Living as an ex-pat, the downsides
Discussion
Eric Mc said:
And immigrants don't add something to the country they are in?
Obviously, some do and some don't. Exactly the same as "ex-pats".
Or is the notion of an "ex-pat" a hangover from the old colonial days of "Happy Valley" or "The English Raj"?
"An expatriate (often shortened to expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country other than that of their citizenship. The word comes from the Latin terms ex ("out of") and patria ("country, fatherland")."Obviously, some do and some don't. Exactly the same as "ex-pats".
Or is the notion of an "ex-pat" a hangover from the old colonial days of "Happy Valley" or "The English Raj"?
the word “Expatriate” is actually a verb or an adjective and means someone “living in a foreign land”.
the word “Immigrant” is a noun and means “a person who comes to a country to take permanent residence”.
I think it is quite clear what it means, dont read too far into it.
Lived in Sydney for the last 5 years and being so far away there are definitely downsides to living SO far away. Costs at least 5k to go back to the UK for two weeks (no point doing any less due to travel times) and that means I have less time to actually go on 'holiday'.
Unfortunately I lost my mum while I have been here, so knowing I missed the last few years of her life is tough (she was only 64). Skype makes a big difference but sometime it would be nice to just pop home to see friends and family, which being so far away is not viable.
On the plus side my life is 100 times better than it was in the UK, I live in a country that is very similar to the UK (with hot weather and amazing beaches) but without a lot of the negatives the UK has.
Unfortunately I lost my mum while I have been here, so knowing I missed the last few years of her life is tough (she was only 64). Skype makes a big difference but sometime it would be nice to just pop home to see friends and family, which being so far away is not viable.
On the plus side my life is 100 times better than it was in the UK, I live in a country that is very similar to the UK (with hot weather and amazing beaches) but without a lot of the negatives the UK has.
stuart-b said:
"An expatriate (often shortened to expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country other than that of their citizenship. The word comes from the Latin terms ex ("out of") and patria ("country, fatherland")."
the word “Expatriate” is actually a verb or an adjective and means someone “living in a foreign land”.
the word “Immigrant” is a noun and means “a person who comes to a country to take permanent residence”.
I think it is quite clear what it means, dont read too far into it.
You seem to be contradicting yourself as to whether permanence is a defining factor or not. I don't think permanent or temporary status matters. Many ex-pats (which is used as a noun, even if it stems from a verb), might have intended to stay in a country for a short period but, as some have already mentioned above, decide to stay on longer and eventually become permanent, almost by accident. the word “Expatriate” is actually a verb or an adjective and means someone “living in a foreign land”.
the word “Immigrant” is a noun and means “a person who comes to a country to take permanent residence”.
I think it is quite clear what it means, dont read too far into it.
Eric Mc said:
stuart-b said:
"An expatriate (often shortened to expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country other than that of their citizenship. The word comes from the Latin terms ex ("out of") and patria ("country, fatherland")."
the word “Expatriate” is actually a verb or an adjective and means someone “living in a foreign land”.
the word “Immigrant” is a noun and means “a person who comes to a country to take permanent residence”.
I think it is quite clear what it means, dont read too far into it.
You seem to be contradicting yourself as to whether permanence is a defining factor or not. I don't think permanent or temporary status matters. Many ex-pats (which is used as a noun, even if it stems from a verb), might have intended to stay in a country for a short period but, as some have already mentioned above, decide to stay on longer and eventually become permanent, almost by accident. the word “Expatriate” is actually a verb or an adjective and means someone “living in a foreign land”.
the word “Immigrant” is a noun and means “a person who comes to a country to take permanent residence”.
I think it is quite clear what it means, dont read too far into it.
...an expat is somebody from a developed country going anywhere else for a long period of time....
...an immigrant is somebody from a lesser developed country going anywhere else.....
...an Irishman coming to the UK is an immigrant..... an Englishman going to Ireland is an expat.....
...me coming to Kuwait is an expat..... an Indian coming here is a migrant (immigrant)....
GT03ROB said:
I should think it's pretty clear what the difference is....
...an expat is somebody from a developed country going anywhere else for a long period of time....
...an immigrant is somebody from a lesser developed country going anywhere else.....
...an Irishman coming to the UK is an immigrant..... an Englishman going to Ireland is an expat.....
...me coming to Kuwait is an expat..... an Indian coming here is a migrant (immigrant)....
THAT nails it. I KNEW it was about a superiority complex. Thanks for confirming it....an expat is somebody from a developed country going anywhere else for a long period of time....
...an immigrant is somebody from a lesser developed country going anywhere else.....
...an Irishman coming to the UK is an immigrant..... an Englishman going to Ireland is an expat.....
...me coming to Kuwait is an expat..... an Indian coming here is a migrant (immigrant)....
Eric Mc said:
GT03ROB said:
I should think it's pretty clear what the difference is....
...an expat is somebody from a developed country going anywhere else for a long period of time....
...an immigrant is somebody from a lesser developed country going anywhere else.....
...an Irishman coming to the UK is an immigrant..... an Englishman going to Ireland is an expat.....
...me coming to Kuwait is an expat..... an Indian coming here is a migrant (immigrant)....
THAT nails it. I KNEW it was about a superiority complex. Thanks for confirming it....an expat is somebody from a developed country going anywhere else for a long period of time....
...an immigrant is somebody from a lesser developed country going anywhere else.....
...an Irishman coming to the UK is an immigrant..... an Englishman going to Ireland is an expat.....
...me coming to Kuwait is an expat..... an Indian coming here is a migrant (immigrant)....
GT03ROB said:
I should think it's pretty clear what the difference is....
...an expat is somebody from a developed country going anywhere else for a long period of time....
...an immigrant is somebody from a lesser developed country going anywhere else.....
...an Irishman coming to the UK is an immigrant..... an Englishman going to Ireland is an expat.....
...me coming to Kuwait is an expat..... an Indian coming here is a migrant (immigrant)....
Rob...now you put it that way it all makes sense !...an expat is somebody from a developed country going anywhere else for a long period of time....
...an immigrant is somebody from a lesser developed country going anywhere else.....
...an Irishman coming to the UK is an immigrant..... an Englishman going to Ireland is an expat.....
...me coming to Kuwait is an expat..... an Indian coming here is a migrant (immigrant)....
austinsmirk said:
any documentary on ex pats, showing their lifestyles, seems to portray them all as chronic alcoholics.
sure thats not the case for all, but when I reach my golden years, being drunk everyday doesn't seem something I want to aspire too.
but I agree, when family are far apart, its a nightmare: I never saw my grandparents in their later years or when they passed as they were in Australia.
When I worked with a bunch of ex-pats living in SA, they were all functioning alcoholics. I had no idea how they managed to work 80-90 hr weeks and still spend nearly each night getting boozed. They looked dead inside.sure thats not the case for all, but when I reach my golden years, being drunk everyday doesn't seem something I want to aspire too.
but I agree, when family are far apart, its a nightmare: I never saw my grandparents in their later years or when they passed as they were in Australia.
Eric Mc said:
GT03ROB said:
I should think it's pretty clear what the difference is....
...an expat is somebody from a developed country going anywhere else for a long period of time....
...an immigrant is somebody from a lesser developed country going anywhere else.....
...an Irishman coming to the UK is an immigrant..... an Englishman going to Ireland is an expat.....
...me coming to Kuwait is an expat..... an Indian coming here is a migrant (immigrant)....
THAT nails it. I KNEW it was about a superiority complex. Thanks for confirming it....an expat is somebody from a developed country going anywhere else for a long period of time....
...an immigrant is somebody from a lesser developed country going anywhere else.....
...an Irishman coming to the UK is an immigrant..... an Englishman going to Ireland is an expat.....
...me coming to Kuwait is an expat..... an Indian coming here is a migrant (immigrant)....
Really enjoying this thread, not read it all yet, but will do.
I must say becoming an ex-pat often flits into my mind and indeed, its something my dad has often encouraged as they see things as being much better than in the UK...much more opportunity, a better life than they've been able to enjoy in the UK (not that they've done badly!).
My dad has worked out in the gulf for most of his life. Out on the rigs. Now teaches in Azerbaijan. So not averse to being without a parent for long periods.
But I know if we did move away to the US or Australia, whilst they'd be immeasurably happy for us, I just know it would crush them inside.
My OH's parents have been ex-pats as well, she was even born abroad in HK. Her dad worked in the Caribbean for years followed by jobs in HK and KL. They eventually came back when she was 8 to put her through english shcooling. So I am sure its something that they wouldn't begrudge her for doing either. Afterall it brought her dad marvellous success and wealth. But he is getting on now and has already had a mini-stroke and suffers with short term memory. So I don't think my OH could really stomach moving abroad. Not oat the minute.
anyway, will crack on with reading!
I must say becoming an ex-pat often flits into my mind and indeed, its something my dad has often encouraged as they see things as being much better than in the UK...much more opportunity, a better life than they've been able to enjoy in the UK (not that they've done badly!).
My dad has worked out in the gulf for most of his life. Out on the rigs. Now teaches in Azerbaijan. So not averse to being without a parent for long periods.
But I know if we did move away to the US or Australia, whilst they'd be immeasurably happy for us, I just know it would crush them inside.
My OH's parents have been ex-pats as well, she was even born abroad in HK. Her dad worked in the Caribbean for years followed by jobs in HK and KL. They eventually came back when she was 8 to put her through english shcooling. So I am sure its something that they wouldn't begrudge her for doing either. Afterall it brought her dad marvellous success and wealth. But he is getting on now and has already had a mini-stroke and suffers with short term memory. So I don't think my OH could really stomach moving abroad. Not oat the minute.
anyway, will crack on with reading!
KFC said:
Eric Mc said:
GT03ROB said:
I should think it's pretty clear what the difference is....
...an expat is somebody from a developed country going anywhere else for a long period of time....
...an immigrant is somebody from a lesser developed country going anywhere else.....
...an Irishman coming to the UK is an immigrant..... an Englishman going to Ireland is an expat.....
...me coming to Kuwait is an expat..... an Indian coming here is a migrant (immigrant)....
THAT nails it. I KNEW it was about a superiority complex. Thanks for confirming it....an expat is somebody from a developed country going anywhere else for a long period of time....
...an immigrant is somebody from a lesser developed country going anywhere else.....
...an Irishman coming to the UK is an immigrant..... an Englishman going to Ireland is an expat.....
...me coming to Kuwait is an expat..... an Indian coming here is a migrant (immigrant)....
There are many, many foreign people living in the UK in all sorts of employments - from running large banks, CEOs of multi-nationals, heads of universities, right down to cleaning dishes in a hotel for cash and living illegally in a shed. They are ALL immigrants - but some are more beneficial to the country than others.
As an Ex Ex-pat who goes back now and again one problem I have is that I sometimes miss things about the country I'm not in. I really need a lottery win so I can have a pad in both to avoid this.
When I was out in Germany one thing I did miss occasionally was some of the English food. Morale improved when I found a supply of "Tulip" bacon. My first bacon butty was cooked in Germany the morning after a heavy night and was a special moment.
Not as special as a colleague who had reputedly lost his luggage at Frankfurt airport whilst trying to bring back some steaks from the UK. Legend had it the Polizei rang him up a few days later asked if he could nip up the Autobahn to Frankfurt and explain why his suitcase was bleeding over their desk.
When I was out in Germany one thing I did miss occasionally was some of the English food. Morale improved when I found a supply of "Tulip" bacon. My first bacon butty was cooked in Germany the morning after a heavy night and was a special moment.
Not as special as a colleague who had reputedly lost his luggage at Frankfurt airport whilst trying to bring back some steaks from the UK. Legend had it the Polizei rang him up a few days later asked if he could nip up the Autobahn to Frankfurt and explain why his suitcase was bleeding over their desk.
I've spent just 4 of the last 25 years in England, having lived in Thailand and Singapore for three years, and the Philippines for the rest of it.
Biggest problem with being an expat is being surrounded by other expats who spend their time whining and crying about all the hardships of where they choose to live! If you don't like it, GO HOME. If you can't go home, then deal with it.
The only thing I really miss/regret about leaving England is my parents. I used to see them about once a week when we lived there, but now it is once a year. They are in their 80's and the clock is ticking, but we have to do what we have to do. I don't see my three sisters more than once a year, but then when I lived in the UK I didn't either.
Having said this, I'll be popping in in a couple of weeks, just for a long weekend, on the way through from working in Mexico.
Biggest problem with being an expat is being surrounded by other expats who spend their time whining and crying about all the hardships of where they choose to live! If you don't like it, GO HOME. If you can't go home, then deal with it.
The only thing I really miss/regret about leaving England is my parents. I used to see them about once a week when we lived there, but now it is once a year. They are in their 80's and the clock is ticking, but we have to do what we have to do. I don't see my three sisters more than once a year, but then when I lived in the UK I didn't either.
Having said this, I'll be popping in in a couple of weeks, just for a long weekend, on the way through from working in Mexico.
King Herald said:
Biggest problem with being an expat is being surrounded by other expats who spend their time whining and crying about all the hardships of where they choose to live! If you don't like it, GO HOME. If you can't go home, then deal with it.
ohh hell yea, there are plenty of them!!! ohh and can i add one for this morning's rant .... .F'ing Bangkok morning rush hour traffic!!!!!
i guess that's not really an "ex-pat downside" as just a big city one, but Bangers does have its own uniquely chaotic and f
ked up rush hour! Fishtigua said:
Morning John, you said on another thread you may be spending more time in B rather than Singa. Is this going to happen?
That was a while ago, been living here for the last 2 1/2 years ago !!! Maybe looking at heading back down to the little red dot again soon, at least part time.
Plus i need to spend some more time looking after my hole in the water, its been neglected for the past few years and will need a few dollars torn up and thrown into it !! (it may even be a UNESCO protected coral reef by now!!)
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