Expats

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

My Dad was 30 years Military. I was born in the UK, went to elementary school in Germany, traveled all over Europe as a youngster and then lived all over the US. Mostly Texas and Colorado. Finished high school in Colorado.

At 18 I joined the Army and before I got out they had sent me off for a year on the DMZ in Korea and then a great stint in Hawaii. Got out in Hawaii and started my civilian LE career.

After 5 years I took a leave of absence to study Japanese in Japan. Loved it but alas I had to return back to work. Retired and decided to come back to Japan. It is home really now. From here as a base I travel all over Asia. I've been in Japan a total of near 10 years now. Love it.

I honestly don't know if I will ever return to the US.

Are you single/no children?

[Sublover2166]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

I didn't intend to offend my fellow Americans, merely stating observations that those who don't work abroad wouldn't contemplate. As an American who has been shot at by terrorists while working for the US Army in Iraq, and who is currently working for the US military abroad, I have the opportunity to see both sides of the equation.

Travel broadens the mind (thanks Adam).

All good, and Thank You for your service!

My wife happens to work for the world's largest defense contractor and helps to protect the homeland from WMD's.

[malarky_hk]

Cool story Tom. I hope to catch up with you more often as I can see myself spending more and more time in Japan in the coming years ahead.

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by Sublover2166

Are you single/no children?

Yes Sir. Single and never married. No kids that I am aware of.

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by malarky_hk

Cool story Tom. I hope to catch up with you more often as I can see myself spending more and more time in Japan in the coming years ahead.

That would be awesome Mark.

[Rock]

I have never lived overseas but have had the enjoyment of working with many expats over the years. A lot of blokes from the US and the UK who quickly adjusted to the subtle cultural differences and brought their own unique sense of humour with them.
I always remember a mate (who I still see occasionally) who would say "I gotta go take a leak" to which we would always reply "Where you gonna take it Kevin?"
It's a shame some other ex-pats come here without any intention of fitting in.

[watchy.watch.guy]

Originally Posted by locutus49

As an American who spent many years abroad, I agree with your assessment Abdullah.

this.
the "as a proud american" = reality tv and mcdonalds.

FYI people want to come here because your earning potential is in line with your effort. if you work hard you can do!!

but that doesn't apply to meth cooking, truck driving 'merica.

sorry those days are long gone. the glory days. the salad days.

[watchy.watch.guy]

Originally Posted by Rebel

Oh, one last thing. I wore a uniform that gave me a good "worldwide" perspective. Had an oak leaf on it when I hung it up. Been there, done that. Out.

missing the point clearly, making it even worse by claiming any US military duty is going to give you "worldwide" perspective.

make america great again!

[watchy.watch.guy]

interesting post and some small minded mentalities.

the us is great because you can make money based on sweat equity. work hard, earn more. not caste system, not communism. not shut your business down because of religious or sexual differences.

but what makes america great is NOT the people.

oh sure, i'm great. you're great. walk around disney world and take a look around. see anyone embracing greatness? i see a bunch of fatties embracing diabetes and a scooter.

so yes, americans, speaking 1 language, uncultured, bread being the bottom tier of the food pyramid.

the kids would say 'don't get butt hurt about it". if someone saying something, anything you feel is negative? move on or grow a pair, but no need to cry like a baby.

straight up, the world is a very hard place. you're upset over the truth? yikes.

[Dr. Prunesquallor]

Originally Posted by Abdullah71601

I didn't intend to offend my fellow Americans, merely stating observations that those who don't work abroad wouldn't contemplate. As an American who has been shot at by terrorists while working for the US Army in Iraq, and who is currently working for the US military abroad, I have the opportunity to see both sides of the equation.

Travel broadens the mind (thanks Adam).

Thanks for your your service, Abdullah. After spending three month in the Middle East over the past year, I can admit that MY perception of that part of the world was flawed. I don't think it makes me any less of an American to admit that.

[Star Ferry]

Originally Posted by watchy.watch.guy

but what makes america great is NOT the people.

oh sure, i'm great. you're great. walk around disney world and take a look around. see anyone embracing greatness? i see a bunch of fatties embracing diabetes and a scooter.

so yes, americans, speaking 1 language, uncultured, bread being the bottom tier of the food pyramid.

This is a pretty dumb post. We can't judge America by a few obese tourists at Disney World. It's a diverse 300+ million person country that has generated (and continues to generate) a huge amount of innovation

[Ruud Van Driver]

I'm from Cardiff, Wales. I emigrated to England () in 2008 to work at the same company I'm with now.

In March 2013, I came out to Singapore for a three month secondment to get the marine department of our new office up and running and I'm still here. I'll be going back to my south London office when I move back to the UK in April 2018. Allegedly.

I also lived in Cape Town back in 1996 for six months when I worked offshore for a diamond mining company and I loved the place. Been back on holiday twice since I'm still not sure why I moved back to the UK.

Having been in shipping for near 32 years and sailed for 17 of those years, I'm reasonably well travelled. There was a thread on here not long ago about the amount of countries we've visited. I think I was near 80 There's some great countries in this world and I'm not sure I could name a favourite

[Marrk]

Wes, you ought to do some ex-patting. It would be an awesome experience for you. What's your preference, East or West? Europe or Asia? Or maybe South America? Africa? I'm pretty sure there are beautiful women in all of those places.

[zama]

Home is where the heart is, for some that is travelling the world for others being where they grew up. I have travelled a lot for work, and spent two years as an expat in the USA, so I have a reasonable perspective. And been asked to do expat roles in Singapore and China (I declined these because I enjoy being in a less populated place).

There are some truths and gaps on comments above. For what it is worth I have always said America represents the extremes of the best and worst. Being the major economy of the world, and the owner of most of the global media does impact many elements of reality, and that is not a slight on American citizens there is nothing you can do about it, and it is not a criticism, media is geared towards political opinion and the same goes for EVERY country (the red under the bed is still evident to internationals). The long history of isolationist policy and controlled foreign policy is certainly more pervasive in the US then in any other developed country. The continuation of quoting the right to bear arms on a 250 year old document serves to this point of fear of outsiders.

So the great, nobody else would have got to the moon or space depending on your take on landing on the moon with a pocket calculator for a computer, outstanding engineering in many fields and an amazing can do spirit in business. Certainly my time spent in small town America also points to a close community spirit.

There is some truth to the naivety comment as well, over the years working for multinationals I have been amazed how many US SVP's have arrived in Australia or have been with me in Europe who are stunned that taxis won't take US $'s.... seriously .... Never once have I assumed my currency or anyone else would cover a cab in another country.

I respect greatly those who do military service for any country but I don't think it gives you an accurate picture generally of a culture, that is unless you are actually helping re build huts in villages that have suffered a Tsunami and live in tents alongside them, sharing their food. Merely being in a country does not equal immersion like working in it with the locals, just my 2c.

I think America is a great place it has many great things and downsides like every country, the one area that it is moving further and further away from the rest of the developed world is acceptance of gun violence. I know I am skating on thin ice, but I am challenging 300M odd American's to answer the question why the combined deaths from guns in Australia, England, Switzerland, France, Germany Japan and Denmark (similar population) combined is in the 100's vs 32,000 in the USA last year. I do hope the Facebook videos we see are being seen and understood in the USA and are not just turn a blind eye. And to quote your rights under the second amendment is a joke. You have an organised militia it is called the Police forces and Military (let them do their job). It is sad to see the ex cops on this forum post all the time about cops being gunned down. Guns kill people and the more there are the more people die from them, the data is without dispute. By the way they are called an ASSAULT rifle for a reason...... And I grew up in a house that had an old 303 from our farm days (I gave it in after our mass shooting in the 90's along with millions of other people who did the same). We have never had a mass killing since vs 300 odd in the US last year alone.

Anyway just in case I get banned for stating the bleeding obvious, it has been a fun 5000 odd posts........ I would hate to have to post an is it safe to set foot in America post......

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

Yes Sir. Single and never married. No kids that I am aware of.

Daddy!



Abdullah, don't you feel the "limited" view you are describing from Americans, and I understand what you are saying, couldn't it be applied to every nationality that has not lived abroad and experienced viewpoints of another country?

I lived in Mexico as a teenager, for a total of about two years, in a small city near the coast in the Yucatan. Besides learning Spanish, it gave me an excellent perspective of life other then the US, an exceptional experience all around. Added to that my military travels, I consider myself fortunate to have learned about other parts of the world and cultures.

Watchy watch guy whatever, I have no idea what point your posts are making, are you an American? Well, whether you are or not, show a little damm respect for my beloved country.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by zama

Home is where the heart is, for some that is travelling the world for others being where they grew up. I have travelled a lot for work, and spent two years as an expat in the USA, so I have a reasonable perspective. And been asked to do expat roles in Singapore and China (I declined these because I enjoy being in a less populated place).

There are some truths and gaps on comments above. For what it is worth I have always said America represents the extremes of the best and worst. Being the major economy of the world, and the owner of most of the global media does impact many elements of reality, and that is not a slight on American citizens there is nothing you can do about it, and it is not a criticism, media is geared towards political opinion and the same goes for EVERY country (the red under the bed is still evident to internationals). The long history of isolationist policy and controlled foreign policy is certainly more pervasive in the US then in any other developed country. The continuation of quoting the right to bear arms on a 250 year old document serves to this point of fear of outsiders.

So the great, nobody else would have got to the moon or space depending on your take on landing on the moon with a pocket calculator for a computer, outstanding engineering in many fields and an amazing can do spirit in business. Certainly my time spent in small town America also points to a close community spirit.

There is some truth to the naivety comment as well, over the years working for multinationals I have been amazed how many US SVP's have arrived in Australia or have been with me in Europe who are stunned that taxis won't take US $'s.... seriously .... Never once have I assumed my currency or anyone else would cover a cab in another country.

I respect greatly those who do military service for any country but I don't think it gives you an accurate picture generally of a culture, that is unless you are actually helping re build huts in villages that have suffered a Tsunami and live in tents alongside them, sharing their food. Merely being in a country does not equal immersion like working in it with the locals, just my 2c.

I think America is a great place it has many great things and downsides like every country, the one area that it is moving further and further away from the rest of the developed world is acceptance of gun violence. I know I am skating on thin ice, but I am challenging 300M odd American's to answer the question why the combined deaths from guns in Australia, England, Switzerland, France, Germany Japan and Denmark (similar population) combined is in the 100's vs 32,000 in the USA last year. I do hope the Facebook videos we see are being seen and understood in the USA and are not just turn a blind eye. And to quote your rights under the second amendment is a joke. You have an organised militia it is called the Police forces and Military (let them do their job). It is sad to see the ex cops on this forum post all the time about cops being gunned down. Guns kill people and the more there are the more people die from them, the data is without dispute. By the way they are called an ASSAULT rifle for a reason...... And I grew up in a house that had an old 303 from our farm days (I gave it in after our mass shooting in the 90's along with millions of other people who did the same). We have never had a mass killing since vs 300 odd in the US last year alone.

Anyway just in case I get banned for stating the bleeding obvious, it has been a fun 5000 odd posts........ I would hate to have to post an is it safe to set foot in America post......

Don't agree with your points Craig but you made them clear enough and I respect your right to have them I think there are some people in this country that feel the same way. Oh, and by the way, yeah, I think you did kind of step over the line with this... So.... IBTL

Wes, let me say how sorry I am your thread got off on this tangent and opinionated posts, some had valid points, but I don't think this is at all what you had in mind.

[Pangit]

I am from Swansea in Wales. Left the UK in 1995 for a three year contract in Doha, Qatar. Still here

[Marrk]

Craig, I like some of your comments, and I'm grateful to have them. However, I am deleting the response that I just wrote (there's 20 mins. down the drain) because I think Paul may be right here.

Cheers.

[ref1655]

Originally Posted by watchy.watch.guy

this.

the "as a proud american" = reality tv and mcdonalds.

interesting post and some small minded mentalities.

but what makes america great is NOT the people.

oh sure, i'm great. you're great. walk around disney world and take a look around. see anyone embracing greatness? i see a bunch of fatties embracing diabetes and a scooter.

so yes, americans, speaking 1 language, uncultured, bread being the bottom tier of the food pyramid.

you're upset over the truth? yikes.

hmmm.. this is either an example of a lack of coherence or a lack of assimilation.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by thevtcguy

don't agree with your points craig but you made them clear enough and i respect your right to have them I think there are some people in this country that feel the same way. Oh, and by the way, yeah, i think you did kind of step over the line with this... So.... Ibtl

wes, let me say how sorry i am your thread got off on this tangent and opinionated posts, some had valid points, but i don't think this is at all what you had in mind.

x2

[dalip]

Originally Posted by zama

I think America is a great place it has many great things and downsides like every country, the one area that it is moving further and further away from the rest of the developed world is acceptance of gun violence. I know I am skating on thin ice, but I am challenging 300M odd American's to answer the question why the combined deaths from guns in Australia, England, Switzerland, France, Germany Japan and Denmark (similar population) combined is in the 100's vs 32,000 in the USA last year. I do hope the Facebook videos we see are being seen and understood in the USA and are not just turn a blind eye. And to quote your rights under the second amendment is a joke. You have an organised militia it is called the Police forces and Military (let them do their job). It is sad to see the ex cops on this forum post all the time about cops being gunned down. Guns kill people and the more there are the more people die from them, the data is without dispute. By the way they are called an ASSAULT rifle for a reason...... And I grew up in a house that had an old 303 from our farm days (I gave it in after our mass shooting in the 90's along with millions of other people who did the same). We have never had a mass killing since vs 300 odd in the US last year alone.

Anyway just in case I get banned for stating the bleeding obvious, it has been a fun 5000 odd posts........ I would hate to have to post an is it safe to set foot in America post......

Ok then... You've got a month off. Push it again and it'll be permanent.

[dalip]

Originally Posted by watchy.watch.guy

interesting post and some small minded mentalities.

the us is great because you can make money based on sweat equity. work hard, earn more. not caste system, not communism. not shut your business down because of religious or sexual differences.

but what makes america great is NOT the people.

oh sure, i'm great. you're great. walk around disney world and take a look around. see anyone embracing greatness? i see a bunch of fatties embracing diabetes and a scooter.

so yes, americans, speaking 1 language, uncultured, bread being the bottom tier of the food pyramid.

the kids would say 'don't get butt hurt about it". if someone saying something, anything you feel is negative? move on or grow a pair, but no need to cry like a baby.

straight up, the world is a very hard place. you're upset over the truth? yikes.

Now where's the book on insulting an entire people?

[Syed117]

Edit:

It's 4am. I just started fasting.

Shouldn't be getting into potential arguments with people.

Hopefully no one was offended by anything I said. I don't think it was that bad, but you never know.

Goodnight.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by dalip

Now where's the book on insulting an entire people?

[Gaijin]

Haha! Nice Paul.














IBTL!! Boy this thread went to in a hurry.

[BrazenC5]

Originally Posted by Rock

I have never lived overseas but have had the enjoyment of working with many expats over the years. A lot of blokes from the US and the UK who quickly adjusted to the subtle cultural differences and brought their own unique sense of humour with them.
I always remember a mate (who I still see occasionally) who would say "I gotta go take a leak" to which we would always reply "Where you gonna take it Kevin?"
It's a shame some other ex-pats come here without any intention of fitting in.

How about "rooting for your team."

I lived in Sydney for 4 short months for work, and wished I could've stayed longer. Even coming from Southern California, I would have to say the lifestyle over there is amazing.

[swatty]

Originally Posted by BrazenC5

How about "rooting for your team."

I lived in Sydney for 4 short months for work, and wished I could've stayed longer. Even coming from Southern California, I would have to say the lifestyle over there is amazing.

Yep, we do a lot of rooting down here

Edit: Go Souths

[Ruud Van Driver]

Originally Posted by BrazenC5

How about "rooting for your team."

I lived in Sydney for 4 short months for work, and wished I could've stayed longer. Even coming from Southern California, I would have to say the lifestyle over there is amazing.

Sydney is a great city, one of my favourites. When I used to go there on container ships back in the 90s, I used to love to head down to Darling Harbour, do some shopping and then sit in one of the bars overlooking HMAS Vampire and watch the world go by. Shame the monorail is apparently gone (so I've heard ).

Australia is one of a few countries I get genuinely excited about when I get a call to head off to a job. India is another, especially to the Gujarat, Goa, Vizag and Calcutta. Kobe in Japan is an awesome city too, Odessa in the Ukraine is another favourite of mine along with San Francisco

[colpol]

Started off as a great thread but got totally ruined/ side tracked

Hopefully the mods will close off before anyone else ends up with a suspension

[Wesley Crusher]

Originally Posted by dera

Cape Town is one of the coolest cities in the world - for now. Unfortunately, thanks to the current political climate and the way people vote there, I don't think it will be for long. Sad. Very sad.
To visit, now would be the time. It really is an amazing place.

Lots of things going on in South Africa right now... You're right. If I go, maybe it should be sooner rather than later.

Originally Posted by Muzz

Thanks Wes!! In terms of moving to Canada it would be probably too difficult for my Wife who is Vietnamese. She likes the idea of visiting only and not permanently residing there. She has never driven a car (we have a car and driver set up here) and because the lifestyle is so different I am unsure she would ever settle.

Also she hates the cold lol

Ha, yea, Canada can be cooooold.

How's life in Vietnam? It looks like a beautiful country.

Originally Posted by Gaijin

My Dad was 30 years Military. I was born in the UK, went to elementary school in Germany, traveled all over Europe as a youngster and then lived all over the US. Mostly Texas and Colorado. Finished high school in Colorado.

At 18 I joined the Army and before I got out they had sent me off for a year on the DMZ in Korea and then a great stint in Hawaii. Got out in Hawaii and started my civilian LE career.

After 5 years I took a leave of absence to study Japanese in Japan. Loved it but alas I had to return back to work. Retired and decided to come back to Japan. It is home really now. From here as a base I travel all over Asia. I've been in Japan a total of near 10 years now. Love it.

I honestly don't know if I will ever return to the US.

Thanks for sharing, Tom. I've visited Tokyo and Kyoto. Both cities are incredible.

For one reason or another, Japan seems to have a certain appeal to many Americans (and others, I'm sure).

Your recent post in the Asian watch market collapse was really insightful. There is a dark side to Japan that I think a lot of people are unaware of, but I'd like to think that the good outweighs the bad.

Originally Posted by Rock

I have never lived overseas but have had the enjoyment of working with many expats over the years. A lot of blokes from the US and the UK who quickly adjusted to the subtle cultural differences and brought their own unique sense of humour with them.
I always remember a mate (who I still see occasionally) who would say "I gotta go take a leak" to which we would always reply "Where you gonna take it Kevin?"
It's a shame some other ex-pats come here without any intention of fitting in.

Agreed. If you're going to live in a new place, it's a shame not to embrace the culture.

Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver

I'm from Cardiff, Wales. I emigrated to England () in 2008 to work at the same company I'm with now.

In March 2013, I came out to Singapore for a three month secondment to get the marine department of our new office up and running and I'm still here. I'll be going back to my south London office when I move back to the UK in April 2018. Allegedly.

I also lived in Cape Town back in 1996 for six months when I worked offshore for a diamond mining company and I loved the place. Been back on holiday twice since I'm still not sure why I moved back to the UK.

Having been in shipping for near 32 years and sailed for 17 of those years, I'm reasonably well travelled. There was a thread on here not long ago about the amount of countries we've visited. I think I was near 80 There's some great countries in this world and I'm not sure I could name a favourite

Thanks for sharing. I've always been impressed by Singapore. It seems like a wonderful melting pot. How do you like living there?

Originally Posted by Marrk

Wes, you ought to do some ex-patting. It would be an awesome experience for you. What's your preference, East or West? Europe or Asia? Or maybe South America? Africa? I'm pretty sure there are beautiful women in all of those places.

Thanks, Mark. I think so, too. I am trying to build some technical skills that will (hopefully) allow me to work anywhere in the world.

And good question. Right now, I think my preference would be Asia or South America.

Originally Posted by Pangit

I am from Swansea in Wales. Left the UK in 1995 for a three year contract in Doha, Qatar. Still here

You must have seen a ton of growth over the past 20 years.

I am assuming you enjoy Doha?

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Daddy!



Abdullah, don't you feel the "limited" view you are describing from Americans, and I understand what you are saying, couldn't it be applied to every nationality that has not lived abroad and experienced viewpoints of another country?

I lived in Mexico as a teenager, for a total of about two years, in a small city near the coast in the Yucatan. Besides learning Spanish, it gave me an excellent perspective of life other then the US, an exceptional experience all around. Added to that my military travels, I consider myself fortunate to have learned about other parts of the world and cultures.

Watchy watch guy whatever, I have no idea what point your posts are making, are you an American? Well, whether you are or not, show a little damm respect for my beloved country.

Yucatan is a beautiful area of Mexico. Merida looks like an amazing city.

It's pretty cool that even though you spent such a short time living abroad, it seems to have had a real positive influence on your life. This just reinforces my belief that if we expose ourselves to new cultures, even for a short period, it can really open our eyes.