Re: Incomers.....
 

Well, perhaps Cman would benefit by thinking through his responses a bit, since his views are not only often verifiably exaggerated or simply false, but he does have a funny habit of completely contradicting himself.

But perhaps you're right, I should go easier on him, since he does exhibit essentially the very same behaviour and mentality exhibited by the politicians who helped Spain (and Europe) get us into the fine position we are in at present.

Re: Incomers.....
 

Of course I'm an extranjera, or la inglesa as my neighbours say when describing me.

Why should the fact that you have gone to another country to work, rather than to retire, make a difference to the way you are described? I'm an early retiree but I'm still an immigrant. People who go to live in the UK to find work are often described as economic migrants. Wanting to live in a country where they feel their incomes in retirement will go further, or their resources will enable them to retire early, as I did (although that's only one of the many reasons people have to leave their own country) also makes us economic migrants. As far as possible I'm avoiding references to specific countries as I feel that makes the argument less emotive, and it applies to every country equally as far as I'm concerned.

Re: Incomers.....
 

Many British don't seem to like being described as immigrants. What's in a name! We all have different perceptions. I don't like the word guiri, others are happy being called one. When OH was in málaga hospital I heard him referred to a few times as the foreigner. Didn't bother me but I did sort of notice it when others were being called by their first names. Ex-pat to me infers someone who has been sent abroad by their company, have little interest of adapting to the local customs etc as it is never their intention to stay.

Did anyone see where a guy on facebook was having a rant about some illegal travellers nearby and called them Pikeys.....he was fined £300:blink:

Re: Incomers.....
 

So, I am still in the same situation what to call the expats/guiris/foreigners/pateros/migrant/immigrants/immigrunts/Poms etc...???
Or God forbid,incomer?

Re: Incomers.....
 

Phileas Foggers?

Re: Incomers.....
 

What about ALIENS?:p

Re: Incomers.....
 

It's not as daft as it sounds. Years ago we had an aliens registration office and aliens were prohibited from living in the UK for more than three months.

But our colonial past meant that millions of Jamaicans, Pakistanis and Indians had free access to the UK. They've re-shaped our green isle and turned it into the multi racial paradise we have now (and I'm being serious).

It seems the EU and the influx of eastern Europeans winds us up, because they're only in the UK to feather their nests and don't intend to stay, returning to Poland or wherever when they've milked us dry.

The word Alien now refers to people from outer space, although it might be bent back into shape by Cameron and UKIP to mean the Jocks who hate Conservatives and Sassenachs with a passion.

Re: Incomers.....
 

Right, so from now on for Jocks read Aliens. :thumbup:

Having said that, for any Spanish having just seen a real big hairy one for the first time on a windy night, they'll likely already have come to that conclusion. :rofl:

Re: Incomers.....
 

& anyone not a US citizen is officially still an ALIEN as far as they are concerned

any US citizen living outside the US, married to a non-US citizen, when filing their tax returns has to declare that they are with an NRA - non-resident alien

Re: Incomers.....
 

Thank you problem sloved........from no on I will refer to "incomers" as "resident aliens"- I like that, if it is good enough for the Americans it is good enough for me.
Simples.

I hope this will bring harmony as I will not be using the offending word "incomer" from now on.

But on the off chance that some members do get offended by the term, well....what can I say.....you cant please everybody.

Thank you again for your input:thumbsup:

Re: Incomers.....
 

I doubt thats why he hates you.... I didn't even realise you drove a Mercedes.........

Re: Incomers.....
 

:):rofl::rofl::rofl::)

Re: Incomers.....
 

I don't know when it happened, but at some stage in life I must have turned soft. A nasty Moroccan beggar accosted my wife in the Mercadona car park yesterday while I was locking the car up. I rushed up to him and was about to do what I have always done in such a situation, but something stopped me.

I actually handed him a Euro coin instead.

I don't hate anyone any more - what a revelation. So when I saw the posts from Matt and Agoreira this morning, I actually smiled benignly.

If they were within reach I would have handed them a Euro coin each.

Re: Incomers.....
 

Or you could just lighten up!

(By the way, that applies to SOOOOOO many people on this forum!)

Re: Incomers.....
 

Can't stand folk that drive big flash motors.

It's not that I'm jealous, it's just that I hate having to go round all day breathing in their excess,smelly emisions. ;)

Re: Incomers.....
 

I still get tax requests from the American authorities for a small business venture many years ago. It's a small amount I have refused to pay on principle. The weird thing is that they have traced me to my present Spanish address, although my business was conducted from the UK, and I paid my UK taxes at the time.

I don't think I would have any rights as an alien in the US.

Re: Incomers.....
 

Depends what king of Mercedes it is

Sure a new, top of the range CL or E-series is pretty flash

But a 15 year old bog standard C-series is not.

Re: Incomers.....
 

Nah, I use that petrol additive and it runs clear. At least I use it for the MOT test.

Re: Incomers.....
 

I doubt they'd even let you in.

Best beef up your security, if they've tracked you down that far, you could even be on the CIA hit list. ;) :eek:

Re: Incomers.....
 

A 15 year old anything is almost certain to produce more emissions than a new huge 'gas guzzler'. Debate:sneaky:

Re: Incomers.....
 

After the extreme hassle with the US border people the last time, I vowed never to return anyway. Mind you, did I tell you about flying back from Stansted last Saturday?

Needless to say my hand luggage was put on the list to be searched by those goons wearing gloves. I suffered in silence while one goon removed the liquid items like toothpaste to be put in a separate plastic bag.

A young South American couple next to me explained to their searcher that they only had five minutes to catch their plane. The goon smiled and slowed down his search. I had just put my watch back on and checked the time.

When my bag was returned to me, the smiling goon was still fiddling about with the young couples bags and I stood back to watch. Another goon came up and asked why I was hanging around. I told him I was writing an article on the UK border agency.

He must have pressed a panic button because two police officers armed with machine pistols suddenly appeared and walked in my direction. I put my notebook away and walked off.

As I traversed the duty free shop, the young couple raced past me into the maze beyond. If they had told the truth about only having five minutes to catch their plane, they would have missed it.

I did write the article. You're reading it.

Re: Incomers.....
 

Those "goons" are doing the job they are hired to do. People know it can happen and allow more time. Arrive in the USA with an unpaid parking fine and you won't get in.

Re: Incomers.....
 

I've heard stories like this. Apparently, all international arrivals are subject to strip and body cavity searches, and if you resist, they blast you with machine-gun fire and then take the heads as trophies. It's true; I read it on the internet.

But what most people don't know is that all you need to do is tell them that you're a journalist, and suddenly it scares the wits out of them, and magically, none of it even exists. I suppose that's why it's difficult to find any credible accounts of any of these things ever taking place.

But if I or anyone I ever knew were subject to the obviously intrusive security measures you were subjected to (such as removing liquids from your baggage), I'd also never go back.

Re: Incomers.....
 

Sorry I meant about which cars are perceived to be flash

Actually those who drive old cars are being much kinder to the environment that those who buy a new car every few years

Making a new car uses as much CO2 as for 10 years worth of petrol use. And of course add all the raw materials and environmental impact on top of that

If people loved the planet they would buy an efficient new car at that time and then keep it for life

Re: Incomers.....
 

You cannot just compare the emissions of an old car with a new one. Eg.If HBG never changes his current car, the comparison to be made would be the total of the emissions of his car against the emissions of the new car plus the emissions in manufacturing the new car.
HBG is probably being green.;)

Re: Incomers.....
 

I have often wondered but never found out how long it took Battersea power station to become a positive provider of energy. The amount of energy required to construct it must have taken years to recover.

Nothing to do with incomers or Spain but if anyone knows the answer they will be somewhere on this forum.

Re: Incomers.....
 

If I had enough money I would have a new Mercedes/Bentley, whatever and f**ck the emissions etc.:p

Re: Incomers.....
 

I don't know about being 'green', though I have voted Liberal in the past.

After many years of hard work I rewarded myself when I fell in love with my car. It has a five litre V8 engine, but is chipped at 250 kph. It's not new. It's not green either, it's dark blue.

Re: Incomers.....
 

Why didn't I have the courage to say that? I was thinking it.

Re: Incomers.....
 

I think of myself as me. Collectively, perhaps, as émigrés.

Re: Incomers.....
 

Ok so on that basis i'm (a) an alien guiri marida distinctly non-pc housewife, who (b) drives a REAL 4x4 (as opposed to the pristine chelsea tractors wielded by the 'native' wags at school, and (c) due to my driving style and the fact we bought new and I'm as tight as hell with diesel use, Iḿ as green as a hypocritical pickup driver can be:blink: (yes??:nod:)

We won't mention OH's pressie to himself, a la J2/HBG(2), which is 5 litre & absolutely RAVED about by one J Clarkson........................:o

Re: Incomers.....
 

Bet you were sweating buckets when they put their rubber gloves on. ;) :eek:

Re: Incomers.....
 

Something more modest for me, but certainly a new set of wheels every two years, and to hell with the expense and emissions. The little bits we cut back on are drops in the ocean compared with what the likes of China, the Yanks etc pump out. Don't mind doing my bit, but if nobody else is taking it serious, why should I?;)

Re: Incomers.....
 

Be careful, you could be accused of being wealthy (or at least supporting the notion that it might be OK to have a bit of money).

But don't worry, I don't believe it's illegal quite yet. Maybe next year.

Re: Incomers.....
 

I bought a new car recently - and got something more modest because I wouldnt be comfortable parking a flashy car just anywhere. Given that a lot of people touch park and their keys get jealous I didnt want to cause myself any more trouble than was necessary

I also put two big dents in the bumper in the few weeks I had it so it wouldnt stand out ;)

Re: Incomers.....
 

Un huh... let me get this straight:

you have the resources to buy a nice car (and would like one), yet you realise that it's better to buy a modest and unremarkable car and then smash it just to make it appear as though you're poor and not a worthy target for ubiquitous "jealousy" vandalism (which, along with many other undesirable things that take place here which don't exist and are a fig-newton of people's imagination).

oh boy.

Re: Incomers.....
 

Please........put me down for a Euro too will ya

Re: Incomers.....
 

Check out the classifieds;)

Re: Incomers.....
 

There is nothing wrong with having money, it's how you make it and how you spend it.

Re: Incomers.....
 

I disagree with you on this one. Cman is right, 'ricos' are a target in my part of Spain too. They are targeted not only by snotty-nosed vandals who spray graffiti on their walls, but real criminals too.

A local Spanish businessman used to drive around in a chauffeur driven Rolls Royce and lived in a mansion nearby. They got to him, broke in, tied up his bodyguard and tortured him to open the safe. He and his wife never recovered from their ordeal, they are both dead now.

I'm not rich, only comfortable while the pound holds up, but I have a Doberman to protect us along with other security measures to keep out the vandals.

And I'm going to downsize when I can to make life safer, and a dented car will be a consideration. I'd feel a lot safer in a Twingo with dents.