Always look on the bright side of life...

I've been singing that song quite a lot recently. Actually, I think there should be a spanish version of it. At least it would be something useful to learn by any foreigner coming to live here for a significant time.

When I really discovered Spain 4 years ago, it was in a small town of Andalucia (Tarifa), where I spent 6 months. I quickly became used to the famous "Mañana" (key)word used by many there. You want anything? The answer is very often:
- Si, si, claro. Mañana...
Yeah, sure.
But I thought this was a direct consequence of the heat of Andalucia.

I was surprised to see that such a high level of service is the common rule in Spain.
A few examples from my experience, which is by the way not much worse than those of my classmates:
- 3 months to get a foreigner ID (still waiting) whereas I should have got it within 4 weeks (I'm sure they lost it)
- to open a bank account, we went to the biggest bank in Catalunya, namely BBVA. We chose the biggest agency, on Passeig de Gracia, the local "Champs Elysées". Can you believe that no one speaks english there?! They do mistakes at every single step of the process. For example, when I registered, I told them not to take the address mentioned on my French ID, since I don't live there for more than 2 years. Yes, you got the picture. They sent everything there, including my new credit card and pin code...

I could go on and on for 3 pages but I will just focus on the best (or worse) example. The 4th of September we sign a contract with Ono, an Internet cable provider in Barcelona. They call a few days later to come and set it up. Bad luck, there is a power shortage planned for that day in our building. I call Ono to postpone the appointment. Here comes the funny part...
- They take note of my cancellation but tell me that someone is going to call me back to set up another appointment (can't they do it at the same time?)
- That person calls... 3 weeks after...
- A technician comes. He sets up the Internet and the Telephone but tells me that the phone doesn't work. When I ask him what I can do, he tells me that I have to wait (and pray?) one week and then call the technical hotline and that they may send someone... I look at the guy and wonder if my spanish is good enough to understand what he just said...
- Of course, the phone doesn't work a week later. I call the hotline 5 times in two weeks and they don't know what is happening. Every call costs me at least 5 euros on that stupid prepaid phone. One month later, I still have no telephone. Hold on, the best part is coming.
- One night, Internet stops working. I call Ono the day after and the person I have on the phone tells me that my contract has been cancelled!!! She doesn't know why. Nobody knows. I spend a few days and a few tens of Euros more to try to sort this mess out. They tell me they have to re-open my contract and send someone to... set up Internet again at our place! We agree on a date.
- We're already deep into the twilight zone but it's not finished yet. First date, the guy doesn't show up. Needless to say I'm utterly pissed off and I would lightheartedly smash anyone responsible for that mess. But I call them, stay calm and take another appointment...
After 3 no-shows, a guy finally agrees to show up and fix everything. He's my god and I kiss him lengthly and passionately.
Obviously, no apologies from anyone at Ono for that major fuck up, nor for the money we paid during all that. I could of course sue them but I have neither the time nor the money and even less the energy to start dealing with any Spanish authority...

Oh! I was about to forget... One week ago, my brand new computer has been stolen near Placa de Catalunya in an Internet Cafe (Easy Internet Cafe). No violence. A stupid set-up that worked very well in distracting me. Good to know that these guys are at least good at one thing. Too bad it is stealing. No more Vaio, no more wallet, credit cards, papers...
The only thing that the police told us to supposedly comfort us was that there is a theft every 2 minutes in Barcelona, and that some places are famous for pickpockets...
Thanks for the info...

Of course, I'm drawing a very bad image of Spain and it should not be taken as such, especially because I'm still angry for my computer. The good sides outweight the bad ones, overall. But first, I think I've had my lot of bad luck since we are here, and second it's just a different culture and I have to get used to it without looking for the same things as in more northern countries.

I am almost sure of one thing. Next year, I will probably don't pay attention to these "details" anymore and I will want to live in Spain forever! ;-)

Sing with me: "Always look on the bright side of life..."