Which category expat are you?
May 23rd 2010, 3:59 pm
#1
Not Banned (yet)
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Madrid
Posts: 6,400
Which category expat are you?
I saw this used to describe expats in another country, and thought (suitably modified) it could be used with regard to Spain
What you find amongst the ex-pats is that they either
A) live there, play and leave with good memories
B) live, love the place, become Spanish and stay
or C) they stay too long when the minuses have started to outweigh the pluses and become bitter and very unhappy.
What you find amongst the ex-pats is that they either
A) live there, play and leave with good memories
B) live, love the place, become Spanish and stay
or C) they stay too long when the minuses have started to outweigh the pluses and become bitter and very unhappy.
May 23rd 2010, 8:51 pm
#2
RETIRED ;-))
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Benalmadena Pueblo,Spain
Posts: 20,156
Re: Which category expat are you?
I saw this used to describe expats in another country, and thought (suitably modified) it could be used with regard to Spain
What you find amongst the ex-pats is that they either
A) live there, play and leave with good memories
B) live, love the place, become Spanish and stay
or C) they stay too long when the minuses have started to outweigh the pluses and become bitter and very unhappy.
What you find amongst the ex-pats is that they either
A) live there, play and leave with good memories
B) live, love the place, become Spanish and stay
or C) they stay too long when the minuses have started to outweigh the pluses and become bitter and very unhappy.
May 23rd 2010, 9:20 pm
#3
Banned
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,008
Re: Which category expat are you?
I saw this used to describe expats in another country, and thought (suitably modified) it could be used with regard to Spain
What you find amongst the ex-pats is that they either
A) live there, play and leave with good memories
B) live, love the place, become Spanish and stay
or C) they stay too long when the minuses have started to outweigh the pluses and become bitter and very unhappy.
What you find amongst the ex-pats is that they either
A) live there, play and leave with good memories
B) live, love the place, become Spanish and stay
or C) they stay too long when the minuses have started to outweigh the pluses and become bitter and very unhappy.
Load of Spanish have stayed in the UK because they love it, but they have not become British, they are what they are Spanish people who live in the UK.
May 23rd 2010, 9:21 pm
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2009
Location: Alicante province
Posts: 5,753
Re: Which category expat are you?
You’ve over simplified it Stevie. I came over to try it out, found that I liked it, and stayed.
Many years later, I’m still here and still like it, love it would be more appropriate, but outside influences can change things, the exchange rate is the best example, I might love the place to death but if I can’t afford to live here, the dream is dead. That wouldn’t make me bitter, just realistic.
I’ve turned into a flexible expat, but I’m not prepared to learn another language, if it goes wrong, I’m going home. I hope it doesn’t happen.
Many years later, I’m still here and still like it, love it would be more appropriate, but outside influences can change things, the exchange rate is the best example, I might love the place to death but if I can’t afford to live here, the dream is dead. That wouldn’t make me bitter, just realistic.
I’ve turned into a flexible expat, but I’m not prepared to learn another language, if it goes wrong, I’m going home. I hope it doesn’t happen.
May 23rd 2010, 9:40 pm
#5
On the road again.
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: On Top of the World
Posts: 17,507
Re: Which category expat are you?
Not something you can truly categorise.
There are 1001 reasons and combinations of reasons why folk come to Spain and just as many reasons why they either stay or leave.
However its highly unlikely you'll ever get to know about a fraction of them on an open forum.
There are 1001 reasons and combinations of reasons why folk come to Spain and just as many reasons why they either stay or leave.
However its highly unlikely you'll ever get to know about a fraction of them on an open forum.
May 23rd 2010, 9:42 pm
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,101
Re: Which category expat are you?
I dont really understand your reasoning with the B option, about becoming Spanish, do you mean take nationality? Because there is no need we are in the EU.
Load of Spanish have stayed in the UK because they love it, but they have not become British, they are what they are Spanish people who live in the UK.
Load of Spanish have stayed in the UK because they love it, but they have not become British, they are what they are Spanish people who live in the UK.
May 23rd 2010, 9:57 pm
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2009
Location: Alicante province
Posts: 5,753
Re: Which category expat are you?
I’ve just thought of another problem after hearing ‘er indoors on the phone to a Spanish friend.
If the wheel comes off, I might be going home alone, she’s more Spanish than Spanish and has lived here for most of her life.
I might be wandering the Essex mud flats on my own. Fxxx it, this is getting serious, Stevie, you’re a troublemaker.
If the wheel comes off, I might be going home alone, she’s more Spanish than Spanish and has lived here for most of her life.
I might be wandering the Essex mud flats on my own. Fxxx it, this is getting serious, Stevie, you’re a troublemaker.
May 23rd 2010, 10:15 pm
#8
On the road again.
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: On Top of the World
Posts: 17,507
Re: Which category expat are you?
I’ve just thought of another problem after hearing ‘er indoors on the phone to a Spanish friend.
If the wheel comes off, I might be going home alone, she’s more Spanish than Spanish and has lived here for most of her life.
I might be wandering the Essex mud flats on my own. Fxxx it, this is getting serious, Stevie, you’re a troublemaker.
If the wheel comes off, I might be going home alone, she’s more Spanish than Spanish and has lived here for most of her life.
I might be wandering the Essex mud flats on my own. Fxxx it, this is getting serious, Stevie, you’re a troublemaker.
Englands already full up of refugees from all over the globe.
On the other hand if you can prove yer lifes in mortal danger from er indoors,.... D.C. being the kind-hearted sole he is,.... might just take pity on yer....
Providing of course you promise im yer vote next time around.
May 23rd 2010, 10:52 pm
#9
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2009
Location: Alicante province
Posts: 5,753
Re: Which category expat are you?
Sorry pal,....No chance,
Englands already full up of refugees from all over the globe.
On the other hand if you can prove yer lifes in mortal danger from er indoors,.... D.C. being the kind-hearted sole he is,.... might just take pity on yer....
Providing of course you promise im yer vote next time around.
Englands already full up of refugees from all over the globe.
On the other hand if you can prove yer lifes in mortal danger from er indoors,.... D.C. being the kind-hearted sole he is,.... might just take pity on yer....
Providing of course you promise im yer vote next time around.
Imagine leaving your country for 20-odd years and being told that you’re no longer wanted there? And all because you’ve thrown a few tax bills in the basura.
May 23rd 2010, 11:08 pm
#10
On the road again.
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: On Top of the World
Posts: 17,507
Re: Which category expat are you?
Don’t you start frightening me as well, I voted for DC’s pal. And I won’t sleep tonight now you’ve told me the place is full up.
Imagine leaving your country for 20-odd years and being told that you’re no longer wanted there? And all because you’ve thrown a few tax bills in the basura.
Imagine leaving your country for 20-odd years and being told that you’re no longer wanted there? And all because you’ve thrown a few tax bills in the basura.
Next time I'll try and remember to take them straight down to the recycling bin.
Anyway as a last resort,I've always got my other bolt-hole deep in the Scandinavian forests,.... just like Robin Hood,... and protected by my own very merry men with their moonshine vodka and I also happen to know one or two very accomodating Maid Marions up that way too, just the thing on a cold Winters night.
May 24th 2010, 2:40 pm
#11
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Vejer de la Fra., Cadiz
Posts: 7,653
Re: Which category expat are you?
Oh dear sorry,I do apologise.
Next time I'll try and remember to take them straight down to the recycling bin.
Anyway as a last resort,I've always got my other bolt-hole deep in the Scandinavian forests,.... just like Robin Hood,... and protected by my own very merry men with their moonshine vodka and I also happen to know one or two very accomodating Maid Marions up that way too, just the thing on a cold Winters night.
Next time I'll try and remember to take them straight down to the recycling bin.
Anyway as a last resort,I've always got my other bolt-hole deep in the Scandinavian forests,.... just like Robin Hood,... and protected by my own very merry men with their moonshine vodka and I also happen to know one or two very accomodating Maid Marions up that way too, just the thing on a cold Winters night.
Shouldn't that be 'Made' Marion?
May 25th 2010, 3:51 pm
#12
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,749
Re: Which category expat are you?
I dont really understand your reasoning with the B option, about becoming Spanish, do you mean take nationality? Because there is no need we are in the EU.
Load of Spanish have stayed in the UK because they love it, but they have not become British, they are what they are Spanish people who live in the UK.
Load of Spanish have stayed in the UK because they love it, but they have not become British, they are what they are Spanish people who live in the UK.
One thing I do find strange is the British kids who have lived all their life in Spain and maybe were even born in Spain and yet are 100% British, in some cases not even speaking Spanish.
I find that weird. I think kids need to be able to identify with the society they live in. I'd even go so far to say that these kids should be encouraged to speak Spanish as their majority everyday language, otherwise they will have no choice but to immigrate when they get older to another country they will barely know.
May 25th 2010, 4:20 pm
#13
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2009
Location: Valencia
Posts: 1,249
Re: Which category expat are you?
I agree, you cant do it in one lifetime
One thing I do find strange is the British kids who have lived all their life in Spain and maybe were even born in Spain and yet are 100% British, in some cases not even speaking Spanish.
I find that weird. I think kids need to be able to identify with the society they live in. I'd even go so far to say that these kids should be encouraged to speak Spanish as their majority everyday language, otherwise they will have no choice but to immigrate when they get older to another country they will barely know.
One thing I do find strange is the British kids who have lived all their life in Spain and maybe were even born in Spain and yet are 100% British, in some cases not even speaking Spanish.
I find that weird. I think kids need to be able to identify with the society they live in. I'd even go so far to say that these kids should be encouraged to speak Spanish as their majority everyday language, otherwise they will have no choice but to immigrate when they get older to another country they will barely know.
Some parents speak hardly any spanish so how on earth do they help their children,even a little, with homework.
In fact they tend to stay away from school completely and drop their kids off outside.
May 25th 2010, 4:30 pm
#14
In Estepona
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Estepona, Spain
Posts: 633
Re: Which category expat are you?
Id say im between an A and a B. At the moment I have absolutely no reason to ever want to leave Spain. But I cant say that I am definately staying here for the rest of my life. Who knows what opportunities are out there or what will happen 
May 25th 2010, 4:49 pm
#15
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Córdoba
Posts: 1,558
Re: Which category expat are you?
OFF TOPIC WARNING
If anything puts me off it'll be the incompetent beaurocracy. Some of them are brilliantly efficient and some are just dreadful, and because they work such a short day you need to take time off work everytime they mess up.
5%?? I say take 55% off the fools!
