Having read Mark Smith’s letter about the beggars in Barcelona, I thought it may be of interest to him and others of a like mind to read a letter I recently sent to Catalonia Today and which was published in Thursday 3rd March edition. It was slightly edited and I have here included the bit they left out, which in my opinion is an important part of the letter! I have noticed in today’s Catalonia Today a reply from a PC type who is all for beggars in the street because they are poor people just trying to earn a crust (my words). I invite other’s opinions to this subject, in agreement or otherwise as I am really interested to know what people think. I am not at all surprised that my comments are attacked by the Politically Correct amongst us - it is after all the easy way out and has basically created the double standards we have in society today along with a large helping of hypocrisy. I would also like to say, I am not wealthy at all and have struggled to survive in Barcelona on a very meagre salary. However, I don’t feel the need to pester people in the street or the restaurants and bars they frequent, there are very many genuinely poor people here and around the world who are not visible - I think they are the ones we should be sympathetic towards. Anyway, here’s my letter:

"Human" Erosion
Am I the only one who’s noticed this phenomenon of human erosion!!!!!! Let me explain.....I’m from London, have lived in central BCN for 2.5 yrs and have been visiting for all my life. Whilst I love this city I am appalled by what I see happening to it. I’m used to urban life and the problems it brings, immigration, graffiti, crime etc. Certainly Barcelona is no different to any other major city in that respect. However, whilst I cannot vouch for other important Euro cities, I know that London, despite all its problems, cannot compete with Barcelona when it comes to street beggars and "street peddlers". Anyone who lives here or has visited recently will be more than familiar with the hoards of "peddlers" who set up shop in the middle of respectable (and not so respectable) central city thoroughfares. They lay their table cloths on the pavement and spread out all manner of cheap junk, most popular being sunglasses, scarves and ties. I am an avid walker and get around this city at a great speed, that is until I am stopped in my tracks by these "peddlers" in my way. I am amazed that even on a street as elegant and gentrified as Passeig de Gracia, they set up shop with no fear of being moved on or complaints by local shop keepers who, let’s face it, can´t be jumping for joy at the cheap rubbish that is being peddled outside their expensive establishments. (Not to mention they are paying high rates for the privilege). In London’s Sloane Street, a street comparable to Passeig de Gracia, you will not see one street peddler, never mind 20 or more! I wonder why?

This is an unbelievable situation, first because it’s clearly illegal selling by illegal people, second because they are littering the streets and preventing myself and other pedestrians from being able to fully utilise the public foot paths.

At weekends I enjoy cycling or walking down to the sea via the Paseo Martimo leading up the Hotel Arts and the marina complex with its nice cafés and outside seating. Well, I don’t enjoy it anymore!! The other day I cycled on the proper cycle route and was promptly halted by a "sea" of street peddlers (maybe there were 50 or more) who had their tatty bits of cloth and junk strewn all over the boardwalk and bridge over to the marina. I had to stop and jump off my bike as nobody took any notice of the fact I wasn’t able to get through due to the crowd around the "street peddler" and his junk on the floor. I went up to him and loudly complained, he looked straight through me and carried on! Nobody, including the greedy locals and tourists who were buying his junk, made the slightest bit of effort to move away or express their agreement to my problem.

I was so infuriated that I searched for a police car and found one about 3 minutes cycle ride away from the "incident". The Mosso basically said he knew about the "illegals" but that he was on his own and the only police patrol for the entire Barceloneta and Vila Olimpica area.

Not only am I hassled in the open but also when I go to have a drink in a bar – particularly in the Cuitat Vella. Many a time I’ve been sitting with friends having a relaxed drink or meal only to be interrupted several times by "peddlers" selling roses or cds – it amazes me how the proprietors of the bars allow them in when they are clearly "molesting" the clients – surely this is not good for business??? I’ve decided that the next place I visit that admits these "pests" will be crossed off my list and I will tell them why. Perhaps the bar owner will think twice when he realises my custom is worth more to him than those pedalling their "illegal" wares who are only there to prey on his "paying" customers.

To some people this may seem petty and trivial but it’s actually a much more serious matter. These kind of people are actually destroying city life, taking away business from reputable establishments and enterprises. They give Barcelona the image that this is a city where anyone from any place can come and do just as they like, where they like and with blatant disrespect for the local laws or businesses. The fact that these people are allowed to get away with it sends out very negative signals all round. Nobody wants a Catalan police state, but quite frankly I wonder about the state of the Catalan police.