The Spaniards - Are they really shallow and superficial?

Have you watched Spanish television lately?

It appears that unless they have had their entire face and body reconstructed, ladies over 35 and over a size 10 are not allowed on television. And I stress the word ladies as the men are permitted to grow old gracefully although they are also very well maintained a la Julio Iglesias.

The truth is in Spain looks matter. Even schools ask parents to include a comb and cologne in their school bags for some in school grooming. Spanish children are more likely to turn up with their hair in indestructibly tight bunches and not a shoe scuff in sight.

In the workplace people make more of an effort than in the average UK office where staff often look as though they slept in the clothes that they were wearing the previous day. It is also commonplace to attach a photo to your CV when applying for any job. When I asked a Spanish friend about this, her opinion was that it was perfectly acceptable for employers to use a photo to consider a job application.  Have you noticed Spanish people look at each other all the time.  The Spanish will look at everyone and can be caught giving strangers the once over when walking down the street, often making eye contact. For us eye contact with strangers can be awkward, embarrassing and even challenging.

Although, we might consider the Spanish preoccupation for grooming and preening a little unnecessary and avoiding of the more ‘important’ things in life, we have to respect it too.  Isn’t such attention to detail and dedication a good character trait. Surely taking care of your appearance is an essential part of caring for your body as is eating healthily and exercise.

Perhaps, instead of being too worried about people thinking that we are vain or self obsessed, we could do with paying a bit more attention to ourselves and each other.  Anyway, I don’t think all Spanish people are alike, but is there a typical Spaniard and what do they think of us foreigners?

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