I don't want to get jumped on here but, could someone explain this whole "expat" thing to me. It comes up in almost every thread and I'd like to understand it a bit more.
Thanks
Thanks
- Thread starter ElizPuntaCana
- Start date
I'm almost afraid to ask...
I don't want to get jumped on here but, could someone explain this whole "expat" thing to me. It comes up in almost every thread and I'd like to understand it a bit more.
Thanks
Definition::Expatriate: (noun): Loser who didn't cut it in his own country. Spends time insulting others via blog and surfing for porn. Consumes massive amount of beer or Brugal white rum in morning and evenings, no matter. Most likely fat, bald and was picked on alot in high school.
Eg: Jim, the expat was out at Man--- last night hitting on that Hatian prostitute again. Doesn't he know all he has to do is pay?
Eliz: Hope you enjoyed this! (ps was my comment you quoted up). You see, the "other" user couldn't help but to hint that perhaps you should have checked the dictionary first.
Love,
G
Actually, there are a lot of residents here in the DR that do not think of themselves as "expats" whether we are or not by definition.
For example, there is a guy in Santo Domingo who has been here since '62, married into the Barcel? family and has contributed to the progress of the country, the company and the family.
There is another in Santiago, came here in '62, married into some of the landed gentry, went into education and he and his wife have been teaching for 40 years...They are much more Dominicanized than trying to maintain an 'expat' lifestyle.
They do not drink nor do they pursue professional ladies of the night. These persons, including a few Brits and Canuks who post here have wry senses of humor, laugh at themselves a lot and have really wonderful lifestyles, with all the normal cares and woes of "normal" people.
There are others that are losing that patina of "newness to the DR" that sort of marks them as "expats" ....and some are even gainfully employed!!! Good heavens!!
But then again I never even knew I was "hispanic" until the 70s or 80s...so what do I know....I just let my fingers to the talking...
HB
For example, there is a guy in Santo Domingo who has been here since '62, married into the Barcel? family and has contributed to the progress of the country, the company and the family.
There is another in Santiago, came here in '62, married into some of the landed gentry, went into education and he and his wife have been teaching for 40 years...They are much more Dominicanized than trying to maintain an 'expat' lifestyle.
They do not drink nor do they pursue professional ladies of the night. These persons, including a few Brits and Canuks who post here have wry senses of humor, laugh at themselves a lot and have really wonderful lifestyles, with all the normal cares and woes of "normal" people.
There are others that are losing that patina of "newness to the DR" that sort of marks them as "expats" ....and some are even gainfully employed!!! Good heavens!!
But then again I never even knew I was "hispanic" until the 70s or 80s...so what do I know....I just let my fingers to the talking...
HB
Some so-called "expats" actually were very successful in their countries of birth, got fed up with the direction their country of birth was taking, and left for good.
In my case, I was "accidentalmente" born in the US (nobody actually gets to choose where or to whom they are born, right Hillbilly?), came to the DR once the lightbulb came on, and adopted it as "my" country - and now am an expat in yet another country while working.
I consider myself Dominican in heart and mind, and enjoy confusing people where I now live (temporarily) when they ask where I am "from" and I tell them la Rep?blica Dominicana....."oh, I thought you were American". I don't drink very often, and don't hang around places with UBHs (or any other of these types either). Yes, I am fat and balding.
Perhaps the term "expat" only applies to those who someday intend to return to their country of birth? Most folks who call themselves expats are in another country for either work or volunteer activities, or even just a break from life as they know it and do intend to go back to their country of birth someday. I don't consider myself "absent" - I left my country of birth for good. I do however consider myself an expat right now, while working outside of the DR.
In my case, I was "accidentalmente" born in the US (nobody actually gets to choose where or to whom they are born, right Hillbilly?), came to the DR once the lightbulb came on, and adopted it as "my" country - and now am an expat in yet another country while working.
I consider myself Dominican in heart and mind, and enjoy confusing people where I now live (temporarily) when they ask where I am "from" and I tell them la Rep?blica Dominicana....."oh, I thought you were American". I don't drink very often, and don't hang around places with UBHs (or any other of these types either). Yes, I am fat and balding.
Perhaps the term "expat" only applies to those who someday intend to return to their country of birth? Most folks who call themselves expats are in another country for either work or volunteer activities, or even just a break from life as they know it and do intend to go back to their country of birth someday. I don't consider myself "absent" - I left my country of birth for good. I do however consider myself an expat right now, while working outside of the DR.
To me expat seems to insinuate "foreigner" or "outsider". It may be that because of my looks and accent that Dominicans consider me as such, but I consider myself a future Dominican citizen at some point. I still won't ever eat mondongo or boiled plaintain every night of the week, been there done that.
Excellent Luis, were you wondering who might see through the bushes and wonder who was actually hiding behind the description...
Looks like Punta Cana is the destination for the next trip or two but after that I WILL get to Santiago, maybe even for a couple of days.
Gregg
To me expat seems to insinuate "foreigner" or "outsider". It may be that because of my looks and accent that Dominicans consider me as such, but I consider myself a future Dominican citizen at some point. I still won't ever eat mondongo or boiled plaintain every night of the week, been there done that.
It must be your accent, based on the pics of you that i've seen here you are not Nordic white if you get rid of your accent nobody would know you're a foreigner.
haha, good one. Just to put things in perspective, I can't count how many times Dominicans have asked me to help them find a gringito/a for them. It is anything but a pejorative term.