[keto1]

I have a certain perception about what an "expat" is, and simply a foreigner who is working in the country in question.

To me, an expat is someone who comes from a country which is further than the neighbouring region, and usually, though not always, speaks a different language and different culture. Often the job in the country in question requires uni or specialised experience or education.

In contrast, a foreigner who works is simply someone who comes to another country to work. Often unskilled work. Similar culture and lifestyle.

Let me give some examples of what I would consider to be expat/non expat situations.

Country in Question- HK

Expats- may come from USA, Europe, Oz, Japan, Singapore.

Not expats- Philipinos working as maids, Macau-ians, Mainland Chinese.

Country in Question- Australia.

Expats- Europe, US, Japan, HK, Singapore.

Not expats- New Zealanders.

Country in Question- Singapore.

Expats- Europe, US, Oz, HK, Japan.

Not expats- Malaysia, Thailand, Philipinos as maids.



What do you think?


Is an expat simply any foreigner who works in another country, or are there certain things which make an expat an expat?


Please note- this isnt to insult anyone as being better or worse. It's just a discussion.

[Alby]

Wow your perspectives are interesting should be a good read on how people respond. As for me ... not sure.

[Mat]

Originally Posted by keto1

.
Is an expat simply any foreigner who works in another country, or are there certain things which make an expat an expat?

Yes that is the correct answer. A foreigner residing/working in another country is an expat (by definition) from his own country.

You may read Time magazine of this week - interesting article about the new expats of HK (malaysians, singapourians, indians, thai...) replacing the old guard (usa, Uk, canadians...)

[PDLM]

Well yes, but what makes you a "foreigner"? If it is holding a foreign passport then many HK-born ethnic Chinese are "foreigners". But if that isn't the criterion then is it possible for an "expat" ever to become native? There are plenty of gweilos in HK who were born overseas, hold a foreign passport, but have lived here since their schooldays. Are they "expats"? What about the gweilos born here?

[discobay]

That is true and in the case of expats spending an extended amount of time away from their home country they should lose that classification. Especially so if they have acquired residency elsewhere.

[HKChigger]

Originally Posted by keto1

Not expats- Malaysia, Thailand, Philipinos as maids.

Just curious, the Filipinos that are over here on business; Are they expats? You specify maids are not, so just wondering if that means some Filipinos are, and some aren't based on their work.

To me an expat is anyone who has decided to pick up and leave their country and move to Hong Kong for anytime from a year up. I don't care if they are moving here because they are rich and want to hang out or working. To me they are expats.

I don't include mainlanders on my list of expats though as Hong Kong is part of China.

[hullexile]

Taken from Wicky:

An expatriate (in abbreviated form, expat) is a person temporarily or permanently resident in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing or legal residence. The word comes from the Latin ex (out of) and patria (country, fatherland),

So that would include everyone in HK except native HKers and mainlanders I think.

[PDLM]

Well yes, but it wouldn't include gweilos born and brought up in HK, regardless of their passport.

And in any case, "wiki" is just the opinion of the last person who edited it...

[discobay]

For the very same reason I resist quoting Wiki.

[Gatts]

Originally Posted by HKChigger

I don't include mainlanders on my list of expats though as Hong Kong is part of China.

Culturally and practically it's still a world of difference, so I would definitely consider them on the expat list.