All Spain blogs

Start your own blog

Blog RSS

Mac's Poll - Let's Vote

Curious to know what the general opinion is? Cast your vote and let's see!!

POLL: "Brand" Spain - Do you consider Spaniards to be diligent and trustworthy?
Thursday, May 23, 2013 @ 6:13 PM

RESPECTIVELY THERE WERE 499 UNIQUE PARTICIPANTS IN THE FIRST POLL AND 447 UNIQUE PARTICPANTS IN THE SECOND POLL during the first week of voting

IT LOOKS LIKE THE MAJORITY BELIEVE THE SPANISH ARE NOT DILIGENT AND NOT TRUSTWORTHY, WHICH SHOWS THAT EVEN PEOPLE WITH FAR MORE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SPANISH THAN THE PEOPLE INTERVIEWED AROUND THE WORLD BY THE ELCANO INSTITUTE DON'T THINK ANY DIFFERENTLY. SO MAYBE THE SURVEY WAS ACTUALLY QUITE ACCURATE AFTER ALL.

Half of all Germans don't trust Spanish People while nearly as many Spaniards are considered lazy, a new study shows. These are the findings of a new poll on "Brand Spain" run by Spain's Real Instituto Elcano.

The influential think tank interviewed people in Germany, France, the UK, Mexico, Russia and China to gauge the international mood on all things Spanish.

Their results show just how much Spain's image among the Germans has suffered in the last two decades.

In 1996, during the days of the so-called 'Spanish miracle', only ten percent of Germans mistrusted the Spanish. But this figure now stands at 50 percent.

Germans are also now much more likely to call the Spaniards lazy.

Back in the mid-1990s, two out of every ten German thought Spaniards didn't work much. Now that figure has doubled so that four out of ten Germans believe Spaniards to be lazy.

Similarly, in 1996, 80 percent of Germans described Spain as a strong country.

The latest research by the Real Instituto Elcano shows, however, that 44 percent of Germans now think Spain is a weak nation.

The study also found that Germans tend to consider Spain a traditional country, although the percentage who think so slipped from 85 percent to 77 percent from 1996 to 2013.

It's not a lost cause for Spain, though. On a scale of one to ten, the Germans still hand Spain a 6.1.

French people rated Spain the most highly in the study, giving the country 6.4 out of 10 while Chinese people only scored Spain at 4.5.

The Chinese, however, were much less likely than other nationalities to think Spaniards were corrupt.

Only 20 percent of survey respondents in China thought Spain was corrupt compared to 48 percent of Germans.

So what do you think? Well the "corrupt" bit, I think, has probably already been answered but do you consider Spaniards to be diligent? Do you feel you can trust Spaniards? Two atttributes that are vital for the postioning of the brand "Spain". After all if 50% think that the Spanish are lazy and can't be trusted there will be a big problem to establish Spain as a "brand" of quality and worth trusting....

Please cast your vote and let's see what the Brits think....

fuente George Mills

0 Like

Permalink

Spam post or Abuse? Please let us know

45 Comments

eggcup said:
Thursday, May 23, 2013 @ 6:33 PM

Regarding whether you can trust Spaniards, obviously you can't generalise (although we're being asked to here): in my own experience, I have found that many Spanish people can swear blind they will do something by a certain date, not do it and then seem surprised that you would have expected them to keep their word.
Regarding diligence: I think many Spaniards (obviously not all) don't really care whether they do a good job or not. They can be far too laid back, which might be good for their mood and level of contentment, but doesn't do much for yours, if you need them to do a job properly.

Tamara said:
Thursday, May 23, 2013 @ 6:39 PM

Perhaps I've been very lucky, but living in such a small street, my neighbours are close by and seem to want me to have a good experience. I watched the adjacent house be refurbished my Lorenzo for his sister, so was more than happy to use him for some minor building works. Her brother-in-law is a plumber/electrician and has done excellent work for me, arriving exactly when he said, finishing when he said, and always polite and clean. All the tradespeople I have employed have been diligent and trustworthy - but then I only picked people who were recommended by Spanish neighbours.

Patricia (Campana) said:
Thursday, May 23, 2013 @ 8:31 PM

I agree with what Tamara says.
There are people everywhere who will produce shoddy workmanship, or who are untrustworthy.

I have worked for, and with, Spanish people for many many years, and have found them hard-working, reliable, and prepared to put in long hours.

Mac75 said:
Thursday, May 23, 2013 @ 9:42 PM

I know we all hate generalising and often it isn't fair but this poll is precisely that. The Real Elcano institute set out to find out what was the general opinion of Soain held by foreigners. Of course there are shoddy workers and diligent workers everywhere but it is the general opinion that determines the Brand "Spain". Would you trust a Spanish product as much as you may trust German a product? Does Spain as a nation inspire trust and quality? When I say Spaniards I mean the Spanish people in general as they are what make up the nation and therefore the driving force behind the brand. I would say that Spanish products are good quality but the general lazy attitude, or better said, lack of urgency to get things done sometimes inspires a lack of trust and hence their work is judged by the way they work and not the results. Yes I also agree Spanish are prepared to work long hours but this encourages slow work as it is often the case that they are not earning more for the extra hours or they have become comfortable and they know it costs the company too much to fire them so they'll be given more chances to make up for it, so efficiency is not good. Unfortunately this is where the labour law has played it's part. I have to say that I consider the British far more trustworthy in business than the Spanish. In the UK deadlines mean something, turning up on time means something, there is more mutual respect. In Spain there is an air of arrogance around who is more important and who can wait or not. It is far more personal than professional. This in foreigners causes an uncertainty and hence a lack of trust when doing business. However I have to say in Catalunya it is completely the opposite. They are far more UK-minded when it comes to business.

Six pack said:
Saturday, May 25, 2013 @ 5:17 AM

I consider most Spanish to be trustworthy I find I have more chance of being ripped off by a fellow brit !

Michael said:
Saturday, May 25, 2013 @ 7:50 AM

I have lived and worked amongst the Spanish people for over 12 years, my children have been educated in Spain to a degree, so my comments are based on my experience. The general concept is that of a laid back culture, this is another way of saying lazy. They cannot see anything in advance, they are always late, arrogant, corrupt,secular,care for only themselves,racist,unable to plan,rules and laws are for other nationalities and not themselves, and the education system is broken as the limited hours at school due to the many holidays and other days off leave the children struggling whilst the parents concentrate on paying for swimming lessons,ballet lessons and communion organisations.

howie gooner said:
Saturday, May 25, 2013 @ 8:04 AM

I love spain. have had a second ome there for over 30 years. The best spanish quality is live and let live.I love that! However they are ever more arrogant lazy and very rude. The car hire people are beyond dishonest .......the waiters are breathtakingly rude.......the restaurant food is eve more disgraceful. The spaniards have a stunning country. It is time they got up off their bums and put even some small effort into turnings things around and getting their pride back

colin byrne said:
Saturday, May 25, 2013 @ 8:33 AM

Recently booked and paid for a direct flight to Puerto Rico with Iberia the National airway of Spain 5 months in advance. I rang up 24hours before flying to be told, without an apoligy, that they had canceled the flight 4 months ago. We sent you an email they said. I didn't receive it and are convinced it was never sent. Where else in the world would you be subjected to this kind of treatment and incompetence and could not careless attitude

Doedoe said:
Saturday, May 25, 2013 @ 8:46 AM

I to Love Spain & the beautiful countryside as well as the climate.
I love Menorca for the good service we receive in the hotel we have spent 25 holidays the staff are all great and most work very hard.
Sadly We bought an apartment in a lovely Spanish inland Village, most of the local people are very friendly and make us very welcome.
The crooks in Spain are the Spanish builder who has cheated the complex for the last 6 years by not completing work on the complex which purchasers have paid for, the estate agent who told lies & the Spanish lawyer who did not do the work we paid him for. Last of all the local Spanish Councils that have taken 6 years to consider giving permission for the purchasers to complete the work the Builder did not do so that the complex can have a Certificate of Habitation.
Worst of all the scroungers who cheat by abusing the property and do not pay their bills yet have large cars and think they have the right to abuse the people that are willing to spend there hard earned cash giving Spain an income.

The local councils seem not to be able to make a decision &
lazy scroungers that enjoy the wonderful climate should be put to work or thrown out of Spain.

Mike said:
Saturday, May 25, 2013 @ 10:08 AM

They can be honest and diligent when it suits their needs.

Other times I found my neighbour with whom I went into business - (and even though that business closed 4 years ago and we are still friends) - while running the business he conned me out several thousand Euros - while smiling, chatting, drinking and sharing our family lives together.

It was only when he divorced his wife out of spite for him told us the truth.

Yes - we are still friends - it's only money - and neighbours need to get on. He doesn't know that we know, that would just embarrass him too much to remain friends.

My other neighbor's son ran a car sales garage and took me for 7,000 Euros extra on a cvar he brought in from a neighbouring village. Got to know the owner of that garage a year later and he told me what he'd had it up for sale at - and we then saw the friendship in our neighbor's son.

We had a gardener - he worked like a mule, drank like a fish and charged a decent day rate.
Then he stopped drinking, slacked off a good pace and doubled his rate. Bye bye.

I find the most contemptible are Spanish solicitors who can unfortunately be hit and miss. There are good ones - but there are still an awful lot of poor ones.

I find the most dastardly are the builders. Mostly outright lazy, many not anywhere near qualified, and majority of them totally greedy.

The saddest of all is me, knowing all this I still have two props there and would buy another given the chance. I suppose I have gotten to enjoy the merry dance of checking out who's doing what and who's being straight. They are in the main lovable rogues.

John bbank said:
Saturday, May 25, 2013 @ 10:13 AM

My recent experience of Spanish workers is not good and they cannot be trusted to do a good job unsupervised. Their attitude towards customer service is disgraceful and would certainly not be tolerated elsewhere. I love Spain and its people but getting things done by them in a timely, professional and courteous manner seems to be beyond most of them. On the plus side, my DIY skills have improved no end!

manxmonkey said:
Saturday, May 25, 2013 @ 11:49 AM

A few years ago after a storm I was helping a neighbour re-secure a bay window when I discovered the window and the roof had never been built safely, the builder had just compoed over the lot and painted over it. It was a miracle the whole wall didn't collapse! We got a company from England to come over and put lintels over all the upstairs windows and tie in everything safely. Yet when I point out to people that property is WAY over priced for the quality compared to the UK they always just say that you pay for the good weather. With that "accept any crap" attitude the Spaniards won't acquire a conscience. Meanwhile the mention of car hire people has just upset me with the memories of being ripped off - this year I drove a car down to Marbella rather than be ripped off and for visitors we used Europcar even though they are a bit more expensive at least they will still be there. I've had to cancel credit cards two years on the trot after car hire scams. Last year when I went back to Malaga to confront them all the signs had changed to another company. And don't get me started on Telecoms companies!! As for attitude? Well I tend to go to the same old places where I'm known and get treated well ( generous tipping helps as these guys don't get paid a lot and just treating them with polite respect, my daughters all worked as waitresses while at Uni and it's hard work so I always appreciate good service) but service in shops and especially the big supermarkets and phone shops is like one of those "caught on camera" comedy shows. I literally thought the Carrefour had set up a camera for a TV show to see if customers lost their temper with the insulting behaviour of the staff.

Bilbo said:
Saturday, May 25, 2013 @ 1:41 PM

I could have predicted the responses of the regulars on here. Their comments and attitudes speak volumes about them, rather than the Spanish.

As for Michael,it must be asked why he stays in this country. What a bitter, twisted individual!

I guess I am incredibly lucky to have chosen a location, where we are treated with respect and friendliness and where the local tradesmen turn up even earlier than expected and do a good job at a low price. The only problem we have is with "Servicio al cliente" departments of national companies - same the world over evidently.

Ric said:
Saturday, May 25, 2013 @ 2:13 PM

Well Bilbo I'm not a regular poster here and rarely have time to read these posts but I can agree with all of the above submissions regarding corruption. I also do not like to generalise but I am afraid my distrust of Spain will probably last the rest of my life.

Purchased a property in Spain in 2008 which even though following all the laws and using a Spanish lawyer has turned out to be illegal. I have had nothing but dishonesty from the builders, the estate agents including the town hall officials! The latter of which (yes the town hall officials!) are due in court on corruption charges.

The very fact that the council officials are corrupt in many parts of Spain tells you one thing - corruption is rife even to the level of regional government.

Sadly the very hard working Spanish, the kind and nice ones pay the price for this corruption.

It is they that need to stand up and demand justice for Spain. Sadly the dishonest ones seem too abundant in my experience and so if something is not done to punish them quickly and effectively Spain will continue to deteriorate into more economic problems because no one will invest in their country or have anything to do with their businesses.

Brian said:
Saturday, May 25, 2013 @ 2:33 PM

The only people I have found to be untrustworthy while I have lived in Spain are English, The Spaniards I have used for work have been reliable, trustworthy and diligent. Sad but true to experience

Bilbo said:
Saturday, May 25, 2013 @ 3:05 PM

Ric,

I sympathise you For your bad experiences, but I was not aware that this thread was about corruption. Perhaps you think that that does not exist in the UK.

craig farenden said:
Saturday, May 25, 2013 @ 3:33 PM

in general i have found it difficult in spain to find spanish reliable and the most annoying thing is that they do not seem to have any pride in their work and getting a job done to a professional standard is hard, for example at this time of year i have my boat serviced, cleaned and painted ready for the summer and every time it goes back in the water there is always something not done correctly, last year the guy operating the crane broke the bimini top when lifting the boat out of the water and of course did not admit it.

Antonie Holtzhausen said:
Saturday, May 25, 2013 @ 4:04 PM

Having lived in Spain for some 25 years now, after having also lived in the United Kingdom, it is my personal opinion that the most untrustworthy people living here are the English - especially those with 'companies' without address - only a cell phone, but prices that can make you blush. Many drive cars with British registrations, without paying licence fees, not having their vehicles tested for road worthiness, don't pay land taxes, but brag about it. Not a single Spaniard in all these years had cheated, or even tried to to so to me. Perhaps because I have taken the trouble to learn to speak their language? It could really be beneficial to the communities here in general, if all those thousands of British living here (by their own choice) should return to the British paradise island, and stop their continual complaining and demands to try and turn Spain into a new colony of the United Kingdom. It would be possible to write a book about them here.....

Carla said:
Saturday, May 25, 2013 @ 5:10 PM

Not compare Spain to UK as Brits are well known to be a non trustfull natione by most Europeans. I love Spain and its people. I could not say the same. about UK and its citizens.

Bob Beavis. said:
Saturday, May 25, 2013 @ 6:00 PM

Spain!! Corrupt, lazy, Rip off, etc. etc., That rings a bell. I spent the first 66 years of my life living in the U.K as an englishman, yes that rings a definite bell. Could not wait to get away. Want to be really ripped off, then give your work to an ex. pat brit, i promise you he wont let you down.

Bob Beavis. said:
Saturday, May 25, 2013 @ 6:08 PM

For those ex. pat brits that are fuming over my comment, sorry there are always some exceptions to the rule, but in my experience in 5 years in Spain, not many. Also half of all germans dont trust Spanish people, well 95% of brits dont trust the germans. History has proved that without a doubt.

eggcup said:
Saturday, May 25, 2013 @ 6:10 PM

Well a hell of a lot of young Spaniards are coming to the UK to live and the ones I've met seem very happy to be out of Spain - of course with the dearth of work, in the context of the 'crisis economica' which was partly caused by the corruption of many Spanish - and corruption is relevant here, because if someone is corrupt, you cannot TRUST them. So the existence of untrustworthy individuals has had massive impacts for people, especially the young people who have been forced to leave. I wonder if there are any current statistics on this. Anecdotally, I've been conducting viewings on two of my rental houses this afternoon, and I showed two Spaniards, a Chinese man and a Portuguese woman - so 50% Spanish, which has never been the case in the past.

tom gibson said:
Saturday, May 25, 2013 @ 10:05 PM

In 8 yrs in spain I can only say that the only time I've been ripped off it's been by Brits all the Spaniards I've had dealings with have been honest and kept their word as to when they will deliver/do work!!

Kernaghan said:
Sunday, May 26, 2013 @ 3:09 AM

Sorry, if you really think so negative about your choice of residence and their honesty you should go back to where you come from, honestly from what I have seen throughout Spain other Europeans and Brits don't even try to join into the local living

bilbo said:
Sunday, May 26, 2013 @ 8:47 AM

Kernaghan,
Although you are generalising, I have to agree with you on the whole. There are too many Little Englanders who do nothing but whinge, because things are different here. Wherever they go, even Wales or Scotland, they try to change everything to what they are used to. Why on earth don't they just stay where they were?

These are presumably the same people who moan about immigrants trying to change the UK. Once again I find myself fortunate that the above comments only apply to a very few expats around here, as most try to fit in and they do not live in northern European ghettoes, and so mix more with the locals. None of the locals speak English and they are not used to foreigners so much- maybe that helps.

Mary said:
Sunday, May 26, 2013 @ 6:40 PM

I just love this blog, some great discussions get going here. In my opinion the Spanish are trustworthy and diligent but just haven't managed to sell themselves properly, unlike the Italians who sell themselves brilliantly, but I don't necessarily trust them as much, maybe because they sell themselves too much.

Patricia (Campana) said:
Sunday, May 26, 2013 @ 9:21 PM

But why, WHY, should any country have to or need to become more "U.K.-minded" The days of the colonies are long gone, when the natives could be whipped into line, and be "more efficient" or, "perceivedly" trustworthy.

What would you all have to say if this "poll" was being run by a Spaniard on an English website, with the Spanish contributors all saying they, the English, need to become more like us.

For heaven's sake, why live in Spain if you don't like it or its people. I just cannot understand it. I would not live in a country I didn't like.

Patricia (Campana) said:
Sunday, May 26, 2013 @ 9:59 PM

Thought I would add this. A little education.

http://www.ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette/ce_es.htm

Hamish said:
Monday, May 27, 2013 @ 9:07 AM

Interesting link Patricia, quite accurate to be honest, but even the Spanish realise they need to improve in many areas. Do you think they want the world to think they are lazy and untrustworthy? This will only change if they make it change. Spain needs to be international as the market is global now, gone are the days of Franco's bubble which disconnected Spain from the rest of the world. It doesn't mean changing their lifestyle or even the way they are, it just means they need to become more efficient and that is a positive step forward. Every country strives to be better and do thing better, Spain needs to improve it's Brand and the first people to drive this iniciative are the Spanish Businessmen and they are taking action. Don't forget that the original Poll was conducted by the Spanish to get a better idea of what foreigners thought of them a big step forward. It has nothing to do with living or not in a country, it is about people's general impression of a nation. No one loves every aspect of the country they live in and if they do they are lying. So to say why live in Spain if you think what you think is a bit irrelevant. I think the purpose, well as far as I have understood it, is to see what impression the brand Spain has on you. I suppose to put it more clearly given the choice would you choose a German car or a Chinese Car - both are diligent workers but both have different brand images, it's irrelevant if you love the chinese culture or the the German way of life. Why does one have a better brand image than the other. This is what I believe is going on here. Spain as a brand still has a long way to go but at least they are doing something about it.

Bilbo said:
Monday, May 27, 2013 @ 1:31 PM

Hamish,

You are quite correct about the purpose of the original Spanish survey, but the questions asked by this poll clearly ask for the attitudes of expats resident here. That being so, I hardly think it irrelevant to enquire why such vehement critics of Spain and the Spanish choose to remain here. Are they all lumbered with properties they cannot sell?

Hamish said:
Monday, May 27, 2013 @ 2:43 PM

Bilbo I don't think everyone on eye on spain is resident in Spain, but certainly will be able to give a more informed opinion than those who have no relation to Spain at all. So far the results don't differ too much either way, which is a bit sad really.But doesn't mean this isn't a great country to live in..

Patricia (ampana) said:
Monday, May 27, 2013 @ 3:12 PM

Hamish, but of course there is always room for improvement. Of that there is no doubt. Did I say otherwise? Remember I said in my post that during the decades I have lived in Spain I have worked for and with Spanish people, and they are more than aware that there are shortcomings to be overcome. And that is true of any country. When I first came to Spain it was to study post-grad at Granada University, and not to buy a property.

But I do take issue with the suggestion that Spain should become more U.K.-minded!!

And of course there are aspects of any country with which one might not be entirely satisfied.
That does not mean that the relentless, and largely ignorant, Spain-bashing that goes on must be tolerated.

I agree with Mary:
"In my opinion the Spanish are trustworthy and diligent but just haven't managed to sell themselves properly".

Bilbo has a point. To which I could add that an awful lot of people bought ill-advisedly, in much the same manner as one would buy a loaf of bread! And once they discover that they've put their foot in it then the strategy is to criticise the country where they bought that property.

Hamish, what the world thinks and how one is are two different things. All the vitriolic press reporting about Spain over the past decade or more, would certainly affect the judgement of those who slavishly follow the sensationalist press. Intelligent people are well able to form their own opinion IMO.

Again, I am NOT saying there are not areas for improvement.

Terri Gnazari said:
Monday, May 27, 2013 @ 5:36 PM

I am an American, and have not lived in Spain for very long, but speaking not only for myself, but for most Americans I know, the majority of us have a very positive view of Spain and Spaniards. Of course, I am a Texan, and the fact that Texas was under Spanish rule for nearly 400 years (it has only been a part of the US for a little over a century and a half) may have something to do with it. At any rate, Spain and the Spaniards left a very favorable impression on Texas and most Texans esteem Spaniards very highly.

Ralph said:
Monday, May 27, 2013 @ 7:32 PM

Well, it all depends on where are you taking the picture, and if this picture is a "big picture" or a narrow-minded picture. Taking in consideration that the majority of expats are located in the south of Spain, the picture taken might not be that clear. Spain is a large country, and as it happens in other countries also, the north is different than the south. The working habits of the northern Spaniards are different than the southern ones, and the trustworthiness also. Generally speaking these two are higher in the north than in the south, because of culture differences. Just keep in mind that the south has a slower life style. Just as New York City is not like Florida, and Paris is not like Marsella, the Basque region or Madrid are not like Andalucia.

HARVEY said:
Saturday, June 29, 2013 @ 4:09 PM

Kernagham.
I think you have missed the point. Can you trust your Town hall? or have you met a real doggy solicitor or estate agent. Because they are plenty in SPAIN. You're very lucky you have not come across them. At least people have some sort of right of appeal in the UK. Not here corruption is rife.

Andrew said:
Saturday, October 26, 2013 @ 7:06 AM

I agree with Harvey. The point has been missed. There are good and bad in any nationality and I doubt the Spanish are any different to anywhere else. I do believe they are generally not so well educated, which is the fault of their education system and this gives rise to much stupidity. The main area for concern however, is in the political arena. Now, these people absolutely, 100% cannot be trusted. Whether it's local, regional or central government, they just do not have the checks and balances in place, and more worryingly, have refused to put them in place.

Laura said:
Tuesday, June 17, 2014 @ 11:01 PM

This is another hate thread. The Spanish have the best quality in everything, just about and are thus superior. Maybe the Germans have better machines, maybe.

ThE Spanish have the best food, by far. They have the best art, by far. They have the best architecture, by far. The have one of the prettiest languages, by far. They have some of the best literature, by far. They have the best mediterranean look, by far. They have some of the best music. They are extremely reliable, trustworthy and hard working. The house of the Spanish woman is always clean and her food delicious. She always dresses better than the German woman and has a better house and better food. The Germans think that the Spanish are the best engineers after them....

If the Spanish are so lazy, then why the hell do they have some of the best athletes in the world, all the time. Are they just talent and no work??? duh, duh.

This is a hate thread against Spain. If you are stupid, you buy into it. If you are someone who can think, then you realize that the Spanish cannot possibly be so lazy if they have the best of the best in most things......maybe they are just geniuses who do not need to work.....

Rebeca said:
Tuesday, October 17, 2017 @ 11:10 AM

NO, really can't generalize. I used to love Spanish people. But after living there for a few months and then in France for a few years and where I had a lot of contact with a Spanish community (mainly from the South), they became the people I detest the most. Always talking behind other people's back, always gossiping about other people's lives, always trying to take advantage of everyone, two-faced, arrogant, and yes, very lazy. A plain mentality of "I'm so better than everyone else that I'll just leave work for others and have everyone move mountains for me". And the worst, they know they're like that and do nothing to change.

Jim Jones said:
Saturday, January 27, 2018 @ 1:14 AM

Purchased from several Spanish businesses. Attempted to purchase, to be correct. Took a very long time to receive a full refund after tyhe seller did nt want to ship the goods and decided to keep the entire amount just for fun. Went to another merchant, they tried to keep money by refunding only part of the money. Yet another merchant in Spain and they tried to rip me off in shipping charges big time. And another merchant, ifgnored my orders while went to the shows looking for new customers. And the story ends here as I no longer try to even offer my money to the Spanish merchants.

Jenny said:
Wednesday, September 5, 2018 @ 10:26 AM

My recent experience proved the Spanish are NOT trust worthy !! But I don’t want lose faith trusting people, still hope people are good in general.

FranRey said:
Saturday, March 19, 2022 @ 11:51 AM

Not to be trusted at all, when I came to live in Spain from having been mostly raised, educated and having worked in the uk most of my life the Spanish side of my family suddenly became very attentive to me, in Spain much more so than when I visited there on my holidays. some were ringing me up daily and giving me so much attention, turned out they wanted 120 thousand euros from me to pay off their business debts (they hadn't paid seguridad social for themselvs and their staff in over 7 years, lord knows how they got away from doing that and the tax man didn't pursue them harder beforehand. When I politely declined this demand, they shut me off, not in the same hour, same day or same week, in the same minute they did an about turn and asked me to leave their home and I never saw them again. Then other parts of the extended and immediate family got wind of his and then thought it was open season on me to ask for money and reject me if I refused but I could see it coming and shut it down politely when it occured. The child like tantrums they had when I refused to give them money (which I would never see again); these were people that I had little or no contact with in my normal life as a working adult or growing up - they had never helped me or my single parent mother when I was a kid. Good riddance and don't trust the Spanish.