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sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

An interesting post by Takahiwai. It reminded me of something that has been on my mind for years. Takahiwai reminds us that Americans have a prediliction for Spain. That prediliction is NOT recipricoted!
Many of the posters spoke warmly of Spain and I just wonder what they would think if they could listen in to some of the discussions I have here in Spain regarding our transatlantic cousins. I am British and have, on numerous occasions, leapt to the defence of our American friends.
''No, Pedro. Americans are not all fat, ugly people who guzzle 6 hamburgers a day''.
''Pilar, Hemmingway wasn't the only American to write a book. Steinbeck and Faulkner also wrote one or two''.
Face it guys. You may like them, but I suspect (after spending the greater part of the last 27 years in Spain) that they LOATHE you!

kronos · Joined: 15 Apr 2008 Posts: 12

Can't make generalizations of course, but there does seem to be a negative perception of Americans in Spain.

A lot of people I met in Spain (students, intercambios, etc.) would tell me something along the lines of: "You know, I never really liked Americans before, but you're okay...." Usually when I pressed them I found out that in fact I was one of the only Americans they had ever had a real conversation with. Their impressions of America were based primarily on loud tourists, American TV shows, and George Bush.

gracias · Joined: 08 May 2008 Posts: 27

"Their impressions of America were based primarily on loud tourists, American TV shows, and George Bush."

... well this is unfortunately how you exhibit yourselves to the world, what can you expect?

jonniboy

I've often thought that anti-Americanism in Spain is as bad as, if not worse than in France. Probably the reason why this isn't picked up in the US media is due to the relatively large number of Spanish language speakers in establishment positions there. When I dated an American in Spain I always had to listen to all kinds of weird misconceptions about the USA.

mdk · Joined: 09 Jun 2007 Posts: 425

Takahiwai · Joined: 06 Sep 2007 Posts: 93 Location: Libya

During my seven years teaching in Spain, many of my students admitted that they felt they were racist. They often had the good grace to feel ashamed of that and some of them liked to analyse their reasons for it. What it boils down to is that many Spaniards have had to spend periods of time working abroad, or have relatives who had to emigrate after the Civil War. It seems to be fairly unanimous that they were treated like third class citizens whereever they went. Now that Spain is a relatively prosperous country, they treat economic immigrants to Spain in the same way, just because they can. In many cases, they're not proud of it.

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

I don't know, Takahiwai. At the top of the Spanish hate list it's pretty close between Basques, Catalans, Americans, French and the English. BTW if you are Scottish (as I am) it will be assumed that you also hate the English (which I certainly don't).

Moore · Joined: 25 Aug 2004 Posts: 730 Location: Madrid

Was doing a translation the other day about this very subject. The two major reasons cited by the Spanish author were the Americans recent ill-managed attempts at spreading Democracy in the Middle East (which is a Europe-wide feeling) and very surprisingly, at least to me, the Spanish-American war of 1898, where Spain lost Cuba, Guam, the Phillipines and Puerto Rico. I suppose it's not that surprising when you think about us English and our continued mistrust of the French: seems they've got quite a long memory here too!

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workingnomad · Joined: 26 Sep 2005 Posts: 106 Location: SE Asia

I remember having a brief discussion about Gibraltar with some Spaniards once. That was amusing, in a way!

Takahiwai · Joined: 06 Sep 2007 Posts: 93 Location: Libya

sheikh radlinrol · Joined: 30 Jan 2007 Posts: 1222 Location: Spain

What I find most interesting about the love/hate thing the Spaniards have about the USA is that they embrace American culture while insisting that they despise it. If a Spanish actor or director wins an Oscar there is euphoria in Madrid. Yet my students tell me Hollywood is rubbish and Spanish films are better, even if they don't go to see them.
American approval of anything Spanish is seen as a welcome pat on the back. I'll never understand it. Do you?

jr1965 · Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 175

gracias · Joined: 08 May 2008 Posts: 27

^^

ah the good old "Freedom Fries" debate

workingnomad · Joined: 26 Sep 2005 Posts: 106 Location: SE Asia

It does amaze me how many times I have heard negative comments about Americans from other Europeans that I have met on my travels, particularly from French and Germans, many of whom have never been there.

I continually find Americans the most friendly people, particularly the ones that travel that perhaps have more of an idea about the World outside their homeland.

I would say (generalising of course) that from my experience Americans are more friendly and outgoing than their northerly neighbours.

jr1965 · Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 175