Dawn

Dawn

Sunday, March 16, 2014

More on Manners; The Bassett; & Dogs and Drivers.


Here's a little more on Spanish manners, as perceived by guiris:-

1. Driving: Very few Spanish drivers demonstrate the little courtesies that (most) British drivers extend both to other drivers and to pedestrians. But, then, this is true of many other countries, not least of which is France. Another thing Spanish drivers don't do as much as elsewhere is indicate where they're about to turn. But this has nowt to do with manners.

2. Cyclists: I've yet to see a cycle path in Spain, even where, as in Pontevedra, the pavement/sidewalk is wide enough to take a regiment of troops on the march. Few cyclists risk the road, alleging they're treated badly by drivers. So, nearly all cyclists use the pavements. Some of them do the decent thing and walk, pushing their bikes. Some cycle slowly enough to avoid serious damage if they hit anyone. But a sizeable proportion ride at a speed that takes your breath away. And these are not always youths or teenagers. That there aren't more accidents involving little kids says something about the cyclists manoeuvrability skills. Or the laws of chance.

3. Pedestrians: Specifically those using zebra crossings. Nearly all of these decline to risk the driver stopping in time and wait until the car actually stops But few thank the driver with, say, a wave of the hand. A recent British visitor was driven mad by this and voiced sarcastic comments each time it happened. As for me, I no longer expect it and am pleasantly surprised when it happens.

4. Pleases and Thank-yous: As elsewhere in the world, it's perfectly acceptable in Spain to order a drink using only an inflection of the voice instead of the ubiquitous British 'Please'. In fact, if you do say Por favor, you risk a response along the lines that it isn't a favour to serve you. Likewise, Thank-yous are thinner on the ground. But this is true of some Anglo countries as well. The USA, for example. It's the Brits who are out of line here. Especially when they apologise to the person who's just trodden on their toe in the Tube.

5. Shop Assistants: Some foreigners complain that these give poor service. For example, chatting to a colleague or holding a private phone conversation while a customer is waiting. I can only say I've never seen this. Whether this is due to my obvious charm or chance, I can't say.

Finally . . . 6: Newspaper readers: There's a selection of newspapers in every Spanish bar or café. Not infrequently, people don't return them to the counter when they've finished with them. Worse, some readers take 2 newspapers at a time. After years of getting really annoyed at this, I've joined the crowd. My attitude now is that I tip the waiters well so it's their job to take the paper back to the counter along with my glass. And I've even been known to take both El País and the Voz de Galicia.

Moving away from manners . . . I attended the opening of a new Pontevedra pub last night - The Bassett. The sign outside answered the question what sort of Bassett was meant. And it wasn't a Liquorice Allsort:-



While chatting there, I realised the tapas place that occupied this spot 13 years ago was another one that had closed while I was patronising it. Making 7 or 8 now.

Not very surprisingly, Spanish town halls and the police have found 2 more promising sources of revenue:-

1. Dogs. Here's David Jackson on this.

2. Higher motoring fines. Here's Lenox on this.

Finally . . Another dog item here. More amusing than the first one.

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