Now I read the comments on our social media platforms and I sincerely hope this does not get taken out of context or spark another argument over immigration and Brexit. However, I have Mallorcan friends who are becoming increasingly worried about the lack of Mallorcan businesses, restaurants in particular in Palma, not to mention certain other enclaves round the island.
Considering I am an immigrant, perhaps I’m part of the overall problem in the larger scale of things.
For example, in my street, which is off Jaime III, apart from a very famous Mallorcan café, food wise the choice is amazingly varied.
I have a Japanese tea and pancake outlet which is doing a roaring trade, a Mexican restaurant, a Swedish shop and very good Italian barber, a mini-market where I have long discussions about cricket with the Pakistani owners, and a Korean street food joint opened just a few weeks ago.
I find it rather exciting but my Mallorcan mates are not that impressed - none of whom, may I stress, have pointed the finger at immigration - they just appear bemused by how much the social fabric has changed and so quickly. Some feel they are being squeezed out and overwhelmed by globalisation more than anything else and the island’s losing its soul.