Expatriate?

[Wd40]

Like I said in my 1st reply in this thread, the global definition of expat is not valid in Singapore. Here we have different terms:
Foreign Workers
Foreign Talents
Expats
Permanent Residents.

What you call expat in the global context, are just refered to as "blardy foreigners" here

[Mexikaner]

I typically associate this term with skilled or semi-skilled foreigners and their families. There is no race nor country of origin factor in it. Comparing to other migrant workers the economical factor is also present but indirectly. The line goes probably over the point where one moves to a foreign country to address her/his basic living needs (have enough money for basic living) and those who do it based on further improvements of their financial situation or career or just because they chose so.

your "definition"...not mine

again, bit difficult to interpret...

[TryingTBBMom]

Whilst everyones definition varies, I believe the difference lies in the fact the in consideration that the "EXPAT" is working legally in a country not of the origin. We are willing to take postings for what ever the reason. in other countries and are permitted to do so by that country. Permit being the operative word. I do not agree how the US handles their immigration policies, I find it unfair to the foreign worker who is there to better themselves, and find themselves being punished for the lazy welfare bludggers that abuse the flawed system. There has to be a better way but I do not think you will find the answer here on this thread….

[Primrose Hill]

Shopping
Marks - for lingerie. Their clothes fails me. Sometimes shoes are ok.
Topshop, H&M, Zara, Mango, Tommy Hilfiger, Gap, Massimo Dutti, New Look, Brooks Brothers, Banana Republic etc are all suitable.
Expat by definition is rather dubious and rather subjective. It has a suggestion that public transport is beneath one self.
Am I an expat? I doubt think so. I am a PR here but does it mean much? To me it is the same a having an indefinite leave to remain - the UK's version of PR.
Do I get stared at here? Only in so much that I don't fit nor look the normal chinese person. However, I am used to be stared at and my husband too as well as my daughter.
We get stared at in the UK especially up north. To me, this is complete reverse for me here compared to UK.
Years ago at SFO strolling into the departures, the guy checking our passports asked us -well, who's whom? I mean seriously?
Our my first intro into the "city" one of the PAs told me to my face - people like me should f**k off back to their countries rather than taking places off locals. Her son couldnt get into Sarcens as his grades werent good enough.
Then my lecturer told me that he failed one of my papers at LPC because English was not my first language. Hmmmm
Or some smart aleck told me that its great that I can correct his English when English was not my first language, when I politely told him the reason that I did not approve his advertisement as how you speak isnt how you write.
Anyway, totally went off the point

[Primrose Hill]

ooops by the way, one of my neighbour on the left is an Indian family and yes we are in HV

[TryingTBBMom]

Keeping on the OP and non "shopping" part. I does not matter where you are from or that you look different, we are wrestling with a couple of catch word…
"local", Expat, FDW,FW. I was starred at in AUS and NZ mostly due to the non native trying to figure out if what i was. I laugh and do not take it seriously when people confuse my nationality. I consider myself one "who could pass"
whether it be Maori, Mexican, Indian, a mixed bag of nuts. The minute I open my mouth it is then a question of east or west coast?? I have heard the nastiest comments come out of otherwise decent people. So I try each day to not fall into a trap of being the worst I can be but more tolerant of others.
But we live in a big world, and we are finding ourselves rubbing elbow with people that are of different nationalities, and cultural differences and we are all guilty of being prejudice in one way, shape or form. What's the saying… Those who live in glass houses cast the first stone. So if your at the local Hakka stand, enjoy the experience and if a local says something you take offense to then, consider that he may not know better or is having a bad day. Unless I have personally engaged in an action that could be taken offensively than I am not going to get fussed. I after all am a guest in their country.

[TryingTBBMom]

and correct me if I am wrong, Singapore is a country made up of Chinese, Malay and Indian. Basically when Singapore became a country these are the 3 sub nationalities that made up the majority. Now if Singaporeans want to duke it out on who was here first than feel free and if I am wrong I sincerely apologies for my ignorance.

[fujixe2JJ]

Malay is the native here in Singapore , that the reason why they have free education up till secondary school last time

even now its heavily subsidy by gov

[beppi]

and correct me if I am wrong, Singapore is a country made up of Chinese, Malay and Indian. Basically when Singapore became a country these are the 3 sub nationalities that made up the majority. Now if Singaporeans want to duke it out on who was here first than feel free and if I am wrong I sincerely apologies for my ignorance.

Did you ever wonder why the National War Memorial (next to the Padang) has four pillars representing Singapore's main races, not three?
Well, you forgot the Eurasians!

[TryingTBBMom]

Thank you.. I stand corrected, And I admit I should to read more about Singapore. Like I have stated before I am an Expat and an appreciative guest of this country, nothing more.

[sundaymorningstaple]

That's the one thing I've most often noticed about western expats here. They usually know as much if not more about the history of this country than the average local. Of course the locals don't care as they are not here by choice, whereas we accepted the challenge and normally try to learn as much as we can about where we are preparing to spend several years of our lives.

[Brah]

Define "we", to me it's more of "they".

There's that unfortunate"Foreign Talent" (the 's' is superfluous) moniker again.

There are locals, and there are foreigners. Foreigners come in many flavors of income levels and visa standings.

All are expatriots, a few lucky ones are on expat packages. The rest of us are just here trying to get by.

Like I said in my 1st reply in this thread, the
global definition of expat is not valid in Singapore. Here we have different terms:
Foreign Workers
Foreign Talents
Expats
Permanent Residents.

What you call expat in the global context, are just refered to as "blardy foreigners" here

[CaptainBullus]

As a soon to be ex-pat I have found this thread very interesting. This labelling as PR, ex-pat, FW etc seems just as pointless as labelling yourself middle-class, upper class, working class. Who really cares? I consider myself and my wife very lucky to have been afforded the opportunity to live and work in Singapore and enjoy all S.E. Asia has to offer.

[Brah]

Well, Capt'n, when I was first a foreigner overseas I felt that way, then the lines of division became more and more defined and diverse.

Labels like "FT" don't come from the foreigners, but from the locals. And that is even more divisional.

[x9200]

Most expats don't care, but you will be labeled and treated accordingly by the locals and foreigners in a variety of the situations.