Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

2cool4school_ t1_j8c9zmp wrote

Do you think the term expat applies to ALL people who leave their country for another? Do you ever use the term "immigrant"? When and what's the difference between "expat" and "immigrant" and why did you choose to call yourself the former instead of the latter?

17

ThriceFive t1_j8ci7k5 wrote

To my understanding 'expats' choose to settle or work for an extended period in the other country but retain their original country's citizenship, where immigrants come to live permanently and might seek citizenship in the new country.

9

Mysterionaut OP t1_j8caexs wrote

Very interesting question...

Here in Thailand you often hear about expats but the term immigrant is rarely used, of course the Thai people use the word farang to identify foreigners.

Perhaps the geographical location has something to do with it.

I suppose technically the term immigrant would apply to me but for some reason the immigrant/expat scene here in Thailand always uses the term expat.

7

brettmurf t1_j8cq1rb wrote

People get upset about the English word, and then don't give a shit that the country you live in just calls you "foreigner" regardless of how long you live there.

1

dbulger t1_j8cag13 wrote

Also, before you moved away from your home country, were you a 'prepat' or an 'impat' or what?

2

Mysterionaut OP t1_j8cb111 wrote

Lol, I am going to assume this is a joke, I have never heard of those terms before.

5

dbulger t1_j8cc05b wrote

Yup, just joking around. 'Expat' is a pretty quaint word, but at least it's real.

3

ThriceFive t1_j8cibf1 wrote

Lots of my friends working internationally refer to themselves as expats and not immigrants - people of all ages still use the term.

2

dbulger t1_j8cix1v wrote

Fair enough. I've been living outside my birth country (the US) since 1985, and I rarely encounter it. I don't think anyone's ever called me an expat.

1

ThriceFive t1_j8cx53d wrote

Maybe it was just more likely in the industries I've worked in with lots of expatriates (Information/Tech focused work, Game development, Oil Industry) or in certain regions.

2

dbulger t1_j8d1lyo wrote

Yeah, who knows. TIL. I really thought that word had fallen out of use, but it's easy to forget how much language varies.

2