La Guardia Civil

[Culebronchris]

I said to someone English the other day that I was impressed how the Guardia Civil had managed to reinvent themselves as a trusted institution when, not so long ago, they had been considered to be the embodiment of repression.

The person I was talking to didn't agree. He thought that they were still disliked, mistrusted and feared. What's the general feeling?

Oh, and I always refer to them as La Guardia but I notice that Hemingway calls them Civiles. Which is more usual?

[Edith]

Interesting topic Culebronchris, I'd like to know some more about that too.

One particular thing which has always intrigued me is their peculair headgear, the tricornio or tri-cornered hat:


http://www.fotosearch.com/comp/AGE/AGE035/M44-392899.jpg

Is it still associated with Franco? I bet it may still instil fear in some people. Maybe Marina can shed some light on this (after the holidays, of course).

[Chiny]

I bet it may still instil fear in some people.

It does me (http://www.notesfromspain.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1108#post1108) . Perhaps it depends on your age.

--
Chiny

[Brian]

I've heard them called something else that is similar to Guardia, but not so complimentary.

Chiny has a point. Depending on your age, you will either view them as aid, or a political foe. In 20 years, their image will be greatly improved, imo.

[ValenciaSon]

Maybe it's time for La Guardia Civil to get a new hat style. When I was a kid in Spain, I thought the hat was funny-looking, though I didn't have any entanglements with them.