British expat children have better quality of life
 

http://www.expatforum.com/britain/br...-suggests.html

;)

Re: British expat children have better quality of life
 

we wouldn't be here otherwise...

Re: British expat children have better quality of life
 

But is this due to being an expat or the probable increase in family income?

Re: British expat children have better quality of life
 

Likely a lot of correlative factors. Oh and the weather is likely to be better anywhere else than gloomy UK:D

Re: British expat children have better quality of life
 

Don't have children ourselves - but what we sometimes see of British expat children is somewhat worrying. In our local supermarket they treat the staff like sh!t - this is the teenagers we're talking about and they're not above trying to steal stuff either. Have had to had words with a couple of people about this.

Yes, perhaps they have a better quality of life here in Dubai, as long as their parents can afford it. But if, as and when they have to return to the real life if they go to university in their home countries it will come as a real shock.

Suspect that many expat children have a real eye opener when they discover that they themselves have to pack their own bags at the supermarket, fuel their car themselves, make their own beds, do their own laundry (ie pick up their own dirty clothes from the floor, wash and iron same themselves) etc.

They may have a better quality of life whilst they're here but does it prepare them for life in the rest of the world?

Re: British expat children have better quality of life
 

Re. treating supermarket staff like shit, it must be effect of the enviroment they grow up in. As we all know those working menial/blue collar jobs in the Gulf are usually from nationalities that are viewed as inferior humans. Children of well to do and better off nationalities will just absord the local attitude.

Re: British expat children have better quality of life
 

I've seen children in the UK treat supermarket staff like shit so nothing new there.

And when the parents buy into the whole "certain nationalities for certain jobs" it's no wonder expat children do too.

N.

Re: British expat children have better quality of life
 

That's OK, so will most of the expats.

Re: British expat children have better quality of life
 

Some expats are quite used to doing all these things - indeed some of us were serving people in petrol stations and stacking supermarket shelves as teens to earn a bit of cash while we were studying.

The expat children who get to their teens without doing a bit of elbow grease will suffer the most - the expats who came from that environment will adjust quickly when they go back for the most part.

Of course I grew up on a country estate with my own team of butlers, maids and crack whores on standby so this place is a downgrade for me ;)

N.

Re: British expat children have better quality of life
 

I know a few expat kids who grew up in the ME with a maid in the house etc. They went back home for hols, and lived like what is considered "normal " at home. No problem. Later on, some went home for good, and had no problem at all adapting.
IMHO it is all up to the parents, as simple as that.

My son for example, is growing up as an expat kid. He goes to a private school, lives in a "villa" and we have help in the house.
He appreciates all those things, and is very well aware that we are fortunate to have what we do.
He would never speak down to ANY person, no matter who or what they are.
When we go home, he does not for one minute expect the same things as we have in the ME.

I know there are a lot of kids like him, and sadly, a few who are "different".
But as I said, it's up to the parents.

Re: British expat children have better quality of life
 

Be realistic, please. How do you know how your son behaves when you are not around? I know several white kids here who are absolute horrors when dealing with maids, tradesmen and even shop assistants when their mums and dads are not in sight.

Re: British expat children have better quality of life
 

Sounds like you have trust issues.

Re: British expat children have better quality of life
 

Have you not seen how kids here behave when their parents are not around? I know that kids are kids, but sometimes they can be downright nasty. Not a question of trust issues, rather talking from personal experience.

Re: British expat children have better quality of life
 

As a teacher I can say that parents have no idea how poorly behaved their kids are when they go to school.

Re: British expat children have better quality of life
 

I know what my son does and does not do. Besides him being brought up in a certain way, which would prevent behaviour as you mention above, there are always people happy to "inform" parents if and when there are issues.
Besides, why would a child behave totally out of norm just because he/she is not supervised?
Now my child is certainly no angel, but treating other people derogatory is not something he does.
I do believe in my parenting skills.

There certainly are many children, from all nationalities who do display a worrying amount of disrespect for others, but that would certainly be something first witnessed at home, non?