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Sign up with Google Sign up with FacebookQ: What's the definition of Expat?
if I am here 7 or 8 months a year am I an expat? Part time expat??
I think I have the best of both worlds as I get to go home and rest for a few weeks or month at time.
Why do other expats and even some locals (women) have an issue with this?
Wiki says:
"An expatriate (in abbreviated form, expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing or legal residence. The word comes from the Latin term expatriātus from ex ("out of") and patriā the ablative case of patria ("country, fatherland"), from Greek Exo (outside) and Patrida (Fatherland, Country)."
I tend to agree with this definition. and yes, that means you're also an expat.
I've been here 6 years never went home for 4 straight at one point, I don't get it either... Some expats have a chip on their shoulder about how long they've been here... So what? Some have a chip on their shoulder about what work others do, like teaching... So what? I just chalk them up as douche bags i likely would have laughed at back home or kicked the shit out of... Looser... so what? Hence why I have fewer expat friends than fingers on my 1 hand. It is hard to make friends as some of the expats I've liked the most were simply passing through...
Yes, you're an expat. Some of your fellow expats have a problem with this for the same reason as why they hate to see strange laowai. They want to feel unique and special. Being able to call themselves expats is a badge of honor for how they suffer all the hardships of being a lonely businessman/woman lost in this giant sea of red. And having some part-time teacher getting to use the same title tarnishes it for them.
Thanks. This is why I don't really have expat friends...unless you count the Taiwanese.
Funny thing...first 2 months I hated it here..I didn't even really like Chinese girls. Then this place grew on me. I still find most things here are shitty, but I grew to love the local girls, and suddenly I liked it here ! I work for an importer, but I have friends that teach English in the region (although not in China).
I can see how long time expats might be pissed that I get to go home for free, but the longer I am here, the harder it is to leave (women...what can I say!)
I hear you, I string a LONG trap line my friend, I regularly check it (I don't want any to gnaw off a limb) and I keep resetting the line, over and over.... The tush is likely the ONLY reason I can't go... I'm addicted. I can't only settle for 1 either, I gotta taste it all, keep it fresh, there are so many here you can do that forever. Life is good.