So many wonderful people

Sharon has been talking about the kind and helpful people she meets.

“When I get into the car, Phil has to lift me out of my wheelchair and into my seat. This morning, we were parked on a slight slope in the village. So, I made sure the brake was on the chair and stood up. I bend my knees to do a little jump to help but my door was trying to swing closed. Phil didn´t notice and lifted me into the car. When he turned round there was a passer-by who had come across to hold the door so that it didn´t bang his back.

“These sort of events happen on more than one occasion every day when I am out. So many people are so thoughtful and helpful, holding doors, helping up and down steps with the wheelchair, and taking time to talk to me.

“This is just how people are where I live. They love helping and being friendly.

“Recently, there was a letter to a British newspaper which was about whether or not Spanish pensioners are entitled to free holidays. They are. The writer said that she and a friend had booked a last minute Spanish holiday. They knew it wasn´t on the beach but just wanted a break.

“When they arrived they were picked up and driven for ages until they arrived at a little hotel in the middle of nowhere. They thought a mistake had been made as it was full of elderly people. They went to bed and at breakfast the next morning everyone talked to them. Although they didn´t speak any Spanish, it became clear that these were a group of pensioners on their free holidays.

“From that moment onwards, she and her friend were included in every single activity. They learned how to flamenco dance, went on sight seeing tours and were included in all meals and social activities. They had the best holiday they ever had and spent the whole week laughing. Never mind the language barrier, it was unthinkable to the elderly holidaymakers that they would leave anyone out and alone.

“I have been living in Spain for about seven years and have noticed that Spanish people always include people who are on their own. Whenever you go into a bank, cafe or a shop you must say “good morning” to everyone. It´s just the done thing. If anyone knows you, or one of your friends or neighbours, you will be engaged in a friendly chat.

“This morning I had to take some new trousers to the lady in a nearby village that does my alterations for me. She is the wife of a garage owner and is lovely. We had made two banana cakes, one for me and one for her. (See recipe in an earlier story). I gave her the cake and she was delighted. She rushed out into her garden and came back with a big bag full of delicious sweet white plums from one of her trees.

“Later on we went to our fruit and vegetable shop and, as usual, the shelves were overflowing with the colours of lovely fresh produce. We left with two brimming bagfuls of deep purple aubergines, a giant lettuce, red peppers, tomatoes on the vine, pears, peaches, bananas, courgettes, a big bunch of spinach, a cauliflower and other things. As usual, we were given a free bunch of fresh parsley.

“This little gifts form an essential part of every day life. If you buy something in a shop you will often get a little extra something as a thank you.

“Courtesy and good manners are so important in Spain. Saying hullo is essential. And talking to people is a normal part of life. You don´t say hullo and walk on. You talk about the family, how ´s your mother, how´s your children? Is your life good? These are all normal questions often from people you don´t know very well. But they are usually related to people who do know you, such as neighbours, and information is shared around. They are genuinely interested.

“Where else would you find the lady in the bank coming out from behind her counter to give you a big kiss and tell you about her recent holiday in Dublin? With nobody in the queue complaining about the delay but listening with interest.

“No-one seems to mind that our Spanish isn´t perfect and we make many mistakes. It´s the trying that counts and you need never feel embarrassed. You´ll learn new words every day.

“Each time I go out I seem to make a few more friends and learn a little more about how people should treat each other.”

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©Phillip Bruce 2009