A few years ago, it was
said that Spain was second only to Malta in the list of European
countries with fat kids. Things must have got worse as it's now
reported that Spain is second only to the USA in child obesity.
Inevitably, this is linked to changes in eating habits.
Talking of food . . .
Eating in British pubs is nothing like the experience it used to be
30, 20 or even 10 years ago. And it doesn't have to be a 'gastropub'
for this to be true. Even the rural pub my brother and I ate in
yesterday had a fancy menu, with prices to match. After we'd ordered
our respective 'sandwiches', the barmaid asked if we wanted
chips(french fries) with them. It was only after we'd declined that
we noticed these came at just under 4 quid a portion. No wonder she
asked. Anyway, the poor lady was having a great deal of trouble with
a new electronic till and, to our amusement, became quite flustered.
As I would in Spain, I patted the hand that was on the counter in
sympathy, at which it was withdrawn at a speed which implied I'd
suggested a sexual encounter behind the bar. I'd forgotten about the
British aversion to being touched. A final couple of words on food in
this place - 1. Above the bar was advertised a 'Sausage Board' at
fractionally below 20 quid. Say €28. Neither of us knew what this
was - or might be - and didn't ask. Perhaps the sausages are
gold-plated. 2. 'Vegetable Chilli'(?) was described as 'That pub
classic'. Since when? 2013??
Religious folk can have
some very strange notions. In India recently, a nun in her 70s was
raped by one of a group of
gangsters who raided her convent. Talking about it on the radio, one
of her colleagues said that one of the victim's greatest causes for
grief was that her vow of chastity had been broken. This struck me as
rather odd, as it implied that her God wouldn't take circumstances
into account when deciding on her fate on The Day of Judgement. Which
would be a little mean-spirited, to say the least.
A survey of work
attitudes of young people in Spain, the UK, Germany and Holland says
of the Spanish that: "Despite a youth unemployment rate of about
50%, they regard work-life balance and an enjoyable work environment
as more important than job security." And that: "The
Spanish show a willingness to do anything they can to increase
employability. They change subjects at university if they find one
that will increase their career options and they are very willing to
change country and job if it means giving them a career advantage".
In contrast: "Brits still see career as important, with only 33%
seeing enjoyment of their work environment as important. Earning
money and building a career is more relevant." Pick the meat out
of that.
Here's someone's list
of 10 good places to visit in Galicia. Obviously not the best as
Ferrol is in there at no. 4. And Pontevedra isn't there at all.
Outrageous. Especially as it's just been voted the most comfortable
city in Europe by people who are rather better at compiling lists.
I had to laugh - rather
hollowly - when I read that Telefónica is to triple its customers'
broadband speeds before summer, at no extra charge. Short of running
cables into my street or upgrading the centralita and the wiring to
our houses, there's no way they can do this. And, anyway, by mid-year
I'll have moved on to the provider of my neighbours' radio-based
service.
Finally . . . There's a
personality test you can take in the UK which purports to tell you
where in Britain you'd be happiest living. For me, it's the district
of Dumries and Galloway in Scotland. As if.
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