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Originally Posted by WillowTheWhisp
It's good to hear the other side of things from both of you. We wee talking about this the other day and said that if we moved to live in Spain, as my friend's son has done, we would expect to learn the language and to learn how to live a Spanish lifestyle so as to integrate with the people and not stick out like a sore thumb. Of course we'd always be English and I suppose Spain with its holiday connections really isn't a good example because you could get away with speaking English and living there but the point is that we wouldn't actually want to. We'd consider it ignorant.
Even when the French market came people had a go at speaking French when they were buying things and saying "Merci" instead of "Ta"
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That's exactly the point Willow....when in Rome.
I lived in Gibraltar for 3 years...in the middle of the town, amongst the Spaniards. I use to watch all the Spanish TV, football and even Bullfighting!! Got to know quite a bit about it. I learnt Spanish to an acceptable level and mixed with them in everyday life. Great people, but very different.
Since then I've spent a lot of time in Spain. Working and holidays. I have good friends in Madrid and Sevilla, and have visited every Spanish region and spent much time in the Extremadura and Castille Viejo. I love the place to bits and like and admire the Spanish people.
But in their country we should make the effort. I can assure you that they really appreciate any attempt to speak their language and accept their customs.
Last month I spent a few days in Santander (business), and my Spanish has almost disapeared (30 years since I last lived there), but comes back when I'm forced to use it. Anyway, I was trying to tell this receptionist that I wanted to leave my case and pick it up at 5:30. She said that I should try and tell her in Spanish...which I eventually did. She called the manager and said that in future if I came to stay, I could order everything in my excellent Spanish and there was no need for the Hotel staff to speak to me in any other language. I felt a bit embarrased, but when I came home I checked my few sentences against my books...and it was perfect...just off the cuff...but it came back easily.
The joy and surprise in the recepionists eyes was well worth the effort, and she will now believe that all Englishman can speak Spanish....(as I said before I'm really a missionary)
It just goes to show that a little effort on our behalf, reaps rewards and gives a cheer to any local.