mondragaussie (Jul 14 2008, 07:05 PM) said: > original post
I live in Pais Vasco which means I have euskerra to grapple with as well)...

Kaixo

Pozten nau zu ezagutzeak.

Thats about as far as I can remember without getting a headache

I didn`t change careers, just countries.

I transfered from UK to Spain.

I wished I hadn`t.

Although I`ve always viewed work as something I do to live, i don`t live to work.I do apriciate being paid for my time, its a concept lost in Malaga, they seem to believe you owe them for the oppertunity and money is irrelevant.

So I protested with my feet, and left.

Now Autonomo and in demand.

Money is king in Spain.

Govt corruption is an issue and really only the rich councils can only operate successful using bribes and back handers.

As for networking the Spanish use whats called Enchufe, its not a group you can easily join, its not on the web.

Its basically gaining friends in high places, once your friendly and you serve a purpose you`ll achieve more friends easily, you`ll be expected to offer favours whilst in return gaining favours.

If you`ve nothing to offer, you won`t be used and friends won`t arrive.

Spanish people pride themselves on either being able to help or knowing somebody who can help.

In my work, two guys were arguing about who could provide me a hire car cheaply, they heard I was asking for some hire car telephone numbers, they instantly took over, did away with a-z listings and spent 15 minutes arguing.

One guys brother worked in a hotel, could get me discount, another had a friend in an Insurance office.

3 weeks after I hire one of one of the guys, i found out I`d save nothing.

If I`d stayed ringing companies, I`d have saved money and frankly hassle.

My Wife explained its a male dominated society, I was new guiri and they wanted to dominate me and their fellow workers.

I just shook my head, all I wanted was a bloody hire car.

But that`s Spain, there helpful because it`s a way to be top dog, which is important to Spaniards.

You`ll notice in Banks how friendly everyone is, everybody is the managers friend.

Not because they like him/her.

treegod (Jul 11 2008, 08:55 AM) said: > original post
BTW, I've not heard of a Padron, have you got any more details about it?

You need to go to your ayuntamiento and register, its simply a list of residents.

You`ll then be given your Certificado De Emadronamiento.

Ask what documents you may need, usually just proof of address, NIE,Passport, but can differ council to council.

dnil (Jul 11 2008, 12:35 PM) said: > original post
Let's begin with a question on people and integration.

My wife is Basque, Andalucian mums took over 2 months to speak to her outside the school gates, two mothers became friendly one from the UK and one from Galicia.

Spain`s many regions differ, its impossible to stereo type all Spanish as unfriendly/friendly.

I fear if your looking for a country that welcomes all foreigners, you`ll struggle in any place on earth, humans are pack animals, we do not accept outsiders easily, sorry but its in our heritage.

So, going back to Spain, I read some posts on which there were people having quite a lot of integration problems as well, also when speaking Spanish, therefore I decided to ask for opinions, from expats already living there as well as from Spanish.

When you go to any region of Spain that has Expat`s in numbers, ask yourself why they surrounded by there fellow country men and bring the goods and services with them.

On the costa del sol, germans live in urbs, estates that only germans live, all the nationalites do.There are Norweign, german, British schools, shops, plummbers,satellite installers etc etc.

Tell me that in Spain is not like this, please!!!!
The image I have of Spain is completely different and people I met along my travels have always been lovely.
I strongly believe in RESPECT, also to people who are not similar to me. It's a basic.

We have a saying in the UK, never bite the hand that feeds you.

If your a tourist, of course they`ll welcome you, there taking your money.

I look forward to your comments!!! I have quite a lot more subjects to discuss...
¡Muchas gracias Belerofonte! ¡Hasta pronto!

If your Italian, ask some relatives, there opinion of foreigners moving into there country.

i would suggest you read this site and others regarding Spain and problems, try to seperate from the people who retired to spain and the ones who only say the occasional Hola to a Spaniard.

You need to listen to people who have moved to Spain, lived in Spain and worked in Spain.
When i say in Spain, I mean within Spain, alongside Spaniards, simply being in the country isn`t going to give you a qualified insight into Spanish culture and attitude.