Spanish attitude to British ex-pats

[danp]

Hmm, its a bit difficult to summarise Spanish attitudes towards British expats as doing so would involve casting loads of (perhaps unfair) generalisations of both sides.

Nonetheless, generally : loads of British tourists/expats (at least in Costa del Sol) live in an almost total isolation to Spanish people. Worse still, they tend to show a total ignorance of local customs and norms.

In turn, I'm not sure that Spaniards are totally and wholeheartedly welcoming of Brits; I think that they are just used to their presence and accept it, sometimes happily and sometimes not so much. Many Spaniards are utterly bemused at the "British" way of doing things and I can assure you that alot of giggles and finger-pointing are had whenever they see, for example, families all dressed up having their suppers at 7pm on a hot August afternoon; most Spaniard's have barely finished digesting their lunch! I'm not even going to mention the appalling behaviour of so many louts on holiday!

The Spaniards just let the Brits do their own thing (which they do, in their "British-only ghettos") and laugh at them from a distance.

Of course, these observations are somewhat exagerated and certainly generalised, but I think that they illustrate the point I'm trying to make.

[Carolanna]

All thats been mentioned here about respect, learning the language, being prepared to adapt to their way of life - after all we are in their country - goes a long way to helping you in your new life. I have had nothing but warm, friendly responses in the town where I live - I am not finding it easy to learn Spanish but I will not give up and what I do know I use and it is appreciated when you make that effort. I feel a lot better too.

[XTreme]

Originally Posted by danp

Nonetheless, generally : loads of British tourists/expats (at least in Costa del Sol) live in an almost total isolation to Spanish people.

The Spaniards just let the Brits do their own thing (which they do, in their "British-only ghettos") and laugh at them from a distance.

You got it spot on there!

[chris(madrid)]

The point is that some Spanish react much to foreigners as do some Brits react to foreigners in the UK.

My wife is Spanish - fluent in English. Every so often I see "that (Feck me another bloody foreigner) look" in the eyes of a shop assistant etc. I'm English fluent in Spanish - see it here too but less so, as I am now devoid of shame and lay into them . I curse rather well too.

I am personally VERY anti ex-pat enclaves. I avoid them totally. In Spain you're morally obliged to speak Spanish imo.

We once experienced a Spanish expat setup in Germany. We very quickly returned to the sanity of dealing with the Germans.

[Big Pete]

Well obviously judging by the votes they gave us in the Eurovision Song Contest they dont like us or the Germans

You wait til the next time one of them wants a tip i shall say Nilio Tippio