They're NOT Snobby or Rude, They Simply Do Their Own Thing (A Recount of My Observations Thus Far)

Prior to my arrival in Madrid various people told me that Spaniards were snobby and rude. Thus far I haven't seen the merit in this statement. Also, they are 827.98 billion times nicer than those darn New Yorkers! The people here are incredibly laid back -they only rush when necessary. The metro is very clean and quiet. The majority of the people read or listen to music to while riding, and if they speak to one another it is very quiet. Although sometimes you see some odd things. 

For example last night when I went out to meet some friends (pictures in the next blog) these two boys very well under the influence of marijuana and alcohol  got on the metro. One of them sat next to me, but I kept my seat despite his obvious smell of weed, because I wanted to listen in on his conversation with his amigo to see how much I could understand. They were also playing some good Spanish hip-hop. They conversation was, of course, about buying marijuana. (Go figure!) However, after 2 metro stops they left. Also sometimes you will have people walking up and down the train trying to sell things. If you simply ignore them they won't bother you. 


But getting back to the people of Madrid. Although they appear "rude or unfriendly" that is simply not the case. They simply do what they need to do. They take the urban idiomatic expression "I'ma do me," seriously. Back home in the South we say "Hi, how are you, excuse me, etc. etc."  to the majority of the people we pass in our day to day excursions. You know, the good ole Southern manners we're famous for. Here in Spain it's a little bit different. Here it's not customary to speak to random passersby or to say "excuse me" when you need to get around some one. You simply "do you," and slip between them and where you want to get to -no need to say anything. I started out saying "perdon" (excuse me) for every little thing in the grocery store, on the streets, in the metro when I needed to get past people, but realized that this was unnecessary. If you can't squeeze by, gently nudge them out of your way. Gently being he operative word here. On Tuesday when I went to the store I was standing in one the isles that was a bit crowded. This older gentleman need to get past me, so he gently nudged my shoulder and I moved. Besides, the people here are generally very aware of their surroundings and tend stay out of each others way. 


Getting back to the concept of friendliness. Although los Madrileños (Madrilenians: People from Madrid) don't wave, smile, nod, or speak to random people en la calle (the street), they are not any less friendly than my fellow Texans and Southerners in general. Especially the older people. While I was in the store the other day, I was standing in line with people who had large shopping carts, but I only had a 3 items. This sweet viejita (little old lady) in line behind me came up to me and asked if those were the only items I had. I told here yes, and she directed me to the line for people without buggies. Which when I got there, I stumbled over even more words, because the cashier looked like a model from a magazine. Sorry to the guys reading this, but he was HOT!

It was kind of funny, because I still have this delay when Spanish is spoken to me, so it takes a minute to comprehend what's being said -especially because the people here hablen mas rápido que la gente de Sudamérica.(They speak faster than the people of South America). However, they are patient and will repeat what they said and listen to you stumble over words and wait as you try to formulate sentences. Sometimes I feel like a toddler, babbling, trying to "use my words". But I refuse to speak English to them, because I am visiting their country where the official language is Spanish -why should they have to adapt to me? After all, I'm here to learn from them. 

I had a brief conversation with an older man on the metro today. I'm not 100% sure what he said to me at first. I think it was something about the fact the the train were were on wasn't one of the newer ones. I told him that I didn't speak much Spanish. He asked if I was from England, and I told him no, I'm from the US and that I was here to learn Spanish. He said he spoke poco Ingles (a little bit of). And when we reached our stop, he wished me luck and told me I was pretty.

Spain is also very diverse! There is large population of Asians here. They are mainly from China and Vietnam; I have also seen some Indians. It was quite interesting to here Asian people speak Spanish and switch back and forth between their native languages as well. Personally, I think it sounds cooler than Spanglish. There are also a lot of Africans here. I see many of them directing people who are parallel parking their cars on the street. (Parallel parking is a NECESSITY) Many of them here are here studying in the other Universities in Madrid or in search of work. Quite a few also promote discotecas and bars. 

In España, clubs are called discotecas. If you tell someone "Voy a la club," you are essentially telling them that you are going to a house of prostitution). If you go down to Sol -the main district where all of bars and discotecas are- as soon as you exit the metro, people approach you to give you coupons to whatever place they are promoting. For example: buy two pints of beer, and get a free shot. The promoters are persistent! They will even walk you to their club, draw you a map, or teleport you if they could. If you tell them you're not interested or that you already have a flier, they will leave you alone. 

The bars and discotecas here close very very late. 3,4,5... The metro closes at 0100hrs and reopens at 0600hrs. Most people don't go out until around 11 or 12, and many don't bother taking a cab home -they stay out ALL NIGHT until the metro reopens. 
 
Everyone here is dressed to impress! Both men and women are fly. The youth are very trendy, and the older people are too. You'll see cute little old couples dressed to the T. I mean "fly like a G6" heels, fur coats, "stunna shades" with their "hair done, nails done, everything did...they fancy huh?" And this is EVERY DAY, ALL DAY. I can see why many people perceive us as "sloppy Americans". 

Last night I went for a walk with 2 of my fellow Baylor Bears... SIC 'EM! I took a few pictures of some things I found interesting while we were wandering around the streets. It was around 2300hrs (11pm) and the streets were muy tranquila (very quiet).

My FAVORITE picture of all! This was outside of a Cerveceria that we walked past. I HAD to get a photo of 2 of favorite things!

 

One of the entrances to Parque Del Retiro 

Retiro Park Entrance (One of many. I really like the name. It made me thing of Talladega Nights!)

 

 Interesting Graffiti 

BINGO!

Metro Sign

 

 Look out for 2 more posts soon. 1 on yesterday's trip to El Pardo and 1 about my first day of Spanish class.