Although I've generally felt welcome here, there are times when I can't believe the audacity and just plain disrespectfulness of the Spanish people. I wait in line to be served at bars, candy stores, sandwich shops, but apparently that's impolite or something. You're supposed to shove your money in the clerk's face, use elbows, sweat, and a 2-day-without-a-bath-stench to force the American out of the way. And the clerks don't really give a damn.
The third day I was here I tried to buy a candy bar. I made eye contact with the clerk, and asked "How much for this?" when a teenager planted his left elbow in my chest and shoved his money on the counter. The clerks broke eye contact with me and took care of him. I was in such disbelief I didn't even walk off, just paid for the candy bar.
When i walk down the streets, which are narrow already, for some ridiculous reason that likely has to do with my skin color, I always have to be the one to get off the sidewalk and walk in the street. If I'm on the inside, I have to open my shoulders. Bottom line: the Spaniards never break stride or flinch. I didn't realize it at first and thought it was just b/c i was walking on the wrong side of the road, but today i decided to test it out.
13:30 Walk on the R-side. Old man walking wrong way never looks at me. I sidestep into the street to avoid.
13:33 Decide to hug the wall, determined that I won't be the one in the street. Man about my age, larger than I keeps shoulder closed. I open mine to avoid contact.
13:35 Decide I'm gonna be the tough guy. Woman in her 40s with child. Oh yeah, I'm gonna be that guy. I hug the wall. She doesn't flinch. I tighten shoulders. She's on the outside but doesn't move towards the street. At last moment, I brace for contact. I give in and open shoulders. Spaniards 3, Morgan 0.
