[Kazanne]

Originally Posted by Tozzie

I lived in Spain for two years and I learned the language, I wasn't very good but I got by and the Spanish people always smiled and were friendly towards me when they saw I was at least trying. Yeah, I have a friend who went on holiday to spain and came back playing pop about the spanish not speaking English, what the hell? Most ex pats live in English communities which I think is wrong they should integrate, I lived in a very Spanish town inland, the doctor didn't speak English and when I look back I don't know how the heck I managed, but I did. The Spanish respect you more if you at least try to speak their language. They don't seem to take much issue with the Brits to be fair, in my experience anyway whilst I was there.

I think a lot of people move to Spain and similar countries because of the weather and lifestyle and I agree if you move to a none English speaking country at least have the decency to attempt to learn their language.the amount of times I have had someone on the phone that I just cannot understand,I even have difficulty with some doctors etc.which can be embarrassing.