Comment from Katie
Time: December 16, 2007, 2:31 pm

10. To expand on #6: the outlook on life I think many Spaniards have–relaxed and positive. In general, I think Spaniards truly enjoy life, and try to live it to the fullest. That translates to a highly enjoyable and wonderfully laid-back culture.

Comment from Tom
Time: December 16, 2007, 2:43 pm

I would move #7 up to #1 and #10 would say “see #1″

Comment from Pepe
Time: December 16, 2007, 2:51 pm

Tough question! For me it’s the amazing variety of Spanish types. Although a “standard” Spaniard looks like a “standard” Spaniard Spain has human types that go from Germany to North Africa and from the British Islands to Greece and Israel. Some of the most typical looking Spaniards, for example, are some British types and a few Spaniards (very few) could even look at home in Stockholm. To me this is what makes many foreigners feel at home in Spain, despite the cultural differences.

Comment from Ryan
Time: December 16, 2007, 2:53 pm

The ability for 2 Spaniards to start an argument, carry it to a loud crescendo and then end it with a handshake whereas remaining good friends. Amazing to watch and a testament to tolerance.

Oh and at least in the top 100 you would have to put NotesFromSpain!

Comment from Palmer
Time: December 16, 2007, 3:16 pm

#10 - The spanish language - in particular, the Madrid accent.

#11 - The determination to enjoy the best of life.

Comment from Alex
Time: December 16, 2007, 4:07 pm

I’m spanish (living in Madrid) and never came to visit your blog (I saw an entry at meneame.net). Looks interesting :P.

my #10 - The way of live in general

Comment from Stanley
Time: December 16, 2007, 5:00 pm

“And finally”??? Ben, surely you should also extend the concept to the 10 Best Things About The UK…

Comment from Agustín
Time: December 16, 2007, 5:05 pm

Probably one of the best things about my country is our sense of solidarity. We go out in the streets to show our support to others when things get tough; donate blood and organs in big amounts for those in need; and go in aid of victims when disgrace touch someone on the other side of the glove. We see all this as natural, but not every country shows the same passion about it.

Comment from Agustín
Time: December 16, 2007, 5:05 pm

Sorry, “globe”.

Comment from ValenciaSon
Time: December 16, 2007, 5:30 pm

How fresh the food is so that even something as simple as a potato tastes incredibly flavorful.

Comment from Juan E.
Time: December 16, 2007, 5:37 pm

Hi from Spain (Valencia) The best food in Valencia is The Paella.
The best in Spain is one think that you don’t found in othter country he’s name is Variety of all.

kisses from spain.
pd:sorry my bad english.

Comment from Ben
Time: December 16, 2007, 5:50 pm

@Stanley - ok, I’ll do it soon when I am actually in the UK, but a list might include:

Radio 4 and most of the BBC output
The beautiful countryside
A nice pub with balzing fire
Being able to buy food from all around the world in supermarkets…

I won’t go on now, I’ll save it for the list!

Comment from -HaRaDwAiTh-
Time: December 16, 2007, 5:50 pm

10. The richest culture we have: literature, castles, etc.

I don’t agree with number 3, maybe it’s my perception

Comment from Frank
Time: December 16, 2007, 5:55 pm

“Probably one of the best things about my country is our sense of solidarity.”

¿Sí? Creo que en algunos aspectos, España es similar al Reino Unido, aqui los escoceses y galeses quieren independizarse, y en España, los catalanes y los vascos, ¿no? ¿Muchos de los catalanes se consideran ” primero catalan y después español”?

Comment from Frank
Time: December 16, 2007, 6:01 pm

“A nice pub with balzing fire”

Too true, you can´t beat a good “balzing” fire!
Sorry, could resist!

Comment from Aloriel
Time: December 16, 2007, 6:10 pm

About #1 I’d say «tapas» in general.

#10 Our cultural heritage, that’s also something to be proud of.

Comment from Roman
Time: December 16, 2007, 6:18 pm

I’m a Spaniard. Spain is a good place to live, but not a good place to work. As an European, i would like to grow in a Sweden college, work in a powerfull german or british company, an spent my holidays on Spain. But, you know, perfection does not exist.

Comment from Palmer
Time: December 16, 2007, 6:21 pm

Let me also amend #7 to include all the handsome men as well.

Comment from richardksa
Time: December 16, 2007, 8:03 pm

10: Generosity with their friends. You meet one, he/she introduces you to another and so it snowballs. Or maybe I have just been lucky.

Comment from Adolfo
Time: December 16, 2007, 8:07 pm

I’m Spanish living in Russia. I think the best thing of Spain is that most of the Spanish, since they born till they can’t (and nevertheless they still try), the main thing in their lives is to have fun

Greetings from the Urals!

Comment from nowald
Time: December 17, 2007, 12:13 am

Ben keep going!. For #10:

- Easy way to have friends(/others…..), relationships with others

PS: youll have headache by meneame xD

Comment from Stuart
Time: December 17, 2007, 2:10 am

Stanley’s comment is very interesting, especially considering the abuse some Spanish visitors spat at Ben in his recent blog, saying the British think they are the best and are arrogant etc.

As a Brit, the concept of trying to come up with the 10 best things about the UK is strange and new to me. Never in my life have I even thought about it. It has been decades (all my life) since any sense of national pride or patriotism really existed in the majority UK. It’s taboo.

I’d say maybe… a pub in the countryside, the Cornish moors, a meat pie on a cold day, Scottish mountains, the economy, multiculturalism, the history…

Comment from Stuart
Time: December 17, 2007, 2:14 am

@ValenciaSon
Strange how on leaving the Anglo-world, in any direction, food suddenly gets so much tastier. The ingredients I mean, rather than the preparation.

Comment from Tim
Time: December 17, 2007, 10:22 am

@richardska: can’t agree more. I’ve been virtually adopted by the families of Spanish friend!

Comment from Frank
Time: December 17, 2007, 4:56 pm

“@richardska: can’t agree more. I’ve been virtually adopted by the families of Spanish friend!”

We started renting from a Spanish couple quite some time ago, and have become good friends over the years. I have taken a lot of photos of his properties for him, for his webpages, no charge of course, but the last time we shared a large property of his with my brother, (over £600 a week) he would not accept any payment!;-)

Comment from luke
Time: December 17, 2007, 6:20 pm

10. Many friendly Spanish people

Comment from Brendan
Time: December 18, 2007, 12:54 pm

It’s so sad that 10 negative things can stir such a response, yet 10 positive things hardly gets a mention. Is there no hope for humanity? Maybe I’m just being a pessimist.

Comment from Ben
Time: December 18, 2007, 1:04 pm

@Brendan - A realist I think. When this list was submitted to meneame too, it was accused of spamming and got lots of negative votes, and I didn’t even submit it!

http://meneame.net/story/the-10-best-things-about-spain

compared to my ‘anti’ lists that got a little bit more attention!

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

Comment from Marie-Claude
Time: December 18, 2007, 5:49 pm

Ben, for the 10 Best Things About The UK…
remember to include the British sense of humour. I love it . Yhave to live in the UK for a long time before you can appreciate it…and the different accents, a Lancashire accent is wonderful..

Comment from Maria
Time: December 18, 2007, 10:47 pm

Don’t forget el Flamenco and the ancient and historical buildings.
Thanks for your compliments

Kisses from Valencia!

Comment from Xan
Time: December 19, 2007, 8:05 pm

“Don’t forget el Flamenco”

That’s not Spanish. Please! Since when Flamenco is Spanish?

Comment from Maria
Time: December 19, 2007, 10:34 pm

Xan:
“Flamenco is a Spanish musical genre with strong, rhythmic undertones and is often accompanied with a similarly impassioned style of dance characterized by its powerful yet graceful execution, as well as its intricate hand and footwork” from Wikipedia.

Why do you think it’s not Spanish?

Comment from Maria S.
Time: December 19, 2007, 10:56 pm

Hi Xan,

Since when is Flamenco not Spanish? Did I miss something here..?
To learn more about Flamenco, click here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flamenco

Comment from españolito
Time: December 19, 2007, 11:16 pm

Maria, Xan is somehow right, flamenco is Andalusian, and to be more precise, gyspy. So, yes, it’s Spanish, but it is not part of the cultural heritage of the majority of Spaniards.

It is just one of the many folk music styles than can be found in Spain.

Personally, I find it difficult to listen to, it’s too “heavy” and “exotic” for my liking, and I don’t understand most of what they say…

Comment from Maria S.
Time: December 19, 2007, 11:34 pm

Hi espanolito,
Thanks for your kind enlightenment. Your explanation was also very interesting.
I guess to the outside world, it seems to represent Spanish only.

“Thanks for teaching me.” (This is what my students tell me :)).
To Xan
Accept my ignorance.

Comment from españolito
Time: December 19, 2007, 11:45 pm

De nada Maria!, you’re not an ignorant, flamenco is indeed the most famous Spanish music style or genre

Comment from Mrmark
Time: December 22, 2007, 12:21 pm

Public transport. Normally efficient and at a reasonable cost. Totally different to what we have to put up with in the UK.

Also Spanish art. From Goya to Velazquez, Dali to Ribera, Picasso to Sorolla, Spain has produced (and sheltered, in the case of El Greco) some amazing artists. I’d like to add architecture in here too. For example The Alhambra, Bilbao’s Gugenheim, Segovia’s Acqueduct, Santiago’s cathedral, Barcelona’s Gaudi stuff, etc etc etc

Comment from Edith
Time: December 24, 2007, 9:41 am

I agree with all of the above. As far as # 7 is concerned, Spanish men are quite handsome too - especially the ones with olive skin and dark hair - and they are smart dressers!

Comment from Edith
Time: December 28, 2007, 6:32 pm

Another point: the Spanish have got a great sense of style which permeates their architecture, their art, and even the way in which they arrange their food. Even the humble geranium in its earthenware flower pot looks great on a Spanish balcony!

Comment from Ayse
Time: January 10, 2008, 11:55 pm

I have only lived in Spain for 3 months but most of my experiences have been positive. My kids and I came here (Gandia, Valencia) from USA to immerse in culture and language - not the best choice for learning Spanish but great people make up for it. Based on my little time spent in Spain (so far visited many different parts), I would say that warm and genuinely interested people would be on the top of my list. In spite of the huge language barrier, most people I met opened their arms to us. I don’t know if this is unique to this area but most people assume we are British when they hear us speak English and they just ignore us. As soon as they learn we are Americans, they become friendly and interested. A waitress in one of the big restaurants recognized me 3 months later without any prompt and gave me big hug and kiss! Consequently, best 10 list may vary according to list-maker’s cultural background: beauty is in the eye of the beholder…. ?verdad?
I recently found your blog and am glad did; there is so much useful info and so far, much of it confirms my impressions. When I arrived here, I began a blog, too - just to keep my friends back home informed, but I am beginning to like it because to write it, I pay more attention to my surroundings and am learning so much more while investigating about the topics - keeps me more academic!
I posted your blog address for useful info on Spain; is that OK?

Comment from Ben
Time: January 11, 2008, 1:44 pm

Hi Ayse,

Many thanks for posting our blog address on your site. We know Gandia very well, having been many times over the past few years… maybe you can recommend a great restaurant for our next visit!

Comment from Vicente Valverde
Time: February 17, 2008, 6:09 pm

Los españoles saben ser amigos de sus amigos. Durante mis largas incursiones por el pais, he conocido a muchos españoles. Muchos continuan en contacto conmigo. Son muy hospitalarios y cuando te brindan su amistad, es porque les nace del corazon.

Comment from anamer
Time: April 3, 2008, 1:10 am

My number 10 It the nice country to go to

Comment from MOWGLY
Time: April 7, 2008, 12:43 pm

MIRA,

I AM A SPANISH LIVING IN IRELAND AND I MUST TO SAY SOMETHING TO YOU:

1. IN IRELAND IS USUAL TO INSULT YOUR OWN WIFE. AS IN SPAIN 20 YEARS AGO!

2. YOU NEED 3 HOURS FOR GO ALONG 100 KM, WHAT A SHIT OF ROADS. AS IN SPAIN 20 YEARS AGO!

3. YOU PUT YOUR BETTER FACE AND THEN, WHEN YOU SPEAK WITH OTHER PERSON YOU INSULT us . AS in SPAIN 20 YEARS AGO!

4 to take A BUS HAVE TO WAIT A hour, TO REACH AN HOUR BEFORE to YOUR WORK, HAPPENING COLD, because if you take THE BUS after YOU get TO WORK LATE. as SPAIN 20 YEARS AGO!

5. you think YOUR COUNTRY IS THE BEST, how can you think that, if you don’t know a shit of THE REST OF THE WORLD? . as in Spain 20 YEARS AGO!

6. you WEAR SPORT clothes daily, EVEN AT WORK. as in Spain 20 YEARS AGO!

7. you only eat carrot and potatoes every day!!!as in SPAIN 20 YEARS AGO!

8. you think THAT SPEAK spanish ONLY BE IN SPAIN (AND PORTUGAl!!!, hahaha, total ignorance) WHEN THE spanish is spoken by 400 MILLION PEOPLE !!!!!!!!

9. THE SPANISH people smokes BUT YOU drink alcohol MUCH MORE! when YOUR WOMEN get TO SPAIN become real bitchs! you broke FURNITURE ON THE STREETS,you fuck IN OUR BEACHES, you treat us really bad !!!!!!! because you think THAT WE ARE POOR people , BUT HELLO! WE ARE THE NINTH WORLD POWER!

10. they COULD HAVE AN RELATIVely FAST TRAIN IN IRELAND.

11. WE HAVE ARRIVED IN 20 YEARS OF THE CENTURY XIX TO THE CENTURY XXI
IN IRELAND MAYBE THEY ARE IN THE XX CENTURY BUT NOT Century XXI
A LITTLE BIT OF DEVELOPMENT!!!!

12. BY LAST, IF you thought WE TREAT YOU BAD in spain, YOU MUST TO LEARN TO TREAT WELL us HERE!

I’m not thinking to apologize for my english, OF COURSE, NOT AT ALL.

THINK IN YOUR PROBLEMS, WE CAN THINK IN OURS.

Comment from hellothere
Time: April 7, 2008, 1:59 pm

In number 10, I would add: the light. This particular sunlight that they have, which can lift anyone’s mood. Quite magical, really.

But above all, I would put: my friends

Comment from soy pescador
Time: April 7, 2008, 2:08 pm

@Mowgly

I think you have tasted to much Guiness , during your stay in Ireland

Comment from franco
Time: April 7, 2008, 3:07 pm

“I think you have tasted to much Guinness , during your stay in Ireland”

Indeed! His time might have been better spent learning English whilst he was there, then we might have had some chance of understanding his rant. Strange he should adapt the name Mowgli, a character in a book by such a prominent English writer, when he seems to have so much hate for the British festering inside him.

Comment from José Miguel
Time: April 7, 2008, 3:24 pm

#10: The Spanish model for organ donation and trasplant surgeons: Organización Nacional de Trasplantes.

Comment from irish
Time: April 8, 2008, 11:42 am

MOWGLY, I can see a solution to your problems with Ireland: Move to Spain.
Apparently it’s 20 years ahead of Ireland, a superpower with people living in the 21st century, and moderate drinking, respectful husbands.
And in Ireland they don’t eat carrots and potatoes every day..just Monday to Saturday. On Sunday they like to try peas instead of carrots.

Comment from Billy T.
Time: April 9, 2008, 12:37 am

MOWGLY,

I am somewhat disturbed that there are people out there that actually think like you. This type of blaming and finger pointing reminds one of the hate and propoganda techniques used by Hitler and Mussolini and you see how far it got them!

My only hope is that you can be cured of your inferiority complex and low self esteem and learn to understand and at least respect other cultures.

My guess is that you have so much negative energy inside you due to low confidence and low self esteem that your only outlet is to spew hatred in a forum like this.

Comment from ValenciaSon
Time: April 9, 2008, 1:06 am

Maybe Mowgli needs to learn to look for those bear necessities and forget about his worries and his doubts.

Comment from German
Time: April 13, 2008, 5:41 pm

@ Mowgli

In your eyes Ireland might be stuck in 1988, but morons like you are truly timeless.

Do yourself a favor and stop embarrassing yourself. In other words, STFU!!

Comment from janette
Time: April 16, 2008, 12:55 am

i completely agree with the whole snowball effect of new friends…its great!

…that and the free tapas in granada! the only place in spain where they are free, not only that but they are delicious too!

spain is a sweet sweet place

Comment from Pablo
Time: May 7, 2008, 10:16 am

Oh my good! How can you say Janette that Granada is the only place in Spain where you can enjoy free tapas??????
Let´s go to León and you will find it. Actually the old town is one of the places in Spain with more bars, restaurants and pubs per square meter. You can visit more than 12 tapas bars in just one hour, and you will see just a 10% of the them! And cheaper than in Granada (beautifull town of course)
Let´s go to León and meet the undescovered north of Spain, you will not regret it!

Comment from Ben
Time: May 7, 2008, 10:34 am

@Pablo, I agree, Leon, and especially its tapas, are wonderful!

Comment from bill
Time: May 7, 2008, 5:49 pm

I’ve seen this crap about “Granada being the only place in Spain that serves free tapas” on a few expat sites.

Is it a rumour that has got round some of those close-knit expat communities that are full of expats who dare not wander more than an hour from the coast? (except to visit Granada of course)

Comment from luke
Time: May 8, 2008, 10:42 am

I know a bar in Madrid with a sign saying ‘comida gratis’ and two bars that constantly bring around free sizziling lomo or gambas etc, regardless of whether you’ve bought a drink.

Comment from marc
Time: May 8, 2008, 10:58 am

Honestly, don’t understand what is so significant about the climate in…Madrid, for example. Four seasons, cold and hot, rain and sun. It is really quite normal. Championing Madrid for its climate is empty praise.

Comment from maria
Time: May 13, 2008, 3:38 pm

hi Im maria…im spanish and im living abroad…already 2 years! i was living in ireland holland and germany…im really proud of my country and its culture, history and so on…im not agree with this comments about ireland and i think that everybody should learn a bit about other cultures…and protect your own…really nice to hear these sweet comments about spain!

Comment from Maarten
Time: May 13, 2008, 7:05 pm

As this subject rumbles on, albeit, sadly, with some abuse, I thought I might share my impressions of the Spain/UK comparisons. I am Dutch, retired, have lived most of my life in the UK (including education), but also in Holland and Germany. I now live 50:50 in the UK (South) and the Costa de la Luz so my comments are specific to these areas - it may well be different elsewhere.

1. Climate: no contest - Spain wins hands down, especially in the hours of sunlight. We live in a ‘white’ town and by contrast the urban scene in the UK is mainly pretty drab.

2. Attitude to children: A huge contrast is to observe the outdoor environment for young children and their interaction with adults. By contrast the UK is an increasingly paranoid society - media driven, mainly.
I suspect the statistics would not support such a contrast.

3. The media….not a totally fair comparison because of language limitations.
In the UK the media is relentlessly negative and adversarial - we have just had 10 years of growth, high employment and absurd house price inflation, followed by 6 months (so far) of readjustment: the world has come to an end and it’s the government’s fault!
I enjoy (trying to) read El Pais/El Mundo because I sense that they try to put stories in some sort of context - giving data etc for other EC countries and other spanish states.

4. Food
In this town the locals have not raised their game: to be sure of a good meal the expats, and many spanish, go across to the Algarve. Better standard, better value, more friendly. Pity. UK is expensive but higher quality.

5. Traffic management.
Spain is ahead in the pedestrianisation of its towns as far as we can judge. The UK sees public transport as a business rather than a service and this restrains the move out of cars.

6. Social attitudes.

UK is run by, and for, the middle classes and above especially in its attitude to tax and public services. The rest are basically inconvenient and the response is retributional - more police, more prisons. Certainly not an equal opportunity society.

In Spain I get a greater sense of community….is this right?..and more women in key jobs.

7. Efficiency and sense of time.

The Spanish have a more relaxed attitude to time - a double edged sword which, as a customer, takes getting used to. The efficiency of (say) the local tax office…oh dear!
In the UK the standards are higher but at the cost of a lot of stress.

I hope this comes across as reasonably balanced - we love both countries and their differences.

Comment from Maria de la O
Time: June 14, 2008, 11:56 am

Hola Mowgly, nos duele que se metan con nosotros cuando curiosamente vienen a visitarnos, quizá sería mejor que cambiaran de destino en vacaciones.

Aunque imagino que tu les conoces mejor que yo por vivir donde vives, se te ha olvidado hacer mención al malolor y la suciedad que dejan en las calles cuando se hacen pis después de las cogorzas.

Menos mal que no todos actuan de la misma manera, no se puede generalizar, pero los que si lo hacen son muy visibles.

¡Have a nice day!

Comment from amaia
Time: July 19, 2008, 6:00 pm

mi

Comment from amaia
Time: July 19, 2008, 6:19 pm

Mowgly,
Fist thing I want to tell you, if you are not happy in Ireland, go back to Spain and stop moaning! Your first point was that in Ireland people insults their wife, I dont know what kind of people are you around with, because Im living in Ireland and I have never experienced that around me, anyway dont say that in spain was like that 20 years ago, because this days… sadly enough in spain the percentage of men abusing women is very high, every single day you can hear on the news, that a husband killed the wife, so just think before you write anything. I dont agree with any of the points you wrote about Ireland but Im not going to waste my time. Ireland is not better or worst than Spain, they are just tow different countries and thats it. Im Basque (no spanish), Im from Donostia (san sebastian) and thanks for the nice comments about my city, but Im very happy living in Ireland but I love Donostia, I suppose, home is always home!

Maria, gente educada y mal educada en todas partes! tambien hay muchos espanoles, vascos, alemanes, franceses….que dejen suciedad en las calles, lo que no puedes es generalizar!

Have a good day!

Amaia