Warning to the tongue waggers of La Laguna

You'd almost think this was some sort of April Fool's story, but as I've already explained, that just isn't the custom in Spain and the Canary Islands.

"La Laguna, World Heritage Site and birthplace of wagging tongues", concludes one of the notices that Focho y Susana, the last proprietors of the El Coral fishmongers (founded in La Laguna in 1860), have hung on the doors of their establishment. A short time ago, they decided to close the business, located in the Calle Núñez de la Peña, because they considered it was time to retire.

Fed up with rumours circulating in the district, speculating over the reasons for the closure (from economic crisis and as far as pronouncing the proprietor's death), they decided to clarify matters by putting a notice on the door.

Signed by the owners of the business, the first announced the closure, saying:

"El Coral Fishmonger, founded in La Laguna in 1860, greatly appreciates their distinguished clientele and the general public, the trust during all these years and its subsequent contribution to growth of this family. Apologies for any inconvenience caused by the sudden cessation of activity. Thank you."

But this wasn't enough for local residents. Later, Focho put two more notices up on the adjacent windows. They don't mince words and, translated say:

CLOSED FOR RETIREMENT

I'm alive, thank God.

Up yours (er, culo = arse) tongue waggers!

And it's signed by the owner.

Obviously, we hear about this kind of ignorant speculation and gossiping going on everywhere, so I don't think La Laguna has a particular problem with the phenomenon, but I admire the El Coral spirit in firmly dealing with it.

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