Anti-Brit violence in Spain - what does it say about us?

There's a horrific story in the Daily Mail detailing how a British man is in a coma after being attacked by a group of Spaniards who - it is suggested - are tired of British people in Spain.

The Talking Clock won't go into the specifics of that case.

However, there are a few thoughts stemming from it.

The Talking Clock has spent some time in Spain and found that the Spanish people were incredibly kind and welcoming - especially as we actually had the common courtesy to learn the beautiful Spanish language and to integrate into normal Spanish neighbourhoods and to delight in Spanish cuisine and culture. We were welcomed with open arms and found the Spanish people to be completely delightful.

We did learn, however, that some Spanish people do not particularly find "the English zone" which sets itself up in Spanish towns a welcome addition.

It is true that in some Spanish coastal resorts, there are bars aplenty showing Coronation Street or EastEnders or screening the latest match from Sky Sports. These places have huge signs in their windows, all written up in English.

A home away from home might be how some British folk see it.

There can be no doubt that British tourism boosts the Spanish economy - in one respect.

The other side of that coin is that the influx of British tourist money has had an impact on Spanish property prices and inflation.

At home, we have had lots of conversations about the BNP in the media over the last week. How does the Spanish example set out above fit in context of the BNP debate when looking at immigration into Britain?

Is the case reported by the Daily Mail at the top of this post an isolated incident, or is it indicative of an underlying irritation Spanish people feel about isolated British communities setting themselves up in Spain?

We seem to be in the midst of a debate in Britain about immigration.

Surely, then, we should look at our own behaviour when we are the immigrants into a beautiful country like Spain? Surely we should respect Spanish culture and integrate if we decide to up sticks and live there? And at least manage a basic conversation in Spanish?

And, with both ends of this stick firmly grasped, what are the implications of this case? If the Spanish are developing irritation enough with British immigration to resort to violence as the story linked to suggests has happened, what does this say about the EU superstate, about nationhood, about the BNP... and about us?

Is it a question of cultures being unable to reconcile to a new culture? Is there always a position of the immigrant as 'other'..?

Or - with such things as learning Spanish - is it just a question of respect for the new home you want to make for yourself?