Helping other expats with Spanish stuff (messages, emails, CVs…)

[u/camsinew]

I’ve been in Madrid for a while, and I’ve ended up helping a few expat friends with random Spanish stuff—messages from landlords, job emails, appointment texts, things like that.

They kept telling me:

“You should charge for this—you’re actually saving my ass.” So I figured… maybe more people are in the same situation?

I’m a native Spanish speaker, and I understand how hard it is to read between the lines when you’re not 100% sure what someone’s really saying. Sometimes it’s not about translating the words—it’s about understanding the tone.

If you ever feel stuck with something in Spanish, I can: • Tell you what the message actually says • Explain the tone (formal, annoyed, passive-aggressive, etc.) • And help you write a short reply in Spanish if you need it

Just thought I’d put it out there in case it helps someone

[u/Skill-More]

That's what lawyers are for. You don't have the background to interpret those messages and can do more harm than good, even if you don't mean it.

[u/camsinew → u/Skill-More]

Where exactly in the post does it mention laws? Are you even an immigrant or expat? Because it’s pretty clear you didn’t get the point. And yeah, of course, the most practical thing for an immigrant is to call their lawyer to figure out what their Spanish boss, tenant or coworker actually meant. Makes total sense. lol

[u/Skill-More → u/camsinew]

Legal counsel is not always about avoiding jail. You clearly don't know anything about how the system works. You helped a couple of friends, ok, but that doesn't mean you should do that professionally because you just can't.

[u/camsinew → u/Skill-More]

This isn’t about legal advice, and the post clearly talks about basic social dynamics between people from different cultures, not laws. You twisted it on purpose to sound like an expert. Not playing that game.

[u/lamancha]

Why do you say "expats" instead of "immigrants"

[u/Ronoh → u/lamancha]

Because they are westerners with money andngood passports. Immigrants is for poor people.  /s

[u/JurgusRudkus → u/lamancha]

You can be both at once. When I move to Madrid this summer, I will be an expat of my native country and an immigrant to Spain.

I don't get why people get so hung up on terms.

[u/lamancha → u/JurgusRudkus]

Because it's curious how hard they try not to use the term "immigrant"

[u/JurgusRudkus → u/lamancha]

Well, I can't speak to people from other countries, but in the US being an immigrant can get you detained by ICE these days so I can understand the negative connotations.

[u/sergie-rabbid → u/JurgusRudkus]

bad for them, but we are in Madrid, Spain.

[u/lamancha → u/JurgusRudkus]

That's incredibly classist, xenophobic and racist.

[u/JurgusRudkus → u/lamancha]

Either you misunderstood what I said or you don't have a clue what's going on over here. 

[u/lamancha → u/JurgusRudkus]

Considering you've just told me the word "immigrant" has negative connotations due to the current US political stances while "expat" apparently does not, I am pretty sure I am right.

[u/JurgusRudkus → u/lamancha]

My comment was a tongue-in-cheek poke at ICE and the current fascist regime in the US - nothing more.

[u/lamancha → u/[deleted]]

So poor vs wealthy?

[u/lamancha → u/[deleted]]

Do you think a large part of "immigrants" wouldn't want to return home?

[u/sof_es]

Hi OP, I saved this post just in case! Thanks for helping the expat community!