10 THINGS I DON'T LIKE ABOUT SPAIN || MY HONEST THOUGHTS

I talk about 10 things I really do not like about Spain. While I enjoyed my time there very much, there were certain aspects that were so hard for me. Having to wait for other people to be timely started taking a toll on my health. If you watch the video you'll see what I mean. I talk about things like public transportation, the "mañana" mindset, the lack of food choices in the grocery stores. Keep in mind this is coming from the perspective of a girl from the US. I am so so privileged to live in the US and to have lived in Spain. Let me know what you think!
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[@ortiz5922]

El Corte Inglés has like everything in one same place, the downside: it's quite expensive. Places like carrefour are more affordable

[@JoseGomez-it7mj]

Not today, carrefour now has not the BEST prices not even good quality

[@HolaMorgan]

I went there as well and you're right it was expensive!

[@Solo_Traveling]

There's Alcampo as well.

[@Tente69]

Actually the video title should be: 10 things I don´t like about living in Malasaña ( Madrid ). Most of the things you don´t like are not usually happening in most of the areas or cities in Spain. Anyway, it´s a pity you had a hard time. Take care!

[@alvaroleon7860]

Burocracy is all over Spain and most of the stuff (loud people, touchy people) is very general in the whole country (Im spaniard)

[@Jskinas]

@@alvaroleon7860 Yep, I'm from Barcelona and most of the things she listed happen here too.

[@Name-jw4sj]

Lmao why are you butt hurt? What she said is all of Spain not just Madrid.

[@abisheka355]

it happens in cities like Murcia too

[@bobdroll6381]

Were you her neighbor?

[@rociogarciavara4292]

Number 8, you are right, I've recently realize that we Spanish people, generally speaking, may be very nice and bubbly at work but after that we focus in our lives, I think that speaking English is hard for us and that can be one of the reasons why we hardly socialize with non Spanish speakers. And the point that has surprised me the most is the air conditioning one, I understand that it was your personal experience but, as a Madrid citizen, I can say that there is a/c mostly everywhere, except in very small shops (I guess), otherwise we wouldn't survive in summer with 40° 🥵

[@iloveKClarkson]

I'm Spanish and YES! Make sure there is air conditioning wherever you go in summer because you never know what the atmosphere of a specific place can be like!!!

[@lidia_gomez]

Number 6 is the perfect definition of "Pasar una noche toledana". Toledo (and the center of the peninsula) in summer is an oven, and in winter a freezer.

[@brianharley3496]

Hello @Lidia Gomez

[@SirTim]

Morgan has sufrido el 'Vuelva usted mañana' del que ya escribió Mariano José de Larra en 1833. No ha cambiado mucho en casi dos siglos. Respecto a comprar de todo en un mismo sitio, hay grandes almacenes: El Corte Inglés, Alcampo, Carrefour. Y luego supermercados más pequeños centrados en alimentación, artículos de higiene, belleza,... En todo caso, estás invitada cuando quieras a regresar a Madrid por el tiempo que necesites.

[@HolaMorgan]

He leído esta obra por Mariano José de Larra! Me gustaba

[@ashleyd4563]

When I was in Spain, I asked my host mom where I could buy scissors to cut my hair, expecting to go somewhere like a beauty store maybe. But she sent me to a store that specifically sells knives and scissors. I found the store it was in some back corner of a little street, probably one of the most surreal moments I've had

[@Cokolin21]

in these places they would have the best knives and scissors in town, even for shearing sheep

[@CapturingSpain]

Well there are many perfumeries where you can also get it :) But she probably wanted something authentic :D

[@ashleyd4563]

@@Cokolin21 yeah tbf they were really good quality scissors 👌, I got two different kinds

[@kennielsen3896]

Couple of years ago in Barcelona I was at a small hotel and asked where I could get a adapter to charge my phone. Same thing. Was expecting to pay $20 USD but she didn’t speak any English. But my Spanish was good enough to find the tiny electrical store...it was under 1 €

[@juanpedro4083]

I'm such a coward that I can't even kill myself. please encourage me to kill myself. I have to do it, I don't want to live anymore, but I don't have the mental strength to do it.

[@deathlainmath_ew2355]

Most documents and process in Spain can be formalized through internet. In Spain you have planty of shopping centres with, virtually, every shop you need, even with furnitures.

[@Subdood04]

Appreciate the candor and the self awareness / gracious attitude about living there and here!

[@HolaMorgan]

thankyou so much Gene!

[@semyonslepov7402]

Interesting, there are ACs almost everywhere in Barcelona. Even though it's not as hot as in Toledo or Madrid in summer. Spain is certainly diverse in many ways (:

[@consucamp-guada-nyusa5493]

Hi Morgan, a couple of things ive learned in the 25 years ive livec in spain. (im a former New Yorker and the subways are always packed in NY. ). There are plenty of hipermercados and in madrid youve got the big corte ingles with its supermarket in several easy tonget to places. True i wish there were more variety in foods, icluding potatoes. Spaniards ( probably because the homescare small) always meet prople in bars or cafes. On the states if younlive in the suburbs where 5he homescare large) youve got huge Tvs ( living rooms kitchens bedrooms backyards) where its comfortable to hang out. But here the culture is that you see peopke in your paseo or meet for hours sitting for coffee at a cafe. So peopkevarent used to the concept of hangouts at home. Finally, ive discovered the reason for one of the items on your list. Even soanish people sayv”its difficult to make new friends in xyz spanish city. Its also a super simple explanation. Here people tend to live near where they grew up. That means that they always have their gang around from preschool thru HS where they live. Add to that that their entire family cousins aunts nieces etc. also live nearby and on saturday you lunch with your inlaws and on sunday for ex, with your parents etc etc that their social calendar is always filled. So for example the peopke in this suburban city near madrid who i go out with are people who arent from here and dont have that situation of so many family and friends and no avail time (or need) to add more friends to their social calendar. It makes perfect sense if you look at it from that perspective. The other day a spaniard said that to me about spaniards in another city and i asked her to look at it from this perspective and she realized thats exactly why.

[@isotropisch82]

I live in the centre of Madrid and I hear you with the no centralised store thing (exceptions being Corte Ingles, but it is a department store, rather than an all in one) but outside of the centre of the city there are vast scale hypermarkets that might not be as big a large walmart, but are certainly as large or larger than anything we have in the UK - whenever I hire a car I like to stop off at one on the way back into town and indulge my hidden consumerist capitalist desires.

[@plazaskateco]

I agree with everything! I had the Spanish nationality since birth but i was born and raised elsewhere, when i came to live in Spain i needed an ID, it took me a full year to get that done.

[@ragechibi]

👏🏻 I can see your editing and storytelling ~ ! You’re doing awesome. Great video!

[@rikhardtd6628]

Buenas Morgan! Conoces a MEGrisolano? Es una youtuber estadounidense que lleva varios años viviendo en España y ha viajado a cada parte del país. Te recomiendo pasar por su canal, puedes aprender mucho sobre curiosidades de España. Es posible que incluso podáis poneros en contacto algún día. :) Es un buen vídeo, creo que muchas de esas cosas que no te gustan tampoco nos gustan a los autóctonos (I mean local people). Un ejemplo puede ser la burocracia o lo del papel higiénico en bares o baños públicos. Es una pena que tuvieses malos vecinos, creo que no depende del país, a veces puedes tener suerte y tener buenos vecinos y otras veces no. Espero que la próxima vez tengas más suerte. Por cierto, España es muy diferente según la zona a la que vayas, el sur, el centro o el norte pueden ser muy diferentes en cultura, clima y costumbres. Recomiendo que pruebes a visitar el norte de España en verano (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria o País vasco) , hace menos calor que en el interior o el sur. Un saludo!

[@CapturingSpain]

The food options are more local and regional and I love it!! :)

[@HolaMorgan]

they have some amazing food!

[@EdM796]

Hi! I'm a Spaniard and she's totally right about bureaucracy. If you need some government documents, whether if you go to the right office or you try to do it online, it's just always a pain in the neck

[@MrTruthAddict]

Yeah! Reverse culture shock video! That's huge. I could talk about that forever. Also, I feel ya on the distant thing with the Spaniards. I tried to make friends and they all kind of just looked at me like "yeah you're leaving so whatever".

[@Rywar309]

Hoping to move to Spain after summer so I've just been binging as many of your videos as I can, they've been really insightful. Cheers!

[@shinyshinythings]

This one seems pretty specific to issues she ran into ... but good to know what can go wrong or seem inconvenient when you’re new here!

[@Rywar309]

@@shinyshinythings Definitely!

[@HolaMorgan]

aw thank you so much Ryan! you're going to love Spain!! let me know if there's any video ideas you'd like to see

[@Rywar309]

@@HolaMorgan If you have any advice on learning the language or teaching English in Spain that would be great, also how did you go about finding people to live with? Thanks Morgan!

[@Mentolado17]

I was waiting for this video!!

[@HolaMorgan]

Haha I hope you liked it!

[@Mentolado17]

@@HolaMorgan I actually did and I agree in almost everything 🤣🤣🤣

[@gloxton]

Everywhere I've been in Spain has had access to aircon (although it's not generally turned on in more rural areas). Ikea operates in Spain and the stores are just like the ones here. The hypermarkets such as Carrrefour will also stock practically everything (although I have to say that I love the small specialist vendors). In another video you said most people spoke English. Outside Madrid that certainly hasn't been my experience (although I guess if you stay in the tourist areas you'll hear more English than normal).

[@timupton5625]

I agree with your point about the lack of variety of food in supermarkets. You can easily find almost an entire aisle devoted to olives, but you won't find a single jar or packet of kalamata olives. Which are from another Mediterranean country, with a similar Mediterranean culture, and similar Mediterranean food, and which my wife says are the best olives. And she's Spanish.

[@Xexi914Zz]

Nice video, just one thing, mediterranian food is the variest in the world, try to explore more spots next time :D

[@DutchieDatodas]

Hahaha yeah.. Don´t know how she lived in Spain but the food is incredible

[@HolaMorgan]

I do love Mediterranian food!

[@elizabethferrier6429]

Mu son has a favourite thing about Spain. During the winter the shops close on Saturday afternoon till Monday morning (not supermarkets). He loves the way the weekends are a time for families. The other plus is that when you have a stop for coffee it's possible to sit for ages. No hassle for you to move. Bureaucracy unbelievable as we're all agreed.

[@MrScout15]

I never lived in Spain but I visited there in 2019 for about two weeks and I loved everything about it I miss it so much too!!!! Cannot wait till they let people come back from the US.

[@HolaMorgan]

wow so cool! me too:)

[@jillchinnt]

I'm going on exchange to Spain, Valencia in the fall semester and I've really been liking your videos to prep!🥰

[@HolaMorgan]

Oh that’s so exciting you will love it!! Glad you’re here :))

[@teresafelipo4357]

I'm from Valencia!! You're gonna love it, I promise

[@jillchinnt]

@@teresafelipo4357 I'm really looking forward to it!

[@xXSup3rDaniXx]

If you get sick and want medicine you should just go to URGENCIAS. Easy, fast (it really depends on your condition) and they charge the medicines on your health card which makes them cheaper than bought on a pharmacy on your own.

[@MiguelRamosLIve]

4.- Again. You won't find that much variety in neighborhood stores. They just don't have the real estate for it. If you try the larger stores you will find many brands and types. In 05:59 the girl is holding a box of store-brand Carrefour cereal. Because of the street in the background I'm almost certain she bought it in the "Carrefour Express" small neighborhood stores. Those are not the large Carrefour I mentioned before. btw: Spain exports a lot of food.

[@MiguelRamosLIve]

3.- Yes... There "convenience stores" in the american sense. Because they are large you'll find them in Shopping Malls that you need to drive to. There are a few "in" the city (not in Malasaña, though). In El Corte Inglés/Hipercor (usually together), Carrefour, Al Campo, etc. you can buy a can of tomato paste, a pair of jeans and pet litter. Batteries, meat, pillows and plants, too. But... You have to drive there. btw: There are some Costcos here too (but even farther out from the city center).

[@ignaciodelavega8644]

Hola Morgan, do not look for excuses not to return to Spain!!! THIS SUMMER YOU COME BACK!!! 🏖🏖🏖 Hi for everyone from Toledo!!! Phillip 🐶🐕🐶🐕🤪🤪🤪😂😂😂

[@HolaMorgan]

Haha I want to come back very much! Philip says hola!

[@todotraptv6344]

@@HolaMorgan You look quite similar to a younger version of Lindsay Lohan. No joke. I've seen few of your vids. May I ask you from what state of the US are you? I'm just curious. Thank you. PS: I'm from Spain & I'm not offended at all. There are over sensitve people in this country.

[@HolaMorgan]

@@todotraptv6344 haha i always think of the Parent Trap! do I look like Hallie or Annie hahah. I've moved a lot but currently in Texas

[@mischiefmanaged9261]

Whats the mail system like there? Because here in the US, especially with the pandemic; I order a lot online & just have it shipped to our home. I’m not understanding the issue with international calls; are you having to buy a burner phone to do this?

[@esthu87]

No he terminado de escucharlo aún, pero tengo que comentar algo. No se en qué parte de Madrid has estado, Morgan, pero te aseguro que hay muchos supermercados que tienen de todo. Sin ir más lejos, CARREFOUR. Tiene alimentacion,k ropa, electrodomesticos, libreria... tiene de todo. Y en cuanto a variedad de comida.. tampoco se donde ha estado. Soy de Valencia y la verdad es que en el Mercado Central hay de todo. Por lo demas, estoy totalmente de acuerdo xd La burocracia (papeleo como digo yo) es un coñazo. Es muy pesado y muchas veces te4 mandan de un lado a otro para rellenar y conseguir algunos documentos. Y cuestión médicos, es tema aparte. Yo personalmente me enerva la organizacion de pacientes en el tiempo, aglomerandose a veces y te atienden media hora o incluso una hora despues (aunque eso era antes de la pandemia). Otra cosa es cuando pides cita y es urgente, y te citan para dentro de un mes.. y te quedas pensando.. "pues nada, me morire mientras espernado".

[@ashleyd4563]

He estado en España y se que Carrefour tiene muchas cosas, pero no se si llega al nivel de las tiendas de los EEUU como Walmart. Carrefour se dedica mas a la comida, no es asi?

[@esthu87]

@@ashleyd4563 no he estado nunca en EU, pero se que Walmart es enorme por lo que veo en pelis y videos de youtube. Carrefour es enorme tambien te digo, y aunque tenga una gran parte dedicada a la comida, tambien tiene zona de ropa, electrodomesticos, cosas de cocina y baño, deportes y jardineria, etc.

[@rosairvan4897]

@@esthu87 Yo vivo aqui y el Walmart es la horterada mas grande que he visto en vida..Madredelamorhermoso que stress de tienda!!

[@JoseGomez-it7mj]

@@ashleyd4563 claro, es que aquí no queremos Walmart porque destruiría a todos los pequeños negocios

[@lolzam4108]

Alcampo también tienen de todo

[@joanegea6466]

Creo que tienes razón en muchas, aunque me llaman especialmente la atención 2. La 1, yo nunca he tenido ningún problema con el médico, cuando he estado mal he ido a urgencias y en breves me han atendido siempre. Y la de los vecinos, he vivido en varias casas y pisos, pueblo y ciudad y nunca he tenido problemas con los vecinos, y mira que he montado fiestas buenas .. almenos lo mío es en Valencia. Un saludo y vuelve pronto!

[@geograficmanodm1408]

Quizá lo de los médicos es una cosa que pasa en Madrid... Ns Y bueno, siempre habrá vecinos idiotas jajajaja ---- Maybe the doctors thing is something that happens in Madrid ... Idk And well, there will always be stupid neighbors everywhere hahahaha

[@_CriminalArt_]

Yo con el tema de vecinos... xd Lo he puesto en otro comentario, hace un rato me han echado el agua de la fregona desde un 4° o 5° y ha caido en el patio. De vez en cuando me encuentro trozos de comida y una vez hasta un pañal xd

[@jesscuello7001]

Lo de los médicos es 100% verídico. Yo he llegado a estar 3h esperando a que me atendiera mi doctora y eso que tenía cita previa Y con lo de los vecinos pues depende muchísimo en la zona en la que vivas y la edad que tengan. No es lo mismo vivir en un barrio joven que en un una zona donde solo hay viejos que solo se quejan porque no tienen nada mejor que hacer. Y por último, EL PAPEL DE LOS BAÑOS. Al haber trabajado en un restaurante, te cuento el secreto, la gente no sabe utilizar el papel higiénico y lo gastan todo en cuestión de minutos. Y si encima en un bar concurrido con poco personal, ya te digo que el menor de sus problemas es echar un ojo a ver qué tal están los baños. Un saludo y espero que vaya todo bien ❤️

[@justicierodelaliga]

I´m originally from Puerto Rico but decided to move to Spain (Seville). Originally it started for studies. And you´re right about logistics. For instance, when I went to do my credits transfer 1. Even though it was the same university (split in several buildings across the city) nobody knew everything and I had to go each different place to gather all the information. And not even that. I went this day where they gave me this papers to fill and when I went back the next day they told me something different and I was amazed that I had to tell the person that I was given that just there. and 2. They took a WHOLE YEAR to process that. While in PR (and USA) you just drop the papers at the main building and it´ll get processed in 2 weeks at most. Another time after I got my Student Visa I asked before leaving if I had to something more eventually (given the fact that it expired at the end of the year) and they told me that I was OK as long as I kept studying. Well, that wasn´t the case. It got expired and I had to deal with it. The worst part was telling this to a Spanish friend and being told by her that it was "my fault for not gather all the information". Excuse me? It wasn´t that I just left and didn´t care. I asked an employee of at the Immigration Department. Was I supposed to go beyond that to make sure? And things haven´t improved. For instance, I suffer from a chronical pain condition. And while it´s amazing that universal care is a thing it shouldn´t have to be so complicated. I have an appointment for a treatment in November (and I was evaluated on October. So I am supposed to suffer till then. Then I have an operation pending. Since April last year I was expected to start doing blood tests and such in preparation. It reached November and nothing happened. I called my General Doctor who told me to ask because things wouldn´t move forward if I didn´t. Not surprisingly it wasn´t until I decided to call that things started to progress. It´s unbelievable. A country so advanced in so many things yet so slow in others. Another example: there are pleny of logistics things you can do online. However, one thing is that and another the slowly process the administrations take to process.

[@chinglee100]

There’s a Costco and IKEA in Spain just not as much and everywhere like in the USA but overall great video really liked hearing of your experience

[@johnnyblaze2716]

Hola Morgan. Good video & respect. I like the fact you did this to show a balanced opinion of Spain. I can definitely tell you love Spain. So this video has taken lots of guts. I lived in Alicante (city) last year. And will be returning in 2 and a half months. The two points you made is that stood out the most for me were the loco bureaucracy. Insane! Haha. It took me so many months to get my TIE card it also felt like I was inside the Truman show, and they were seeing how much I could take. Like you, I won 🙌 Point number 10 what is something that I truly felt. Also I felt you skimmed over that quickly (understandably🙂) which made me feel there was so much more to it it was better just to keep it short. I feel that was close to your heart. Once again, respects to you Morgan! I am a fairly new subscriber. And I have been liking and enjoying every single one of your videos. Keep up the good work.

[@paunratito7566]

Im confused. Did you know places like Carrefour or El Corte Ingles? You can buy a lot of stuff and they are selled together. Burocracy is a mindblowing in Spain (i cant imagine those situations with the language barrier!). The pandemic made all so much difficult! Please, dont apologie. You are so sweet, and its your expiriences.

[@HolaMorgan]

yes I went to Carrefour and El Corte Ingles a lot! I'm sure it's me comparing it to the US where our country is built on convenience. Sometimes really nice but it also affects us in a bad way too!

[@shinyshinythings]

El Corte Inglés and Carrefour have all the things. Maybe those were hard to access from Malasaña? (Don’t know as I’ve not spent any time in Madrid ...)

[@sergiobonilla2466]

Hola Morgan!! I think on the first affirmation I disagree. But I don’t get upset haha! You should specify if you got public or private insurance. On public insurance of Madrid you just make an appointment by internet then you go to your hospital on the date. Thats all, thats why I suspect you got private one jaja. By the way public insurance is not the best. But somehow it works and the appointments are not for mañana!! Haha With the second one, I agree totally is a bit messy because in Madrid many people apply for it them the offices are quite overloaded (dont really know if here it fits haha) I live in Madrid and I am not from here and it was the same for me to get it Third one, we have El Corte Inglés, only that store but you find everything there! Fourth. I agree. But probably because USA is importing so much international stuff and pay for it. Here when the product get not sold out they never sell again. Fifth sadly really. I tell you the reason. People steal it haha. Sixth. Agree. People thinks makes you ill. Thats why not so much people have it. But normally in the south of Spain they have it. Seventh. Truth haha Eight. We like long term relationships. Sadly truth Ninth. That just an experience in your apartment haha Tenth. Agree! You are not offending no one. If someone get offend because of such videos he should go to therapist haha. Is just entertainment

[@HolaMorgan]

Haha thanks for your comment! I had insurance from the US because of my visa status. I think I just went to an annoying doctor lol it was a recommended doctor for foreigners! I miss Corte!!

[@Fadogar911]

did you work in Maqueda, Toledo that summer?

[@leeyoung9469]

I think your comments were balanced and quite fair. I’ve been living in Spain for coming up 20-years now and it is different from say the UK where I’m from. It’s a beautiful country with an incredible history but can also be extremely insular. Older people in particular haven’t travelled outside of their country like ever and believe that everything Spanish is the best. It’s very much a case of us having to adjust to the Spanish way of doing or thinking. I think that we extranjeros are more tolerated than welcomed. It’s a very insular country and slow to change. Just my opinion of course and like you I love Spain and my life here.

[@celestegr]

Hi Morgan. I´m from Madrid and, if it helps, the mañana acttitude and bureaucracy is also frustrating for me, so don´t worry abaut expressing that opinion. Keep the good work. I really enjoy your videos.

[@tabermudez]

Holaa Morgan, I agree with most of what you were saying! I live in Galicia but the issues you experienced have been pretty similar for me. Especially with the legal paperwork...I almost had to go home because I couldn't complete everything in time even though I was getting appointments as soon as possible and doing everything they said. It was insane, I even had to fly to Barcelona and Madrid just to get a stamp...Luckily, the government gave a three month extension to foreigners because of quarantine and I barely made it hahaha BUt just like you of course the good outweighs the bad and I do love it here!!

[@HolaMorgan]

Hola! yes the legal paperwork is a nightmare! oh wow having to fly for a stamp.. i believe it haha. i love it there too!

[@miguelm.a7462]

Hi, about doctor I don't know how it is in Madrid, but in Aragon, you have an app where you make and appointment and you go that day an that is it, and usually You just need to wait 3 or 4 days

[@soa7286]

Hey! Why don’t you change the light or the make uo girl?

[@silviaquirosmakeup]

Don’t really get the first 2, it’s not that difficult and so much can be done online, for a all things or large supermarket why didn’t you try a Carrefour? Or Alcampo, those have large range or products and all in one stores. Number 5 of you don’t have toilet paper you can ask for it, it’s normal and they appreciate it to let them know. Number 6 that’s just crazy, there are AC in all the stores and it’s just not healthy sleep with AC, we use fam and they work perfectly. Number 7, just the long distance busses have those seats, and you can ask to pull back, the regular busses they don’t have that option. Number 8 it’s not the fact of that, it’s more that we Spanish expect and effort on the languages, if they do then it’s easy if they don’t it’s harder. Number 9 that happen if you from here or not that can happen, it happen to me too, sometimes you can find those type of people but for sure they complaint because you weren’t Spanish, pretty sure she wouldn’t complaint to a Spanish person, but that’s elderly people, glad you like Spain in general

[@franjpypippo02]

I totally agree with pretty much everything you said, except the CostCo equivalent kinda thing - we don't have them in the city centres because they'd be too big but shops like Carrefour literally sell everything you can imagine - they're also usually located in 'parques comerciales' where there are loads of large stores, so you usually have a hypermarket (Carrefour or similar), a large clothes shop like Decathlon, a DIY and gardening shop like Leroy Merlin, a large electronic shop (like Best Buy in the US)... though these usually exist in the outskirts of a city -Madrid is just huge so people in the city centre don't go to places like that frequently, but in the rest of cities, most people do as they're maybe like 15 mins away or so and allow you to buy everything in one go :). Bureaucracy-wise though, I totally understand what you mean. I'm Spanish but moved to the UK when I was a kid and how slow Spanish bureaucracy is shocks me every time!

[@conorsouthby3740]

Being European (Irish) - "You can get all those in one shop???"

[@raidensergi2378]

The issue of the paper at the toilet is due the bar is always full and is used a lot of time. Is normal to be finished rapidly. Spaniards goes a lot to the bar/pubs.

[@stewartkingsley]

If you were being messed about by the doctor then you have a doctor problem. The system here in Catalonia is you make an appointment at the town's doctors office (cap). Normally you see your assigned doctor, though if not available then you will see one that is. They will have your medical notes and will be able to provide the needed help. The appointment may not be for a week or 2 though. Alternatively the urgencies may be able to offer more immediate assistance, or at least expedite getting an immediate appointment.

[@sebastianmatz2828]

Your point 5 is interesting. Do you know, that toilette paper in germany was sold out when the pandemic started?

[@MiguelRamosLIve]

8.- I lived 3 months in a Kibbutz in Israel and felt the same. If you are obviously leaving soon, I guess people don't want to invest the time and emotions.

[@spanishafterhours]

Lol the logistical part of it is not only hard for foreigners, is also traumatic for natives, when you do some paperwork you go to the place but then it turns out you needed an appointment first, so you have to go back another day 3 weeks later (because there isn't an earlier date), and when you go with an appointment you are missing a documment or you have to fill out some crap... It's just hell, if you need something urgent... Yeah that's just not gonna happen xDD

[@EclectikTronik]

Agree with most of your points. However, I think part of the problem was down to where you were living. In Malasaña, gentrification has meant that a lot of 'everyday' stores have been forced out as landlords seek more profitable uses for property, namely the leisure industry, Air B'nB , etc. You're almost living in a theme park there! In barrios that aren't dead centre, you have marvellous market halls with fresh fruit, veg, meat, fish, eggs, etc. of all kinds. Then there's the 'Todo a 100' bargain stores (usually Chinese - run), many are now huge and sell absolutely everything! But you won't find them in the centre, for reasons mentioned above. Finally, the 100+ year old buildings you find in central Madrid do tend to mean everyone's literally living on top of one another, walls are thin, noise travels, poor insulation, etc., etc. I hope you get the chance to live in a barrio outside of the M30 ring road, you will be amazed at the comparative lack of stress. :)

[@HolaMorgan]

Oh that’s such an interesting point I had not thought of that! Yes I can attest to the thin walls jaja. I could hear my neighbors in the next building😭 It’s beautiful but comes at a price!

[@joanfordham1305]

I had no difficulty with a doctor even on holiday-I went to the chemist and they referred me to the doctor,they ushered me into emergency,the doctor was brilliant and his Spanish was wonderful -it is not always so about English in England .There are hypermarkets in Spain as in many other places..I do not personally like them often .”Great for the environment “ Only in America could this be a dismissive statement .

[@monimusi7844]

“Lace of toilet paper everywhere “ jajajaja En el confinamiento fue lo primero que se agotó en las tiendas, será por algo...?

[@brianharley3496]

Hello @Moni Musi

[@maramoon66]

Hi Morgan! I just met you so I am not sure where you lived but we have "bazars" where you can literally find EVERYTHING! I live in England now and I struggle to find things...I remember going to the bazar and being able to find batteries, notebooks, decoration and basically everything xD There are also big supermarkets like Carrefour or Eroski where you could find literally everything. I hope that overall you had a good experience living in Spain, next time why don't you try South Spain? :) Toledo and Madrid are one of the hottest places in Spain! poor you!

[@brianharley3496]

Hello @Maria L

[@MiguelRamosLIve]

Hi Morgan! Some comments for your viewers who might be considering coming to Spain (when possible again). 1.- The "mañana" attitude / Re: your doctor's visit. The problem might have been one of "system". As most of your US viewers might not know, Spain has a very strong public health system. Within it the appointment system is well adhered to (certainly the places in Spain I know). I understand that, within a short term stay (a year?) you wouldn't have registered in the Seguridad Social and went instead to a private doctor. There are pros and cons to either approach, of course. Maybe that doctor was flaky. As can happen anywhere, there are all sorts. BTW: Anyone can go to the emergency for free.

[@lucianaalexandra5898]

Obama quiso copiar el sistema sanitario de España e implementarlo en Estados Unidos... por algo será 😊

[@viggopetersen2524]

I agree on the toilette paper and the public transport things XD but I feel that the rest of the things were only circumstantial.

[@raulgomez1420]

You remember me the tv show "aqui no hay quien viva" when you talk about your neighbours

[@HolaMorgan]

i've never heard of that show! but yeah my neighbors were difficult lol

[@Subdood04]

As for the TP it’s not just Spain. Same was true in Asia. Learned to carry my own in my back pack everywhere I went. And a small roll in my pocket.

[@helenhermiz3776]

We are so spoild in USA we appreciated when we go to other countries but I lived in spain 4 years i miss it .

[@angelaf887]

Reverse culture shock video! :)

[@HolaMorgan]

I will!! Thanks Ángela :)

[@V.R.CoryArt]

Honestly the toilet paper one sounds the most stressful to me, also the scheduling with doctors and government people. I thought the scheduling with government issues was bad enough in the US but it sounds even more inefficient there. Spaniards, how do you deal with the tiny amounts of toilet paper in public bathrooms if you need more to suit your need that moment? Or are there bidets in public restrooms?

[@Chloe_134]

Does anyone know what it's like moving to Spain with a dog?

[@Sam-sb2bq]

Yes, its fairly easy. Depends on where you are coming from. I am from Canada and travelled to Spain with my dog and 2 cats. Number one: Go to a CFIA approved vet. They will fill out an Annex 11 form for you (which you can get online on the spanish government website for travel - pets section). The form is mainly filled out and signed by the vet with all your dogs microchip and rabies information. Number two: They must be microchipped (ISO compatible - so when you land, customs can scan your dog and the chip can be readable) otherwise you will need to purchase your own scanner for the particular chip. Number three: They need proof of a rabies shot at least 21 days before travel & not more than a year before travel. Beyond the above, because I flew from Canada, I was also required to have the CFIA (food inspection agency) stamp my Annex form no more than 24 hours before I left for Spain. Don´t ask me why this step was required!, it was a bit of a pain in the ***, but you may not have to do that if you are coming from a different country other than Canada or US as the requirements are similar. It seemed a lot more daunting when I was learning how to do everything on my own but now I wouldn´t even sweat it after doing it once before. For the actual travel by plane you must make sure to see if the airline allows pets in the cabin or in cargo - if your dog is more than 8 kilos then they might have to fly underneath the plane, so MAKE CERTAIN the airline is pressurized below for pets. There are some restrictions to the size of the animal carrier allowed in the cabin, the carrier must fit under your seat. Call the airline and talk to someone by phone and reserve your dogs space when you book your ticket. They will walk you through the process and give you more information. I flew Air Canada and only have amazing things to say about how everything was handled. They took all the stress and worry out of travelling with my 3 fur babies and updated me throughout the flight as to the pressure in the underneath cargo where our dog was. The cats flew with me and my husband in cabin. Once in Spain - it would be an excellent idea to go straight into a vet and get a pet passport. The pet passport is official for any country you want to fly into with your dog. SOOO much easier than all the hoops I had to jump in Canada, for 3 animals, as they don´t have this passport document there. All the best, and if you have any other questions let me know.

[@danielh234]

L.O.L. Bureaucracy is worst for foreigners, but for locals is a lot easer. With your National ID the DNI you have an electronic system validation that allows you to do lots of official stuff and paperwork just inserting your ID into your PC and working online, or even with your smartphone if it can read NFC, you don't even need to have all your papers with you for example when driving your car, as you can connect your smartphone to the databases that include everything you need to show on a traffic stop. About the variety of food it is your appreciation because the part of the city where you live in, but in fact is the opposite that you describe, the term food deserts is something from the USA not in here. For example MercaMadrid is the second biggest fish market at the world only behind Tokio. In my area at Madrid I have at least 6 really big Costco like supermarkets in a 5 minute reach. What you call a random bank holiday, is a very well known and expected day for all the people, and we all know those days before the next year starts because we plan our holidays in advance with some of these days. It would be like if a Spaniard is getting annoyed because the 4th of July at USA there are some business closed. The Air con thing is funny, because we do have lots, even at the subway or public buses, when a heat wave hits we are really prepared for that on the contrary of countries like the UK or France, for example, because they don't count on having that kind of heat and thus they are the ones who are not prepared, and they don't have air con at public transport or hospitals or at home. I don't like air con, and much less sleeping with it on, I try to avoid it as much as possible, because I think it is not healthy, I hate getting constipated at summer because of it everywhere at Madrid.

[@rockhuntersmagazine4551]

It also depends in the part of Spain you live. For example in the Basque Country you have no problems for scheduling a medical appointment online. Maybe the closest thing to big convenience be store it's El Corte Ingles or Eroski. With toilet paper it's easier to be lucky in cinemas and coffee shops than in bars. For burocracy always consult the regions calendar beforehand. About transport I've never experienced in Bilbao the lack of space in the subway as in London.😂😂😂

[@SonicCruz]

Hola Morgan desde Dallas Tx 🇺🇸 Hope you’re doing well Love your content 🎥 🍿 🇪🇸 And yes us Americans are spoiled 😂 I’ll be in Spain soon 🙃

[@MiguelRamosLIve]

9.- There is this one next-door neighbor that I've never spoken to and we already hate each other. Same reasons as you mention. On the other hand there is an adorable family and a super sweet girl in the same floor that are great.

[@jlmdot]

Hi Morgan, I am spanish and I did not feel offended at all. Just one tip, at least in Madrid, the one store is "el corte inglés" ;)

[@marinasole2050]

Overall impression is you may not have investigated enough during your stay in Spain, and most of your experience relates to the cultural shock of moving to a different country. 1 - public healthcare everywhere, generally, is slower than the private sector. It can sometimes take months to get an appointment with a specialist within the public sector and you may need to go through a GP first to be redirected, which is lengthy and frustrating, especially when you need a doctor TODAY. Most people I know in Spain use public healthcare for general checks/scans and emergencies, but resort to private healthcare often. As any public service it is much improvable, especially considering the amount of taxes paid. 2 - Opening bank accounts/transferring money within countries is a nightmare, wherever you go 3 - There are no huge convenient stores - you have probably not moved enough. Madrid has Ikea and Costco... 4 - Variety in products - just what? Shop local, go to the mercado, where people sell their own grow. What more variety than that can you get? 5 - Toilette paper - yeah, that sucks in Spain. I grew up going to the public toilet with a pack of tissues, it is what it is. 6 - Air conditioning - again, this is a problem in Spain because it gets reeaaally hot, but big cities have adapted better than other countries in Europe where it may not be such a necessity 7 - Metro thing - again...like metro everywhere...London, Berlin, Paris...And seats on public buses don't lean; they do on coaches and yes, people can be pricks. 8 - if you are a foreigner living in literally, everywhere, it is hard to form relationships with locals. It's a fact, it happens everywhere, and it sucks - it makes you feel disconnected and lonely. 9 - neighbours. That’s not fun what happened to you. Unacceptable. But again, it can happen everywhere. 10 - obviously living abroad changes you but you may not realize how much until you reconnect with your older self. It can be a shock, but it is not Spain-related; it would have happened everywhere you went

[@mrscorpion115yt6]

The light bill

[@betozamora6508]

Reverse culture shock would be really interesting!!!

[@HolaMorgan]

coming soon!!

[@emp923]

¡Holi Morgan! Spain is riddled with bureaucracy so I think that will unfortunately affect many aspects of living in Spain. I hear France has the same problem. About the fact that city centres don't have massive stores is due to the fact that small and traditional businesses are highly protected by law. That is why there are no pharmacy chains in Spains, they are all small businesses. You cannot buy any medicine, even if it's over the counter, on a place other than a pharmacy. This might change, but to my knowledge they are still protected by law. In the case of groceries, if you go to the outskirts of a major city you will find all the big shopping centres with massive grocery stores where the food options really open up. Can't wait for your reverse culture shock video!

[@MangaPowerZero]

The neighbours issue you mentioned is not something that usually happens... I mean, in my case we watch TV with max audio and no one had ever come to complain... well, I guess that everyone in the building knows that there is one mostly deaf person among us... Anyways, you may had bad luck where you lived. About covenience stores: Carrefour, everyone may had mentioned it multiple times... thing is, right in the center of Madrid it is kinda difficult to find one, but if you move a little bit farther you may find one. BTW in case you come back to Spain let me know and lets be friends! I'm not american... but I was born in Chicago ;)

[@AngryCandy89]

I am Spanish and I can tell you that most of us also hate the first two things you mentioned. In my experience, the "mañana" culture is more predominant in important stuff such as doctors, banks and any type of public office. Employees there will also lash out at you and make it seem like it's your fault.

[@victorgimeno985]

Hi, a Spanish person here. I don't think everything in here is completely untrue (and somethings are actually on point). We have big stores where you can buy everything (we call them "hipermercados") but you are not going to find any in the center of the cities, you allways have to go to the suburbs and normally it's a long trip to get there, and anyway they are not as big as in USA. The first time I got into a Walmart in America I almost have an anxiety attack. Also, old people are pretty rude in Spain compare with other countries, I don't know why but it's true. I'm sorry for any foreigner who have to deal with them. And yes, people are unpunctual and don't have the same sense of personal space as the rest of the world, which explain why we had such a bad time in Spain with the coronavirus. We can't stop touching eachother.

[@VCorbi]

Algunas de las cosas que comentas suenan a vivir en un barrio céntrico de una gran ciudad. Sobre todo lo de que no todas las compras estén en el mismo sitio, que suele ser tan sencillo como ir a un centro comercial.

[@ThePunkTheory]

oh god yeah the bureaucracy and the forms brought me down to my last shred of sanity.

[@HolaMorgan]

lol it really tested my patience

[@KewalTravel]

Wait... Dont you have whatsapp call feature?

[@yellder2352]

You are talking About madrid’ groceries. There are so little. If you go outside madrid city, groceries are SO BIG. You should come to Parquesur.

[@HolaMorgan]

I actually found the grocery stores outside of the city to be small as well! would love to go to Parquesur

[@javiermarcialcespedesberne8575]

Hola, que tal?, como van?, Los mejores y más cordiales Saludos desde puente piedra, lima, Perú, ojalá que puedas venir en algún momento a mi país y que disfrutes mucho de todo por aquí, con la familia y los amigos, felicidades por tus vídeos...

[@pellax]

There is a well known piece of spanish literature written by an author called Mariano Jose de Larra talking about the heavy burocracy in this country , it is called "Vuelva usted mañana ". He got so fed up from it that he end up getting suicided. You can check the wiki .

[@HolaMorgan]

Yes! I actually read it in college!

[@pellax]

@@HolaMorgan Then it should had been very satisfying to see it with your own eyes that the legend was true . You should have felt like a XIX th century real spaniard, that should be cool isn't it?

[@FernandoJohanson]

Acerca de tus primeros puntos, hay un artículo de un periodista famoso publicado en 1833, se titula "Vuelva usted mañana" escrito por Mariano José de Larra. Te lo recomiendo, lo puedes encontrar online tanto en ingles como en español. Te vas a reír mucho.

[@CapitanLiteral]

Totally agree with lack of toilet paper. I hate it so much i neither know if its something common, but I live in Spain and it is like a roulette when you go to the toilet. Specially in men toilets...

[@HolaMorgan]

Hahahha yes it’s like you never know what you’re going to get

[@fandanguitoXokero]

I think that is lovely and you was really brave in did this video. It´s not easy. Of course you dont gonna have everything like in your home, sometimes you missed diferences things, I felt the same when I was living in others countries, but it is normal, for example I miss alot alot alot MERCADONA when I was out. It`s sound absurd but its true. I always buy there, to fitness people i'ts perfect, aswell for people with intolerance. On the other hand, burocracy, it is true that in Spain is a bit hard, and with the pandemic worse, but you need to add, your inexperience, for me was exactly the same my first 1-2 years in Malta for example, after that, 3 years later I used to have everything really fast with any problem, because I knew the steps, already About the other thinks, problably you dont have napkin everywhere, but in any places in Spain, especially in the south. (don´t in Madrid and Barcelona) go into a bar and ask for a glass of water, and is totally free, I dind´t see this in other countries. For this reason I told you about when you arrive to other country, you will miss something about yours and indeed you will find things that you like into your new country. In my humble opinion others points I think is 1/3 the place that you lived (malasaña) 1/3 true 1/3 your experience Obout my bad experience in UK I consider that it`s the same 1/4 (job, place to live, the true, my experience)

[@PeDr0.UY131]

La número 8 me arrancó una lágrima🥺😭💔

[@u2fkeys665]

Lloron...

[@geograficmanodm1408]

As a spaniard there are (obviouly) things that I don’t like about my country, and some of this things I don’t like either 😕😖. What I really liked is the video 😄

[@HolaMorgan]

thank you so much:)

[@Kokeman3D2Y]

I feel like some of the things you listed are not something cultural in Spain but mainly due to a lack of understanding or politeness. Like the laying on the bus or the neighbours stuff, I'd blame that more on the people who behaved that way rather than considering it a cultural thing in Spain or something. I think it'd be cool if you made the reverse cultural shocks video, I'd be interested. And hey if you ever wanna do a little billingual chit chat that could be cool if you miss Spain or spanish! 😁

[@danivalles1856]

I'm sorry to hear about how awful your neighbours were. I'm spanish, and as a student living in an apartment I can tell you that neighbours can get pretty dumb and they start hitting the wall when i'm making noise of any kind, even when it's not late at all.

[@inesdiazmorera]

Creo que el problema de las tiendas es porque vivías en el centro de Madrid; en el resto de Madrid o España no pasa esto; hay grandes superficies donde puedes comprar de todo; en cuanto a la burocracia sí es horrible y más en La Capital; lo del aire acondicionado es algo que tb me ha dicho mi marido que es extranjero, a mi no me importa pasar calor en verano jajajaja; y lo de tus vecinos es que eran unos amargados; besitos!

[@ibgvox]

Number 5, LOL, you're right hahaha

[@HolaMorgan]

Lmao right? It really puts you in a compromising position hahah

[@cariVintimilla]

6 is sooo true

[@Nunya1210]

I think people don’t understand the AC dilemma because they don’t know just how COLD the AC in the US is normally

[@haize4854]

and yes that's sooo normal here it happens to me all the time, I always carry clinex

[@haize4854]

also laying the bus sit when there is another person behind is sooo unrespectfull! don't be shy to say perdona, puedes echar el asiento para delante?

[@michaelw970]

A very narrow view of Spain . I live in Spain , only the burocracia is a nightmare . Everything else is as good as or better then the US or U.K. . I’ve lived in all three for many years . Oh, I forgot taxes 😂 not great here in Spain, but hey, in my opinion Spain rocks

[@fuenmonzo]

Hace años habrías sufrido mucho en España, no existía aire acondicionado en ningun lugar y no habia supermercados, solo algun gran almacen como el corte ingles en algunas ciudades. Hemos cambiado mucho en estos ultimos 30 años

[@rose_yts]

Did you find that they can talk about your weight more often than other nations, even when there is clearly no change in your body, they always find a way of saying you have gained some or lost some weight?

[@erzsebetnilsson580]

Your doctor SHOULD NOT SAY THAT! If it is important HE/SHE JUST MUST TO TAKE or send you to the Emergency. Should had change a doctors. The store to be specialized and in different place WE LIKE and WANT TO KEEP IT THAT WAY. You keep the brain trained by remember about what you need and where to find who to organize time for it etc.. about neighbours this can happening to anybody, and everywhere.

[@cristinamoraza1386]

I'm a spaniard living in usa, about the food I think here there are so many options, and yes we have places you can buy everything you need, and little stores you can buy fresh fruit, meat, fish, bread, wich I miss it a lot, we don't have that here, less options? Sure, we have something in Spain, Europe in general that cares and analyzed what we put in our shelves, not here, you are buying poison in some cases, in general here people is so spoiled, ac? Lol a fan is what we use, here it's cold everywhere you go, I carry my jacket in summer everywhere!!!