Re: If you don't like it - Don't do it
 

Fewer people compared to today were emigrating to another country.

I know Canada needed foreign workers back in the 1960s/70s.

Now with more people flying and travelling around, there is more freedom to move around. However the downside is that its more ‘competitive’ and therefore more need for a clean criminal record, background checks, proof of funds and skilled work experience.

Re: If you don't like it - Don't do it
 

I moved at age 17 with brother and parents. Father was a prof in the UK and we had come when I was younger (but I don't remember it). We also lived in the US for one sabattical.

When I was about to finish university here I was under some crazy idea that government jobs were the place to be (quickly got that out of my system:thumbsup::thumbsup:) and realized that I needed to be a Canadian citizen for some. Since I was over 18 by then I had to sit the citizenship tests etc and go in front of the judge with the rest of the family.

The judge asked my father, 'what was the most recent public holiday in celebration of'? This was asked in Ontario in June and the correct answer would have been 'Queen Victoria's birthday'. My father was stumped and didn't get that answer correct. When the judge told him it was Queen Victoria's birthday, he informed her that wasn't a holiday in the UK. I believe she asked him that question as she believed as a UK citizen he would know of Queen Victoria's birthday.

Re: If you don't like it - Don't do it
 

Yep, that would be me! Although it's Monster Munch I'm really missing . . .

Re: If you don't like it - Don't do it
 

Re: If you don't like it - Don't do it
 

Uh, technically not an issue at all as it isn't available in the country - neither is pork. Thankfully I work/live on a resort so can go to the hotel bar like any other normal person.

Re: If you don't like it - Don't do it
 

Re: If you don't like it - Don't do it
 

... lots of parts of the Islamic world are very tolerant to Christians and other faiths.

You can certainly buy bacon, sausages and pork in the UAE, Jordan, Palestine and... Israel...they just don't have signs up advertising the fact. In bigger supermarkets they have Mr.Piggy outlets, but those buying pork are asked to bag it themselves. Nor are these countries dry and have licensed liquor outlets. Morocco and Tunisia make excellent wine.

Islam didn't corner the market in intolerance.

We could do with a bit of the Maldives in Eastern Canada today...the wind is quite brisk! Yes...I moved to Canada...but don't always appreciate the weather :cool:

Re: If you don't like it - Don't do it
 

Oh wow - you are in the Maldives! I first went there around 1979.. at the time there were only 2 islands for tourists - Villingili Island, where we stayed, (and Karumba) - we flew into the airport - one runway, with water either side and at either end - queued up under open sided reed roofed huts and then meandered over to where the boats were to take us to the island.

It was so beautiful there - crystal clear waters, white sand beaches (on one side it was somewhat overgrown with tropical plants and bushes, palms etc)... we spent a few hours in Male one afternoon (arms and head covered - didn't see a single female there), going by speedboat, bouncing over the waves. On Villingili, there were just a few huts for people to sleep in and one main area with a bar and dining area which was open and had hermit crabs everywhere.

All water and food had to be bought in by boat, so supplies were frugal although all drinks - alcoholic or not - cost $1 at the time! I had the most wonderful time there.. very fond memories.

I'm sure things have changed with tourism increasing, but I'm not surprised there's things you miss! I;m most envious of you though, to live in such a beautiful, magical place.



:)

Re: If you don't like it - Don't do it
 

Re: If you don't like it - Don't do it
 

You forgot the Norn Irish guy... My name's Michael and I'm gonna knock yer ballix in.

Re: If you don't like it - Don't do it
 

To the poster who asked about British whingers in Australia and NZ - we do get them but they tend to be a different variety. We get a lot of people with rose-coloured glasses who cite "lifestyle" and "more time with the kids" as drivers of wanting to move because they think Australians and New Zealanders work less hours than Brits and the weather is always gorgeous. That usually means they are in for an anvil to the face when they arrive and we do try to warn them - but usually get sprayed with hostility for "being negative" in response.

I will usually say something like "more time with the kids? So you're going to work just part-time?" and when the answer is "no of course not, full-time, but the Oz lifestyle means I'll have more time with the kids" that usually is the tip-off that someone has unrealistic expectations and is totally unprepared for migration.

Best post I've seen in two years as an active forum member and about another eight as a lurker before, was in the NZ forum, by someone I can't remember, and some years ago. He told a story about a "Whinging Pom" he worked with who moved to Auckland. He tired of the city rat-race in London and his corporate office job and moved to NZ citing "lifestyle" . . . and then moved to Auckland and took a corporate office job in the Auckland CBD and whinged constantly. Finally someone at the office got tired of it and asked him, if he was tired of the city and an office desk job to the point that he was willing to move halfway around the world . . . why did he do so to then move to another big city and take another office desk job?