I am not one to think about the past very often (in fact I live by a statement, "No Mires Atr�s", meaning "don't look back"), but there was one experience from Madrid which I feel I must share with everyone, whether they are a man or a woman.

I lived just off of the Gran Via, near the Plaza de Espa�a, and one night, a friend of mine who was visiting, insisted that we should find this club called "ARENA", which had been recommended to us.

That night was a Tuesday night as I remember, and we first went to a bar near the Bilbao metro, and then to a nightclub called LA NUIT, near the Nuevos Ministerios metro (which by the way is completely overrun with native Spaniards and is much better than the touristic places). Afterward we took a taxi over to the Plaza de Espa�a, and as we were too busy looking around at the various people on the street, we forgot to tell our taxi driver that we wished to get off at the Plaza, and therefore he continued a bit further on Calle Princesa. So then we told him to stop, and as we got out of the taxi, there was the club ARENA, right in front of us! We couldn't believe we were so lucky and dashed across the street like madmen, hoping to get in. By this time it was 3:30 a.m., and we were doubtful that we could get in due to our casual dress (we were not wearing suits).

However, we were lucky again, as they permitted us to enter and we did, and without even paying them any money. As we entered, and walked to the dance floor, we again could not believe our eyes, because there was a dance floor full of well-dressed and beautiful Spanish women, dancing. Of course there were many men as well but the sheer number of incredibly beautiful women was more than I had ever seen, in one setting, on one night, in my entire life (now my friend and I strongly believe that we had "crashed" a private party).

The reason I share this with all of you is that this was the night where I finally believed that there was a God, because there could be no possible way for so many beautiful and charming women to enter one club on one night, unless an omnipotent and omniscient being intended for it to be this way!

I must say that although I have never entered the Playboy Mansion, it could NEVER come close to the club Arena on that Tuesday night in the summer of 2001 in Madrid.

Yet another reason why Madrid is infinitely a better place than Los Angeles (because Spanish girls are very friendly and will always talk to you, regardless of how little money you have or how good looking you are).

Seems like you should have played the lotto at that point.
Everything seemed to have fallen in place.
Buenos suerte!!

My friends, you can certainly bet that we played the lotto that night, because just by being there, we were winners!

After the initial shock had worn off, we had a very good time indeed, dancing the night away, Spanish style! After you have experienced a sensational evening in Madrid, few other things in life come close.

I really enjoyed reading this story, but I am afraid I have to do a couple of remarks:

-I wouldn't recommend La Nuit, or anyplace close to Nuevos Ministerios, nowadays. Almost every night ends up with violence in the area. (On the other hand, Av. de Brasil and Torre Europa areas, quite close to Nuevos Ministerios, are quite quiet.)

-Man! Do you really think Spanish women are nice? Don't they look your money or position? Do they always talk to you? Think about the language you speak! I'm from Madrid, and I don't find Madrilenian girls so friendly, while English girls were when I was in England. Foreigners have a special appeal. And I'm glad you could experience it in Madrid!!!

Hola Max,

About the Nuevos Ministerios area, yes, I agree with you, there have been more "disturbances" recently, as I've heard.

But Calle Orense has many discotecas, all next to each other. What I have heard is that many south americans there are the ones causing the trouble

About Spanish women, I do speak Castellano, and therefore I don't have very many problems when talking to people.

Yes, the Madrile�as are not as nice as the people from the south of Spain, but still they are quite "approachable" and they will talk to you.

Please keep in mind that I am comparing the Madrile�as with the girls from Los Angeles. Los Angeles has the reputation of having the most snobby, and shallow poeple on Earth. And unfortunately this is very true.

As for Spanish women, I might be wrong, but, I think that they are not "easy" as some disillusioned tourists believe, and that they won't go home with you after meeting you for the first time. But I actually prefer it this way! I was impressed with this fact, and I am glad to see that Spanish women are very confident and won't sacrifice their values or beliefs for anyone or anything.

I found Spanish women to be very proper, and family-oriented. This is wonderful, especially for a person like me who is not accustomed to North American or English lifestyle.

Anyway Max, it would be a pleasure to speak to you further, you can email me anytime on
aorcentral@yahoo.com

By the way, I love your city, your country, and your people.

Ciao

Hi, again!

We agree about Nuevos Ministerios. I don't like to say this, but most problems in this area are caused by Latin Americans. Worst of all is that these people making trouble are giving a bad reputation to the whole group, and I'm sure not all of them deserve it. So, as far as you avoid Latin American places in this area it is quite sure you are avoiding problems.

With regards to women, I think I'd never find the explanation for the "foreign appeal" (which is true for men as well: I was flirting with an American girl not long ago). And the foreign accent is quite important for this appeal: even Mexican, and especially Argentinian guys tend to be appealing for lots of Spanish girls (and Colombian and Venezuelan girls for Spanish guys).

And speaking about Spanish girls, I think they're never easy, especially when they're in their town, but most of them are very nice to other people. And, as you say, I like this too. I like to go out and talk to girls. In fact, I love it (I'm glad to know I shouldn't go to LA). But I'm not trying to get a girl every time I'm talking to her.

I said Spanish girls are nice, but not "Madrile�as"; I think this is probably because the latter are fed up of "buitres" (guys trying to get a girl in a pub). So, if you're from Madrid you have a tough work to get to talk to a girl in Madrid!

If you're coming to Madrid I would be glad to meet you and share our points of view on this issue,... and doing some field work! ;-)

Hi Max,

Yes, you're right about Madrid girls; they are very nice people but if you are trying to "pick up" women, as they say, it will be difficult to do that with Madrile�as.

But in Madrid you have many foreigners, most of them tourists, who love Spanish guys, so you should not have too many problems Max

By the way you should visit the Ratskeller Casa de la Cerveza near the Bilbao metro....in this place there are always many foreign girls, especially on Tuesday and Thursday nights

And, I would like to know, which are your favourite places in Madrid, for going out?

Hi there guys,
Can I just say that when anybody talks to you in a large town/city, be it man or woman, you tend to keep away and have your wits about you, because now days you can't be too careful. So I don't think it matters where you come from, if someone starts to talk to you, you may come across a bit offish, not too friendly.
I am a Spanish woman with roots in Madrid, but was born and raised in London, and believe me, I'd much rather live in Madrid. I find all people much more friendly.