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Introduction
continued from page 3
is changing; no longer is it so attractive to
multinationals because of the low cost of
its labour. Indeed many multi-nationals
have left Spain, to take advantage of lower
labour costs in eastern Europe or Asia.
Spain knows it must change or be left
behind; it cannot provide the cheap labour
of less-developed countries, but it does not
have the same advanced economy of
France, Germany or Britain. Investing in
research and development, something it
has lacked in any real measure, seems to
be the way to a future where Spain is able
to compete with the other major European
economic players.
Though expats have traditionally found
work in Spain as managers for multinationals,
language teachers or selling property,
there is a new breed of foreign entrepreneur
in Spain which is starting up companies,
mostly through the internet.
Indeed a recent report by the Spanish
daily El Pais said Britons, Germans and
Chinese expats were starting up companies
at a faster rate than the Spanish themselves.
But these people do not just come
to Spain to work themselves into an early
grave; they want to enjoy what Spanish
society has to offer.
LIFESTYLE
Apart from the traditional attractions of
the climate, the Mediterranean diet and
embracing the Spanish way of life, most
want to enjoy the trappings of a more
civilised quality of life. Most expats define
this as a less-hassled life, perhaps more
centred around the family and with most
of the amenities they might have enjoyed
in their own countries in a more accessible
and affordable form.
But beyond the glitter, what are the real
Spaniards like? According to social surveys,
this is increasingly a country of non-
practising Catholics, who live together
without marrying and have their children
later in life. The majority don't want the
Church to be involved in education or to
take their taxes.
SPONTANEOUS
Women have been working more and
more, though still getting paid 37 percent
less than men. The higher rate of female
employment has pushed the birth-rate
down, so some leave it too late to have
their own children and adopt from other
countries, principally Russia and China.
Most don't leave home until they are in
their late-twenties or even thirties, because
they cannot afford the soaring house
prices and don't want to rent; a Spaniard's
home is his castilla.
Socially, they appear more spontaneous
and seem to loath being locked into plans.
The cliché comes alive here.They smoke
more than in most countries; indeed, if
northern Europe has a drinking culture,
Spain has the smoking equivalent.
There is no culture of complaining if you
are wronged by bureaucracy. There is a
widespread belief that if you do complain,
nothing will change very much anyway.
This may be a hangover from the
Franco dictatorship or just that metaphorical
Latin shrug of the shoulders: 'What can
you do?'
One thing remains central to life in Spain,
however; there is a genuine energy here, a
sense of a society on the move.
SPAIN EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE WWW.EXPATICA.COM