Comments on: Fruteria – How to open a small business

By: Ray Tibbitts

Ray Tibbitts — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 03:06:35 +0000

Knowing what a grind it can be to actually become “autonomous” or to start a business here, I truly expected market forces to have a POSITIVE effect on customer service rendered by small businesses that have stayed in business long enough for me to notice them, and therefore, I assume, actually wanted to STAY in business.

So far, I have widely been disappointed, but not totally. In total, it doesn’t seem to have had much effect one way or the other.

By: Uncle Neil

Uncle Neil — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:42:31 +0000

That guy on the bike looks like a young man. Nice shop. No snow there yet ehhh?

By: Ines

Ines — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 17:17:47 +0000

I’ve got to agree with your father…what’s old about a man on a bike wearing a red jumper and a black hat?

By: Erik R.

Erik R. — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:48:10 +0000

Do you prefer the term “pensioner”?

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:46:11 +0000

I am displeased by your characterization of the man on the bike as “old”.

By: Josh

Josh — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:03:41 +0000

Unfortunately, the Spanish government (and society as a whole) doesn’t do much to foment or reward a good work ethic. As the government continues to grind away at the small business owner with exorbitant taxes, ridiculous hiring requirements, and virtually nothing in the way of protection for the owner; the clientele will continue to haggle over ever last sprig of celery, and are all to willing to abandon one business in favor of another for real or perceived faults/price benefits. This is why you see so many businesses here with slothful, surly employees and un-renovated or poorly maintained premises. (Just from your photo, I see a hefty fine in the fruteria’s future, unless the proprietor gets his wheelchair access up to snuff.)

Look at the data on unemployment rates among small business owners and you’ll start to appreciate how serious this problem is. Por desgracia, I think that a reversal of this trend would require such an enormous cultural/political shift, that I doubt that we’ll ever manage to bring it about.