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Am I the only one who thinks that 'ex pats' is just a kinder sounding label when foreigner is actually what we all are and more appropriate? Are we scared to label ourselves foreigners?
Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:41pm
Very helpful member
I think the word "foreigner" very dated, you just call people what they are by ethnicity, Scottish, English, Irish, Spanish, American, Indian, French, In my case I just say British. "Ex Pat" also a blast from the past.
Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2021 6:10pm
Holaitsdavid wrote on Wed Oct 20, 2021 5:41pm:
I think the word "foreigner" very dated, you just call people what they are by ethnicity, Scottish, English, Irish, Spanish, American, Indian, French, In my case I just say British. "Ex Pat" also a blast from the past.
I agree that is far better than both of the previous ones . Many thanks
Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 9:55am
Helpful member
'Ex pat' (ex patria, in full, which is Latin for away from fatherland) applies to someone who is temporarily in another country for, say work, and they plan to return to their homeland. So, folk like diplomats or those sent by their employer for a set period, who are not tax payers in their host country and not required to be resident, are 'ex-pats'. I suppose it was a term used for posh jobs, not for cleaners or au pairs! If you live in Spain but intend to go back to where you are originally from, you're technically an ex-pat. Otherwise, I guess we are immigrants, which I am OK with - it's much better than being an ex-pat, which is a term I dislike.
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Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2021 2:23pm
Very helpful member
pricklyone wrote on Fri Oct 22, 2021 9:55am:
'Ex pat' (ex patria, in full, which is Latin for away from fatherland) applies to someone who is temporarily in another country for, say work, and they plan to return to their homeland. So, folk like diplomats or those sent by their employer for a set period, who are not tax payers in their host ...
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...country and not required to be resident, are 'ex-pats'. I suppose it was a term used for posh jobs, not for cleaners or au pairs! If you live in Spain but intend to go back to where you are originally from, you're technically an ex-pat. Otherwise, I guess we are immigrants, which I am OK with - it's much better than being an ex-pat, which is a term I dislike.
I don't have any argument with the definition expatriate, or ex-pat, just don't care for the prefix added to a person in a global world. The reason I posted this..... 'I think the word "foreigner" very dated, you just call people what they are by ethnicity, Scottish, English, Irish, Spanish, American, Indian, French, In my case I just say British. "Ex Pat" also a blast from the past'
I think a far example a more pleasant term just to say "British living in Spain", than "Ex-pats".
I work in a school London & the word
foreigner is band . ( along with He/She. Boy/Girl. “You Guys” Father Christmas and so on . In years to come words will be limited.
I was born & bred in London and dont mind being called a foreigner there ..... but love being Called Expat ......: when I’m here .
I am an immigrant. Returning to my country of origin is not in my plan. Therefore I see myself as a guest in this lovely country, and I hope I can behave as one. Like everywhere else it has it's faults but I try so hard to keep them to myself and think only of the good things: the people, the countryside, the cities towns and villages, the climate, and the lifestyle. We're here and I, for one, am at peace with that.
Posted: Sun Nov 7, 2021 8:36am
Bushy wrote on Wed Oct 27, 2021 9:52am:
I am an immigrant. Returning to my country of origin is not in my plan. Therefore I see myself as a guest in this lovely country, and I hope I can behave as one. Like everywhere else it has it's faults but I try so hard to keep them to myself and think only of the good things: the people, the cou...
Read more...
...ntryside, the cities towns and villages, the climate, and the lifestyle. We're here and I, for one, am at peace with that.
Sums up exactly how I also feel. Muchus Gracias
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