Does Spain have a collective identity?
Collective ‘Spanish identity’ is a slippery concept.
Here, more than almost anywhere else in Europe, waving
the flag comes with all kinds of baggage.The mess of
recent history has created an understandable reluctance
to look back; for many, just the idea of the ‘Spanish nation’
carries negative connotations. Indeed, some will question
if Spain is a nation at all.They’d rather discuss a grouping
of 17 autonomous regions. But in truth Spain can appear
more divided than it is. Dissenting voices, greatest in the
Basque and Catalan communities, are inevitably loudest,
and the majority of people in Spain have few problems
with being called Spanish. Most seem happy with Spain’s
current level of devolution.‘Spain isn’t different’
In some senses the unwillingness to examine the past has
been positive for modern Spain.Today it wants
to be considered the equal of other developed nations,
tired of the old ‘Spain is different’ millstone. Rapid recent
development, an enthusiasm for democracy and a
willingness to absorb foreign influences all hint at this
eagerness for parity with France, the UK et al. Perhaps it
also explains Spain’s ongoing ardour for the EU. For all the
old clichés about Africa beginning at the Pyrenees, they’re
among the most enthusiastic of Europeans. In 2005, while
other nations used their vote on the new EU constitution
to whinge about domestic issues, Spain gave it a joyous
thumbs-up with a 77 per cent ‘yes’ vote.What are the Spanish actually like?
Under Franco the Spanish had a reputation for being surly,
but then who could blame them.Today, in line with the
country’s transformation, they’re renowned for living life to
the full, for ajoie de vivrethat can spill into hedonism.
Having spent decades going through the wringer, they
now take any available opportunity, notablyfiestas, to have
a good time.60- Identity: the
building blocks of
2. Literature
and philosophy
3. Art and
architecture
4. Performing
arts
5. Cinema
and fashion
6. Media and
communications
7. Food and drink 8. Living culture:
the details of
1.3.2 Being Spanish: identity and psyche
What is the Spanish
sense of humour like?
Spaniards like a laugh.
They don’t really do
subtle, understated
humour, so the sarcastic
asides of the British or
witty wordplays of the
French will go down like
a broken lift.
Irony and satire are
popular, but in general
their humour tends to
hit you in the face. Often
ribald, frequently un-PC
- some might say
chauvinistic – and of
the punchline variety,
Spanish humour, like so
many things in Spain, is
best enjoyed as a group
activity.