Read on TwitterIn this thread I& #39;ll be explaining some facts about Spain and Spaniards that can& #39;t be deduced by simply looking at raw data. As a native Spanish having been living here 30+ years, these are my perceptions on what& #39;s life like here.
This deep division dates from several centuries ago and materialized in many events throughout the history of Spain. Today& #39;s conversations and politics still revolve around the Spanish Republic (1930s) and Francoist dictatorship (1936-1975).
It& #39;s not easy to understand how deep and strong this division is. Many of the negative points in this thread are simple derivatives of this single fact. Division is in our roots.
Remember that we called it "dictatorship"? You can see people here praising Franco& #39;s regime as if it wasn& #39;t bad. Negating problems is common practice here. Problems end up being too big, but... Hey there& #39;s football tonight!
Derivative from the preceding items. Spaniards usually see things in opposite extremes. It& #39;s either good or wrong. It& #39;s either communist or fascist. Black or white. It& #39;s us or them. There& #39;s no middle ground nor looking for a common standing.
- "Hey, look, the moon is falling!"
- "Wow, cut the nail on your index finger, it& #39;s gross."
The moon may be falling but you shouldn& #39;t point to it with such an ugly finger. First, cut your nails. Then, please come here again.
Since mutual benefit is usually not seeked for, there& #39;s no point in spotting problems together. It& #39;s your problem, not mine. It doesn& #39;t affect me at all. But if a problem affects me, I want it to also affect you.
Spain was once a great empire but nothing of it remains today. A lot of people value tradition over improvement. See that "Designed in California, assembled in China"? We are the China of Europe. We manufacture a lot, but design little.
Spain is self indulgent
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Our economy relies way too much on tourism, but that& #39;s fine. Our labor market is full of low value jobs, but that& #39;s fine too. We are late for every party in the global economy, but it& #39;s fine. You can have a beer when you stop complaining.
Our economy relies way too much on tourism, but that& #39;s fine. Our labor market is full of low value jobs, but that& #39;s fine too. We are late for every party in the global economy, but it& #39;s fine. You can have a beer when you stop complaining.
Our economy relies way too much on tourism, but that& #39;s fine. Our labor market is full of low value jobs, but that& #39;s fine too. We are late for every party in the global economy, but it& #39;s fine. You can have a beer when you stop complaining.
When asked about it, spaniards will tell that corruption is wrong. However, the underlying consensum is that they would do it if they had the chance, because everyone would do it anyway.
A flag can fix everything. Some political parties have no project, but they exhibit flags and loud exaltations (remember: Spaniards are binary). That& #39;s enough for many. It makes those parties& #39; political and economical interests irrelevant.
The list of good Spanish engineers, scientists, artists... that have had to leave to get success outside is humilliating. Spaniards are envious and won& #39;t let you success here. Unless you& #39;re not from here.
The response I& #39;ll most likely be receiving from the average Spanish citizen after this is that I should leave Spain for those who love it exactly how it is right now. Why investigate these problems? Just leave us alone.
