Comment from gary
Time: January 8, 2009, 3:32 pm

The corte ingles is very spanish because there are huge numbers of assistants clumped in groups chatting to each other - not pestering to see if you need any help. If you ask they are very helpful I find - they let me use one of their computer power supplies to get a file off my lappy when it died.

If the waiter is in a bad mood be polite but firm, make him do and leave a tip despite your initial squabble - he’ll be much more amenable next time. Even waiters can have black Mondays/Tuesdays/Wed…

Have to agree about Paris being waaay more sh*tty than any Spanish city I’ve been to (in every respect)

Barcelona mossos d’esquadra - the police - must be the prettiest policeforce in the world, the BCN street cleaners are often pretty too !!

I do like the fact that, should you wish, you can sit on a teraza and people watch for hours on a single cup of coffee…

Comment from catalan gardener
Time: January 8, 2009, 3:57 pm

Sounds like the essence of cities generally not Spain particluarly and definitely not Spain as I know it.

Take a step out of the cities and people are helpful, opinionated, nosy, funny and best of all not too concentrated!

I can go weeks without seeing a croud - I love it!

Comment from catalan gardener
Time: January 8, 2009, 3:58 pm

wow - spelling v bad sorry!

Comment from bill (Legazpi)
Time: January 8, 2009, 4:20 pm

1. “El Corte Ingles”

It’s not particularly Spanish, but it’s everywhere in Spain. It can be a lifesaver at times.

2. “Thousands of people everywhere”

It’s because the Spanish like to “do exactly the same thing at exactly the same time”. The country has a much smaller population density than the UK - it’s just that they’re all in the same places.

3. “Being kicked out of the sidewalk by spanish people”

Yup. The Spanish don’t seem to have the same “spatial awareness”. They won’t move an inch when it’s obvious you’re trying to get by, they’ll stop in the middle of doorways or at the top of escalators in order to have a conversation, they’ll barge onto trains before you’ve got off, and then they’ll congregate around the door instead of moving down the train, thus preventing other people from getting on, etc, etc

4. “Being not understood every time I open my mouth”

No comment

5. “Rudeness of people”

No comment

6. “Splendid sea food”

Yup

7. “Beautiful cities”

and ugly ones too.

8. “Dog shit and piss everywhere”

I find Madrid cleaner than UK cities and get the impression that keeping cities clean takes a higher priority in Spain. In fact, the Spanish also tend to be quite house-proud and constantly clean everything.

9. “Waiters in bad mood”

I’d rather have a decent waiter with a bad mood than a happy waiter who gave poor service. Besides, it provides a nice alternative to the “have a nice day” attitude you sometimes get in the UK. I find that Spanish barmen tend to be friendlier than those in the UK.

10. “Pretty people”

see my answer to 7 above.

11. “Bitchy girls

I don’t find much difference between Spanish women and English women, apart from perhaps in alcohol consumption.

Comment from Edith
Time: January 8, 2009, 8:05 pm

8. “Dog shit and piss everywhere”: you are not talking about Holland, by any chance?

Comment from Alan Reynolds
Time: January 8, 2009, 10:47 pm

No, I can’t agree with any of the gripes. Almost could about the waiters, but almost all of them I have met have been friendly and if I speak (try speaking) Spanish they are all friendly once you get their attention the first time. ¡Viva España!

Comment from Spain Info
Time: January 9, 2009, 12:03 am

The things that struck me most about Spain aren’t really turning up on these lists.

Intensity of family ties - compared to American families, Spanish families are remarkable in their closeness. For Spaniards, family is inescapable, with good and bad flowing from that.

The colors - the land, the buildings, the clothing, all involve a range of colors you don’t see in more northern climes. Earth tones evocative of sand and clay show up on buildings in ways that you don’t see in so many other places.

The pride - Spaniards have an almost absurd pride in Spain and all things Spanish. A friend of mine liked to tell the story of his teacher telling the class during the cold war era that there were three superpowers - the US and Russia because of their military might, and Spain because it was a superpower in tourism.

Comment from my_salsa
Time: January 9, 2009, 1:47 am

1) Corte Ingles: Definitely a good thing. It’s funny that they sell more Swiss chocolate than our stores do.

2) Thousands of people everywhere: I don’t understand why this has anything to do with Spain. Sounds more like China, but then it would be millions of people everywhere.

3) Being kicked out of the sidewalk by Spanish people: Didn’t notice anything special about sidewalks and sidewalk behaviour, maybe it’s just me.

4) Being not understood every time I open my mouth: Definitely not! Even though my Spanish isn’t that good.

5) Rudeness of people: I’d say they’re more emotional than others.

6) Splendid sea food: For me it’s like French sea food, but I’m not an expert.

7) Beautiful cities: Haven’t seen that many, but so far so good.

Dog shit and piss everywhere: Compared to my home country, Switzerland, yes. Compared to France, it’s nothing (it’s not just Paris guys…)

9) Waiters in bad mood: Definitely not what I’ve experienced. Could be though, but not something I would associate with Spain in particular.

10) Pretty people: Lots of them, yeah.

11) Bitchy girls: I think Ben has a point here, it’s probably national “caracter”.

Comment from Juan
Time: January 9, 2009, 12:24 pm

1. Corte Ingles

We don’t even have one in Ourense. It’s only very Spanish because the Spanish love it and umm work there.

2. Thousands of people everywhere

I never notice this here. Even in the larger cities in Galicia like Vigo, I never feel very crowded. I suppose you live in Madrid or Barcelona. You’re bound to see EVERYONE there.

3. being kicked out of the sidewalk by spanish people

Just learn to fight back. The sidewalks are pretty narrow but you have the right to walk there too.

4. being not understood every time I open my mouth

Do you speak Spanish? You are in Spain…you know that, right? Or is it just bad Spanish?

5. rudeness of people

There are rude people everywhere. I’ve noticed a lot of them too, especially in the north of Spain. Still, there are a lot of nice people too and facing some rudeness really makes you appreciate how nice some people can be.

6. splendid sea food

No comment. I think my stomach speaks for this one.

7. beautiful cities

Yep!

8. dog shit and piss everywhere

Pretty much. Judging from the comments though, I guess this is pretty much Europe wide, except maybe for Scandinavia but I don’t feel like paying 50% tax, do you?

9. waiters in bad mood

Really? I’ve never noticed this.

10. pretty people

And ugly people. It’s just like everywhere.

11. bitchy girls

Or are they strong, independent women that aren’t willing to put up with bullsh*t?

I tend to agree more with Spain Info. Those are the things that really strike me about Spain

Comment from 112
Time: January 9, 2009, 8:10 pm

I am Spanish and I recognize that girls are bitches

Comment from GadaboutSpain
Time: January 10, 2009, 2:46 am

I think there´s something sinister about Corte Ingles. I can only handle 10 minutes inside. Perhaps it´s the unnerving sight of assistants stood in groups chatting/gossiping/eyeing folk suspiciously (or perhaps it´s just me) but when looking for shoes I do a mental time test on those lovely assistants-on-commission. I take a deep breath and head in a straight line for the desired section scanning those floor mirrors en route for signs of attack…5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and here they come, from all angles, reminding me of those predator zombies from MJ´s thriller video. On the last couple of occasions, the assistants hovered so close while I tried on shoes that I found the whole process rather suffocating/stressy. It´s a bit off putting seeing the shoes of your assistant an inch from yours, and to feel their presence and optimism of possible sale and commission. I tell them politely “Necesito 5 minutos” (ie back off lady), but they slink off and hide until I see their shoes peep into view again. Gah. Ór Ayyy! Can you tell I´m glad the subject has been raised?

Comment from ElJustin
Time: January 11, 2009, 7:18 am

In regards to #8, if you think its bad in Madrid, don’t go to Buenos Aires. Madrid was very clean (when I was there) as far as I was concerned, compared with BsAs.

Comment from Sheila
Time: January 12, 2009, 5:39 pm

Corte Ingles

I agree with Gadabout regarding being followed around in Corte Ingles, it’s impossible to look at anything without being eyed suspiciously although I’m not sure whether that’s because they want to pounce for a sale or whether it’s a security issue.

The Spanish are obsessed with security in shops. Have you ever tried going into a supermarket with your own bag! Also you get way too many plastic bags for all your shopping. In our local Mercadona they seem to want you to wrap every item individually. It does my head in but maybe it’s because I’m used to the bag for life concept these days.

By the way, Corte Ingles seems very Spanish because of all the orange yellow and pink checked shirts they sell. You don’t get so many of those in Northern Europe!

Comment from BarcaTipo
Time: January 13, 2009, 1:30 pm

@Sheila
In Catalonia the local government has “banned” free plastic bags since the start of 2009. In theory, we have to pay for them in the supermarkets now. but so far I’ve not noticed any extra charges. They have stopped using the automatic grocery-bagging machines at the tills, so that should reduce the bag-count.

Comment from Sheila
Time: January 16, 2009, 1:29 am

The plastic bags have been banned in Ireland (where I am at the moment) for a few years now. If you need a plastic bag in a shop you’re charged a 19c government tax. It absolutely works and hardly anyone goes shopping without a fabric bag.

Unfortunately when I’m in Spain I live in Valencia and so far the plastic bag count is still high!

Comment from Hola clintonila
Time: January 17, 2009, 11:31 pm

Definitely Dog-dooey!

Comment from Hola clintonila
Time: January 17, 2009, 11:34 pm

They do kick you, but we don’t move for them, so they get hit by our grocery bags.

Comment from Juanito
Time: January 21, 2009, 6:15 am

“el corte Ingles” - Ben how can you translate this to “The English Cut” ?? Surely Marina has not read this item.

I am most certain it rather translates to “The English Court” , wouldn’t you think ?

Comment from BI
Time: January 21, 2009, 11:10 am

Rudness of people: You haven´t understood northern character yet, sorry! Nothing to do with being rude.
Being not understood every time I open my mouth: you should study more Spanish!! If you can´t speak Spanish I´m sure they´re going to show how they can manage with their English, they don´t want you to speak Spanish, they prefer to practise their English..jejeje
waiters in bad mood: are you really living in Spain¿ Maybe you are in another country and you haven´t realised it yet!
I have never had more than 5 phrases with an English barman…..boring!…..big-headed…..
Aren´t you the one who barmen pay for your drinks¿¿¿¿
dog shit and piss everywhere: you definetly aren´t living in Oviedo.

Comment from Ben
Time: January 21, 2009, 4:40 pm

@Juanito - I believe it was called ‘The English Cut’ as ‘Cut’ refers here to the cut of cloth, and tailoring suits, which is the business the Corte Inglest started out in. At the time, English tailoring was seen as the finest around, so The English Cut was chosen to reflect that.

Comment from Urgellenk
Time: January 21, 2009, 6:31 pm

In addition to what Ben has explained, “court” does not translate in Spanish as “el corte” but as “la corte”, as in “la corte del rey” or “las Cortes” (Spanish Parliament).

Comment from Parker
Time: January 22, 2009, 10:10 pm

I’ve been to Spain several times, and the people I encountered weren’t rude at all. Despite the fact that I don’t speak any Spanish, everyone, from pedestrians to bartenders to waiters to workers at El Corte Ingles, seemed to go out of their way to be as helpful as possible. Of course, my sample size was small, so maybe I just got lucky. Sort of off-topic: I went to El Corte Ingles to buy some food. I went to the fresh fruit area, took a bag, and started to grab some apples. The clerk wouldn’t let me do it because I wasn’t allowed to touch the fruit. I had to point out what I wanted and she bagged it for me. I thought that was interesting. I guess they don’t want people picking up fruit, looking at it, and putting it back because of hygiene issues. Or maybe it was just me.