Post: #201

(08-14-2016 05:46 AM)britchard Wrote:  None of the dishes posted in this thread will ever compete with the GOAT cuisine. Seriously, how can you look at dishes like these and not fall in love?







If any of you guys are planning to try proper fish and chips when you come to the UK, make sure you try some of the local accompaniments. Make sure you ask for the local 'chippy', not 'fish and chip shop' too.

If you're up North, you will see lots of people have gravy or curry sauce with their meal, like so:



In the Midlands, it's common to have mushy peas (like in the first photo in this post), or baked beans with it, although this is quite common everywhere.

And some savages have vinegar with their fish and chips, but quite rightly they are shunned by normal members of society.

Sorry if there are any bits that don't make sense, I'm a bit pissed.

This seems like food from the jail canteen. Seems horrible, must taste horrible.

Post: #202

While other countries were developing their cuisine, the British had an empire to run.

Post: #203

(08-14-2016 07:17 PM)RexImperator Wrote:  While other countries were developing their cuisine, the British had an empire to run.

no wonder those dudes were so desperate for colonies with spices

Post: #204

(08-14-2016 07:17 PM)RexImperator Wrote:  While other countries were developing their cuisine, the British had an empire to run.

Ok son...for your knowledge Portugal had the longest lasting and last standing colonial empire. And a much smaller nation and population than Britain.
Your food simply sucks.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_Empire

Quote:"The Portuguese Empire (Portuguese: Império Português), also known as the Portuguese Overseas (Ultramar Português), was the first global empire in world history.[1][2][3] In addition, it was the longest-lived of the modern European colonial empires, spanning almost six centuries, from the capture of Ceuta in 1415 to the handover of Macau in 1999 or the grant of sovereignty to East Timor in 2002. The empire spread throughout a vast number of territories that are now parts of 60 different sovereign states."

Post: #205

As a person who has spent some of his childhood in Andalusia, Spain (left when I was 4th grade of elementary), I have to agree with the OP that Spain has some serious problems - just like any country on the planet. But, it also has some good sides.



Although my info in from late 90-ties , I am under impression from the OP that things did not change in the past 20 years.



First of all, most Spanish have some sort of superiority complex. They still believe that they are living in the middle of their Golden Age, and they still did not realize it passed long ago. Greeks, Arabs and Italians also have that complex, so don't think for a second I am picking on the Spanish for some reason. That superiority complex is manifested in the fact that many Spanish simply do not bother learning any other language other than their own, for example English. For example, in the school I was attending, most of the local pupils did not bother attending English classes, and the school administration...didn't mind. Only children of expatriates (mostly British and French), and locals children whose parents were "white collar" did!



Second thing, there is a lot of xenophobia. I did not experience much as a kid (because I look Spanish, thanks to Sephardic ancestry - black hair, dark brown eyes, darker skin, and due to the fact that I spoke without an accent that would betray me as a foreigner - which I lost when I moved out), but a lot of my friends did. In my school, there was an Argentinian (or Peruvian, can't recall) girl. She was my "novia" (no, we did't bang ), because we were close. Long dark hair, dark skin, liked red... .Although she was not bullied nor hated, the local kids...didn't really treat her as an equal. Especially girls.



I really wonder where is she now, and how she looks like. And if some RvF guy banged her, haha.



Second "novia" was a French expatriate girl (with a slutty name), when I swapped shool. Although she was born here, and spoke Spanish fluently...no...tu no eres nuestra. Liked her dirty blond hair.

Too bad Facecrap, or dumbphones didn't exist back then, so I lost contact. I really should go back someday, and see what's up with them. Spanish is a bit rusty, but I'll manage/



Memories, memories...but back on the topic!




Third thing is that you feel like living in a Borg collective from Star Trek. The OP elaborated enough, so I won't go further than that (no sense of individualism and you are disallowed to criticize the Collective).


And finally, the last thing is "small town mentality". Everyone in your ciudad must know exactly what are you doing 24/7 ( whom are you jerking off to, what you read, what you eat...).


But, Spain also has some good sides. If you want to retire, or to do real estate business (by renting to non natives, while praying that 2007 doesn't repeat ), Spain is a place for you. If you want to party, or enjoy beaches and bitches during the summer, Spain is a place for you. But, if you are ambitious and talented (like the OP is, and I understand why he is pissed so much)...better leave. It is no wonder why the best Spanish are in the US, CH, UK... .


And OP, it is intellectually dishonest to say the Spanish produce nothing. Zara, Bershka, Pull and Bear (all clothing companies) are renowned world wide.

Post: #206

(08-14-2016 02:48 PM)Lime Wrote:  

(08-14-2016 11:11 AM)AntiMediocrity Wrote:  BTW you've got my support on an X-uncut trend here. I'm tired of reading tourist experiences, positive or not.

What do you mean with an X-uncut trend?

x = any country.

Germany uncut, Poland uncut, Brazil uncut, etc

By trend I mean that this is one such thread, one user earlier posed posting his experience with Germany, and I'm sure that other users who lived in a country for multiple years might post their own views.

Post: #207

I think Irenicus makes a very good break down of the situation on the Peninsula particularl in what concerns Andalucia and other parts of the coast.

I would also agree with him and others that one of the problems OP had is an understandable difficulty in understanding and/or not adopting the local customs (which Change Not just from city but from village to village)

I came back three weeks ago already and waa surprised to see how my own Argentinian body Language had " stiffened" after two years roving northern and central Europe.
Once I recovered it(it's as if it was muscle. Memory!) I was better able to observe how my German lady bird woud often findable herself in an awkward position simply due to a difference of amongst other things a failure in body language cues exchange.

It's also interesting to observe that whereas northern countries seem to be more strongly based around cultures of "hard work" ,Southern and /or Mediterranean ones are based in a system of favors which translate into a constant social Engagement.
I think these could be factors that would continue to make one like OP still be considered a stranger after so many years

I find the Spaniards to be uneducated in general(but the ones with a refined culture and. Proper grasp of the language are a feast for the ears!), I find them to be often simpletonly racist and uninterested in the rest of the world-europe refreshingly so in an Era of PC Elitism!!!!

It is definitely not the promised land, but which is in the end?

Post: #208

(08-14-2016 07:04 PM)Rocha Wrote:  

(08-14-2016 05:46 AM)britchard Wrote:  None of the dishes posted in this thread will ever compete with the GOAT cuisine. Seriously, how can you look at dishes like these and not fall in love?







If any of you guys are planning to try proper fish and chips when you come to the UK, make sure you try some of the local accompaniments. Make sure you ask for the local 'chippy', not 'fish and chip shop' too.

If you're up North, you will see lots of people have gravy or curry sauce with their meal, like so:



In the Midlands, it's common to have mushy peas (like in the first photo in this post), or baked beans with it, although this is quite common everywhere.

And some savages have vinegar with their fish and chips, but quite rightly they are shunned by normal members of society.

Sorry if there are any bits that don't make sense, I'm a bit pissed.

This seems like food from the jail canteen. Seems horrible, must taste horrible.

Don't say anything until you've tried it Just because food looks crap, doesn't mean it tastes bad. Snails and rice pudding are probably the 2 most well-known cases of this.

Post: #209

(08-14-2016 07:31 PM)Rocha Wrote:  

(08-14-2016 07:17 PM)RexImperator Wrote:  While other countries were developing their cuisine, the British had an empire to run.

Ok son...for your knowledge Portugal had the longest lasting and last standing colonial empire. And a much smaller nation and population than Britain.
Your food simply sucks.

Most people that return from vacation in Portugal complain about the food there, and my experiences with Portuguese food are also not that impressive.

EXCEPT for the seafood, though which is great in Portugal, but I don't want to eat that everyday. The rest of the food is subpar.

Post: #210

^^^^^^^^

Portugal is a seacoast nation - so cuisine is logically seafood-oriented. There is a lot of yummy dishes - I especially love everything with bacalhau (cod).

Post: #211

(08-15-2016 03:39 AM)Lime Wrote:  

(08-14-2016 07:31 PM)Rocha Wrote:  

(08-14-2016 07:17 PM)RexImperator Wrote:  While other countries were developing their cuisine, the British had an empire to run.

Ok son...for your knowledge Portugal had the longest lasting and last standing colonial empire. And a much smaller nation and population than Britain.
Your food simply sucks.

Most people that return from vacation in Portugal complain about the food there, and my experiences with Portuguese food are also not that impressive.

EXCEPT for the seafood, though which is great in Portugal, but I don't want to eat that everyday. The rest of the food is subpar.

Who is this people and where do they come from? And what was your experience? If people fall for tourist traps in Lisbon center or in "All"garve I feel sorry for them and find it shameful. I have traveled to 20 countries and stil have not seen such a diverse and rich cuisine. And believe I am number one critic of my country in most aspects of it.

Post: #212

(08-14-2016 07:04 PM)Rocha Wrote:  This seems like food from the jail canteen. Seems horrible, must taste horrible.

Rocha, I guess (hope) Britchard's post was just British humour.

Post: #213

After this thread I have officially decided to hate Spain forever.

Post: #214

(08-15-2016 05:02 AM)Vronski Wrote:  

(08-14-2016 07:04 PM)Rocha Wrote:  This seems like food from the jail canteen. Seems horrible, must taste horrible.

Rocha, I guess (hope) Britchard's post was just British humour.

It was tongue in cheek, yes

Post: #215

(08-15-2016 04:56 AM)Rocha Wrote:  

(08-15-2016 03:39 AM)Lime Wrote:  

(08-14-2016 07:31 PM)Rocha Wrote:  

(08-14-2016 07:17 PM)RexImperator Wrote:  While other countries were developing their cuisine, the British had an empire to run.

Ok son...for your knowledge Portugal had the longest lasting and last standing colonial empire. And a much smaller nation and population than Britain.
Your food simply sucks.

Most people that return from vacation in Portugal complain about the food there, and my experiences with Portuguese food are also not that impressive.

EXCEPT for the seafood, though which is great in Portugal, but I don't want to eat that everyday. The rest of the food is subpar.

Who is this people and where do they come from? And what was your experience? If people fall for tourist traps in Lisbon center or in "All"garve I feel sorry for them and find it shameful. I have traveled to 20 countries and stil have not seen such a diverse and rich cuisine. And believe I am number one critic of my country in most aspects of it.

It is part of the defeatism that if I say that the food was not good I must have eaten in a 'tourist trap'.

Tourist traps are part of the food in a country whether you like it or not. I live in a very touristic city and we barely have any 'tourist traps'.

If 60% of your country's restaurants are 'tourist traps', the country is the problem in my opinion. I don't want to say that in Portugal 60% of restaurants are tourist traps, but you get the point. Moreover, the Spanish restaurants where I ate where the food was sub-par were definitely no tourist traps. Think greasy dishes and crumbly meat, you get the picture.

And yes your Portuguese seafood dishes are great but other things, not so much.

I asked a Dutch friend who went on a trip to Porto about how the food was over there, and he responded: "bad, it was cheap though, but the quality was pathetic".
Doesn't sound like a country with a great cuisine to me. Not very diplomatic from the restaurant owners from the places where they ate about Portuguese cuisine.

But guess what? Foreigners don't like our national dishes in the Netherlands as well. So maybe our taste has to do with what you were brought up with.

Post: #216

(08-15-2016 03:30 AM)britchard Wrote:  Don't say anything until you've tried it Just because food looks crap, doesn't mean it tastes bad. Snails and rice pudding are probably the 2 most well-known cases of this.

I like trashing the UK as much as anyone, and when I lived there I especially grumbled just to fit in, but Fish and Chips and Shepherd's Pie are absolute originals, and taste great.

Having two signature dishes pretty good for any country.

Still, making fun of English food is more sport than anything else and extremely enjoyable.

I was in a pub once and a Frenchman in his seventies wanted me to take a picture of him and his plate of Sunday roast and boiled vegetables.

He had a huge sardonic smile on his face, and although my French isn't the best, I did make out he found it hilarious that English food hadn't changed since the times of D'Artagnan.

Post: #217

meanwhile in America....

Post: #218

How did a Real Talk Spain thread turn into a international cuisine battle?

Food battles should have their own thread.

Post: #219

Food from Thailand, Mexico, Italy > Food from france

Post: #220

Gentlemen, I have returned. Thanks for all the comments. I will try to respond to all points made to me as soon as I can.

Post: #221

Ok, I am unable to post long replies. It says "sorry you have been blocked". It says it has something to do with sql commands?

Post: #222

^ contact mods. Same thing happened to me on another thread

Post: #223

(08-14-2016 05:46 AM)britchard Wrote:  None of the dishes posted in this thread will ever compete with the GOAT cuisine. Seriously, how can you look at dishes like these and not fall in love?







If any of you guys are planning to try proper fish and chips when you come to the UK, make sure you try some of the local accompaniments. Make sure you ask for the local 'chippy', not 'fish and chip shop' too.

If you're up North, you will see lots of people have gravy or curry sauce with their meal, like so:



In the Midlands, it's common to have mushy peas (like in the first photo in this post), or baked beans with it, although this is quite common everywhere.

And some savages have vinegar with their fish and chips, but quite rightly they are shunned by normal members of society.

Sorry if there are any bits that don't make sense, I'm a bit pissed.

Post: #224

Baldrich it's probably because of all your quotations, and any other highly prevalent bbcode that you've included.

Try to spread your post over separate ones.

Post: #225

(08-13-2016 01:17 AM)Sp5 Wrote:  I understand the OP's point and attitude, wish he was around now to reply and I hope he comes back. There is a lack of entrepreneurial and social dynamism in Europe in general. Spain is an old person's country, many times I noticed I was the youngest person on the bus/in the room. And I'm 59. When I was living in Europe at age 21, I felt the culture was stagnant and trite.

It seems like he has a good thing going in Spain, however. A business, employing workers. He might find it hard to replicate in the USA, not because of any regulatory burdens, but just because the market doesn't break his way.

Looking forward for the OP, what about having a family, children? Spain would be excellent for that. It is very family oriented. I always liked seeing the three-generational families out together on Sunday afternoons. There aren't large groups of sullen, impolite or dangerous teenagers around, maybe in Madrid and Barcelona but not where I was. Kids wear their "colegio" uniforms, are well behaved on the bus.

I think if OP goes back to a big city in the USA he will have trouble adjusting to the atmosphere of menace that you get in a US city. In a small town it might be better, but lack of market opportunity of course.

I see how OP said there was little civil society. Again, it is a country for older people. There are enough pena recreativas, aulas, seminars, running clubs, gym classes, church organizations, charity groups like serving food to the homeless, and of course the "local," the bar where you can become a regular pretty easily. But old guys like me!

Exactly. There simply is NO comparable demand in the US for what I do here, nor can you get away with what you can do here. One of the advantages of Spain is that although there are many regulations, their enforcement is sketchy. Put another way: if you are smart, you can get away with a lot in this country. Men need to start using that to their advantage, especially foreign men on business anywhere in Spain. It is an excellent place for telecommuting.

You´re right about teens. Teens are much more respectful here when out and about but be careful because their behavior in school is just as bad and disrespectful as in the US. In fact there are known cases here of students (or their parents) hitting and/or insulting teachers. But I do agree that it has not yet reached the level of utter savagery you see in the US or parts of the UK. There are no feral teens here, teen pregnancies are virtually unheard of, as is violence in general.

You talk about the "menacing" aspect of the US major cities, but I think that has always been a major feature of the US. I'm not a Sociologist but think it has to do with our "pioneer" brutal history of frontiersmen. The US was never a peaceful place. It was not a place for wimps. I still think Americans are much tougher than Europeans, especially men. People on roosh talk about how men in the US are becoming feminized, but it is no where near as bad as Western Europe. Outside the major American cities, there are thousands and thousands of miles of hard country people that you simply don't see in much of Western Europe and especially NOT the Latin Mediterranean countries.

Also, even though fashions are becoming globalized, American men still look more masculine than French, Italians or Spaniards.

I will respond to everyone else as soon as I get a chance.