"Expat" vs "Immigrant" ... Is the title of this website perpetuating racism?
Feb 9th 2017, 9:46 am
#31
Proudly Deplorable
Joined: May 2003
Location: Alloha snack bar
Posts: 24,246
Feb 10th 2017, 11:47 am
#32
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2005
Location: Hill overlooking the SE Melbourne suburbs
Posts: 16,622
Re: "Expat" vs "Immigrant" ... Is the title of this website perpetuating racism?
On the first, I'll have no truck with people attacking others due to the circumstances of their birth - over which they have no control. That goes equally for SJW-types attacking those who are white, male and bought up in the west - or if they were black, female and bought up in Africa. They are equally wrong and bigoted. The racists at least have the good grace to hide and be embarrassed about it.
For the second, it does make a difference if someone decides to hop from living in the UK to living in Australia, or if they escape Somalia to live in Australia. Personally I feel the first is more defensible, change locale on only a slightly different scale to changing town. In the case of the second you are taking the best and brightest from a country that desperately needs their skills, so that the 1st world country can benefit. The individual might be better off, but society is worse off on average. One is a fair level trade, and the other a taking away of talent.
There, did that confuse you further, or do you see how it's compatible with everything else I've said ?
For the second, it does make a difference if someone decides to hop from living in the UK to living in Australia, or if they escape Somalia to live in Australia. Personally I feel the first is more defensible, change locale on only a slightly different scale to changing town. In the case of the second you are taking the best and brightest from a country that desperately needs their skills, so that the 1st world country can benefit. The individual might be better off, but society is worse off on average. One is a fair level trade, and the other a taking away of talent.
There, did that confuse you further, or do you see how it's compatible with everything else I've said ?
I read an article the other day which scoffed at White Privilege..what no one tells you is that white privilege gets you places but it's tough being there ;-) due to the expectations ...ask anyone senior in corporate life : it's not always easy. Fun, but there are pressures that go with the territory.
Feb 10th 2017, 12:33 pm
#33
Mostly Harmless
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Semi-rural wonderworld, Brisbane
Posts: 15,109
Re: "Expat" vs "Immigrant" ... Is the title of this website perpetuating racism?
Interesting thoughts all.
Look, I'm not planning on going back to the UK, I like it here, have an Aussie kid and have an Aussie passport (having let the British one lapse). Doesn't stop me from wishing the Aussie cricket team every calamity tho.
I just found it particularly interesting that I'd be pulled up for using the term expat on other discussion forums. Maybe it's a case of people being too sensitive or maybe it runs deeper, dunno.
Look, I'm not planning on going back to the UK, I like it here, have an Aussie kid and have an Aussie passport (having let the British one lapse). Doesn't stop me from wishing the Aussie cricket team every calamity tho.
I just found it particularly interesting that I'd be pulled up for using the term expat on other discussion forums. Maybe it's a case of people being too sensitive or maybe it runs deeper, dunno.
Feb 10th 2017, 12:45 pm
#34
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Scotland
Posts: 7,949
Re: "Expat" vs "Immigrant" ... Is the title of this website perpetuating racism?
Interesting thoughts all.
Look, I'm not planning on going back to the UK, I like it here, have an Aussie kid and have an Aussie passport (having let the British one lapse). Doesn't stop me from wishing the Aussie cricket team every calamity tho.
I just found it particularly interesting that I'd be pulled up for using the term expat on other discussion forums. Maybe it's a case of people being too sensitive or maybe it runs deeper, dunno.
Look, I'm not planning on going back to the UK, I like it here, have an Aussie kid and have an Aussie passport (having let the British one lapse). Doesn't stop me from wishing the Aussie cricket team every calamity tho.
I just found it particularly interesting that I'd be pulled up for using the term expat on other discussion forums. Maybe it's a case of people being too sensitive or maybe it runs deeper, dunno.
e.g. I wish the England cricket team every calamity and have done all my life you pommy b*****d with the last phrase said in an endearing and friendly rather than a nasty way.
Feb 10th 2017, 12:47 pm
#35
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2015
Location: Panama City, FL
Posts: 2,062
Re: "Expat" vs "Immigrant" ... Is the title of this website perpetuating racism?
To the Americans, I'm an immigrant. To Brits, I'm an ExPat (more accurately, emigrant, but rarely used).
I don't consider either to be inferior, superior, insulting or anything other than a description of my status.
I think the term ExPat relates to where you're from and immigrant relates to where you are now.
As an aside: Why does immigrant have 2 'm's and emigrant only 1? Damn the English language!
I don't consider either to be inferior, superior, insulting or anything other than a description of my status.
I think the term ExPat relates to where you're from and immigrant relates to where you are now.
As an aside: Why does immigrant have 2 'm's and emigrant only 1? Damn the English language!
Feb 10th 2017, 1:08 pm
#36
Home and Happy
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,814
Re: "Expat" vs "Immigrant" ... Is the title of this website perpetuating racism?
Interesting thoughts all.
Look, I'm not planning on going back to the UK, I like it here, have an Aussie kid and have an Aussie passport (having let the British one lapse). Doesn't stop me from wishing the Aussie cricket team every calamity tho.
I just found it particularly interesting that I'd be pulled up for using the term expat on other discussion forums. Maybe it's a case of people being too sensitive or maybe it runs deeper, dunno.
Look, I'm not planning on going back to the UK, I like it here, have an Aussie kid and have an Aussie passport (having let the British one lapse). Doesn't stop me from wishing the Aussie cricket team every calamity tho.
I just found it particularly interesting that I'd be pulled up for using the term expat on other discussion forums. Maybe it's a case of people being too sensitive or maybe it runs deeper, dunno.
Feb 10th 2017, 1:12 pm
#37
Mostly Harmless
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Semi-rural wonderworld, Brisbane
Posts: 15,109
Re: "Expat" vs "Immigrant" ... Is the title of this website perpetuating racism?
Expatriate is literally a person living away from their native country or country of birth but in another sense people like prisoners can be expatriated overseas which is not as nice. I guess like a lot of words it is the context it is said or used in which can change the meaning.
e.g. I wish the England cricket team every calamity and have done all my life you pommy b*****d with the last phrase said in an endearing and friendly rather than a nasty way.
e.g. I wish the England cricket team every calamity and have done all my life you pommy b*****d with the last phrase said in an endearing and friendly rather than a nasty way.
Your last sentiment is noted but will help you little as a bowling attack that can swing the ball routs a batting line-up that is a victim of its primitive colonial instincts.
Feb 10th 2017, 1:12 pm
#38
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Scotland
Posts: 7,949
Re: "Expat" vs "Immigrant" ... Is the title of this website perpetuating racism?
To the Americans, I'm an immigrant. To Brits, I'm an ExPat (more accurately, emigrant, but rarely used).
I don't consider either to be inferior, superior, insulting or anything other than a description of my status.
I think the term ExPat relates to where you're from and immigrant relates to where you are now.
As an aside: Why does immigrant have 2 'm's and emigrant only 1? Damn the English language!
I don't consider either to be inferior, superior, insulting or anything other than a description of my status.
I think the term ExPat relates to where you're from and immigrant relates to where you are now.
As an aside: Why does immigrant have 2 'm's and emigrant only 1? Damn the English language!
Feb 12th 2017, 4:35 pm
#39
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Location: Cayman Islands
Posts: 4,997
Re: "Expat" vs "Immigrant" ... Is the title of this website perpetuating racism?
Well, I guess the Americans assume you're there for good, and your British friends assume you'll come back home on day. Would that explain it? Here's another question: at what point should an ex-patriate (or an immigrant) become an ex-patriot? I know a great many immigrants who never give up their patriotism - their loyalty towards the place they left behind.
Feb 12th 2017, 5:30 pm
#40
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 285
Re: "Expat" vs "Immigrant" ... Is the title of this website perpetuating racism?
I think Immigrant for the one who lived in a country till they got the citizenship, mainly they don't want to come back and settle in their home country but expat for temporarily immigration, mainly with the deep intention to come back home one day
Feb 12th 2017, 5:55 pm
#41
Concierge
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 21,139
Re: "Expat" vs "Immigrant" ... Is the title of this website perpetuating racism?
Well, I guess the Americans assume you're there for good, and your British friends assume you'll come back home on day. Would that explain it? Here's another question: at what point should an ex-patriate (or an immigrant) become an ex-patriot? I know a great many immigrants who never give up their patriotism - their loyalty towards the place they left behind.
Feb 14th 2017, 12:11 am
#42
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Location: Cayman Islands
Posts: 4,997
Re: "Expat" vs "Immigrant" ... Is the title of this website perpetuating racism?
Well, spouse, in a challenge to Britain's Indian immigrants, the British politician Whatsisname Tebbitts reduced the argument to: Who do you cheer for in a cricket match - England or India? Put to the test (so to speak), which country's team would you cheer for at the Olympics - Australia or Great Britain? Or cricket, of course, if you're into cricket. You may be strictly neutral and not care a jot - good for you! - and so may I (although I usually support the underdog in any sporting contest) - good for me! But not everybody does; not everybody's loyalty is shared exactly equally. Any other BE members have an opinion on the matter?
Feb 14th 2017, 4:08 am
#44
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,230
Re: "Expat" vs "Immigrant" ... Is the title of this website perpetuating racism?
On the first, I'll have no truck with people attacking others due to the circumstances of their birth - over which they have no control. That goes equally for SJW-types attacking those who are white, male and bought up in the west - or if they were black, female and bought up in Africa. They are equally wrong and bigoted. The racists at least have the good grace to hide and be embarrassed about it.
For the second, it does make a difference if someone decides to hop from living in the UK to living in Australia, or if they escape Somalia to live in Australia. Personally I feel the first is more defensible, change locale on only a slightly different scale to changing town. In the case of the second you are taking the best and brightest from a country that desperately needs their skills, so that the 1st world country can benefit. The individual might be better off, but society is worse off on average. One is a fair level trade, and the other a taking away of talent.
There, did that confuse you further, or do you see how it's compatible with everything else I've said ?
For the second, it does make a difference if someone decides to hop from living in the UK to living in Australia, or if they escape Somalia to live in Australia. Personally I feel the first is more defensible, change locale on only a slightly different scale to changing town. In the case of the second you are taking the best and brightest from a country that desperately needs their skills, so that the 1st world country can benefit. The individual might be better off, but society is worse off on average. One is a fair level trade, and the other a taking away of talent.
There, did that confuse you further, or do you see how it's compatible with everything else I've said ?
*goes on to judge people based on where they were born*
