The Spanish dream is to be a 9-5 public servant doing paperwork you don't give a shit about.

Chatting to a Canarian friend at the weekend. She's smart, educated, mid 30s with no kids. She's worked on and off in various professions because few private companies hire permanent employees.

She came to the same conclusion as many Spanish have. Get a job any job, as a civil servant.

She is applying to work at the airport because you don't have to study much for the test. "Who knows?" she said, "the benefits and hours might be decent, and I won't worry about getting laid off."

I bit my tongue. It's so sad she is going for any old job, not following her interests and using her best skills.

Many countries are trapped in this cycle, employing more and more citizens who just want a modicum of stability. Once employed they are incentivized to make the governmental system less efficient, employing others too.

Taxes rise. Benefits fall. The money printer whirrs.

Corporations take advantage and offer zero-hours contracts. More people work for cash under the table.

It's sad. There are lots of ambitious, smart, driven young Spanish, but within 5 years of finishing their studies, they are begging to become government paper pushers.

The country has the lowest birthrate in Europe. People are more under pressure with bills than ever. Inflation is drastically underreported. Houses are sold to 50+s

But hey, in 2024 GDP went up 1% because of more tourism, so the coutnry is now heralded as Europe's golden child.

I'm not saying this to shit on Spain. I choose to live and work here, and I love it.

People are cool (apart from all those miserable civil servants).

Just trying to spread a little truth based on my experience.

Isn't that what nostr is for?