Are the Spanish rude? - 1 - Queuing in Spain
by Ben Curtis
A few of the comments on my last post about just how respectful the Spanish are, claimed that the Spaniards are, in fact, just plain rude. A major complaint was that the Spanish are incurable queue-jumpers…
Only the other day I was queuing with a friend to use a cafe toilet in the Retiro Park. In came a 70-something-year-old who pushed straight past us to the head of the line. Fair enough, we thought, he’s old, probably got a weak prostate, and anyway, he’s Spanish, and they often have no idea how to queue… or do they? Have you ever been into a grocer’s, butcher’s, or fruteria in Spain and seen how, despite the fact that no-one is forming any kind of line, everyone knows when it is their turn?
It works like this. The last person in asks ‘Quien es el ultimo?’, or ‘Quien da la vez?’, in order to establish who is last in turn. They then simply have to remember who that person is and step up to the counter when their marker is done with their shopping. Of course you get the occasional cheeky old codger who tries to push their way to the front, but have you seen the stick they get for it when they are caught? Wow, that’s when you know that the Spanish are serious about waiting in line. Second only to a near-beating by a bunch of skinheads outside Real Madrid’s Bernabeu station, one of the scariest things I’ve seen in Spain is a bunch of irate grannies turning on one of their own in the local post office when she surreptitiously tried to sneak his way through to the stamp counter.
Switch now from the post office to the Metro or commuter train platform, and let’s re-examine the whole concept of an orderly queue… have you ever seen Spaniards trying to get on or off a busy commuter train in Madrid? Just how complicated is this? If you want to get onto a train quickly, your best bet is to let those that want to get off depart the carriage first. Not only is plain and simple physics an issue here, it’s just polite! But no, that would be way too easy. Much more amusing is to form a solid cordon of bodies around the doors of the recently-arrived wagon and, as soon as they open, all try to pile in at once. Stuff those impatient idiots that would quite like to get off first, it’s 8 a.m., and this is war! In fact no matter what time of day it is, letting anyone off a train before you try to get on would just be plain absurd!
So the jury is out - you get queue jumpers all over the world after all and, once you get the hang of it, the systems (bizarre as they may seem) are in place in Spain to keep everyone orderly in shops… but the nonsense with the trains brings the rudeness score right back up, giving the Spanish a rudeness rating of 5 out of 10 (with 10 the rudest) when it comes to holding down a decent line. Or maybe that should be a 6. Am I being too kind?
Posted: April 26th, 2007 under Defining the Spanish, Spanish Culture and News.
Comments: 63
Comments
Comment from Matthew
Time: April 27, 2007, 12:55 am
Ben, my comment got a bit long winded so I posted it instead. Interesting topic.
Comment from ValenciaSon
Time: April 27, 2007, 4:49 am
What do you think a Spaniard would say to all the protocol practiced by the British?
Comment from Stuart
Time: April 27, 2007, 5:33 am
I like this style of writing Ben, lets have some more.
Comment from Stuart
Time: April 27, 2007, 5:37 am
VS, I am also interested in that. Where I am, drenched in many of the same customs as Spain, people see Britain as the bastion of orderly society (oh how little they know). Those who actually venture there to study or work are often overwhelmed, confused and infuriated… everything is far too much how it should be - and they don’t like it one bit.
Comment from Edith
Time: April 27, 2007, 7:46 am
In Holland, we also ask who is the last in line. The Spanish system sounds very familiar to me and yes, it seems to work but I prefer the Anglo-Saxon one. Apart from that, I really hate it when people jump the line because I am a bit impatient myself - it’s just not fair on the others! Also, in countries like the US people will give you more space because their concept of personal space is different and much more to my liking. What I really hate is when people bump into you (or even worse: push their shopping carts against your back legs) and don’t say sorry. The Dutch have to be told to keep their distance, otherwise they just won’t do it. In comparison with us, the Spanish don’t strike me as being particularly rude.
Comment from addled
Time: April 27, 2007, 8:33 am
Not only do you have to avoid the people getting on the metro, yesterday night some travellers, probably on their way to the airport had built a wall with their cases in front of the doors and I had to scale it to get off at my station. Did they pay a blind bit of attention, no!
Comment from Graeme
Time: April 27, 2007, 9:23 am
What I find amusing about queues in Spain is that people don’t seem to like giving the impression that they are patiently queuing for something. So even in a situation where an organised queue exists it is still more or less impossible to know who is actually in the queue - at least 50% of those who appear not to be in it are really waiting but do so in a way which suggests disdain for the whole idea. Until it comes to their turn. As for the bars…after years here I still hate having to shout competitively just to get served, it really is survival of the loudest.
Comment from uno
Time: April 27, 2007, 1:40 pm
Is this another typical English arrogant site to criticise other cultures? my god, I’ve got enough already with stupid English boss in Spain.!
Spanish are incurable queue-jumpers? well, I don’t see so many… honestly I’ve never seen any in recent months
Maybe I’m not searching the occassion that justifies my stereotype like travellers do…
Well, let’s make a site to make fun of the stupid English manners and habits… It’s more laughable
Comment from Ben
Time: April 27, 2007, 2:11 pm
“What do you think a Spaniard would say to all the protocol practiced by the British?” - VS - they generally laugh at how stuck-up we are!
Comment from Stuart
Time: April 27, 2007, 2:31 pm
Comment from jose antonio
Time: April 27, 2007, 4:07 pm
I’ll tell you what they tell me uno: relax, have a sense of humour… They want to study us like we are some kind of wildlife or animal in a zoo. A lot of the comments are meant to provoke us I think.
Comment from Ben
Time: April 27, 2007, 4:12 pm
Uno, J-A, instead of thinking the world is out to get you, perhaps you might like to give us your opinion on these aspects of your own culture - the post is about queuing in Spain, do you have an opinion on that? You are Spanish after all. Why not tell us what you think we have missed instead of going straight onto the defensive? Come on, enlighten us!
Comment from Ben
Time: April 27, 2007, 4:17 pm
p.s. these moaning ‘you are all anti-Spanish racists’ comments will only lead many of us to believe that some of the Spanish have an inability to let others analyse or criticise their own culture, which may easily be perceived as a surprising lack of national self-confidence. Stop complaining and start participating in the discussion.
Comment from Steve
Time: April 27, 2007, 5:44 pm
Some Spanish friends told me that the reason there is a rush off the train is because they have only left a few minutes spare to catch the next train. Personally when I catch the train in the morning, I either take my free QUE or 20 Minutos and sit on it on the stairwell, or feel really empowered by having a good rush and push off the train myself. Both seem to result in helping my morning anger management.
Comment from jose antonio
Time: April 27, 2007, 5:50 pm
But if I defend my people/culture you see me as complaining. And if I compare with England where I spend too much time or USA you think I am defensive.
I think we queue ok in Spain. We ask who is last and it works well I think. The metro is crazy and in London worse.
I don’t think you are racist Ben, please don’t say that.
Comment from Ben
Time: April 27, 2007, 5:53 pm
OK, sorry, I got a bit on the defensive. I also said you queue OK in Spain, most of the time 
Comment from jose antonio
Time: April 27, 2007, 6:25 pm
Thanks, I just want to be friendly you know. I can only really compare London/Spain with some real knowledge. No, we do not follow rules as good (in general !) as english but that is what makes spain spain. I feel free at home you understand? Ok, I don’t like all the dog shit. There is one I will give you.
Comment from Edith
Time: April 27, 2007, 9:00 pm
José Antonio, the only one who is making actual comparisons between the Spanish and zoo animals are you!
Nobody is saying that Spanish culture is weird or un-European in any way. Yes, Spanish culture is unique in some ways, just like any other culture. We are fellow Europeans, which means we have many cultural traits in common. Similarities are often taken for granted because most of us like to focus on the aspects which make us different and unique.
One of my favorite books about Holland is ‘The Undutchables’, which was written by two British expats. The British have a way with words which I admire and many of their observations were very much to the point. I did not agree with everything they said but most of it did ring a bell. What I’m trying to say here is that I welcome this kind of feedback from other nationalities who live here. I would love to read a book about Holland by a Spanish ex-pat!
Here is a link to the Undutchables site, so you can judge for yourself how you would feel if these comments had been about Spain:
Comment from jose antonio
Time: April 27, 2007, 9:24 pm
No, that’s not what I did Edith. Read my words again. I mean you want to study us like you are david bloody attenborough or something.
Comment from Edith
Time: April 27, 2007, 9:47 pm
I think we have been through this before. By the way, David Attenborough is an excellent researcher who has made several documentaries about human societies as well, not only about animals. His professional standards are very high and he is sumamente simpático.
Comment from Matthew
Time: April 28, 2007, 9:19 am
I think those who have commented about English people being too snobbish and class driven are absolutely spot no - no need to look further than the mediatized antics of the Brothers Royal - one dumping his gorgeous girlfriend because her Mum said ‘toilet’ instead of ‘lavatory’ and the other insisting like a spoilt child that he be sent to Iraq whatever the cost for ‘his’ men.
Until you happen to pass through the rougher parts of Liverpool or Manchester (the complete list would be too long to bother writing down) and discover that English hooligan’s fine reputation for destruction abroad is well founded on solid practice in the training grounds of Friday night pub fights and Saturday afternoon football bashings.
As far as Attenborough, zoos and Spanish anthropology are concerned, I doubt any of us that write about ‘Spain’ (whatever that is these days) would have bothered if we didn’t really enjoy living and working here.
It’s as interesting and fun a topic to write about as any (God save us from another gadget blog!!) and I’ve discovered that there are many people all round the world who are curious and want to know more about life here.
Understanding the differences so as not to cause offense or embarrassment can also in some circumstances be very important.
Comment from Oh brother!
Time: April 28, 2007, 12:01 pm
Hey Ben,
Maybe you can do a future blog entry about how thin-skinned the Spanish are! Geez. What’s the deal with JA and Uno who get so defensive anytime anything even mildly critical is raised in this forum?
Jose Antonio,
You’ve got a chip the size of Portugal on your shoulder. You need to chill out, man. I’ve read your comments in previous entries and there’s no need for you to feel insulted or offended every time you read something on this blog that you disagree with.
I think it would be safe to say that the English speakers who are regular readers of Notes from Spain are people who are intensely interested and curious about Spain. I would even go so far as to say that they love Spain and are fascinated by the culture and the language. You’re not doing yourself or your countrymen any favors by going off on Ben or some other poster everytime you disagree or dislike an entry.
And why am I suggesting that you represent all of Spain? Well, you don’t. But it’s the same way that some Spanish people assume that all British people are cold and aloof and all Americans are fat and greedy based on one experience they’ve had or one example they’ve seen in a movie or a tv show. See how these stereotypes are really insidious? For some people reading this blog, your comments may be their only contact ever with a Spanish person. Hmm. Something to think about.
Comment from jose antonio
Time: April 28, 2007, 1:36 pm
I have good english I think but I do not know what the chip on the shoulder is with Portugal, I guess it is not nice. I do know that I was not attacking Ben, who I admire I have said this. It seems it is not me with the problem. I can’t say my opinion without you attacking me. I find it curious that you want to study us that is all. The title is “are the spanish rude” like you can say that about all of us. With all that is going on in Spain at the moment I could talk with you about politics or economic situation, eta members found in sheffield England, feria de abril…lots of things. You havent given me anything to think about, I dont know what or who you are to lecture me.
Comment from Stuart
Time: April 28, 2007, 3:07 pm
JA,
If the title was instead, for example, “Are the English class driven snobs?”, you wouldn’t find one person complaining about generalisations or people wanting to ’study the English like zoo animals’, despite the title being more controversial.
Instead people would give a variety of opinions, maybe along the lines of “maybe class is still a problem” or “yeah.. those damn royals” or even “no of course not, I don’t think so, not any more”.
Some of the best titles of debate are the ones that generalise or are controversial. “Are the Spanish rude?” is not one of them however, and varying answers of yes and no would also not be.
Are the Spanish big cheese eaters?
Responses: “Yes, I am Spanish and I eat cheese”, “No, I’ve never seen a cheese focused snack in any cafe”.
Is it rude for people to ask and answer such questions, is discussion of national food and tastes too broad a generalisation?
Even if it is, this is not wrong. Generalisations and stereotypes form the foundation of the humans ability to understand and group complex social structures. This is not something bad, despite what the Politically Correct idiots will tell you, its how you use the groups or react to generalisation that can be bad.
If someone asks if the Spanish are rude it means they want to know something about Spanish people as a whole… and yes they even what to be informed that not all Spanish are polite and/or not all Spanish are rude. There is no other way to ask such a question about a culture without generalising, rephrasing it would just be masking it. And why shouldn’t we dissect and analyse a country and culture, why shouldn’t we study a group of people as if we were David Attenborough. To suggest we shouldn’t is madness, would lead to ignorance and outcomes far worse then stereotyping can.
Comment from Gary
Time: April 28, 2007, 6:41 pm
Remember there is one place that Brits don’t queue - at the bar!!
To be fair ro the old guy at the Retiro after he had walked in on another old guy and come out again he realised he had jumped in front of us and offered to let us go first but we hadnt the heart to make him go to the back of the queue which was now longer than when he had skipped happily past it in the first place…
Comment from Thorarinn Leifsson
Time: May 4, 2007, 1:04 pm
Hi Ben
Very interesting blog. Personally i like the informal “ultimo” system.
I am an icelandic citizen who have lived a few years in Copenhagen and am now living in Barcelona.
I find the spanish very polite and friendly in most occasions and they have a kind of direct manner very similar to
my compatriots so I always feel at home here.
Most Icelanders are great admirers of British and Spanish cultures although most agree that the Spanish have more grace and are gennerally
more polite. Comon guys. You INVENTED bad taste and rudeness. Monthy Pyton? Anyone? Black Books?
Thanks good for the bitter brittish humour and rudeness!
In my humble opinion people who cannot adapt to Spanish and/or Catalan culture should simply go home were they came from.
This goes for Icelanders as well as Brits.
I think George Orwell (Wrote “Homage to Catlunya” among others) would agree with me completely
Regards
Comment from Thorarinn Leifsson
Time: May 4, 2007, 1:14 pm
Uh sorry George!
I misspelled “Homage to Catalunya”. Rest in peace. Respect:)
Comment from Traduciente
Time: May 5, 2007, 12:31 am
Back to the original issue. I don’t really think the average level of politeness can be considered acceptable, even though people can be very friendly and nice.
I’m not that old, but I remember things where different in the metro years ago. When I was a teen people actually used to leave room for passengers getting out. There used to be some funny signs on the walls “En beneficio de todos, entren y salgan rápidamente” and “Antes de entrar, dejen salir”. Whether it worked unconciously or not, the thing is it all seemed smoother. People still would run to get a seat, though.
My way to make clear for people they’re in the way when I’m trying to get off a train and they’re just standing in the way: I stop, look at them in the eye and ask “do you really want me to jump over you?”. Yes, I know, not a polite remark, but I think it’s better than wrestling and it usually works (despite some irate looks I sometimes get).
Comment from Mercedes
Time: May 8, 2007, 8:29 pm
And Americans - what do you have to say about them? Ya’ll need to get a *&*&*& life. New York is the rudest city of them all. At least when you ask for directions they don’t look at you like you want to rob them. Have you ever seen a New Yorker board a subway? I’m spanish who studied in New York and I live in Madrid and I take great offense to your stupid comments.
Comment from Traduciente
Time: May 9, 2007, 1:33 am
When you say stupid comment do you refer to my post? Wow, is that what you consider a polite reply?
To start with, we were not comparing Madrid to another city. Period.
I must say I find it rather childish to say “they’re worse than us” when being confronted with an actual fact: manners in Madrid are not as good as they should. Even if some places are worse, I’ll give you that.
I just expressed my opinion. FYI, I’m also Spanish (quinta generación de madrileños), I also lived in NY for some time, as well as in other countries and I’m perfectly entitled to say what I think, even if you disagree. Compared to other countries, Spain is not on the top of the list of good manners, whether you like it or not and whether you’re willing to admit it or not.
If you prefer to take offense when someone disagrees, that’s your choice. In any case, debating different opinions is perfectly acceptable, insulting is not… if you’re well -mannered, anyway. Your opinion is not the ultimate truth, so it would be nice if you could learn to debate without insulting as well as assume that people expressing different opinions to yours doesn’t equal a personal attack on you.
If all you’ve seen is NY and Madrid I strongly recommend you travel a bit more. And trying to to be a bit more open minded won’t kill you.
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Time: May 9, 2007, 11:27 pm
[…] In addition to lots of interesting information about Spain, Ben Curtis also makes me think– for example, the series discussing the relative rudeness of Spanish people. […]
Comment from richard
Time: May 21, 2007, 1:17 am
what is this all about guys? have you ever seen good maners in any metro in the world, ( london paris nyc madrid……) because i didn’t. i think everybody is the same everywhere in every metro. london? god bless me!!! people is full of anger. nyc? no coments. and same for every city.
Comment from Ricardo
Time: May 29, 2007, 1:19 pm
Sorry, but I disagree with you. I’m spanish and I was living for 2 years and a half in UK (and I coming back soon), and honestly, I think spanish people are much more rude than bristish. Most of the times spanish dont say “hello”, “thanks”, “please”, “Sorry”… When they go to the pub, they just say “one beer”. That’s all, not like “Hi, can I have a beer?”. They rarely say “usted” (kind of sir, or mister), and they talk everyone lake a friend…
They dont respect trafic rules, they dont care about neighbors when they are partying…
Ok, I dont want to write too much, but this is my opinion, and I’m sure you know what I’m talking about.
Thanks.
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Time: August 15, 2007, 8:00 am
[…] while back we looked at different ways in which the Spanish might be defined as rude, an accusation that is commonly held against them. It […]
Comment from the flying italian
Time: August 15, 2007, 11:04 am
Hi there,
sorry to intervene, uninvited, to your discussion.
I have spent quite many medium-lenght periods of my life in Spain, before moving there more permanently last month.
I have also lived for a couple of years in London, UK.
First of all, I can confirm that queue jumping at London’s bus stops is not common…but just because nowadays there is NO queue at all! People fight to get into the bus first, and that happens for the tube too.
Then of course if you go to a smaller town, you might find out that the queue is still part of british culture, but I would not say that it can be used to measure a population’s rudeness or politeness. Neither can the “please” and “thank you”s. I mean, I would rather meet a friendly person asking for something with a smile and without a “please” than another asking with a rude tone of voice, but adding an hypocrite “por favor” at the end.
Maybe we should not concentrate on the “shape” of manners, but on the real intentions of people. Then we could understand that it is single individuals to be rude, not entire populations.
Excuse me sir, would you mind to f..k off, please? Of course. And thank you very much for telling me, you son of a b..ch
Bye,
the flying italian
Comment from Fernando Romera
Time: August 29, 2007, 10:52 pm
Firstly, I’d like to say why I’m here, I’m so frustrated with my spanish colleague who works here at the office, that I just typed ‘why are spanish people so rude’ on the google bar and ended up here.
I’m brazilian, my dad’s parents were both spanish though, and I went to Spain a couple of years ago to learn spanish and live there for a while. I loved the place, wethear, food…… however, the people….
At first, I thought I wasn’t being lucky, but after 4 years and spending 8 hours of every single working day of the last 3 years working with this people, I just give up!
I don’t know why they get so aggressive, and think that every single non-spanish person in the world are against them…. my colleague keeps trying to feel good making me feel bad, if there’s something wrong someone else has done she makes sure she shouts it loud enough for everyone to hear that someone has done a mistake.
The problem is that she teases me in a way that really offends me, whereas my other english colleagues just don’t give her any attention and keep taking the piss out of her.
I can’t cope with her saying that Spain is much better than England, that Alonso is much better then Hamilton….. and everyone is against them and bla bla bla…..
Sorry, I jut had to let it out!
Comment from Ben
Time: August 30, 2007, 7:44 am
No problem! Hope you feel better now
Comment from Fernando Romera
Time: August 30, 2007, 11:55 am
Thanks Ben. I am feeling better actually. Really sorry if I offended anyone, never meant to do that.
Comment from a non rude dissapointed Spanish
Time: September 2, 2007, 10:32 am
Oh Dear! So much talk to whether Spanish are rude or not. And who are you to criticise? Do you think English people are all kind and good?
My experience in the last two years shows you are not…I have worked for a company that treats their employees without respect, they send the area managers, who lie, bullies that know nothing but to abuse their authority and if you complain about the treatment they reply with excuses and support them. There is no justice in this country.
Sorry ..but it is the truth accordingly to my personal experience.
A very dissapointed Spanish non rude person
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Time: September 2, 2007, 11:10 pm
[…] “It’s so different from Spain!” I said (see discussion on Notes from Spain about Spaniards being rude). […]
Comment from savak
Time: September 5, 2007, 9:57 pm
i think iberians are lovely
Comment from Ben
Time: September 12, 2007, 3:31 pm
In short yes they are quite rude .Please and thank you do not enter the vocab.If you are bodychecked by somebody walking by not even a glance backwards.As for ther tolerance to foreigners ……;)
Comment from Elena
Time: October 5, 2007, 8:55 am
Yeah!Is true! We jump the queues!! I’m spanish and of course we do!! Come on spanish guys, don’t get so angry cause is a fact…is part of our culture and you shouldn’t take it too seriously!!
Good luck!xxx
Comment from Marla
Time: January 15, 2008, 12:08 am
Okay, you are scaring me. I am American and I consider myself to be pretty well traveled. I plan to be in Pamplona for a week, while my husband is there on business. I do not speak very good Spanish but I am more than willing to try. Are the cards stacked against me because so many tourists are so very ignorant and have given all Americans a bad reputation. Please advise on the best way to see the city and some of the culture of the Basque region.
Comment from jesus
Time: January 15, 2008, 3:08 pm
I´m agree…I´m Spanish and it´s true…Spaniards are rude and its our culture…there are few people who let you get out of wagon…But we are honest when we ask who is first in a shop…
British people had good maners…but now a days, each one who comes from england …. seems to be worst than spaniards …too much Alcohol in their bodies….or drugs….
Who is worst??? Depend on the point of view!
Comment from God
Time: January 15, 2008, 6:45 pm
I’m with Jesus on this one. But I have to tell you my son, please stop turning water into Rioja, it’s too much of a temptation for Mankind!
Comment from Maria S.
Time: January 15, 2008, 10:46 pm
After jesus and God posted, I felt it was my calling to ad something…
As the whole world probably knows, Germans can be rather rude, too. When I stand in line and a senior citizen cuts in, I usually let them. If I say something, then I get affronted:”Why don’t you say something?”. I think: “Well, I had counted on your observation to see I am in front of you. ”
Their rudeness just produces more rudeness on their part. I would even have to defend my politeness.
It is not worth it.
It has been said that people coming from a peninsula like Spain and Korea are more aggressive than others. I have no excuse for the Germans then.
I am German myself. Hold it — I have a German passport. That’s all.
Comment from michael
Time: January 19, 2008, 5:23 pm
the englihs are far more rude than spanish a spanish person may just say mierda or conYO but an engishman will nock your teath down your throwt for owt.
Comment from Española ofendida.
Time: January 26, 2008, 12:33 am
Yo se lo justo de Inglés como para contestar correctamente,pero por lo que me parece leer nos estás criticando(a lo Españoles)basándote en prejuicios y generalizando.Es una verguenza.Espero que estés lo suficientemente preparado en cuanto a cultura e idioma como para entenderme.Gracias.
Comment from Benjamin
Time: February 14, 2008, 11:35 am
Estoy aquí en españa pero soy estadounidense. A me parece que todo esto es relativo - la única razón por la cual se considera algo desconsiderado es que no es algo que sueles hacer en tu propio ambiente. Aunque sean basados en ideas claras que tienen sentidos, realmente son construcciones sociales. Por eso aquí en españa hay muchas cosas que a veces me molestan tantisimo, como por ejemplo lo de los trenes, pero sé que si no fuera estadounidense ni siquiera me daría cuenta. Es una cuestión de adaptar creo.
Comment from Pipi
Time: March 27, 2008, 5:40 pm
I am spanish, I have been living in the UK for long time, and I don’t think you can compare english with spaniards, we are black and white, spanish people are very open and yes we do shout, while english people are the other way round, you never know what they think, I have found very nice and polite people in England but also very rude like in everywhere else. you cannot make a comparison between the two because is impossible.
Comment from Raquel
Time: April 13, 2008, 12:05 am
Spainsh peolpe r the best baby!
PUERTO RICO!!!!!
Luv,
Miss.Latina
Comment from Raquel
Time: April 13, 2008, 12:06 am
Spainsh peolpe are not rude,were #1
No doubt..
Pingback from Are Spanish People Rude? | Matthew Bennett
Time: April 14, 2008, 10:57 pm
[…] over on Notes from Spain is asking today if Spanish people are rude and rightly points out that it’s a bit more complicated than it first seems to be, especially […]
Comment from hellothere
Time: April 15, 2008, 10:44 am
I could not agree more with this note!
I cannot think of any Spaniard whom I know, who likes it when someone jumps a queue. More often than not will the queue-jumper be told: “¡Que te estás colando!” by not one but quite a few angry people.
OK, sometimes their queues look more like a blob than a line, but even though, everyone always knows “quien da la vez”.
The metro example is a true classic!
In the same line, there is also the way cars tend to block crossroads when in traffic jams, getting everyone stuck in the process, which is when they start beeping angrily, at 7:30am, thus waking the whole neighbourhood up.
In the same spirit, daily occurences include “creating” extra lanes (the street has three lanes? let’s make it four!), not letting anyone through, not starting at green lights, not stopping at red lights, parking in the bus lane, etc.
Apparently so far, no one has realised that these behaviours actually worsen the traffic jams everyone keeps complaining about.
Now, in all fairness, is it because Madrid is a big metropolis or because it is in Spain?
Madrid is larger than any other place I have lived in, so I feel I cannot really compare and judge if it is better or worse than other places of the same characteristics in other countries.
For instance, do these patterns also exist in smaller cities in Spain?
Comment from Julie
Time: April 15, 2008, 4:09 pm
“Have you ever been into a grocer’s, butcher’s, or fruteria in Spain and seen how, despite the fact that no-one is forming any kind of line, everyone knows when it is their turn?” And have you ever been to a British pub, flummoxed how the barman always knows who’s next, no queue-jumping possible?
Oh, come off it. I don’t know any country that’s as perfectionist about queuing as Britain. Thus, no se quejen tanto.
Anyway, something I’ve always wanted to ask about the UK (I was born in Ireland, but I think it would be very embarrassing to ask a Brit in person) - does it make any difference whether a queue is parallel to the street or orthogonal (i.d. the one that is indicated by the bus shelter)? Usually there are two - which one should be used? I never got into the habit of “forming an orderly line”, and don’t want to appear like a foreigner in a neighbouring country…
Pingback from Are Spanish People Rude? | Spanish Translation Blog
Time: June 16, 2008, 7:44 pm
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Time: June 18, 2008, 11:35 am
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Comment from tonya
Time: July 27, 2008, 7:21 pm
The majority of Spanish people are extraordinarily rude, agressive, ethnocentric, entitled, demanding, narcissistic, and inconsiderate. I am speaking of Spaniards in Spain, Ireland, Germany, America, Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Puerto Rico, France…all places where I have dealt with Spaniards. I can’t imagine a group of people I like less!
Comment from Edith
Time: July 27, 2008, 8:25 pm
And where are you from, Tonya?
Comment from ValenciaSon
Time: July 27, 2008, 8:28 pm
So Tonya, which people are perfect (from art thou hailing from)?
Comment from Mercedes
Time: August 3, 2008, 9:04 am
I’m from Madrid and think the spaniards are generally rude, they don’t say please and the dont say trank you, the dont say good morning… aftern… evening etc., the jump the queues every day and every moment, they speak loader in a bunch, they dont speak at all when are alone because they have inferiority complex and I understand it of couarse, they know the rude they are. Finally, I use “they” instead of “we” because there are spaniards, not a lot unfortunately, that don’t behave like that. Sorry if anyone feel bad to hear this.
Comment from iliana
Time: August 4, 2008, 5:03 pm
“Please” and “Thank you” are nice words for those ones who said it and for those ones who are listening; also they are free (gratis). This is for every culture; it will make our life easy and placid.
Sorry about my English is not the best!!
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