Why do spanish hate catalans?

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BarcelonaMan

First, I'm not Spanish and I'm not CatalĂˇn. But I do know puh-lenty of Spaniards and we discuss this topic pretty frequently.

I don't think the average Spaniard hates those in CataluĂ±a/Catalunya, particularly not the educated ones, but they do certainly see 'them' as different, "nationalists" for CataluĂ±a/Catalunya. But they ARE different! Make no mistake.

Catalans speak a different language, their government is fighting for independence from Spain, and one of their football/soccer teams (FC Barcelona - http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/ ) is a powerhouse, causing harm and losses to its competitors. As many know, Real Madrid (@ http://www.RealMadrid.es ) is a perennial arch rival. And heck, they even have their own domain extention of *.cat!!! What other region in Spain can say that?

In Barcelona, I definitely don't FEEL as if I'm in Spain. In fact, I feel more like I'm in France! That's what I tell people from England or the USA when they go to Barcelona, I say, "Don't think you're getting a good feeling about how Spain is by visiting Barcelona. Take Barcelona for what it is - BARCELONA. It's NOT your "typical Spanish" experience."

But Barcelona is wonderful nonetheless. I love it.

Saludos, BarcelonaMan(.com)

Stamford66

Like many people I never realised until I moved here just how divided both politically and in some cases culturally Spain is as a country.

From the outside you tend not to see such things because internationally most of the country's politicians prefer to project country united in harmony.

But Spain is not unique. In fact I'm guessing that the majority of countries in the world are made up of different cultural groups who really wish they were independent and had their own 'voice'.

I know that this is true in Britain where Wales, Scotland and even regions in England such as Cornwall all want to be independent from the central government.

I do find it hard to understand that while on on hand you have the European Union which is growing and supposedly becoming a more united 'family' On the other hand a large number of the counties that make up the union are in fact populated by people looking for more political independence.

And although I'm no expert on US affairs I also have a sneaking suspicion that if push came to shove some of the American states would prefer to be independent of their union to!

Rikounet

I thought it was the other way around? Ah, Europe, so many cultures and tribes in so little space...

SUE

It's probably not as common as all that. Catalunya (which, by the way is the CatalĂˇn spelling: CataluĂ±a, in Spanish - and it DOES make a difference) has never really thought of themselves as part of Spain, and, while they don't spend as much time, energy and TNT as teh Basques do on the attempt to become their own country, many people are insulted that they don't like being part of the whole.

Really, though, since the death of Franco, there has been less trouble all around, with seperatists, though ETA (the Basque Party) still are out there and have flare-ups occasionally. There were a few demonstrations and bombings last summer.

The Basque country and CataluĂ±a bring in the most income to the country. If they seceded, Spain would be a much poorer place, and they would keep all their income, making those two provinces pretty wealthy...see how it works?

leonĂ©s

well there are many people from CataluĂ±a who feel also as Spanish and donÂ´t want to be independent.
also in Basque Country.

Personally, i donÂ´t hate CataluĂ±a, i like catalan people, their own culture and their football team :)

Historically, CataluĂ±a was for many time an independent kingdom, but then was joined to Castilla kingdom.

donÂ´t believe in everything that appears on TV and donÂ´t believe everything that politic men say. It is a very complicated situation that comes from the past.

Barcelonaman.com you make me laugh, you say you feel as you were in France!! of course, Southern France is Mediterranean, as Barcelona, Valencia, etc.... culture is very similar. Also with Italian Mediterranean coast.But you are in Spain.

bye bye

HPvD

Thanks everybody for giving your explanations,
interesting to know the 'Inside Stories'.

As a kid I have been to Spain many times during vacations (Costa Brava) there I never noticed specific tenssions between the two. I also was to youngh to bother about politics anyway.

I did however notice the difference in language and noticed that for example the color 'Blue' that's 'Azul' in Spanish was spelled 'Bleu' if I am not mistaken, and a lot of words sounded more like French to me.

Recently I haven't been to a few of the Canary Islands, you can read about it on my Travel Blogspot at: http://hpshappytravel.blogspot.com

All the Best,
HP

Marinita

I am originally Catalan, but have only lived in andalusia- COMPLETE opposite...

the Catalans have a very stable economy and contain a large portion of the country's industry. The southern regions of spain tend to be more poor and live the typical "lazy" spanish life style and like it that way. They like to work less and enjoy life more. the Catalans prefer to work hard- ultimately... its just a difference of culture.

The catalans produce the largest numbers, but they also pay (by far) the highest taxes in the country. Many catalans are upset by this because they feel as if their hard work is paying for the southerners to be lazy.

The southerners think that the catalans are just greedy, because if you ever notice while you are in an andalusians environment... they are still not gaining anything and think the catalans are keeping that money from them.

However, if you ever go to Madrid (the capital) you will notice that it is FULL of construction... there is not one craine left in the city unused. Madrid is reconstructing with cataluĂ±as money.

The whole thing about the galicians and ETA is a completely different story....

deejay enrie

@Stamford66,

Living in California, I've always felt it should secede from the rest of the US. In Hawaii, there is a very small secession movement. Finally, I wish the South had successfully seceded from the US... then we wouldn't have to bother ourselves with their conservative/backward ways and the Bible Belt.

thewarriordesign

Visca Catalunya i visca BarĂ§a :))))

who care if some stupid people hate other about their skin color, about their ethnicity or if they r from the east or the west coast

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