I have to admit.... you're the best EF!

[Nil]

	Quote:	amogles
	and don't forget the muslims, the red rats, the black sheep, the spaghetti monster, the mad guy on the roof in Basel and Micheline Calmy Rey's hair style and all the other spooky and wonderful things that can kick-start endless threads here on the EF. Maybe other countries are just too boring?

Or maybe here is too boring so people look for entertainment on the net?

Ok ok, I am going to duck now....

[adrianlondon]

You're in Barcelona. Shouldn't you be in a restaurant or bar, or being pick pocketed?

[Nil]

	Quote:	adrianlondon
	You're in Barcelona. Shouldn't you be in a restaurant or bar, or being pick pocketed?

On my way! I'll say Hi! from you to the Pick pocket guy!

[miniMia]

	Quote:	adrianlondon
	You're in Barcelona. Shouldn't you be in a restaurant or bar, or being pick pocketed?

wait? OR she could BE a pick pocket!! OMG, new career path for training spouses. I'm going to move there & start a pick pocket temp agency.




(Ok, I know, not funny...... )

[Mowvich]

Spain might be boring in the cloud but not in reality indeed, go get some fun, drink and enjoy lovely Spain while we keep replying to the salaries, what if....?, how can i....? threads here cause we ain't got anything else to do

[amogles]

	Quote:	Mowvich
	Spain might be boring in the cloud but not in reality indeed, go get some fun, drink and enjoy lovely Spain while we keep replying to the salaries, what if....?, how can i....? threads here cause we ain't got anything else to do

All that is true. But also remember that the average age of expats in Spain is probably quite a bit more than it is here and most social activities for expats both on and off line are geared towards that age group. I have met up with some absolutely great and fascinating people there who had some daunting life stories to tell. But sometimes it felt like talking to the type of people my parents used to hand around with. You don't often walk into a bar in Zürich and pick up a conversation with somebody whose was a Japanese POW, or who tells you they don't want to go back to Blighty because there are too many black people. Listening to some of those folks just makes me sad. But in some parts of Spain it's almost the norm. That's something you have to be aware of before building up your social network there.

Most of the younger people you see are just holiday makers and not really interested in expat activities and get togethers. I know of several expats in Spain in my sort of generation who feel very cut off.

[Assassin]

Jeez - where's the scorn and sarcasm people?

If this fluffyness on EF is here to stay, I'm permanently outta here.

Way too much mutual transfer of bodily fluids on this thread. What about those that joined out of curiosity and left feeling insulted, dejected and downright humiliated? Yeah, baby! That's what I'm talkin' about......

[Nil]

	Quote:	amogles
	All that is true. But also remember that the average age of expats in Spain is probably quite a bit more than it is here and most social activities for expats both on and off line are geared towards that age group. I have met up with some absolutely great and fascinating people there who had some daunting life stories to tell. But sometimes it felt like talking to the type of people my parents used to hand around with. You don't often walk into a bar in Zürich and pick up a conversation with somebody whose was a Japanese POW, or who tells you they don't want to go back to Blighty because there are too many black people. Listening to some of those folks just makes me sad. But in some parts of Spain it's almost the norm. That's something you have to be aware of before building up your social network there. Most of the younger people you see are just holiday makers and not really interested in expat activities and get togethers. I know of several expats in Spain in my sort of generation who feel very cut off.

Barcelona is full of younger expats with kids (from France, Germany and UK) and it is much easier to connect with the local here.

[mabern]

The retired folk live in very limited areas on the coast.
The young and the brave live all around the country and many are out there living and out enjoying with or without a big salary.
They don't seem to feel the need for other expats.
There is not the same insecurity or neurosis about tax deals, rates etc., getting a good expat package, if there is any brown sugar on sale, or free beer. Partly because the beer is practically free anyway...
Come to think of it that may be the main reason they are content without virtual free beer on a forum...
For families with children the forum is substituted by contact with other parents in the park, or at the school gate up to an extent anyway.
But a bit of old chat in mother tongue could still be missed I'm sure.

[Nil]

	Quote:	Begga
	Aww how sweet! You will never leave Nil, will ya? So when is the KFC trip to Barcelona?

Thanks Begga for that last laugh.

[evilshell]

Once again, I'm reminded of what a unique place EF really is.

I have been looking about/posting on a board for Americans in the UK a bit more than usual recently, and it has me ready to tear my hair out.

Fluffeh is the name of the day. Then again, the majority of posters do seem to be in their early to mid 20s, American and moving to the UK to be with their shiny new British husbands.

There are a couple of exceptions, one of whom posts some very useful info about immigration, immigration law and things which may be impacting it in the future. However, when this person posts something, they use acronyms, terms and phraseology which only those in the know would understand without looking them up. I mentioned, gently, that perhaps a quick 1 - 2 sentence explanation of what was at stake and spelling out of acronyms the first time used wouldn't go amiss. This was after someone else posted that she had no idea, please oh please tell me what it means kind sir. It was gently explained to the pleading one what a "motion of regret" in the House of Lords was. I was promptly told, quite snarkily, that the ignore button was there and to use it.

Now we're harsh here on newbies. But that was...pretty nasty in forum-terms. And I'm not even a newbie there.

I need a life, don't I?

[Sky]

You've been EF-ed
The amount of love, care, bickering, giggling, debating and even very vocally ignoring is paramount here.
It's like no other place

[Carlos R]

	Quote:	evilshell
	I need a life, don't I?

Nah. You just need to come back.

[evilshell]

	Quote:	Carlos R
	Nah. You just need to come back.

With the way I'm finding the job market here in the UK, you're tempting me with those words!

[Carlos R]

	Quote:	evilshell
	With the way I'm finding the job market here in the UK, you're tempting me with those words!

You might have a fight on your hands to get your stuff back from Adrian. From what I've heard, he's particularly attached to the light/ceiling fan combo he got when you moved out.

[adrianlondon]

	Quote:	Carlos R
	You might have a fight on your hands to get your stuff back from Adrian. From what I've heard, he's particularly attached to the light/ceiling fan combo he got when you moved out.

Ahahahahahahahahaha *chuckles and falls asleep under a beautiful breeze*

[evilshell]

Oh nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Suppose I'd need to buy a new one. Or arrange a super-seekrit mission to sneak into his flat as he's sleeping with a crew dressed in black who can quietly remove the fan for me!

[Sky]

That won't work, he'll wake up 'cause of the heat.
It's hot here.

[evilshell]

	Quote:	Sky
	That won't work, he'll wake up 'cause of the heat. It's hot here.

Oh, you've just given me a reason to stay in Manchester. The weather! Generally cool and lovely (in all seriousness, I do love the weather here)

[adrianlondon]

	Quote:	Sky
	It's hot here.

Is it? I don't notice. I have a ceiling fan.