Do the Spanish like Americans?
Oct 25th, 2007, 03:56 PM
#124
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I am very aware. I am reading just now a book with the title "the psychoanalytic readings of fairy tales".
I already know lobo mau was a naif wolf and the little red riding hood was the nasty character.
I already know lobo mau was a naif wolf and the little red riding hood was the nasty character.
Oct 25th, 2007, 06:43 PM
#130
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Second...there's no confusion about the definition..in Spanish language sueco or sueca are nationals (masculine and femenine) of Sweden.
On the 60's, when Scandinavians and Brits began to come here as tourists, people called all them "suecos/suecas" because they seemed all blonds, tall and beautiful, comparing to the Spaniards who were by then, very short and black hair. It was just ignorance from people that in 40 years had never seen a foreigner.
I agree with everything but the final statement. Suecas was not of ignorance but in response to behavior.
On the 60's, when Scandinavians and Brits began to come here as tourists, people called all them "suecos/suecas" because they seemed all blonds, tall and beautiful, comparing to the Spaniards who were by then, very short and black hair. It was just ignorance from people that in 40 years had never seen a foreigner.
I agree with everything but the final statement. Suecas was not of ignorance but in response to behavior.
Oct 25th, 2007, 07:45 PM
#132
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Yes, Aduchamp, maybe "ignorance" is not the word in English for what I meant. I meant most people didn't know how people lived and behaved in the rest of the world due to a very hard censorship. Then they decided to "relax" a bit and promoted Spain as a tourist destination and the people was in awe when they see how the "suecas" dressed and behaved. Many spanish comedy movies of that time focused on that.
Oct 25th, 2007, 08:00 PM
#133
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Understood. Censorship has strange manifestations. In 1972 we spent 6 months in Spain and we were befriended by students in Madrid (and other places.) One night the males were giddy over some pictures one scored. They were headshots of women used for beauty salons.
I was also the first Jew most of them had met. I was more of a curiosity than anything.
I was also the first Jew most of them had met. I was more of a curiosity than anything.
Oct 26th, 2007, 01:11 AM
#134
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j_999_9, yes I'm picky about the language, but most of the Spaniards are not. It's only me and a few like me...
And no matter what the whole Eastern Coast may think, Mexicans are not Spanish. Spanish are not Mexicans. Period. So yes, I will lecture you about this as many times as necessary, in a friendly way, of course.
wekiva, I think they didn't mean to be rude, they were trying to correct you, which is a way of helping you, if you think about it. I've been corrected many times when speaking
english and I've never felt insulted because of that. So maybe, we are in front of some cultural differences here...or maybe you're right and they were just rude, I wasn't there, but the thing is, now your "Spanish" friends know more Spanish, which is good.
And no matter what the whole Eastern Coast may think, Mexicans are not Spanish. Spanish are not Mexicans. Period. So yes, I will lecture you about this as many times as necessary, in a friendly way, of course.
wekiva, I think they didn't mean to be rude, they were trying to correct you, which is a way of helping you, if you think about it. I've been corrected many times when speaking
english and I've never felt insulted because of that. So maybe, we are in front of some cultural differences here...or maybe you're right and they were just rude, I wasn't there, but the thing is, now your "Spanish" friends know more Spanish, which is good.
Oct 26th, 2007, 01:27 AM
#135
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Aduchamp, I enjoy and agree with much that you have written, and I'll add my 20 cents here on several subjects mentioned.
First I was in Northern Spain earlier this year teaching English to Spanish executives. Since we were spending 15 hours a day together as a group, we got to know one another fairly well. People are people, but for the most part the Spanish are friendly and warm - if you are. Approaching people with a smile and warmth can do wonders. The woman hotelier in Madrid who I took the time to speak with every evening asked me if I would be her pen-pal with e mail to practice her English.
As someone else mentioned above, I am one of those people who is always questioned about my nationality-ethnicity. The French think I'm French, the Italians that I'm one of theirs, and certainly the Spanish were so curious that I was actually asked about the origin of my grandparents and great grandparents, and they decided my lineage must be from the South of Spain, lol.
In every country, I attempt to speak at least some of the language, or as much as I can muster, and I do think making the effort makes a difference and is appreciated. Spanish and Italian are not difficult for me, but the French is impossible. I will say that when I announce that I AM American - I have heard a response " NOOOO". As if -you're too nice to be American - sorry, but that is the way it comes out. And there is the matter of the current occupant in our capitol, and being asked "Why did YOU elect him twice?" I have been asked that in France and in Spain, (but not in England). Since I worked at the polls in both elections, I have no qualms about explaining we did not elect him twice and that the electronic voting machines were fixed, (and before anyone jumps on that statement, I suggest you research the Ohio voting "irregularities" and we all know about Florida's and the Supreme Court. In any case I have had very civil and understanding political and educational conversations with both the Spanish and the French (with the exception of one French woman who decided to take out her distaste for our leader on me).
Oh yes, let me mention here the delightful afternoon I spent in Luxembourg Gardens, when chilly Paris in April suddenly had an 80 degree day, and the husband and wife next to me enjoying the park were from Amsterdam. We spoke briefly, he recognizing me as an American and saying, a lovely country - too bad what *ush is doing to it". So I have to agree...both with the man from Amsterdam, and with the poster above who said it would be good to say you didnt vote for him. Probably every American going to Europe should wear a t-shirt "I didnt vote for him". We could probably make a fortune if we had them made up.
As for the pride about the USA and freedom,(which we are purportedly exporting these days) pure baloney. Have you seen the "Please dont taser me Bro" news? Freedom of speech? Not the first time these abridgement of civil rights and over-reaction has happened in Florida,Georgia and other parts of this country these days. We are today closer to dictatorship and the true definition of Fascism, i.e." the joining of the corporations with the state" - a condition that is currently flourishing in the good old USA, than to freedoms guaranteed in our constitution and Bill of Rights - which are considered as archaic as the Geneva conventions by the current occupants of our capitol.
In any case, being friendly, making an effort to speak their language as much as you can since you are in THEIR country, before switching to English, and not acting as if you are King or Queen of the world will go a long way toward making it an enjoyable vacation and leaving a good impression of Americans too - maybe even contribute to a bit of healing of our reputation around the world.
Have a great trip.
First I was in Northern Spain earlier this year teaching English to Spanish executives. Since we were spending 15 hours a day together as a group, we got to know one another fairly well. People are people, but for the most part the Spanish are friendly and warm - if you are. Approaching people with a smile and warmth can do wonders. The woman hotelier in Madrid who I took the time to speak with every evening asked me if I would be her pen-pal with e mail to practice her English.
As someone else mentioned above, I am one of those people who is always questioned about my nationality-ethnicity. The French think I'm French, the Italians that I'm one of theirs, and certainly the Spanish were so curious that I was actually asked about the origin of my grandparents and great grandparents, and they decided my lineage must be from the South of Spain, lol.
In every country, I attempt to speak at least some of the language, or as much as I can muster, and I do think making the effort makes a difference and is appreciated. Spanish and Italian are not difficult for me, but the French is impossible. I will say that when I announce that I AM American - I have heard a response " NOOOO". As if -you're too nice to be American - sorry, but that is the way it comes out. And there is the matter of the current occupant in our capitol, and being asked "Why did YOU elect him twice?" I have been asked that in France and in Spain, (but not in England). Since I worked at the polls in both elections, I have no qualms about explaining we did not elect him twice and that the electronic voting machines were fixed, (and before anyone jumps on that statement, I suggest you research the Ohio voting "irregularities" and we all know about Florida's and the Supreme Court. In any case I have had very civil and understanding political and educational conversations with both the Spanish and the French (with the exception of one French woman who decided to take out her distaste for our leader on me).
Oh yes, let me mention here the delightful afternoon I spent in Luxembourg Gardens, when chilly Paris in April suddenly had an 80 degree day, and the husband and wife next to me enjoying the park were from Amsterdam. We spoke briefly, he recognizing me as an American and saying, a lovely country - too bad what *ush is doing to it". So I have to agree...both with the man from Amsterdam, and with the poster above who said it would be good to say you didnt vote for him. Probably every American going to Europe should wear a t-shirt "I didnt vote for him". We could probably make a fortune if we had them made up.
As for the pride about the USA and freedom,(which we are purportedly exporting these days) pure baloney. Have you seen the "Please dont taser me Bro" news? Freedom of speech? Not the first time these abridgement of civil rights and over-reaction has happened in Florida,Georgia and other parts of this country these days. We are today closer to dictatorship and the true definition of Fascism, i.e." the joining of the corporations with the state" - a condition that is currently flourishing in the good old USA, than to freedoms guaranteed in our constitution and Bill of Rights - which are considered as archaic as the Geneva conventions by the current occupants of our capitol.
In any case, being friendly, making an effort to speak their language as much as you can since you are in THEIR country, before switching to English, and not acting as if you are King or Queen of the world will go a long way toward making it an enjoyable vacation and leaving a good impression of Americans too - maybe even contribute to a bit of healing of our reputation around the world.
Have a great trip.
Oct 26th, 2007, 01:44 AM
#136
Just spoke to a fellow American visiting Switzerland and it seems many US citizens are concerned about the USA becoming more fascist each day. Especially after reading the ten steps to fascism.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2064157,00.html
Rather a scary thought.
No wonder the Spanish do not like Americans. They've been there and done that.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2064157,00.html
Rather a scary thought.
No wonder the Spanish do not like Americans. They've been there and done that.
Oct 26th, 2007, 04:10 AM
#138
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argos: No one said Mexicans are Spanish or vice versa. I was explaining a common language convention on the East Coast. That's the point: It's not used to indicate that they're the same.
I may be offended that the British call us "Yanks," but I'm sure they mean no harm and they're not about to change. Likewise with "Spanish."
So go ahead an lecture all you want. But it's speaking into the wind.
I may be offended that the British call us "Yanks," but I'm sure they mean no harm and they're not about to change. Likewise with "Spanish."
So go ahead an lecture all you want. But it's speaking into the wind.
Oct 26th, 2007, 04:25 AM
#139
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I am an east cost American, I thought we called them Latinos. And there was never really much of a Spanish immigration to the US because they were a relatively weathly (I believe) country during the heaviest immigration periods in the US. In fact, in all my years in the US, i don't recall meeting may Spanish Americans with heritage links to Spain that did not also go through the Latin American countries.
Oct 26th, 2007, 04:46 AM
#140
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Kend, In my book, a mom that cooks paella every sunday for her kid/s is a great mom. My mom is not spanish so she can't cook paella 
But she is a great mom too. Unfortunately I live far from her and can't see her often enough.
More serious people on this thread, You almost always (not always... there are always some losers) get what you put out. No matter where. As simple as that. If you don't agree with it, travel some more and it is likely you will agree.
But she is a great mom too. Unfortunately I live far from her and can't see her often enough. More serious people on this thread, You almost always (not always... there are always some losers) get what you put out. No matter where. As simple as that. If you don't agree with it, travel some more and it is likely you will agree.
