Some experience to share..

Last activity 27 January 2011 by Harissa

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indianabroadMember10 December 2010 10:24:01

Hello fellow expats,

This is Sougata here from Barcelona. Though am living here since last year Dec and working a PhD student at UPF, but am a not a regular at this site since now..( But now i am really interested to make some cool friends as my life is a bit boring here. Don't know why but interacting with local people is turning out to be a bit difficult as neither i speak catalan nor spanish. And moreover they, CATALAN or SPANISH people have this CLOSED ATTITUDE which really turned me off multiple times. I have lived in France and specially at Paris but never felt this problem before. As long i am at university day goes well but the moment am out of my work place problem starts..lol.

While interacting with local people , the moment they know am an outsider who doesn't speak neither spanish nor catalan no interest anymore to talk more.. strange.... which is a bit insulting. I mean it's not that all the people i have met doesn't know english at all but the problem is that even knowing they are not interested to speak.

So my personal experience living here is not turning out to be GOOD in terms of socialising. Want to know how others are facing any kind of this issue.

Cheers ,

Sougata

chimesActive member10 December 2010 13:46:52

Hi Sougata.

I don't mean to sound negative or insulting, but don't you think the problem might be of your own making, rather than the attitude of others? From what I gather from your post;

You've lived here for nearly a year
You haven't bothered learning any of the language
You find that the natives have a closed attitude

Hmm...

indianabroadMember10 December 2010 14:02:53

Hey Chimes ,

Well i don't deny that i do have a fault that i didn't pick up the language as i am completely working in english speaking environment all the day along with my advisors and other fellow colleagues but this CLOSED ATTITUDE of people from here is being felt not only by but also by my other colleagues also. I mean not opening up with non catalan people who doesn't speak their language is common that i have seen and other have also felt. So yeah i do accept that not picking up the language maybe my one of my fault but this not opening up style of people from here is do real.

Cheers ,

Sougata

b_c_nActive member10 December 2010 19:49:07

Hi there!
I'm from Barcelona and I'm pretty disapointed to hear that... I love to mix with foreign people and I'm not the only one!
I rekon to be a little bit harder to get to know people when you're abroad, but it is not a background problem... it is because people already has their own friend's group and not try to get to know new people (I think they're wrong but is they way it is...)
So, I guess we could make an event where people from Barcelona and expats could meet up
Who's in???

elfNew member11 December 2010 14:18:42

I am in!!!
Hello to all! My name is Eleni and I am from Greece. I came to Barcelona to do a PhD at UPC and work. I've been living here for one year now.Happy to have found this forum.

indianabroadMember11 December 2010 14:51:56

So am IN,,,)

Sougata

AisyluActive member15 December 2010 16:45:45

We are in too!)))

EdMontrealActive member15 December 2010 20:22:42

Hi guys,

I am also in.

BalasitoMember15 December 2010 22:21:49

hey,
definitely in!

b_c_nActive member16 December 2010 10:24:07

#10

LOL!
Then I guess we could meet for a drink someday!
I'm leaving for Xmas... coming back for new year's eve and then staying here
How is the 7/01/2011 (First time writing 2011... feels weird )
If you have other options let us know!
Fins aviat!

TAKNew member22 December 2010 11:54:10

#11

Why not

b_c_nActive member28 December 2010 12:10:13

#12

Hola!
Here is the proposal for the meeting! I hope everybody can make it!
https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=59765
See you there!

BenignaMember31 December 2010 16:00:07

#13

Try to learn the language. That will bring you more closer to the locals. A year of stay in Spain is more than enough to learn the language and garner lots of friends from the community. Spanish people are usually friendly.

natalie_bcnMember31 December 2010 20:47:30

#14

Yes we are!!

Thank you Benigna!!

HarissaMember27 January 2011 17:56:01

#15

Hi,

I'm french and just arrived in Barcelona for a couple of week only.

I'm here to meet people and discover everything.

Someone is ready to do somathing ?

Let me know...

Hope see you soon

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