MrandMrs
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I read the answers with interest! I have lived in Torrevieja for nearly 6 years and am pleased to say the majority of my neighbours are Spanish! There are areas where the majority of residents appear to be English but it never ceases to amaze me why people come to such a wonderful country and refuse to embrace the culture or people. Our closest friends are Spanish and I consider myself very lucky to live in such a wonderful area. I guess it is a case of each to their own but my only request would be that the English stop moaning about everything Spanish...if you want to establish a mini England go back to England.... |
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rose1
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Actually that's a bit of a sweeping statement, but partly true. I have lived in Spain 16 years and have lived in several places, but NEVER in Brit areas. I did not come to Spain to go into British bars for a lager and a packet of pork scratchings and play bingo on a Friday night, but millions of Brits do. Sad isn't it? But most lose out on so much when they stick to their own. Whilst there are many that live exactly like they would in the UK, there are many of us too that speak the language fluently, have Spanish friends and relations and wouldn't be seen dead in a British bar preferring tapas and cafe con leche.
Brits are no different to any other foreigner we all tend to stick together in a foreign and strange land simply because it is your basic instinct to understand and be understood.
My advice to anyone moving abroad......attempt to learn the language, integrate and you will be happier in your chosen adopted country after all you are a guest so respect that please. |
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M'SMA
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Probably too lazy to learn the language and customs. Some Brits think that it's up to everyone else to speak English cos they can't be bothered to learn the language of the country they are visiting, etc. BTW: I'm a British! |
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JanJan
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yeah, but then we moan about foreigners not integrating in the UK. double standards don't you think |
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My name's MUD
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This happens in al countries.
Most British who move out there do not learn the language or integrate, which is a bad thing really.
I'm glad the Spanish are such good hosts, rarely do you hear them complain about being over populated by foreigners.
The British complain about this all the time. |
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choccy_002
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I suppose they do it because of the feeling of familiarity and common background and 'sticking together' is common to many 'immigrant' groups in countries all over the world. Yet Brits here will complain that members of our immigrant population do exactly the same thing.
And by Snook's 'logic', we in UK should all learn Urdu, Bengali, Polish etc etc in order to foster integration! |
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Ben O
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Never say never or always - there's no such thing as a stereotype.
That said, people associate with familiar crowds everywhere in the world. |
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beverley1156
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May be because the Spanish have more taste? |
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madge
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This not only happens in spain, but all countries which have an ex pat community, having mixed with some of these people they tend to think of them selves as to elite to mix with the locals. Sad but true |
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Rachel J
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Ok, I have an opinion on this issue. I am an American who lived in Bavaria Germany for 4 years, during this time I traveled with an International Theatre Arts group to Barcelona and this was while they were still working on the highways there, even though I stayed in what would be considered a mansion at the top of a hill I was able to go out traveling around and what I saw was that alot of foreigners were coming through and it is true that people from different countries stick together, but please do not take it personally, they are going to have a tendency to do this because the more in number the safer the traveler, that is why I believe that bus tours and group tours are good if you are traveling for the first time in a foreign land. You need to be missed if any foul play is involved so that would probably apply to the click that has formed with the British. The best thing that you can do as a permanent resident when you experience this happening is be open, honest and helpful to travelers so that they feel that they can trust some of the people and will be brave enough to venture out solo...but I hate to say it, the way things have been lately with people taking sides and targeting one another I would not want to go out traveling alone anymore...just too risky. Ok hun, Take Care, hope this made sense.-Rachel. |
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teddy
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The mentality, they just want the sunshine and not the bother of learning the language. I went years ago to a place near Valencia and the Expats were by and large not interested in integrating, how stupid can you get. |
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psychodad
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Its nothing more than the language problem.
Brits are not known for theire language skills , |
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D B
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I have no idea. My friends are all learning the language and mixing as much as possible. |
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Carousel
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I have lived in Spain for three years. I have integrated into the community. I pay Spanish tax and my health service is in Spain. I am learning the language but can converse now in Spanish. Many of my friends are in the same process.
Many Brits come here for the good life. The sun, the cheap cost of living and the laid back lifestyle. They have no intention of integrating. It is their personal choice to do so. They get taxed as non residents. As for sticking together, many do that because they feel safe being with their own kind. However, I have Spanish neighbours and I couldn´t wish to have nicer people living near me.
There are parts of Spain such as Torrevieja. You will find it difficult to find a Spaniard there. I live in a village and it´s the exception to that. |
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da
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You know why. |
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ii
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People like people they can identify with. Brits share the same language, cultural references and rules of social interaction.
If you want to make friends with people of other cultures you have to:
1)Make an effort to learn their language.
2)Open your mind to new cultural experiences.
3)Learn and accept new rules of social interaction.
Taking these 3 steps involves a lot of effort and risk.
Also, when people are away from home, they tend to gravitate towards people from their own culture as it lends a sense of security, this can be seen in immigrant populations all over the world. |
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Ryan
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Much like the muslims dont intergrate in the UK. Maybe they dont want to. |
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Ana
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Snook we are in our country we dont have to talk English.... if a Brit come here HE have to talk Spanish if an American come here He have to talk Spanish... and so on... But we dont have to talk English... so take it easy "frend"
If the Brits dont integrate here is his problem, really they aren't appreciate in Europe, so why we have to worry for such kind of people??
Surely, we have better taste...
Ciaoo |
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Radiator
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Because for some unknown reason most of the Spaniards cannot speak English for heavens sake. |
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LONDONER ©
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Because they're ignorant and were probably the kind that when they lived in the UK they blasted ethnic minorities for not integrating into the British community |
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vambosthirdincarnation
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Because they are wanted by the police. |
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