18 - Keep calm, you are British.

The British have always fascinated me. Why, I don't know, because there is nothing really special about them. Maybe because they are backed up by a very long and exciting history and tradition or because their culture was the first I discovered in depth in my life. (By the way, the Americans don´t have as much to offer with regards to history, but they are second on my podium of liking).

For many years, I have been thrilled to read books and essays about the British culture and educated myself about their way of living, behaving and speaking. I´m currently reading "The English. A field guide", written by Matt Rudd. He presents the different scenarios of the life of a British person and it turns out to be entertaining and informative , but it´s not exactly my cup of tea. A similar book I enjoyed from beginning to end was "Watching the English. The hidden rules of British behaviour", Kate Fox, which I found hilarious and very useful for my general knowledge. Other books I´d suggest for further reading are "English Hours", a classic from one of my favourite writers, Henry James, and "Notes from a small island". The latter is worth a read! It was written by Bill Bryson, an American author who lived in Great Britain for twelve years and narrates his cultural shock when he first set foot there.

This is me in Playa Las Canteras, LPG.

However, there is no better way to know the British than doing what they do and enjoying what they like. Like the famous proverb states: "when in Rome, do as the Romans do". And so I did.

Sharing household and driving along the same motorway (my heavens, we are driving left!), making my way along the dodgy streets of Hackney Wick as well as the solitary roads of Newton-le-Willows, enjoying exclusive English tea in Fortnum & Mason and mulled wine in Shropshire, playing hockey and wagering money on horse races, complaining about anything and everything and praising the sun if i was lucky to see it in action, watching Dragon´s Den and turning on the option of subtitles for American movies. All those experiences helped me to understand the British. Wait, no!! To adjust to them, because there are certain things that are beyond my Spanish mind.

Carpeting the bathroom is something really out of the question.
Stripping off when they see the slightest bit of sun is kind of drastic.
Saying sorry so many times that it is no longer an apologizing gesture, but a national tic, is very sad.
Being so famous for beer drinking, but being unable to come up with the brilliant idea of serving smaller glass sizes at the pub.
Saying something and meaning a completely different thing, messing around with the foreigner. "You alright?", but they don´t give a damn about you. "Goodbye darling", but they didn´t, don´t or won´t ever love you. "It´s fine. Quite good. It´s nice", but they mean it couldn´t be worse.

Oh well, it is not easy to make your way in the world of the British, but I still love them. And I will continue learning from them and sometimes... making fun of them.

Despite all our differences, they have always treated me well in their own country, during my University years, my business travels and my crazy adventures. So I should do the same in this little island I´m settled in now, where very frequently, English speakers try to find their way to communicate with the Spanish local.

Cheers! (Thanks for reading!)

* I am very aware that Britain, or Great Britain is not equal to England, but I hope you do not get hurt if I use the term British and Britain to refer to the English and England

17 - Madrid, I miss you too.

A friend sent this to me when I was packing, ready to move far away from Madrid. Great idea if you want your friend to shed tears around the room. 

All capital cities put a spell on us, including Madrid. 

I have always loved to explore off-the-beaten-track areas. The dirty and tiny bars, the green spots to lay and get a sun tan, the narrow streets in the city centre, the parks, the viewpoints to admire the city skyline at dawn... How many times have I taken my “guiri” friends or strangers to all those hidden gems and shared with them my tips and secrets about this city that has adopted me for thirteen years? So many. And I will always be grateful to heart to Madrid and its dwellers (despite what is said about the Madrileños, that they often look down on people).

With this idea in mind, I started thinking about the perception that I keep of the city from my perspective as a Spanish person not born in the capital, and also about the impression that people from other nationalities who have lived here have.

It is very interesting to give voice to those who have no previous deep knowledge on a certain culture and local customs, and ask them to share their impressions after a few months.

Therefore, I chose a small group of young Americans I met in Madrid some years ago while they were doing an exchange program and coming to the city for their very first time. 

I asked them to share with me some negative and positive features that they would highlight about their experience in Madrid -first thing that would come to their minds withouth over thinking. 

Therefore, four American college students are given the opportunity to travel to Madrid during a semester to get to know the culture, the language, the people, etc. Nowadays, they are immersed in the American culture again.

The automatic thought that brough them back to their time in Madrid had the following results/reviews.

1) Positive- amazing city, friendly people, so much to explore/see/do. Awesome nightlife, great food, and fantastic public transportation both in the city and to outer areas.

Negative- Madrid is expensive! Also, based on my time there, there were a lot of demonstrations/strikes.

2) Positive- how clean and easy the metro was to use around the city.

Negative-  how difficult it was for me to find peanut butter.

3) Positive- I loved going to intercambios to practice my Spanish. This was one of my favorite experiences, and it helped me to meet many friends.

Negative- I’m not a party-scene person, so it was difficult adjusting to the late-night start of the bars/discos. I prefer going out for a drink and going home by 11 at night, which is when a lot of the parties begin.

4) Positive- I loved how easy it was to get around the city. Exploring every neighbourhood, getting lost on the way but discovering places, food, bars was the best part of my time in Madrid.

Negative- I had a hard time finding food I really loved. Mostly because I love spice and Spanish food is much more mild than what I'm used to.