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Tuesday, 04 July 2006 |
In Spain, it is a practice which can seem completely unusual and diverting for any foreigner who travels by car and when one is in a large city or town - the `aparca-coche' . Literally, car park attendant, It is an 'occupation' which makes it possible for the unemployed, unemployable or plain poor to gain some income from passing motorists.
 They direct drivers to car parking spaces, which are very often free, and encourage drivers to park in the place indicated, as if they are functioning as officials. All this with an aim of receiving a coin -usually 50 cents will be sufficient. You will note that the majority of Spaniards pay them quite freely.
Although a few are privileged to have an authorization issued by the local Town Hall, the majority of those carrying on this activity, in spite of their fluorescent waistcoat and traffic police type whistle, are acting completely illegally, but this habit, accepted by virtually all, is another characteristic of this country  |
