Dawn

Dawn

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

The crash - Qs without As; Risk-taking in Spain; And British manners.

So, what to make of yesterday's report that the black box reveals that the Santiago-bound train driver was dealing with a call from his employer (RENFE) when he approached the point at which he needed to quickly reduce speed from 200 to 80kph? Did they know where he was when they called him? Was it because of this he missed the warning sign at the side of the track and only realised too late he was approaching the (tight) bend? Is this why RENFE have yet to make a statement, other than via a magazine article in which the President laid all blame at the door of the driver? Maybe we'll get some answers soon.

Meanwhile, the most cynical comment I've yet heard is that Spain will still be awarded the 13bn euro contract for installation of a high-speed train network in Brazil but will have to pay above-normal levels of 'commission'.

Spain and Risk 1: A teenage boy died in a bull-running fiesta in Albacete, outside Madrid on Saturday last.

Spain and Risk 2: On the building site below my house, some of the 3-4 men working there wear hard hats and some don't. Even when the crane is moving backwards and forwards above them.

Spain and Risk 3: Under the new legislation I mentioned yesterday, pedestrians will be breathalysed if they break (undefined) road rules. And cyclists under 18 will be fined for not wearing helmets in town. Above that age, you can do what you like, it seems.

Spain and Risk 4: You are allowed to drive a sin carnet here without any training or testing whatsoever, though they may not be allowed on the autovías and autopistas. I wonder where else in the EU this happens. Other than Portugal. They are, of course, a bloody nuisance on Galicia's many hills. But live and let live, I say.

Spain and Risk 5: The government has said it's doubling the fine for driving above the (low) limit from 500 to 1000 euros. In this area, Spain has gone from laxity to extreme stringency in the last decade. But it's hard to argue against this, even if the main impetus really is revenue generation

Spanish Language: Tocayo/a means namesake. Apparently it's used when greeting someone with the same name as you - Hola, tocayo/a. This happens a lot more in Spain than elsewhere, of course, given the small pool of (saints') names which has traditionally been available. Compulsory, even. This has its upside; I call all women I meet Maria. Especially those whose name I've forgotten.

British Manners: I was amused to read this tale of a Spaniard who lives in the UK but regularly comes back home:- Puccio realised she had adopted her new home’s attitudes when she found herself getting frustrated by a group of tourists who had stopped in the middle of the footpath and made it difficult for others to get past. “I thought ‘How selfish’, when in Spain I would've been more laid back’.” She has also learnt new ways of dealing with conflict: instead of losing her temper and making a scene, she has developed the British ability to convey irritation in the politest possible manner. Puccio relies on regular trips home to hold on to her Spanish-ness, though she admitted she sometimes finds her Britishness coming to the fore when she sees people riding scooters on the footpath, for example. “I have to remind myself I don’t have to worry about things, that I can just chill out.” 

I may get there myself one day.

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