Diane Abbot is the number 2 to the hapless sort-of-leader of Britain's Labour party, Jeremy Corbyn. These days she cuts rather a comic figure on TV, or indeed anywhere else. I don't find her very prepossessing and neither apparently does the UK's Mr Brexit, David Davis. He told a colleague that claims he tried kiss her were wrong, as he wasn't blind. This is undoubtedly rather ungentlemanly but is it, as claimed in the UK media, 'sexist'? Mind you, things could have been worse. As Ms Abbot is not white - I genuinely don't know what the currently acceptable word is - Mr Davis could well have been charged with racism.
The estimable Don Quijones is worried about the impact of the Catalan impasse on Spain's overall economy. See why here. It's all about debt. And Cataluña's willingness to use theirs as a weapon against Madrid. Will common sense ever break out? One does wonder, as Spanish politicians aren't famous for dealing in this. Which is a tad ironic as the Spanish are a very pragmatic people, I've always found. En passant, if you ever doubted the wisdom of Spain's system of de facto federalism giving wide powers to the (corrupt) regional governments, take note of the public debt statistics quoted by DQ.
If you're still wondering what personality disorder Donald Trump suffers from - if any, of course - you'll find this article useful. The author concludes: We have a situation where the most powerful person in the world is tainted by personality characteristics that can be of serious harm to world peace. The extent to which these harmful characteristics can be controlled may well decide the future of the world. Ain't that the truth. Well, as I see it anyway. But I'm sure there are folk out there with contrary views, seeing him as not merely completely sane but inspiring. It takes all sorts. Especially in the internet age, when the mob is afforded a very loud - and often nasty - voice.
Nutters' Corner:
- A comment from an American football coach: Christian parents who allow their kids to attend [secular] public school are sanctioning "spiritual rape".
- From one of those wonderful evangelists who give us so much to laugh at: Participants in the [anti-Trump] Women's March on Washington were driven by demons.
Finally . . . Heard on the Radio yesterday in a report on international golf tournaments: The European Tour Men's Final will take place in Malaysia and the Ladies' final in Australia. I guess it makes sense to someone.
A
list of what I find good, positive and/or impressive about Spain.
But,
first, the Preamble .
. . I'm
doing this because readers - especially Spanish ones - can get an
unbalanced impression of my overview of Spain by reading just one or
two of my Thoughts from
Galicia
blog posts.
This,
of course, is a very personal and subjective list. Yours might be very
different.
Obviously,
then, this is a work-in-progress. I will be making additions from
time to time.
What this list
isn't
is an analysis of Spain and its people. It's a simple list of likes.
It doesn't, for example, address the critical importance of personal
relationships here. Nor the issues of 'localism' and the several 'nationalisms',
for example. These merit a long, objective book, not just a short,
subjective list.
You may feel there are inconsistencies in this
list. And this impression may grow when you compare the Positives
with my future list of Negatives. This is inevitable; countries, like
people, can be a hive of inconsistency.
I have a long-standing
view that the people with the greatest strengths also have the
greatest weaknesses. Whether you like them - marry them, even -
depends on the net balance. What this means, among other things, is
that you can still love people and countries than infuriate you from
time to time.
My view of Spain's net balance is very positive.
As I've said several times in my blog, it's the best of the six
cultures I've lived in and certainly superior to that of the UK.
However, I've also said this may reflect my age and circumstances and
that it's quite possible I'd reach a different conclusion if I were
far younger and trying to set up a business here.
If I were to
sum up Spain's positive-ness, I'd say it keeps me young. I realise,
though, that some readers may not regard this as a plus if it means
I'm going to go on writing about the place. But, in truth, this is
not something I worry much about. If at all.
SPAIN'S
POSITIVES
Although
the items in this list are not in any particular order of merit, it's
traditional and probably right to start with its people:-
- Briefly, they're the most sociable, affable and welcoming in the world. They have a huge sense of fun and vitality. They know how to enjoy life. They love to talk and are brilliant at it. There's no one better in the world to sit next to on a plane or train than a Spaniard if you want to make the journey pass more quickly. They're proud, informal, direct and very pragmatic. They have superb eye-contact and are very tactile, especially the women. Finally, they have the capacity to be very noble.
- Compared with the UK, Spain is more sane, more equal, more fun-orientated and less class-conscious. As yet, there are far fewer examples here of ‘political correctness gone mad’. In short, this is a less anally retentive/neurotic society than many others; safety, for example, is not a god on whose altar common sense must be regularly sacrificed. Nor is it afflicted by phobias which bear little relation to reality. Overall, it is a relaxed and relaxing society in which to live.
- Reflecting its history and it cultural influences, Spain is the most interesting country in Europe. Her fascinating cultural heritage is at least the equal of any other country, though widely underrated. A passionate Dutch lover of Spain - Cees Noteboom - has written that, if you picked up chunks of northern Spain and put them down in France, millions would visit them. But, since they're in Spain, no one does.
- To say the least, Spain has a vibrant and dynamic economy, reflected - for example - in its superb new road and rail links. It's a very 'alive' place, evidenced by its marvellous cafés, bars and restaurants.
- Spain's cities are exceptionally civilised places, in which café society is the gem in the crown.
- Spain's women are proud, feminine, beautiful and - as I never tire of thanking God for - very tactile. The country has not suffered from the distortions wreaked elsewhere by fanatical feminism.
- Age here is not the barrier to communication and enjoyment of life it can be elsewhere. One gets the impression that, for the Spanish, the most important criterion is not how old you are but how much you contribute to the general well-being.
- Relatedly, this is a society is which there is still respect between the generations.
- Spanish society is still underpinned by strong family links. Children are still happy to be seen in public with their parents. Grandparents even.
- Spain, like France, is not afraid to have an elite. One result of this is that the serious papers remain 'heavy'; they have not yet sensationalised themselves in the direction of a tabloid press. The main reason for this - and a huge positive - is that there is no egregious tabloid press in Spain.
- To state the obvious, Spain's weather - even in Galicia - is better than that of other countries and the cost of living is still lower.
- Spain's crime rate is relatively low. I have yet to feel unsafe here, even in Madrid in the middle of the night. That said, I'm sure it's possible to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. And there are a lot of pickpockets in both Barcelona and Madrid.
- Although things are naturally trending in the wrong direction, Spain is not yet as consumerist as Anglo Saxon societies. Sunday is still Sunday.
- By and large, young Spaniards know how to take their drink. There is little of the violence associated with boozing in the UK.
- Finally, some Miscellaneous Likes:- Night trains; The honour system in bars; Menus del día
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