Ponters Pensées 1.6.16

Pickpocketing: Sadly, both Barcelona and Madrid figure in TripAdvisor's list of the 10 worst cities in the world for this, with the former grabbing the top slot. As they stress: Whether you're a tourist or a local, it's worth knowing how to keep your belongings safe. So, see here for their tips. As someone who had his laptop nicked in bag at his feet in Madrid, I recommend them. As would my daughter, who's twice had handbags taken from next to her feet in bars. In one case by a child crawling below the tables.

First Holy Communions: Despite the low level of religious observance here, these are still a big thing, more for social/cultural reasons than anything else, I suspect. Spring and early summer is the FHC season here, when ridiculously large sums are spent on outfits for the kids and on gift-rich parties for family and school friends, often in an obliging hotel or restaurant. Anyway, here's a foto of a young British boy at his own FHC, some years ago now. And here's an article from ThinkSpain on the subject.

Finally . . . Favourite Spanish Forenames: In 1930, these were:

• Manuel
• José
• Antonio
• Francisco
• Juán

• María Carmen
• Carmen
• María Dolores
• María Pilar
• Francisca

In 2014, they were:

• Martín
• Matéo
• Hugo
• Pablo
• Daniel

• Noa
• Daniela
• Sara
• Martina
• Lucía

Favourite Spanish Pet names: These are:

• Thor
• Coco
• Zeus
• Rocky
• Aquiles

• Kira
• Luna
• Lola
• Nala
• Noa
• Layka

Imagine a tiny bloody lapdog called Thor.