Comments on: Tourists, Expats, and That Fragile Sense of Belonging http://matadorabroad.com/tourists-expats-and-that-fragile-sense-of-belonging/ study abroad programs Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:17:56 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Nick http://matadorabroad.com/tourists-expats-and-that-fragile-sense-of-belonging/comment-page-1/#comment-4904 Nick Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:07:24 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2118#comment-4904 I don't know that I've ever read an article where I've agreed so strongly, both with what was written in the post, and with the comments afterwards! I have nothing to add, other than to agree with Eva that this line made me laugh out loud: "You can jump a few rungs in the hierarchy by virtue of participation in revolutionary politics or marriage to a local." Also agree about the importance of the 'cathedral moment' - and that it's often through watching the 'tourists' that we are reminded of where we actually are. Great stuff, thanks! I don’t know that I’ve ever read an article where I’ve agreed so strongly, both with what was written in the post, and with the comments afterwards!

I have nothing to add, other than to agree with Eva that this line made me laugh out loud: “You can jump a few rungs in the hierarchy by virtue of participation in revolutionary politics or marriage to a local.” Also agree about the importance of the ‘cathedral moment’ – and that it’s often through watching the ‘tourists’ that we are reminded of where we actually are.

Great stuff, thanks!

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]]> By: kimayou Meigui http://matadorabroad.com/tourists-expats-and-that-fragile-sense-of-belonging/comment-page-1/#comment-4837 kimayou Meigui Sun, 29 Nov 2009 03:14:10 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2118#comment-4837 Great article! Perhaps no matter how many years you live in a foreign country, there will always be that day where those walls shoot up and you find yourself in a quiet library viewed as the tourist and outsider. Maybe there's a way that can be used to the advantage. It could definitely remind us to take that step back and remember the beautiful cathedral or shrine passed every day on the way to work is something to look at and appreciate with new eyes. That's one reason why I've always loved introducing the island I love so much to new visitors. I can experience the excitement through their eyes and look on the things I see every day in passing in a new light. Thanks for writing words I'm sure so many people, myself included, have had difficulty conveying in the past. Great article!
Perhaps no matter how many years you live in a foreign country, there will always be that day where those walls shoot up and you find yourself in a quiet library viewed as the tourist and outsider. Maybe there’s a way that can be used to the advantage. It could definitely remind us to take that step back and remember the beautiful cathedral or shrine passed every day on the way to work is something to look at and appreciate with new eyes. That’s one reason why I’ve always loved introducing the island I love so much to new visitors. I can experience the excitement through their eyes and look on the things I see every day in passing in a new light.

Thanks for writing words I’m sure so many people, myself included, have had difficulty conveying in the past.

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]]> By: Abacaxi - The Search http://matadorabroad.com/tourists-expats-and-that-fragile-sense-of-belonging/comment-page-1/#comment-4717 Abacaxi - The Search Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:31:56 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2118#comment-4717 [...] the real work and most rewarding and I believe is the reason most travel. After reading about the fragile sense of belonging and being entertained by the hierarchies and perceptions in travel and the contempt we travelers [...] [...] the real work and most rewarding and I believe is the reason most travel. After reading about the fragile sense of belonging and being entertained by the hierarchies and perceptions in travel and the contempt we travelers [...]

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]]> By: Tony http://matadorabroad.com/tourists-expats-and-that-fragile-sense-of-belonging/comment-page-1/#comment-4651 Tony Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:18:42 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2118#comment-4651 You hit the nail on the head in this article. I have felt all the same things you describe. I have lived in Mexico for six years, Belize for two and now living in Guatemala. The scene you described in the library goes through every expat's head at least once a day. Great writing! You hit the nail on the head in this article. I have felt all the same things you describe. I have lived in Mexico for six years, Belize for two and now living in Guatemala. The scene you described in the library goes through every expat’s head at least once a day. Great writing!

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]]> By: Brooke http://matadorabroad.com/tourists-expats-and-that-fragile-sense-of-belonging/comment-page-1/#comment-4409 Brooke Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:18:48 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2118#comment-4409 Such an interesting topic that applies to so many around the world, thanks for putting my exact thoughts out there! Such an interesting topic that applies to so many around the world, thanks for putting my exact thoughts out there!

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]]> By: Nina Grand http://matadorabroad.com/tourists-expats-and-that-fragile-sense-of-belonging/comment-page-1/#comment-4155 Nina Grand Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:48:36 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2118#comment-4155 Whether one lives in a foreign country as an expat (as I have done in Mexico, Japan, Switzerland, Guatemala and India) or merely visits on vacation as a "tourist," it is important to remember that we are all guests. A number of years back in Mexico, where I still spend a few months every winter, one of the expats there was growing marijuana in his yard. The locals are very tolerant of us and really didn't care about this. One day, however, his neighbor's pigs wandered into his garden and destroyed his crop. He became indignant and made all kind of threats, revealing a very ugly side to his neighbors who happen to be his landlord. A few days later the federales showed up and carted him off to prison where he languised for years. No amount of "mordidas" would get him out. As a lifestyle traveler, I always see myself as a guest, no matter which country I am living in. This has served me very well, indeed. Whether one lives in a foreign country as an expat (as I have done in Mexico, Japan, Switzerland, Guatemala and India) or merely visits on vacation as a “tourist,” it is important to remember that we are all guests.

A number of years back in Mexico, where I still spend a few months every winter, one of the expats there was growing marijuana in his yard. The locals are very tolerant of us and really didn’t care about this. One day, however, his neighbor’s pigs wandered into his garden and destroyed his crop. He became indignant and made all kind of threats, revealing a very ugly side to his neighbors who happen to be his landlord. A few days later the federales showed up and carted him off to prison where he languised for years. No amount of “mordidas” would get him out.

As a lifestyle traveler, I always see myself as a guest, no matter which country I am living in. This has served me very well, indeed.

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]]> By: Ryukyu Mike http://matadorabroad.com/tourists-expats-and-that-fragile-sense-of-belonging/comment-page-1/#comment-4112 Ryukyu Mike Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:38:29 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2118#comment-4112 Great post, Sarah and interesting comments. I don't consider myself an Expat; sounds so final. I'm a transplant. Down here, in Okinawa, the Japanese are considered tourists and they blow money, so we welcome them! Great post, Sarah and interesting comments. I don’t consider myself an Expat; sounds so final. I’m a transplant. Down here, in Okinawa, the Japanese are considered tourists and they blow money, so we welcome them!

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]]> By: Somchai http://matadorabroad.com/tourists-expats-and-that-fragile-sense-of-belonging/comment-page-1/#comment-4093 Somchai Thu, 17 Sep 2009 01:53:51 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2118#comment-4093 Having been an expat and a tourist the lines between are too faded to tell where one leaves off and the other begins. When does an expat stop being a tourist? If a tourist buys land and a house but is seldom there then what? The price of tomatoes can be known by simply asking. Many expats don't speak the local language, and what of the tourist imigrant returning to the culture of their youth, are they tourists? Too many possiblities to worry about, best to just toast the tomatoes for jeao mac len. Having been an expat and a tourist the lines between are too faded to tell where one leaves off and the other begins. When does an expat stop being a tourist? If a tourist buys land and a house but is seldom there then what? The price of tomatoes can be known by simply asking. Many expats don’t speak the local language, and what of the tourist imigrant returning to the culture of their youth, are they tourists?

Too many possiblities to worry about, best to just toast the tomatoes for jeao mac len.

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]]> By: Karmatrekker http://matadorabroad.com/tourists-expats-and-that-fragile-sense-of-belonging/comment-page-1/#comment-4091 Karmatrekker Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:21:10 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2118#comment-4091 I think what tends to happen when you live overseas for an extended period is that you become consumed by the every day, and it is easy to grow jaded. I lived in South Korea for two years and Thailand for four, and It is exactly what can happen to me back here in the states, those things that are initially so appealing and unusual become typical. Your "cathedral" moment is a classic example of how you have to take a step back and look again at something with a fresh perspective to appreciate it. For a tourist/traveler everything is fresh and new and appealing. For an expat, you have to MAKE it fresh and keep it fresh (ironically this often entails traveling somewhere else). Tourists and expats often don't move in the same circles out of necessity due to differing interests, but I do remember appreciating certain travelers I met doing interesting things outside of the typical elephant trek and waterfall tour. Bring as much knowledge and spirit of adventure as you can on a trip and you can go a long way toward increasing the respect you are shown by locals and expats alike... I think what tends to happen when you live overseas for an extended period is that you become consumed by the every day, and it is easy to grow jaded. I lived in South Korea for two years and Thailand for four, and It is exactly what can happen to me back here in the states, those things that are initially so appealing and unusual become typical.

Your “cathedral” moment is a classic example of how you have to take a step back and look again at something with a fresh perspective to appreciate it. For a tourist/traveler everything is fresh and new and appealing. For an expat, you have to MAKE it fresh and keep it fresh (ironically this often entails traveling somewhere else). Tourists and expats often don’t move in the same circles out of necessity due to differing interests, but I do remember appreciating certain travelers I met doing interesting things outside of the typical elephant trek and waterfall tour.

Bring as much knowledge and spirit of adventure as you can on a trip and you can go a long way toward increasing the respect you are shown by locals and expats alike…

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]]> By: HyderabadChick http://matadorabroad.com/tourists-expats-and-that-fragile-sense-of-belonging/comment-page-1/#comment-4088 HyderabadChick Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:16:51 +0000 http://matadorabroad.com/?p=2118#comment-4088 Yes! yes! and Yes again! Thank you for putting this into words. I've tried and couldn't quite. The fact that our apparent status see-saws somewhat is what's unsettling. It makes it hard to know the right behaviours? Should I do quite so much as the locals do? Is it misappropriation? Because I work here, I've been able to reduce to my status to what I consider the most practical: I'm here to work. I do what I have and what I can. Beyond that, eyes and ears open: it's all a learning experience. I've read Stupeur...and had to both admire and pity that girl! (Also wonder how long before it becomes a Hwood film - lol)..I've often wondered what would happen if I decided to work for an Indian company! Yes! yes! and Yes again!

Thank you for putting this into words. I’ve tried and couldn’t quite. The fact that our apparent status see-saws somewhat is what’s unsettling. It makes it hard to know the right behaviours? Should I do quite so much as the locals do? Is it misappropriation?

Because I work here, I’ve been able to reduce to my status to what I consider the most practical: I’m here to work. I do what I have and what I can. Beyond that, eyes and ears open: it’s all a learning experience.

I’ve read Stupeur…and had to both admire and pity that girl! (Also wonder how long before it becomes a Hwood film – lol)..I’ve often wondered what would happen if I decided to work for an Indian company!

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