Why are white people expats, the rest are immigrants?

[curiousgeorge]

Interesting article in the Guardian last month about the discrepancy in terminology used for different groups of people.

http://www.theguardian.com/global-devel ... -migration

I think this is perhaps one area that Singapore has hit the nail on the head with the coining of the term "foreign talent".

Also, interesting points in a WSJ article on the same topic...a Filipina maid working here for three decades is still not considered an expat. Guess the same applies for labourers.

"A more current interpretation of the term “expat” has more to do with privilege. Expats are free to roam between countries and cultures, privileges not afforded to those considered immigrants or migrant workers."

http://blogs.wsj.com/expat/2014/12/29/i ... at-anyway/

Makes me question how I should refer to myself...am I by definition an expat because I am on this site?!?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Because you are on this site? Nah. As you are now a citizen here you would be called an interloper. You are a local now on the expat site!

[sundaymorningstaple]

But you are right. I've always maintained the original meaning of expat, not the bastardized version propagated by the Financial Industries and their ilk.