Different cultures different attitudes

[jumar]

Looking back over a few months threads about Anti-social behaviour, Rudeness,Driving, Police, Aires, Weather, Cost if living, Speeding fines. A Frames, Poor quality food, Dogs, it really makes me wonder why I've lived in Spain for the past 25 years...well the simple answer is I lived in the UK for 48 years...and rarely return because the list above would be far greater. Standby for lift off

 

[Northernraider]

Tam didn't regard you a being an aggressive person towards cyclists...although we are not road cyclists we do at times need to use roads to get between trails..we are happy to do this, as we know in Spain the Laws are greatly in our favour, never knock a cyclist off his or her bike..have a read of the laws of cycling in Spain...you and others might be surprised just how they are regulated...it might answer a few questions and make other road users aware, what a cyclist can and cannot do Don't ask me to quote them. They are there to be read by all visitors to Spain..


...
WOW...that's us done then...me a few days off 73 and Judith 69....It's mobility scooters for us then..

Cmon now Martin there's a difference between being annoyed at cyclists and aggressive towards cyclists. Most of the cyclists I encounter are the aggressive ones. They almost have no fear for their lives , they dart in amongst vehicles and pedestrians often riding far too fast for the situation. They will hold up traffic deliberately etc.

If I was aggressive to them there would be quite a few with swollen noses .

I think if I had to commute in a city with them though my annoyance would turn to aggression very quickly.

 

[Northernraider]

Looking back over a few months threads about Anti-social behaviour, Rudeness,Driving, Police, Aires, Weather, Cost if living, Speeding fines. A Frames, Poor quality food, Dogs, it really makes me wonder why I've lived in Spain for the past 25 years...well the simple answer is I lived in the UK for 48 years...and rarely return because the list above would be far greater. Standby for lift off

I do think you take some comments regarding Spain quite personally though. People are just discussing situations they've encountered.

I love Spain I'd still prefer to live here than in the UK, but nowhere is perfect

 

[jumar]

I do think you take some comments regarding Spain quite personally though. People are just discussing situations they've encountered.

I love Spain I'd still prefer to live here than in the UK, but nowhere is perfect

Agree Tam...I am very protective of our adopted country, for many reasons, we integrated well and that in return gets us well respected mainly in Sport, but elsewhere too
We understand the way the Spanish tick, that's what many visitors fail to grasp....
Get yourself a bike and try some defensive riding in traffic...remember most cyclist drive cars. Vans, trucks and busses too.
I drive in Spain 365 days a year, both in our camper, car or motorbike and to be honest Tam in 25 years I've had just one encounter with a angry cyclist..
I believe Spanish road cyclists that use those flashing rear light also have incorporated in the unit an ANPR camera, this will easily identify the following vehicles, as in your case British...you ain't gonna pass me buddy..

 

[EuroTrotters]

We have a high hedge to keep the two legged rats out. If they can see the motorhome, they are in.

We try and pick a quiet time of day to cut the hedge right back. It’s a long dispute between us, the local council and house builder.

When we cut it, usually at least three of us or more at the task, we immediately move it.

But people will come, often with dogs or pushchairs. You have to pause whilst they huff n puff and struggle to walk along the cuttings.

Then, when they have made a song and dance about it, they cross the road to the other side onto the clear pavement.

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[Northernraider]

Agree Tam...I am very protective of our adopted country, for many reasons, we integrated well and that in return gets us well respected mainly in Sport, but elsewhere too
We understand the way the Spanish tick, that's what many visitors fail to grasp....
Get yourself a bike and try some defensive riding in traffic...remember most cyclist drive cars. Vans, trucks and busses too.
I drive in Spain 365 days a year, both in our camper, car or motorbike and to be honest Tam in 25 years I've had just one encounter with a angry cyclist..
I believe Spanish road cyclists that use those flashing rear light also have incorporated in the unit an ANPR camera, this will easily identify the following vehicles, as in your case British...you ain't gonna pass me buddy..

My biggest gripe with cyclists is as I said earlier , every Sunday they think they're in the tour de France only without the support or the road closures ...they cycle in groups 2 and 3 abreast and about 10 -15 in a row .. chatting away as the cycle , with tailbacks of vehicles behind who can't pass safely . They do this going up mountain roads too cycling at about 5-10mph at the most so I'm in 1st or 2nd gear engine revving and engine getting hot.

My view , if you want to have a conversation while travelling hire a feckin bus , don't all take your narrow individual vehicles and spread yourself all over the road holding up everyone else simply because you can and the law has been manipulated to protect you. Slow drivers also cause frustration but there's often only one of those that you can pass at somepoint .

 

[EuroTrotters]

Tam didn't regard you a being an aggressive person towards cyclists...although we are not road cyclists we do at times need to use roads to get between trails..we are happy to do this, as we know in Spain the Laws are greatly in our favour, never knock a cyclist off his or her bike..have a read of the laws of cycling in Spain...you and others might be surprised just how they are regulated...it might answer a few questions and make other road users aware, what a cyclist can and cannot do Don't ask me to quote them. They are there to be read by all visitors to Spain..


...
WOW...that's us done then...me a few days off 73 and Judith 69....It's mobility scooters for us then..

You know I don’t mean every old codger.

Those pelaton Lycra brigade can be scary too. Cycling along from Annecy - Doussard with grandchildren. They pass at some speed

 

[Northernraider]

We have a high hedge to keep the two legged rats out. If they can see the motorhome, they are in.

We try and pick a quiet time of day to cut the hedge right back. It’s a long dispute between us, the local council and house builder.

When we cut it, usually at least three of us or more at the task, we immediately move it.

But people will come, often with dogs or pushchairs. You have to pause whilst they huff n puff and struggle to walk along the cuttings.

Then, when they have made a song and dance about it, they cross the road to the other side onto the clear pavement.

View attachment 992644

To be fair that hedge is encroaching on to the pavement a lot.


But in Spain they put everything on the pavements they're like obstacle courses

 

[EuroTrotters]

I do think you take some comments regarding Spain quite personally though. People are just discussing situations they've encountered.

I love Spain I'd still prefer to live here than in the UK, but nowhere is perfect

Why don’t you live in Spain ?

 

[jumar]

You know I don’t mean every old codger.

Those pelaton Lycra brigade can be scary too. Cycling along from Annecy - Doussard with grandchildren. They pass at some speed

Old Codger...I'll have you know I've only just started wearing slippers...

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[Northernraider]

Why don’t you live in Spain ?

Can't afford to

 

[Northernraider]

Old Codger...I'll have you know I've only just started wearing slippers...

Not on your bike I hope

 

[jumar]

My biggest gripe with cyclists is as I said earlier , every Sunday they think they're in the tour de France only without the support or the road closures ...they cycle in groups 2 and 3 abreast and about 10 -15 in a row .. chatting away as the cycle , with tailbacks of vehicles behind who can't pass safely . They do this going up mountain roads too cycling at about 5-10mph at the most so I'm in 1st or 2nd gear engine revving and engine getting hot.

My view , if you want to have a conversation while travelling hire a feckin bus , don't all take your narrow individual vehicles and spread yourself all over the road holding up everyone else simply because you can and the law has been manipulated to protect you. Slow drivers also cause frustration but there's often only one of those that you can pass at somepoint .

You don't drive on a Sunday, do you? Sunday is a day of rest....or going for a bike ride or come to think of it, it's a family drive to a restaurant. Make Sunday a don't drive day, then, there are no cyclists to contend with...

 

[jumar]

Not on your bike I hope

Yep...

 

[Tony50]

Looking back over a few months threads about Anti-social behaviour, Rudeness,Driving, Police, Aires, Weather, Cost if living, Speeding fines. A Frames, Poor quality food, Dogs, it really makes me wonder why I've lived in Spain for the past 25 years...well the simple answer is I lived in the UK for 48 years...and rarely return because the list above would be far greater. Standby for lift off

Really that's a matter of opinion. There's lot wrong with the UK, but, no way would I live in Spain , although nice to visit.

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[jumar]

Can't afford to

Could have done pre WA...you could have worked both in the UK and Spain...with very little travel restrictions...OK not now..but you know this..
OK suns up...two bikes to prepare....where are you Tam, not behind me I hope...Have a nice day...been good chatting..

 

[Northernraider]

Could have done pre WA...you could have worked both in the UK and Spain...with very little travel restrictions...OK not now..but you know this..

Yes I know its annoying that many of the people who removed my freedoms are the age group that can afford to retire out of it.


Anyway ....18 years to go before I can retire and if I'm not dead by then I might be able to retire somewhere other than the UK.

Whoppeeee

 

[EuroTrotters]

Can't afford to

That’s a shame

A lot in the same boat. Many of whome voted to be on that ship too

Our problem is the restrictive NLV, as I have mentioned on here many times before.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

Perhaps I can explain a reason why cyclists don't use cycle paths?

I don't know about Edinburgh but, when I lived and cycled in Surrey about 20yrs ago, the stretch of road between Staines and Chertsey passed Thorpe Park theme park
had a cycle path running along both sides of it BUT it was never swept or cleared.

SO, when it rained, the laying water along the kerbside, AND all the dirt, broken glass, rubbish thrown out of the car windows from the thousands of visitors going to Thorpe Park PLUS all the other detritus found along the side of a busy road, ALL got washed into/onto the Cycle Path!
This problem also applied to other CP's but the one passed Thorpe Park IMO was probably the worst!

If anyone used this CP, they were guaranteed at least one puncture per journey!

Perhaps Edinburgh CP's have a similar problem?

I’m afraid this is very true. Compare it to European cycle lanes that are cleared and so well used.

 

[chaser]

Apart from a warning you are there or something I just don't see the sense in this horn blowing, most of the time the person that's being blown at can't do anything about it.

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[Wanders from Glos]

Yes I know it’s annoying that many of the people who removed my freedoms are the age group that can afford to retire out of it.

I am just reaching that retirement age now and I sympathise Tam. My children are in their late 20s and one of them even speaks fluent Spanish and decent Catalan. Years later they still feel let down, even betrayed. Have to say I’m not far behind them whenever I go into Europe and have to start counting the days. Anyway I had better not go on I don’t want to start the dreaded debate.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

Looking back over a few months threads about Anti-social behaviour, Rudeness,Driving, Police, Aires, Weather, Cost if living, Speeding fines. A Frames, Poor quality food, Dogs, it really makes me wonder why I've lived in Spain for the past 25 years...well the simple answer is I lived in the UK for 48 years...and rarely return because the list above would be far greater. Standby for lift off

I just don’t recognise those descriptions of Spain. I think some people are unable to separate the actions of an individual with the actions of a whole nation. It’s at the root of a lot of the world’s problems at the moment.

 

[L' Hobo]

I am just reaching that retirement age now and I sympathise Tam. My children are in their late 20s and one of them even speaks fluent Spanish and decent Catalan. Years later they still feel let down, even betrayed. Have to say I’m not far behind them whenever I go into Europe and have to start counting the days. Anyway I had better not go on I don’t want to start the dreaded debate.

Like you say, I don't want to start the dreaded debate BUT I have to ask a question, if your children are fluent in Spanish, why don't they apply to become Spanish then, if they want to, work back in the UK because I thought that in Spain and other countries, being unable to speak the language was one of the biggest stumbling block.

As far as I know, Britain has a lot less restrictions to work in this country if your an ex National.
I've never had problems being of dual nationality.

PS, When I was contemplating staying in Sweden after living there for a while, I HAD to pass a speech test and get a certificate before that would be allowed.
This I did despite it costing me a few Hundred pounds!

 

[Wanders from Glos]

Only one of my children is fluent in Spanish but they all feel disappointed. There is a significant difference between emigrating to a country and going to work there for a few years, that option has now become much harder. She is a teacher so would find work there if she wanted to, teaching English. Her partner is a physiotherapist so the same applies to him. That is a loss to the UK because the experiences and language skills she would have gained will now not be passed on in the classroom in her geography and Spanish lessons.

Since Brexit it is much harder to move there and work. You can't just go and do that. Unfortunately for her it was implemented while she was studying there else she would have stayed longer. Their frustration stems from the fact that working in Europe was an option for my generation, many of whom voted to remove the same privileges from others.

It is clear to us she will go eventually as her boyfriend is Spanish with dual nationality. That will be one less teacher here and the state cannot afford to lose good teachers. similarly the NHS needs physiotherapists. It is noticeable how many of my children's peers have left the UK. I haven't totted it up, but it's around 25%. The ones I know of are doctors, paramedics, teachers, engineers, IT specialists and project managers. I don't think this is unique, talking with friends and neighbours. It can't be good for our economy to just say why don't you go and live there if you like it so much.

I'm probably going to refrain from further comment because it is too emotive for both sides of the debate.

 

[Nanniemate]

We have a high hedge to keep the two legged rats out. If they can see the motorhome, they are in.

We try and pick a quiet time of day to cut the hedge right back. It’s a long dispute between us, the local council and house builder.

When we cut it, usually at least three of us or more at the task, we immediately move it.

But people will come, often with dogs or pushchairs. You have to pause whilst they huff n puff and struggle to walk along the cuttings.

Then, when they have made a song and dance about it, they cross the road to the other side onto the clear pavement.

View attachment 992644

One if my neighbours has a similar hedge when they do it they put down lightweight tarpaulin the branches fall onto it and they clear as they go along , they have a very efficient routine. But it's also a cul-de-sac so very little passing traffic. First time i seen them do it I was disappointed as they cut it right down .but it grew back really quickly I think they are lovely features for a little inconvenience

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[eddie]

Looking back over a few months threads about Anti-social behaviour, Rudeness,Driving, Police, Aires, Weather, Cost if living, Speeding fines. A Frames, Poor quality food, Dogs, it really makes me wonder why I've lived in Spain for the past 25 years...well the simple answer is I lived in the UK for 48 years...and rarely return because the list above would be far greater. Standby for lift off

Well!

Most of it looks like the aftermath of a Nuclear attack, the food is appalling, Tapas for example deep fried gunk on stale bread, Sherry! What’s that about

Also, a “certain type” tend to retire there!

It’s like a shit Italy

Now there’s class

 

[donkey]

If you need to see examples of arrogant, entitled, aggressive & illegal behaviour, you need look no further than our towns and cities. I refer to the people riding electric scooters and bikes. They have zero consideration for pedestrians and motorists. They also have a complete disregard for road traffic laws. Sadly they also appear to be invisible to our police. I can see it ending in tears with inevitable fatalities. Perhaps then action will be forthcoming.

Geoff

 

[Wanders from Glos]

Nothing like a sweeping statement to tar everyone with the same brush

 

[Wanders from Glos]

Well!

Most of it looks like the aftermath of a Nuclear attack, the food is appalling, Tapas for example deep fried gunk on stale bread, Sherry! What’s that about

Also, a “certain type” tend to retire there!

It’s like a shit Italy

Now there’s class

We’ve been to Italy quite a few times now, and I can’t really put my finger on why but after the last trip to the lakes we weren’t that enthused.

 

[Barriesimpson]

Poor quality food,

You can't be serious.

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