Expats in Latin America

[SR]

Originally Posted by Kiko

In Jalisco we call expats who grumble and complain all day gruñones.

Pinches gruñones!

[bananaman]

Originally Posted by BeachGuy

When everything you own is packed on the backside of your bike, or your wearing it.

Good answer.

[C5!]

Originally Posted by bananaman

At what point does an ex-pat become an immigrant? How do you tell the difference?

very good point. I didn't answer that post because I don't consider myself an expat.
Expats are normally on assignments working for government (diplomats) or foreign multinationals. They have often company apartments, company cars, a better than average living conditions and status. These are the ones who bitch most normally.
The "you call it immigrant" or "I'll call it adventurer" normally lives like a local, works for a local company, or when working for a foreign company, works for local wages and working conditions. He is often married with a "local" as well. When you find both in the same city (the expat and the adventurer), they normally don't mingle, they are world apart.

[Kiko]

Expat> "Check please", or "I want..." or "I don't understand..",
If the Mexican does not understand, then the Expat speaks louder in English. Go figure.

Above may be total vocabulary expertise after 10, 15, 20 years living in Mexico. They come for the cheap seats only. They are "entitled".

Immigrant> Once you ask them in Spanish why they prefer to live in Mexico instead of the US, they will never shut up.

[Kamuk]

Kiko,

Interesting insight
Expat: Entitled
Immigrant: Entrenched

What of Emigrant?
Just another Expat, or a blend between the two?

[Chiriqui Charlie]

My usage of the word "expat" is someone who has ex-patriated from his home country, to go and live someplace else.

[Kamuk]

Well I guess at its worst it could also mean no longer a loyalist, as in turncoat. Those too exist.

My familiarization with the word came from living amongst the Brits, Ozzies (Aussies? - there is another debate), South Afrikaners, and Kiwis, etc.. They seemed to refer to many living in another Country other than their Motherland with the term; and of those particular groups there are many.

For those that are planning to, or may, continue their travels - and are not completely set on growing permanent roots where they currently are - I find the term to suit.

If one becomes "all in" and actually becomes a citizen, then they have immigrated.

Any cunning linguists out there with a good grasp on the term?

[Britsabroad]

Look up expatriate in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

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. The word comes from the Latin terms ex ("out of") and patria ("country, fatherland").

An Immigrant a person who has emmigrated from his or her country of birth.

Immigration (derived from Latin: migratio) is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence. Immigration is made for many reasons, including economic, political, family re-unification, natural disaster, poverty or the wish to change one's surroundings voluntarily.

Does this qualify me for the position of Chief Cunning Linguist!?!

[Kamuk]

As cunning as a cunning fox with a diploma in cunningness...

So expats get to sit on the fence and either temporarily or permanently live in a country other than their birth... right on!

[Britsabroad]

Originally Posted by Kamuk

As cunning as a cunning fox with a diploma in cunningness...

So expats get to sit on the fence and either temporarily or permanently live in a country other than their birth... right on!

Also we can take the exam, swear the allegiance, & become a'merican citizen then we gets to vote & 'maybe' get social security..................................(just like the Mexicans!)

[bananaman]

You guys's explanation of the difference between an ex-pat and an immigrants makes sense. I guess by that definition, most Zonians were ex-pats, but not all Zonians were ex-pats, and it makes me think that I really shouldn't be called a Zonian.

I'm a dual-citizen, by birth, which means I can vote in Panama and the US. I could only be an ex-pat if I lived somewhere other than the US or Panama.

Or, wait- am I an ex-pat Panamanian when I'm in the US? I do carry my cedula everywhere I go, and I feel very Panamanian, even if I was born in Wisconsin.

I think I could qualify as an ex-pat here in Wisconsin. I complain about everything. I don't like most Americans. If you get me started, I'll be comparing everything here to how much better it is in Panama.

[MikeMike]

Been living here full time since 1993. You won't last long or like it much in Mexico unless you jump in with both feet and make a total commitment. Coming and going is for tourists, people who migrate for the winter miss things too much.
Long time motorcycle travelers that head to Mexico have already made a commitment of sorts and they see things very differently than the Lake Chapala neighborhood watch do.

[Kiko]

Some expats just retire too old. If they are in the late 60's or 70's, they may no longer be willing to put in the effort to adapt to a different country's culture. They're just watching the clock tick down.

[eakins]

mexico in the winter has amazing weather and there are roads everywhere.

[Britsabroad]

Glad to hear they have roads.............................................










OK, l'll get my coat!