Are Spanish People Rude?

[Peasant]

The old age stereotype of one being English and therefore reserved is now long gone.

Annoyingly. Really loud people get on my nerves.

[Cato]

In my own experience with them on the forum the Spaniards do seem to have a certain mmm severity (I don't know if that's really the right word, seriousness is probably more appropriate) about them, yet I've also had Spaniards say the same thing to me.

There're other factors that set Americans apart from Europeans, be they Spanish or English, and these qualities can be things like the residual influence of our Puritan past (which also might be worth mentioning since religion is far stronger here than in contemporary Europe; the intense religiosity that many of my countrymen display probably makes us to seem a bit, ahem, zealous).

[Bridie]

Ah I see. You're comparing the English to Aussies? I suppose that they are if you compare them with each other. On the whole though, I don't think that the English are reserved. The old age stereotype of one being English and therefore reserved is now long gone.

No, I'm not comparing English to Aussies. I SAID; "for reasons pointed out above" (meaning the English tendency toward hooligan outbursts being a result of constant social restraints in everyday life) AND I said that if the English were so naturally reserved, they would be so anywhere in the world... not just in England. I was specifically speaking of Australians with English blood - meaning 2nd or 3rd generation English in Australia - and the obvious differences in behaviour and attitude.

Nevertheless, this is of little consequence to you since you believe that the English are no longer so reserved nor restrained. But I disagree, going on my experiences in England. However, I realise that it is probably a matter of social groups within England. The ones I interacted with were certainly very uptight, socially awkward, shy, judgemental and reserved, particularly when sober.

[Cato]

The ones I interacted with were certainly very uptight, socially awkward, shy, judgemental and reserved, particularly when sober.

Mary,

Can you take what must've been a few obvious case and apply the outcome to the entire whole? :mmmm: Sure not all Britons are stuffed-shirts, no more than all Americans are moonshine-swilling rednecks.

[Bridie]

In my own experience with them on the forum the Spaniards do seem to have a certain mmm severity (I don't know if that's really the right word, seriousness is probably more appropriate) about them,

I've found (in real life, certainly not on these forums) that the Spanish tend to be a very relaxed, friendly, easy going, warm, open and non-judgemental people. They still have that fighting spirit and boldness about them, for sure... but "severe" or overly serious in general, they are not.

[Alvarado]

Yeah I don't know where they got that from. Northern European chicks, including Brits, tend to be much more "friendly" to strangers they aren't necessarily interested to than the Southern European girls do! LOL

Tourism propaganda. It's always the same shit: some ruins, friendly señoritas and slimy tanned dagos.

[El Palleter]

Right or wrong, we value plain-speaking and honesty, which makes us different than the Mediterranean countries or even the mother-country itself.

Plain-speaking as you put it and directness (honesty, in your words) is what foreigners often identify as "rudness" in Spaniards

Being Spain a Mediterranean country as well as Atlantic, I can only think that your comment is one that comes typical with the American character and which is defined by self-righteousness

something that often infuriates the more polite or reserved nationalities such as the Japanese. This was remarked upon by Japanese diplomats in the 19th century, that the American negotiators often didn't observe what the Japanese considered to be the rules of "polite society."

The Japanese are not socially more polite. They are socially impeded

To call their crippled social nature "polite" is being self-righteous too

He forgets the British chicks who visit Spain.

[YOUTUBE]kLzTKBdQLn0[/YOUTUBE]

LMAO No comment.

Trash is trash. That's English and Spanish trash all in one video

[Bridie]

Mary,

Can you take what must've been a few obvious case and apply the outcome to the entire whole? :mmmm: Sure not all Britons are stuffed-shirts, no more than all Americans are moonshine-swilling rednecks.

I'm speaking of general observations, not anecdotal evidence. This is the only thing of any use when analysing social tendencies.

[Cato]

I've found (in real life, certainly not on these forums) that the Spanish tend to be a very relaxed, friendly, easy going, warm, open and non-judgemental people. They still have that fighting spirit and boldness about them, for sure... but "severe" or overly serious in general, they are not.

It's a perception of severity or seriousness that I'm trying to make. I've only met a couple of people from Spain and they've both been, as you say laid-back, friendly, largely unopinionated, but also.. I can't really put a finger on it. There's a fellow at my workplace who hails from Madrid and, while a very nice fellow, he's also got a certain reservation to him. I don't know, it might be because he's a Spaniard surrounded by Americans and feels a bit out-of-place, or it might be something else. Sometimes the guy talks very freely about Spain and sometimes he won't even acknowledge me when I say "hi" in passing.

[Cato]

Plain-speaking as you put it and directness (honesty, in your words) is what foreigners often identify as "rudness" in Spaniards

Being Spain a Mediterranean country as well as Atlantic, I can only think that your comment is one that comes typical with the American character and which is defined by self-righteousness

The Japanese are not socially more polite. They are socially impeded

To call their crippled social nature "polite" is being self-righteous too

How do you figure that I'm being self-righteous? How many Americans have you interacted with? Your commentary about me being self-righteous is either plain-speaking or a bit of sanctimony (which would be a case of the pot calling the kettle black).