Job Discussion Forums

[moonraven]

Remittance men have traditionally received their remittances from their families, for whom having them at close(r) range is an embarrassment.

[Ben Round de Bloc]

[chi-chi]

[struelle]

These conversations are fascinating, and the remind me of similar ones I had last month in Vancouver while visiting family. Actually, the concepts brought up such as 'permanent foreigners', 'expats', 'remittance men', 'residency ties', 'immigrants' and 'national loyalty' call into question the whole idea of globalization.

I guess my question should be, is the world really becoming more integrated? There are arguments to support that it is. But increasingly I find, in my experience, reasons to criticize globalization or show that it's NOT as prevalent as people may believe.

Two examples, both at 'home' and 'abroad':

First, the Western expat may spend a couple of years 'abroad' and returns to his or her country of origin. Friends and family may show little, if any, interest in the culture where he/she lived and the experiences in that culture. In extreme cases, the returnee is labelled as a 'When I' or 'When we' person (see further up the thread). On top of this, there are major adjustments to make with jobs. It is not at all uncommon for domestic employers to underavlue international experience. They may request a criminal record check to see if the returnee didn't commit any crimes 'abroad'.

While abroad, there is the segregation issue, that is the foreigner is viewed as an outsider. Seperate housing, dual pricing systems, police registration, and the continual renewing and juggling of visas become issues. The foreigner or expat is believed, at some point, to return to the 'home' country (and then later go through the above!).

Underpinning all of this is residency and citizenship. Where does the expat call home? Presumably the country that he or she is a citizen of. But that country will not recognize residency status if you reside, or actually live, in a foreign land.

None of these things are bad, but the very fact that we're having this discussion shows that globalization isn't nearly as strong as people would say it is. This may be a blessing in disguise, as there's so much diversity in this world and new adventure to experience. That we can still do this, and live in truly foreign environments makes me think globalization isn't all it's made out it be.

Steve

[moonraven]

What are being globalized are greed, violence and poverty.

[gtidey]

this is just a quick note about permanent ex-pats and not bothering to learn the language as mentioned in the first post.

my uncle lives in portugal and has done for ten years. apparently he now thinks in portuguese.

my dad has lived there four months and can say Ola though he pronounces it wrong, and i think, will never ever be able to speak portuguese.

thing is they both sell houses and live in rural portuguese towns, buying off locals and selling to foreigners. so when a local asks dad "how much did you pay for that vineyard" though he can figure out what they're asking he's able to get away with saying "It's an old BMW" or "no, im having haddock for tea tonight" playing his trump card which is that they think he cant understand a bloody word of it. my uncle has to make up some figure and have a long discussion about his private business!

so sometimes its better to be percieved as unable to understand the lingo. especially if you understand just enough!

p.s re: stuelle's post - i saw a funny stand up comic saying "travel. i hate travel. people who go travelling and come back can never adapt, can they? you'll be having a meal in a resteraunt and they'll say "�40?!? you can get a meal for thirty people for two pence in india

[Stephen Jones]

[Jeffrey]

I will soon be an ex-pat and can't hardly wait! I'm moving to Brasil next year with my Brasillian wife and have no plans to return. I know it will be a tough adjustment, but the rest of my life should be interesting on a daily basis. I currently live in SanDiego and love it, but their are simply too many rules. Cant do this,cant do that. In Brasil you can walk down the street with a beer in your hand. Try that here, and you'll be arrested. Not that it's something I really want to do, but I was amazed to do such a simple thing! I have alot of friends that visit me here from other countries and they're just amazed at all the restrictions on every day things. It makes it seem as if Americans can't handle a little responsibility ( of course they cant). Also, if I wanted to buy a home here it would cost a minimum of$ 250,000.00 for a shack out in the desert. I can build a beautiful two story home only steps from the beach in Brasil, for $30,000.00 tops. I cant wait.

[merlin]

Permanent is a pretty strong word.

Of course I'll return home every now and again, perhaps for 2 - 5 years or so out of every 10-15. The big question is where I'll retire. This brings to mind the question 'Will I retire?'

I imagine I'll "Work" until the day I die. I'll be teaching a class, fall asleep, and when the class tries to wake me - SUPRISE! Hopefully It'll be an adult class with the emotional strength to deal with it. :

I've lived in a lot of places in the US. Something like 8 different states and all over within 4 of those states. No one place really took to me.

I won't say I'm a "permanent" expat but I will say I have no plans to settle in the US. Nor any other country really. How boring that would be.

I suppose having some sort of security in a few differnt countires on more than one continent would be a savvy way to go. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

[senor boogie woogie]

Hola!

I am a citizen of Earth, not to a particular country. I don't salute the flag, nor do I fart in public. But this is what I will do,

I am not going to go home for another 1 1/2 years (maybe) for a visit to the USA. I have no friends back there, and no family, except for my parents which get quite annoying after several days. What's back in the USA for me? Not much.

I have a life here in China. I have an occasional wife, a few friends, the local people are by and large, friendly and helpful. I am more or less a minority here. I am living an acceptable to happy life, not work that hard, and do what I want to do. I tell people that this place is my HOME, Hangzhou and Dongyang.

Sometimes, I have a nightmare about being forced to leave China. I was very, very sad and distraught (in the event of this being a reality, I'm going to Laos, open a guesthouse, coffee bar and internet room). I get nervous around visa renewal time. This must mean that I like it here, and I do not wish to go.

Senor

[Chris_Crossley]

[naturegirl321]

I'm a permanent ex�pat, living away from America, but hoping never really to settle down, but teach in a variety of countries.