an irritant. It is the best way to kill any sort of earnest conversation. For the result it has on thought exchange it is the perfect equivalent of Spaniards crossing shouts around a bar table.
3) English table manners. Despite their uniqueness no Briton would feel embarrassed to try to teach them to you.
4) The British Pub. A place of legend, where masochism was invented.
5) Snobbishness (see point 1). There is even a form of working-class snobbishness – quite incredible.
6) The London Tube. All forms of transport in Britain. A nightmare.
7) The British like to think they don’t take themselves very seriously. They are certainly very good at laughing at themselves (see point 2). But, if you are foreigner living in Britain, please do refrain from joining in. At best, you may get a terse reply pointing out shortcomings in your own country, at worst the reply will be served cold and sometime later in the form of virulent sarcasm. Jokes about foreigners – particularly Europeans (see point 9) - are a staple base of British humour (see point 2). It’s best to avoid provoking conversation drifting along these lines, particularly if you are alone amongst natives, and you are a sensitive person.
The English coast, particularly the Eastern seaboard. Disgusting, depressing, and fortunately, disappearing.
9) The attitude to Europe. Britons claim to be against Europe because it jeopardizes individual rights and freedoms. Rubbish. The British have been masters in the past in hiding evil purpose under a cloak of lofty righteousness (much as the Americans do now in Irak). That is how they managed to rape the world pretending to save it. Former British colonies now thriving after being soaked for decades in British culture: Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya. No one is denying Britain is one of the fore-runners of democracy, but anti-European sentiment, at it’s core, is nothing but little-Englander nationalism.
10) The Britsh broadsheets and media. A haven of snobbishness (see points 1. and 5).
Conrad Black is now in prison (deservedly) but his awful wife, Barbara Amiel, who coined the phrase “my extravagance has no bounds”, is still at large. She is only the most extreme expression of a wider malaise that permeates British society, particularly the “upper” echelons.

Sorry for all this, I just couldn’t keep it to myself any longer. I had to get it out of the system. I, actually, agree with most of what has been said about Spain lately. I think a lot more criticism could have been added. I also hate the smoking, the noise, the careless attitude about the environment, the stupid bureaucracy, the absence of a real meritocracy,…..

Comment from Andr w
Time: December 16, 2007, 9:27 am

@Frank - you clearly don’t regret using the phrase “You already have an unemployement rate twice that of UK, without the tourists, you would be stuffed.” so there is no point talking to you. By all means continue to march around Spain feeling that they all owe you thanks for spending your money there. And good luck to you and Ben if you enjoy spending your weekend stirring up hatred but I’m bored with this now.

Comment from Frank
Time: December 16, 2007, 10:48 am

“That is how they managed to rape the world pretending to save it. Former British colonies now thriving after being soaked for decades in British culture: Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kenya.”

You make some valid points, Moscow, however, like you, I can’t resist! Whilst perhaps you didn’t “rape” quite as much of the world as us, you had an admirable try, especially in Central and South America, where you managed to decimate almost entire nations and plunder all it’s wealth. It was hardly a mission of mercy.
Some of the former colonies might be doing OK (not sure about thriving, but due in some very small part to the money we continue to provide) But how you can describe Zimbabwe as thriving is absolutely beyond me. With the highest inflation rate in the world of over 1.5,% (http://tinyurl.com/25q7oa), that’s thriving? I have to say we left the country in a much better state than it is now What was once a beautiful, productive country has indeed now been raped.

Comment from FELIX ARES (SPANIARD)
Time: December 16, 2007, 10:49 am

Please, I live in Fuengirola (Málaga, Spain). I love the not-garbage in floor of the English People (it is incredible, but Fuengirola is one of the few spanish villages without paper and garbage in the floor, thanks to the English People. English People: Thanks!!!!!), I love the English breakfast (in Fuengirola, cheaper than in London), … I love English… (a macho remark: I love SHE English). Please, we are not wild people…
Do you know that in Spain, many “bars” early in the morning put garbage in the floor because bars without garbage “mens” bars withouts clients and this is bad?

Comment from Frank
Time: December 16, 2007, 10:50 am

With the highest inflation rate in the world of over 1.5,%

I missed an M out there, 1.5m%!

Comment from FELIX ARES (SPANIARD)
Time: December 16, 2007, 10:54 am

Sorry for my bad English

Comment from FELIX ARES (SPANIARD)
Time: December 16, 2007, 10:57 am

“Mens” Error I want to say Means. Significa en español

Comment from miriam
Time: December 16, 2007, 11:32 am

@Moscow. I’m British and I recognise some of your points the class divide, transport and the coast. The rest of the points seem very subjective based on out-dated caricatures of the British rather than the complicated mix of cultures that make up Britain.
What made me write this was the relationship Britain has to the empire that was. The British Empire was created from, what is viewed today as, unacceptable behaviour and I believe it was immoral. But at that time any country that could carve up an empire was trying to do the same; they just weren’t as successful.
Today a huge minority of British people are from immigrant families who arrived in the 50s. These people are as British as any other British person so when you consider who is British do not forget them. Some groups such as Afro-Caribbean British males are not doing well in society but others such as Indian British males are more successful than working class indigenous males (see government statistics on educational achievement). With the huge number of regional cultures, ethnic affiliations, class cultures, it is very difficult to say what British culture is. When you blame the British for ‘raping’ countries, you should be blaming the dead British in power not the British today who are the British businessman from Indian descent or the British plumber from Irish descent. I’m descended from Irish Catholics who were brutalised by Oliver Cromwell in the 17th Century; we came here in 1910 when the empire had been established for two to three hundred years. The Romans invaded Britain for 450 years but I’m not going to hold that against anyone born in Rome.
Btw, you missed some countries that were in the British Empire: USA, Australia, New Zealand, Bermuda, Bahamas, Canada, Tobago, Guyana, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa, Ireland, Burma, Cyprus, Brunei, Egypt, Fiji, Kuwait, Malaya, India, Philippines, Qatar, Seychelles and many more. My point is that Britain is full of people who originated from these areas and they are now born in Britain and therefore British. Britain has had a global view rather than a European outlook because of the legacy of Empire. In my area of London most of the British people have African or Asian heritages rather than European, should they limit themselves to a European identity? From a pratical point of view the UK has put much more finance into Europe than it has received. More than most countries’ identities, British identity is an elusive entity and difficult to characterise.

Comment from Jony
Time: December 16, 2007, 11:41 am

As Spanish who have been living in London, in Wales, and actually in South Korea, I am quite agree with what you say, of both countries, but … will be nice if you do “10 most wonderful things of …” UK and Spain, i will read it.

Comment from Men
Time: December 16, 2007, 11:43 am

11. In UK don’t have Jesus Gil

Comment from Oscar
Time: December 16, 2007, 12:13 pm

Good posts Ben. You are right in both of them and, after reading those +270 comments I’m happy to see that the vastr maority of spaniards (as me) agree with you.

There’s still some hope maybe…

Comment from Mrmark
Time: December 16, 2007, 12:22 pm

Good lists there. I’m surprised that “Christmas that lasts too long” isn’t also in the UK list. Ok we know about the 3 Kings and 6 Jan in Spain. But at least you can take public transport in Spain on 25 (only a few companies I know, but far better than UK) and 26 December. Factor in the start of Xmas celebrations in the Uk (which seem to start mid-November) and I know which one seems to last longer.

Comment from Mike
Time: December 16, 2007, 12:24 pm

British people are just a bunch of bloody Basques. That explains their bloody history.

Comment from ValenciaSon
Time: December 16, 2007, 12:56 pm

I disagree with the statement made that it is the Americans that expect the world to speak english by virtue of Hollywood and the internet. Today, most films made in Hollywood are dubbed into more than a dozen languages before released anywhere in the world. The internet seems quite capable to accommodate any and all languages. Successful search engines and web browsers from the US are available in different language version so how can anyone say that it is the Americans who have this monolingual, anglocentric expectation of the world? We are not without some xenophobes but so is the UK and Spain.

Comment from JuanFran
Time: December 16, 2007, 1:04 pm

Don’t stop claiming what you don’t like wherever you are.

Comment from vigués
Time: December 16, 2007, 1:36 pm

“As Spanish who have been living in London, in Wales, and actually in South Korea, I am quite agree with what you say, of both countries, but … will be nice if you do “10 most wonderful things of …” UK and Spain, i will read it.”

I agree with your comment. You probably meant “currently in South Korea”. Don’t mention it!

Comment from Ben
Time: December 16, 2007, 2:09 pm

“will be nice if you do “10 most wonderful things of …” UK and Spain”

Hecho:

http://www.notesfromspain.com/2007/12/16/the-10-best-things-about-spain/

Comment from klamery (Spanish)
Time: December 16, 2007, 4:25 pm

Beatiful debate, a litle bit of criticism is, definitively, the best way towards freedoom, improvement and a better future, therefore, whoever´s pride this may hurt, please keep on pointing out what you think may be changed for a better living.

Comment from Maria
Time: December 16, 2007, 9:23 pm

I have just returned home from a nice get-together of expats and repats to Germany. Of course, we talked about daily annoyances and things we like about living in Germany - usually newcomers see so many positive things about living in Germany. Maybe us old timers get a bit callous and we forget to see the reason why we came here in the first place, in general. I always hear myself telling people “I came here to stay for two years. Now it has been twelve years. Sigh.” What keeps me here? I know there have been many more good days than bad days, but we usually best remember the bad days.
It is time for me to write a post about “The ten best things about living in Germany”, just to remind myself. I think I need some help on this one….

Comment from Charles C Stirk Jr
Time: December 16, 2007, 10:08 pm

“Ben Curtis ha creado un blog para mostrar sus disgustos con nuestro país.” I luv the Spanish Press ….

Comment from Edith
Time: December 17, 2007, 12:22 am

These are my top ten Dutch pet peeves, copied and pasted from the ‘10 most annoying things about Spain’ thread because this is a better place for them:

1. Dutch people think they are straightforward and honest, but often they are just plain rude. They know how to dish out but not how to take in.

2. Dutch people skimp on important things like food, which is why many supermarkets are really crap compared to out neighboring countries. We are one of the richest countries in the European Union yet we always complain the amenities of life ‘cost too much’.

3. Dutch people do not know how to wait their turn while waiting in line/queuing and they get very annoyed when you tell them it’s someone else’s turn.

4. Dutch people are always eager to wag their finger at the rest of the world, especially at Americans and Germans. We tend to avoid the historical skeletons in our own closet.

5. Dutch people get hopping mad when foreigners - especially Afro-Caribbeans - tell them they feel offended by out Zwarte Pieten (men and women wearing blackface in public on December 5).

6. Dutch people think they live in the most tolerant, open-minded country in the world. Then why is it that so many expats (just take a peek at the Expatica forum!) don’t seem to think so? Our favorite hobby is national navel-gazing and many people equate migrants (’allochtonen’) with problems, no matter where they come from. Many members of our present government have a 1950s mindset.

7. Dutch people flaunt traffic regulations whenever they can: motorists drive aggressively, cyclists use neither headlights or taillights during the night, and everyone thinks he owns the road.

8. The climate is crap.

9. We are slowly but steadily dumbing down because our government is always thinking up new changes to ‘improve’ our educational system with less money.

10. Smoking is still a big problem here.

11. May I add an 11th one - cramped spaces and crowds everywhere!!! Today I went on a walk alongside a river near my home town and there were hundreds of people! Most were fellow walkers enjoying this sunny afternoon, but there were simply too many of them around. I’m talking about a narrow walking trail near a river, not a park in a big city… and to make matters worse, two idiots on mountain bikes decided it was a good time to use the same trail as a racing track… and everyone who got in their way got a tongue-lashing. ‘F@ck off if you don’t like it, get out of my way!’ etc. So boorish, so utterly typical!

Comment from galego
Time: December 17, 2007, 9:49 am

spain is different.
england is bored and grey.

Comment from Ivan
Time: December 18, 2007, 12:51 am

In Spain I have never seen a gun. In London, several times. Once in my nose.

Run, arrogant Englishman…. Go to Spain to have a good and cheap dentist.

Not arrogant? Ask any European.

By the way, How manay immigrants do you know that is happy when England wins in any sport? Two? Three? Capello?

You pay to the EU? Good! Then you have the right to hire FOR FREE graduates with 5 years degrees, and not these Mickey Mouse degrees you have in that island…

And yes. I work here. For the money. Obviously not for the women or the gastronomy.

(Ok, for the women too: Thanks to God if full of pretty Poles).

Comment from luke
Time: December 18, 2007, 11:14 am

@Ivan. Have you really got a degree? You must be a very clever boy. But you said you work in the UK for the “money” and graduates are hired “for free”? Did you do a degree in Contradictions?

Comment from Mark
Time: December 20, 2007, 3:13 pm

@Ivan- I’ve got to agree with Luke that if you have a Degree you are not your countries’ most shining example of its educational system. Well unless it really was in “Contradictions”.

“In Spain I have never seen a gun. In London, several times. Once in my nose.”

Having a gun held to your face must have been a frightening experience. However in the UK we don’t have the “right to bear arms”. Our police are well known historically for not having guns given to them as standard issue. Agreed, the major cities are becoming increasingly violent and the prevalence of guns and especially knives is a problem. The availability of guns and the “respect” that some people feel they get by carrying them isn’t part of our culture, whatever its failings, and has been brought in by external influences.

“Run, arrogant Englishman…. Go to Spain to have a good and cheap dentist.”

I thought that the choice to go overseas to buy a product or service was something that was being encouraged by “Brussels”. Competition encourages ingenuity and is a healthy thing. In your own words you are here “for the money”. You have left your country to benefit yourself despite your disdain for us.

“Obviously not for the women or the gastronomy.
(Ok, for the women too: Thanks to God if full of pretty Poles).”

From contradiction to immaturity…
Likes and dislikes in food and women are of course a matter of personal preference. Like most Northern European countries, sure, this countries’ food culture isn’t writ large amongst the foods of Europe or the World. The same might be said of Polish food. In the big cities you can eat very well. One advantage of London and other major cities around the UK being so culturally diverse is that you don’t have to search far to find food from all around the World.

You write this, call “us” arrogant and then link your name to a website portal giving a window on Poland and its people. Thankfully most of the Poles that I know have a more positive disposition than yourself, so your comments won’t colour my view of the Polish people.

Comment from Edith
Time: December 29, 2007, 8:22 am

Since there is no ‘The 10 best things about the U.K.’ thread, may I add something pro-British here?

What I really, REALLY like about the U.K. is the BBC! * thumbs up * . We have been able to watch the Beeb in Holland since 1986 and there’s nothing really like it, except for PBS (which we haven’t got, unfortunately). The BBC has got some great thematic websites as well.

Comment from Ben
Time: December 29, 2007, 1:26 pm

Here we go Edith:

http://www.notesfromspain.com/2007/12/29/the-10-best-things-about-the-uk/

Comment from Edith
Time: December 29, 2007, 2:55 pm

Thanks Ben!

@ Moscow

Class is probably more important in contemporary British society than in Holland, but in my country people are judged by their accent as well.

I live in the urban conglomerate called the Randstad and poking fun of our more rural cousins is almost considered a sport here by some. :-(((

And some employers only want to hire people who speak ‘accent-free, flawless Dutch’.

Comment from la pícara viborita
Time: January 12, 2008, 5:50 pm

a la miriam respondona:

1. En primer lugar jamás he oído de ningún español que viva del gobierno en uk y si a eso sumas que además viven de cobrar el paro en España al mismo tiempo, no sólo me suena a cuento chino sino que me parece una trola como un castillo y te lo dice una a la que han puteado mucho para poder cobrar el paro en España.
Para tu información, a nadie se le puede negar una urgencia, te lo dice una que mira tu por donde trabaja en el INSALUD. Los tratamientos no son gratuitos, pero una vez que han recibido el tratamiento, échales un galgo porque no hay quien los pille para pagar…

2. Puede haber cosas más importantes que el peñón… pero no lo sueltan!!!!!!
3 . Si no ves españoles viviendo en la calle será que no vives en españa porque todas las televisiones ponen reportajes de gente en las calles, tampoco has oído como pegan fuego a los mendigos en los cajeros de los bancos??????????
no se qué es “guente”, cuando lo averigüe te contesto.
Los inmigrantes en españa no viven en la calle porque ya están las ongs y los oenegetas para darles pisos. Quieres un ejemplo???? españoles con más de 30 tacos que siguen viviendo con los padres por no poder tener acceso a una vivienda. Mientras una pava sudamericana me viene a pedir la tarjeta sanitaria GRATUITA como persona sin recursos mientras por lo bajini me dice que el piso que tiene, lo tiene en propiedad. wooooooooooow.

Jamás dije que los pisos en españa sean baratos, a ver si leemos y procesamos la información en el cerebro. Dije que los pisos en españa son muy baratos PARA LOS GUIRIS CON SUS IMPRESIONANTES SUELDOS que suelen ser el doble de los salarios españoles. Yo no compro, chata. Vivo con papi.

Por cierto… vivo en otro pais. No vivo en España, y tiendo a relacionarme con la gente con la que me llevo bien y me trae al fresco si son de aqui o de allá.

Comment from Ankle+Worshiper
Time: April 13, 2008, 5:00 am

I hate UK, and I hate Spain - everyone must move to Greece if they want to live the real good life…

Comment from Edith
Time: April 13, 2008, 6:23 pm

@ Ankle + Worshiper,

If you hate both the UK and Spain, why do you come to this forum?

Comment from Ankle+Worshiper
Time: April 13, 2008, 9:34 pm

@ Edith: because these people have to be let known that Spain is not the real mediterranean country, and has many problems like the UK.

Comment from Joe
Time: April 13, 2008, 9:49 pm

Point 10 may be the one that sounds harmless and makes people laugh, but it will cost Britain dearly in the long run.

Comment from ValenciaSon
Time: April 14, 2008, 12:43 am

@Ankle+Worshipper: What kind of megalo scata is that?

Comment from hellothere
Time: April 14, 2008, 9:02 am

On point 10: I did not notice any particular sense of superiority whilst there, but I am convinced that the lack of language skills in Britain is the exact reason why I got a good job in the UK in the first place.

I remember a co-worker telling me one day that I was stealing an English person’s job - a very rare occurence of someone saying something related to my nationality.
One thing was sure: I was not stealing his job! He was not very bright, bless him

Comment from David
Time: May 3, 2008, 3:33 pm

1) Which part of the UK did you live in? Baghdad? I’ve lived in the UK for 20 years and have never even seen a gun.

2) Totally agree.

In what ways are the morals declining amongst the young? It’s such a vague comment. Do they swear (like you never did as a kid, I’m sure), are they violent (not all are and like you never had a scuffle as a kid).

My personal worst thing about Britain is the terrible attitude of older people towards the younger generations.