Usually everybody complain about foreign investors buying properties and industries in Spain, saying they are going to dismantle the economical structures in Spain, blablah. The funny part here is that actually there are lots of businesses ran by Spanish entities here in London. Let’s start with the most stunning of all: abbey bank. This one has recently been bought by Santander Central Hispano, a very well known bank in Spain, and they have given to it their own branding. It still surprises me when I see the flame icon in the middle of London streets!!
Also, an spanish enterprise (I don’t remember the name) maintains several tube lines. That is, Jubilee and Northern Line. And another one which I don’t remember now too (this is beginning to be a problem!). Casually, the Northern Line is known to have lots of problems with the infrastructure works and maintenance, having lots of delays and not been improved on time. Even more, they said they would have to close part of the line during some months to be able to finish everything just before it is too late. This is because usually maintenance works are done at night, when the tube is not working. But they are so delayed that they need the whole day, not only some hours at night. This news, of course, produced lots of agitated words in most of the newspapers here, blaming the managers of Northern Line!
We have discovered today the funniest part of all, while doing some shopping at primark. This is a big shop which has lots of clothes at a good price. Hence there’s always full of people. You know how people react when something is very cheap! It’s like being always on the sales season.
And I was holding a product in my hand while waiting for paying in the long queue, and a bit bored, turned it and then found something written in spanish on the label. Uh? What is this? We started looking at all labels of every product we had on sight, and they were all in spanish. It’s even funnier than going to Zara… here the ownage is hidden! So, almost half of London is wearing clothes made in Spain, more concretely in Madrid. And they were worried about clothes industry in Spain! Hah! They just need to stablish themselves in another country, they don’t even need to say where do they come from!
And I am pretty sure there are lots more examples like these ones!
eurocero
This is a little bit of an off-topic, but, among the Spanish people living in London, complaining plays one of the most important roles in their lives. They like to complain about everything, when it’s not the weather it’s the bureacracy or whatever they’re not used to, and it always finishes with the well-known "como España no hay nada".
I always wonder why so many people live in a place that so deeply despise, and it’s comforting finding exceptions like you that can distinguish what it’s better, what it’s worse and what it’s simply differente about living in a different culture.
sole
:-) I like to see that I’m not as negative as I think I am! (At least that is what people -like you- say).
Luckily being curious helps when you are in another country. I love to find out the whys of those differences, the cultural contexts, and so on. And of course I tend to compare with Spain, because that’s where I come from.
What I don’t understand is what you point: all those spanish people living outside Spain and complaining on every single second about something they don’t find like fitting their spanish tastes.
I wonder why they don’t try to adapt and even more, ENJOY the differences and integrate with the new environment. There are lots of cool things on the British culture, and I am pretty sure that everybody should have a long stay on other country to learn those differences (this refers to both Spanish and British people).
I suppose this is the original Europe concept, although it’s a pity that there are so many prejudices out there :-(
sin
Not to mention Zara, Bershka, Mango and some other spanish brands that are sprouting up stores in all major european cities like friggin’ McDonalds. But then again, so do the French, so do the Brits and the Germans, the Italians and Americans, Swedes and Finns, the list goes on and on. Everyone’s hands are in each other’s pockets. Capital has no borders now.
sole
Yup! but the funny fact here was that cheap shop invading London without saying they are powered by Spanish clothes, while the other brands do it proudly…
eurocero
As you say, integration is the key word here. By only pointing out the differences and complaining about them, what you are achieving is the creation of ghettos, which is something I am definitely against. And what about those people whose idea of having fun in London is going to Pepe’s or Bar Solona. If that was to be my life in this city, I’d rather stay in my home town…
Chano
You can have your bloddy UK! Fuck all english people. You are rubbish!!!! argggg I hate you all!
sole
Are you ok Chano? you look as if you had some problems…