John Gardner
@Writerman
Scottish expat in Spain
Forum
40 posts
Contacts
1
About me
Scottish
Lives in Roquetas de Mar
Speaks English, French, some Spanish
Registration: 20 November 2013
Activity
First impressions after moving to Spain by Diksha
Hello everyone, You probably have vivid memories of your first weeks as an expat in Spain. Indeed, moving to a new country is a milestone in someone’s life. Today, we invite you to share with the community how you experienced your first ...
Great weather! Smiles, happy faces and the country is open - unlike France which is closed most of the time. That's the good bit. After 7 years of living here, here's the bad bit. Spain is corrupt from top to bottom in everything! It is ... Read More
How do you navigate your expat identity in Spain? by Anne-Lise Mty
Hey guys in Spain or wanting to move there, Fellow expat Stephanie has sent us a piece about how she navigates between her British-ish and her French-ish identity and we thought we would share it with you. Her opinion piece is featured on our ...
Short answer, yes. Three entirely different cultures at work: French, British, Spanish. As Andyviola wrote, when they simply talk they shout. It's in the blood. Try being in a car and holding a conversation with a Spanish male. It's utterly ... Read More
With wrong attitude by Carlozz
Watched some time ago Great Escapers tv series. British expats moved to Spain " to make some money in the sun". By all means, there is nothing wrong with that. But, when Brits arrive here for serving only other Brits, that is a bit ...
You are right Carlozz. I have heard English people boasting that they have lived here for more than fifteen years and have no need to speak Spanish! Their sole command of the language appears to centre round ordering beers. These people want Little ... Read More
Sense of humour in Spain by Bhavna
Hello everyone, Should we set out to explore Spanishs culture through its sense of humour? Indeed, if one is planning to settle in the country, it is best to understand the cultural codes governing humour in order to avoid any faux-pas. What ...
As was mine! :joking: Read More
Sense of humour in Spain by Bhavna
Hello everyone, Should we set out to explore Spanishs culture through its sense of humour? Indeed, if one is planning to settle in the country, it is best to understand the cultural codes governing humour in order to avoid any faux-pas. What ...
Culebronchris, you are spot on. Those sayings and twists of words do not compute at all in Spain. Fortunately I learned this early on. I had had a really frustrating day trying to get my sun loungers to bits to oil them and I told my guests that ... Read More
Sense of humour in Spain by Bhavna
Hello everyone, Should we set out to explore Spanishs culture through its sense of humour? Indeed, if one is planning to settle in the country, it is best to understand the cultural codes governing humour in order to avoid any faux-pas. What ...
Andyviola, not in my neck of the woods they don't. It is not part of their culture. I think the oppressive mantle of religion prevents it. They have to think in prescribed boxes as dictated by their religion. Not really helpful. The situation in ... Read More
Sense of humour in Spain by Bhavna
Hello everyone, Should we set out to explore Spanishs culture through its sense of humour? Indeed, if one is planning to settle in the country, it is best to understand the cultural codes governing humour in order to avoid any faux-pas. What ...
As a man who has spent many years creating humour I see differences, as there are in every country and region - everywhere. Humour in Spain is I think quite childish. Simple. Like their advertising. In my experience it is better to signal that you ... Read More
Dealing with loneliness in Spain by Priscilla
Hello, Expatriation can be a fun and exciting adventure, but it can also be a bit lonely at times. Please share with us some tips for dealing with loneliness. What are some potential factors that lead to loneliness when moving to Spain? How ...
Culebronchris, you don't think that based on what research or evidence? An opinion? Opinions are not valid measuring tools. Read More
Dealing with loneliness in Spain by Priscilla
Hello, Expatriation can be a fun and exciting adventure, but it can also be a bit lonely at times. Please share with us some tips for dealing with loneliness. What are some potential factors that lead to loneliness when moving to Spain? How ...
Johncar, I am not giving you my opinion, I am letting you know what the euro stats reveal. These are hard figures and not an opinion based on my personal experience although in my personal experience we have been robbed twice. My wife's handbag ... Read More
Dealing with loneliness in Spain by Priscilla
Hello, Expatriation can be a fun and exciting adventure, but it can also be a bit lonely at times. Please share with us some tips for dealing with loneliness. What are some potential factors that lead to loneliness when moving to Spain? How ...
Unfortunately there is no simple answer. The Spanish are very family oriented and don't really admit strangers into their circle and certainly not into their home until you have known them for a year or more. They are genuinely afraid of people ... Read More
How to save money in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Did you plan your budget before your move to Spain? If so, how did you go about it? How do you save money in your day to day life? Do you find there are any areas where you can't cut costs? Do you have any tips about saving ...
Easy, limit electricity use! Cook by gas; heat your water by gas or solar; checking your fridge door seal is in good condition and use the 30 minute programme on your washing machine for day to day cleaning. Use one of the many phone providers ... Read More
Your best business development ideas in Spain by Priscilla
Hi everyone, As a foreign entrepreneur, launching a business in Spain is a fantastic project and an exciting challenge. Some ideas are likely to succeed. Some others are promising but may not work as well as intended. In your opinion, what ...
Spain is fairly well catered for in the big cities, like most countries, and in the coastal and rural areas they have developed businesses and systems that work for them. Their major failings, in my unfortunate experience, are in hospital treatment, ... Read More
Are you happy in Spain? by Priscilla
Hello everyone! According to the 2016 UN World Happiness Survey, Denmark, Switzerland and Iceland are the happiest countries on earth. How about you? Are you happy in Spain? Do you feel happier today in your host country than before in your ...
Paperdetective, you have my sympathies. We lived in France like this for 8 years, except they were in bed by 9.30 and the town was deader than charity in a tax collector's heart by 7pm. Never again! Each area in Spain is different so find a ... Read More
Are you happy in Spain? by Priscilla
Hello everyone! According to the 2016 UN World Happiness Survey, Denmark, Switzerland and Iceland are the happiest countries on earth. How about you? Are you happy in Spain? Do you feel happier today in your host country than before in your ...
I echo the thoughts of DhBahiya as we too lived in France for several years but the xenophobia, inflexibility of attitudes and systems driven by what can only be called institutionalised madness finally drove us out. France has changed! In Spain we ... Read More
Customer care in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, The way customer services are handled can greatly affect your views on certain brands, products, companies or stores. As a consumer, it is important to get familiar with local practices regarding client assistance in Spain and try ...
It's an interesting topic. Well done Priscilla for bringing it up. My own experience, having worked in 14 countries and visited 23, is that Spain is well ahead of many. I find it hard to believe anyone could have been given better service ... Read More