OK, I was asked to start a new thread and so here it is. Some great comments made on the previous thread before it was closed:
I have lived on the Costa Blanca for some time. I moved here because I fell in love with the culture, the whole joie de vivre that I think the Spanish people will always protect. Much like the poster above, I am amazed at the number of ex-pats who move to Spain and then never even attempt to learn the language, even if it's only "bar and restaurant talk". A neighbour has lived here for 20 years; he can barely understand the language. For me, that is such a shame because even just trying to learn the basics could open up a whole new world to him.
My Spanish (Castellano) is okay - I'm certainly not fluent - and I am always keen to "give it a go" at every opportunity. The majority of my leisure time is spent in local bars and restaurants, listening to the banter, picking up the pecularities not taught in language school, and then "giving it a go" to join in the conversation. At first my attempts were met with some hilarity but I persisted, my new friends helped me along and I can now hold my own (almost) in heated conversation (although when the debate drifts into local dialect then I admit that I do tend to throw in the towel!).
I don't have access to British TV and have not done so for some years - I don't miss it (I do miss being able to buy clothes "off the rack" that fit me and a decent kebab but then the latter that's probably why the clothes in Spain don't fit me well!). I have Spanish TV (TVE, Anteena 3, TeleCinco, etc.) but rarely watch it, if only to practise listening to the Spanish language.
I have always made that extra effort to mix with the locals, to integrate as best I can. Someone mentioned on a previous thread that fiestas can get tedious after a few visits but they totally miss the point. All fiestas are different and every year they are different; it's all about how deep you want to be involved. Standing on the periphery can be dull; it appears to be the same old procession, the same old music, the same old people. However it's what happens before and after the "show" that's important. Someone else suggested that the Spanish don't want the English to be involved; I can tell you from experience that that is simply not the case. Integration is important to the Spanish; they love to show off their traditions and their culture to extranjeros, to confirm just how important family and friendship are to them. Never thought you'd be able to party until 5am? I bet you could!
We live in a culture that is still blessed with tradition. I concede that some people still want a little bit of home broadcast into their living room or naya but I implore: why not wander down to that local bar and say hello (or hola!); you'll be surprised at just how pleasant the experience will be ...
All this discussion about British TV made me ask the question . Are there so many Brits here in Spain because it is so easy to create a "little britain "???? Cafe's , bars ,restaurants,supermarkets,shops, newspapers and especially TV. The Costa Blanca is getting like an English county with better weather!
I have English neighbours who never try to speak spanish , don't like spanish food , only go to english restaurants. Why the heck are they in Spain ?
No different to the ghettos we dislike in Britain . Purely immigrants for financial reasons .
I only go to spanish bars ,restaurants etc and most of my friends here are Spanish or Argentinian . (even though my spanish is not brilliant). I am here because it is not England . An experience of a different culture !
The one thing that I miss is some British TV ! Just a little will do!
I have English neighbours who never try to speak spanish , don't like spanish food , only go to english restaurants. Why the heck are they in Spain ?
No different to the ghettos we dislike in Britain . Purely immigrants for financial reasons .
I only go to spanish bars ,restaurants etc and most of my friends here are Spanish or Argentinian . (even though my spanish is not brilliant). I am here because it is not England . An experience of a different culture !
The one thing that I miss is some British TV ! Just a little will do!
My Spanish (Castellano) is okay - I'm certainly not fluent - and I am always keen to "give it a go" at every opportunity. The majority of my leisure time is spent in local bars and restaurants, listening to the banter, picking up the pecularities not taught in language school, and then "giving it a go" to join in the conversation. At first my attempts were met with some hilarity but I persisted, my new friends helped me along and I can now hold my own (almost) in heated conversation (although when the debate drifts into local dialect then I admit that I do tend to throw in the towel!).
I don't have access to British TV and have not done so for some years - I don't miss it (I do miss being able to buy clothes "off the rack" that fit me and a decent kebab but then the latter that's probably why the clothes in Spain don't fit me well!). I have Spanish TV (TVE, Anteena 3, TeleCinco, etc.) but rarely watch it, if only to practise listening to the Spanish language.
I have always made that extra effort to mix with the locals, to integrate as best I can. Someone mentioned on a previous thread that fiestas can get tedious after a few visits but they totally miss the point. All fiestas are different and every year they are different; it's all about how deep you want to be involved. Standing on the periphery can be dull; it appears to be the same old procession, the same old music, the same old people. However it's what happens before and after the "show" that's important. Someone else suggested that the Spanish don't want the English to be involved; I can tell you from experience that that is simply not the case. Integration is important to the Spanish; they love to show off their traditions and their culture to extranjeros, to confirm just how important family and friendship are to them. Never thought you'd be able to party until 5am? I bet you could!
We live in a culture that is still blessed with tradition. I concede that some people still want a little bit of home broadcast into their living room or naya but I implore: why not wander down to that local bar and say hello (or hola!); you'll be surprised at just how pleasant the experience will be ...
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