i found i was pregnant which was a bit of a shock, however el casareño inglés and i went to the local doctor for advice (being the 4th child) and we were sent to the abortion clinic this was not a language difficulty (my husband is fluent in Spanish). the abortion clinic was about to do the procedure when they realised this was not what we asked for, we merely wanted normal pregnancy tests to ascertain the baby's health .
finally we managed to see a midwife, and got the correct paperwork (paperwork is everything in Spain, no paper no action unless you are Spanish) she organised the routine test to be conducted at the local health centre, we went with the appointment card and were turned away by the racist receptionist who refused us access. i then went to the social services upset, they phoned and arranged an appointment for the next day, which we went to with the appointment card and sample and we left after they refused to see us, or even take the sample.
a neighbour organised the local nurse to take the necessary tests the request coming from a Spaniard it was accepted.
what would the CRE be doing if this was a Spaniard in the UK?
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5 comments:
First paragraph:
Do you mean that the local doctor wanted you to abort without telling you?
Second paragraph: Did the receptionist give a reason for her refusals?
Finally: Is it that some spaniards do not give medical attention to foreigners unless requested by other spaniards?
I am American, have lived in Spain for over 14 years now and have never been mistreated in any way by Spaniards. I can't understand why so many bad things are all happening to you, could it be you are on the defensive to begin with. I have had nothing but good experiences here and thing that Spaniards, in general, are wonderful people.
Coming to this a bit late Senora ( sorry no 'Tilde' over the 'n' ..English Keyboard), but I agree with Theresa, your American correspondent.
Perhaps you are on the defensive and your initial approach could stand a little work ..a smile, an appeal for help, even though it seems as though you or your husband is in possession of a good Spanish vocabulary, I've found the people all over the world will bend over backwards if they think that they can help you.
I have family in Spain, originating from an earlier marriage to a young lady born in La Linea. I learned the Spanish language that I speak today from her over 45 years ago.
I fondly imagine that I can speak Spanish, but if the truth be known I've a long way to go to before I could be called anyway fluent.
Looking at your other examples of the problems which your family has had , I'm finding it difficult to align your experiences with my own where the Spanish Educational System is concerned. My daughter came to live in Spain at 13 years of age after her first 7 years attending several BFES schools in the then West Germany ( Like your husband I was also a British 'Squaddy') She completed her secondary education and went on to University, graduating with a firdst class degree in business admin. over 20 years ago. Times may have changed, since then but I still find the Spanish to be a very open hearted race, provided they are approached in a friendly manner.
I am a 30 something male, U.S. citizen, currently living in Sapin.
I have experienced a little bit of both good and bad treatment as a foreigner in Spain. I have lived in Spain on various occasions, in differing circumstances.
The first few times I attempted to visit a doctor, despite having already attained legal resident status, I was too shocked by the cold and frank rudeness of the 'bedside manner' to notice if I was being treated differently because I was a foreigner. Although, I was forced to pay, up front, out of pocket, in cash, prior to being seen by a physician the first time.
Since marrying a Spaniard, I have not become a Spanish citizen, but I seem to have found that I get better service in government and other related services, but it could just be that my expectations are simply now lower than before.
Theresa, you're right, most Spaniards are wonderful people, as are most Americans, most Japanese, etc. The quality of 'atención al cliente' is markedly of lower quality, across the board, when it comes to services in Spain.
Eddie, Spaniards will often treat you significantly worse if you approach them in a friendly manner. They see 'pleases and thank-yous' as a 'fake' and will take advantage of you position of weakness. Not always, but 'friendly' in Spain, is simply NOT the same thing as 'friendly' elsewhere.
"what would the CRE be doing if this was a Spaniard in the UK?"
Most likely nothing, but that doesn't make it okay. Institutionalised racism and nationalism is a problem in all countries (the existence of countries in the first place is an example of institutionalised nationalism, after all). I recommend contacting the Spanish unions (and joining one - I'm shocked that you can have lived somewhere for 3 years+ and not joined a union) and finding non-prejudiced help that way. The CNT or CGT would be the most reliably internationalist.
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