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I’ve noticed that British and American migrants usually refer to themselves as expats while most other nationalites that I’ve spoken to refer to themselves and/

I’ve noticed that British and American migrants usually refer to themselves as expats while most other nationalites that I’ve spoken to refer to themselves and/or their fellow citizens as migrants when living and working in another country. It kind of bugs me; it’s as if there’s an unspoken assumption that an expat is better than a regular migrant who may have uprooted themselves from their native land due to economic necessity. Disclaimer: I’m Irish and spent a couple of years as a migrant worker in other European countries during the mid-90s – mostly to get a better cultural understanding of what life is like for our fellow European citizens.

jariel 6y ago
Expat and immigrants are usually completely different categories. Technically both are 'migrants' but it wouldn't be the best term. If you work for a bank in Ireland and they ship you off to Germany (or wherever) for a 2-year stint, you're an ex-pat. If you marry a woman from Germany, move there, and start your citizenship process and plan to live there, 'immigrant' is a good term. In between, it's gray.
- Anthony-G 6y ago
  Thanks for the clarification on the usage of those terms. I grew up in the 80s where emigration and the plight of Irish emigrants were hot topics. Thankfully, the economic situation had improved by the time I reached adulthood so migration was a choice but it was still many years later before I came across the term, “expat”.
cmdshiftf4 6y ago
There's Irish people in the south of Europe who consider themselves expats and that they're part of the Irish expat community too. My own interpretation is based on the underlying intent of someone moving countries. If you're not intent on pursuing citizenship and are there mainly for business or retirement, you're probably going to call yourself an expat. If you're intent on moving, building a life and becoming a citizen then you're an immigrant.
Symbiote 6y ago
I've found I really don't get on very well with "expat" Brits¹, but "immigrant" ones are fine. Partly, it's that the "expat" ones tend to be working in a bank for a year or two, and just talk about money, but I also think you're exactly right about the unspoken assumption. When I meet "expat" British people I feel like I'm one step away from a comment like, "oh, you actually like the pickled fish? I haven't dared to try it myself" or, "no, we don't really like the beaches -- too much nude sunbathing". And this is in Denmark. Further away, this presumably translates to living in a compound, sending the children to a British private school and a social life revolving around the English Pub. French and German friends have grumbled about emigrants like this from their countries, but I'm unlikely to meet them. Last year I was given a menu in "Nordic" in a restaurant in Greece, based on the brand of backpack I was carrying -- it turned out there was a Danish/Swedish/Norwegian "enclave" nearby. ¹ And Canadian, American, Australian, and to a smaller extent New Zealand or Irish -- they exist, but there are more British people here than all the others combined.

jariel 6y ago

Expat and immigrants are usually completely different categories. Technically both are 'migrants' but it wouldn't be the best term. If you work for a bank in Ireland and they ship you off to Germany (or wherever) for a 2-year stint, you're an ex-pat. If you marry a woman from Germany, move there, and start your citizenship process and plan to live there, 'immigrant' is a good term. In between, it's gray.

Anthony-G 6y ago
Thanks for the clarification on the usage of those terms. I grew up in the 80s where emigration and the plight of Irish emigrants were hot topics. Thankfully, the economic situation had improved by the time I reached adulthood so migration was a choice but it was still many years later before I came across the term, “expat”.

cmdshiftf4 6y ago

There's Irish people in the south of Europe who consider themselves expats and that they're part of the Irish expat community too. My own interpretation is based on the underlying intent of someone moving countries. If you're not intent on pursuing citizenship and are there mainly for business or retirement, you're probably going to call yourself an expat. If you're intent on moving, building a life and becoming a citizen then you're an immigrant.

Symbiote 6y ago

I've found I really don't get on very well with "expat" Brits¹, but "immigrant" ones are fine. Partly, it's that the "expat" ones tend to be working in a bank for a year or two, and just talk about money, but I also think you're exactly right about the unspoken assumption. When I meet "expat" British people I feel like I'm one step away from a comment like, "oh, you actually like the pickled fish? I haven't dared to try it myself" or, "no, we don't really like the beaches -- too much nude sunbathing". And this is in Denmark. Further away, this presumably translates to living in a compound, sending the children to a British private school and a social life revolving around the English Pub. French and German friends have grumbled about emigrants like this from their countries, but I'm unlikely to meet them. Last year I was given a menu in "Nordic" in a restaurant in Greece, based on the brand of backpack I was carrying -- it turned out there was a Danish/Swedish/Norwegian "enclave" nearby. ¹ And Canadian, American, Australian, and to a smaller extent New Zealand or Irish -- they exist, but there are more British people here than all the others combined.