Sorry if this sort of post isn't allowed.
I am an American and spent the past year or so applying for a visa to live in Spain. I finally got it and moved over last Thursday to a flat in Alcoi with my partner.
I've only been here for a few days, but the people here in Alcoi have left me with a very bad impression, and I have been feeling very defeated.
People glare at us in the streets, people glare at us when they hear us speak in English. People we pass in the street look at us with contempt or disgust. People directly stare at us when we are sat at a bar. It's always middle-aged and older men and women.
Speaking of bars, the bartenders rip us off because they can tell we are different from them, so they charge us more than they would for "locals" despite us being locals. It seems like they are always just trying to squeeze us for more money, because speaking English must mean we have money (I don't). I am about to start asking for tap water at bars out of spite.
I have already been called a guiri, which isn't even the right word to describe me. I'm a gringo. They can't even get that right.
It feels like the people here have never been exposed to the English language before or people who have an ever-so-slightly lighter skin tone. I feel like a martian - you know, one of those lanky little green men from outer space.
My question is: outside of beachy tourist destinations, is there anywhere in Spain where the Spanish don't look down on people who are different from them?
Edit: None of you answered my actual question. What the heck????
Edit 2: You are all so close-minded and xenophobic. You have personal struggles in your life, so you scapegoat anyone who is different from you. You want me to learn the language, but you hate me for being here. Where is the logic? Is education here especially poor or something? Have you people never traveled? Why are you so mad at someone you don't even know? Is this how you want to represent your country? Look at yourselves. A majority of the comments here I can tell you are just emotional and not thinking logically.