X-pat

[cali kid]

Can somebody give me there definition of an X-pat? Is it as simple as, "I here and not in my own country so I am an X-pat"? Where does extended tourist end and X-pat start?

Calling myself an X-pat seems strange, but I am pretty sure I am one.

I would like to see opinions (if they are varying) on when you can consider yourself to be an X-pat, and when you are still just a extended tourist.

Does time even have anything to do with it?

[buad hai]

Wiki says: 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 the Greek patria (πατριά - country), and is sometimes misspelled (either unintentionally or intentionally) as ex-patriot or short x-pat, because of its pronunciation.

Expatriate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[cali kid]

so an X-pat is anyone that isnt presently in their own country that wants to call themselves one.

ok, got it

[William]

^unless you consider yourself an immigrant. I think "expats" tend to believe (a) there some chance they'll move on, or (b) there some chance they'll go home.

Nonetheless, either way, I think there is a huge difference between "expat" and "local hire".

I consider myself a "local hire", as I keep telling those two bit fuckwits who keep phoning me and talking to me as if we have been life-long friends about some crappy share in some stock exchange I've never even heard of before.

[watterinja]

What is a "local hire"?

[blackgang]

Most of us here are EXPATS, and will remain for the simple reason that Thailand does not really seem to want any immigrants so makes it so tough and spendy to get a perm. resident status.

In Mexico after a few tourist 6 month visas and you were living in Mexico they almost forced you to get an MP3[?], which after 5 years you had almost the same privileges as a Mex.. own property and a lot of advantages.

[William]

What is a "local hire"?

A "local hire" means I was hired here in LoS, not the UK or USA. As such, I don't get things like "housing allowance"

[sabang]

By the definition Buad Hai has given, anyone volitionally living overseas is an expat. So that would include myself.
From a more work based definition, an expat is someone hired from overseas to work in a foreign country, generally executive status. They are hired on expat terms, i.e. given a salary that equates to what they would expect at home (or more), and a generous slew of benefits like housing, often a car and travel allowance and so on. A pampered bunch if you ask me. Strangely, the reasoning is that they are going on a 'hardship' posting, although usually I'd say the opposite is the case. Local hires e.g. English teachers or people who set up their own business here are not expat's under this definition.
But using BD's definition, I voted Yes.

[Marmite the Dog]

I consider myself a "local hire", as I keep telling those two bit fuckwits who keep phoning me and talking to me as if we have been life-long friends about some crappy share in some stock exchange I've never even heard of before.

I thought that French twat didn't do that anymore?

[buad hai]

A pampered bunch if you ask me. Strangely, the reasoning is that they are going on a 'hardship' posting, although usually I'd say the opposite is the case.

I used to get additional 25% "hardship post" pay while I was on Saipan....

[friscofrankie]

BH's def was right on
Lot of the expats here differentiate though, between "local hire" and those on "expat packages"
Those not working see little difference
If you're not a tourist then you're and expat, unless of course, you're an X-ile :
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source
anyone separated from his or her country or home voluntarily or by force of circumstances.

[stroller]

Ah. so I used to be an x-ile in the UK and am an x-pat in Thailand!

[mrsquirrel]

^I would say you are more of a cow-pat than an ex-pat

[danbo]

^And the winner of today's worst joke is....

I'm not sure I've ever been an ex-pat as I've never changed my tax status in the UK - Even when away for 2+ years I remained as a resident of the UK, just one not living there.

[AntRobertson]

... Nonetheless, either way, I think there is a huge difference between "expat" and "local hire"...

Indeed. Usually a shed load of salary!

[cali kid]

From a more work based definition, an expat is someone hired from overseas to work in a foreign country, generally executive status. They are hired on expat terms, i.e. given a salary that equates to what they would expect at home (or more), and a generous slew of benefits like housing, often a car and travel allowance and so on.

But does he pay taxes?

And if he does; how could he be considered an "EX"-pat

[stroller]

But does he pay taxes?

That would depend on the exact circumstances, but while still a UK resident with the intent to return, they'd fall under British tax law, which includes some exemptions and mutual taxation agreements.

[DrAndy]

being an expat has nothing to do with taxes

although if you are, and from the Uk, you can get tax exemption

those poor seppos cant

[keda]

By the definition Buad Hai has given, anyone volitionally living overseas is an expat. So that would include myself.
From a more work based definition, an expat is someone hired from overseas to work in a foreign country, generally executive status. They are hired on expat terms, i.e. given a salary that equates to what they would expect at home (or more), and a generous slew of benefits like housing, often a car and travel allowance and so on. A pampered bunch if you ask me. Strangely, the reasoning is that they are going on a 'hardship' posting, although usually I'd say the opposite is the case. Local hires e.g. English teachers or people who set up their own business here are not expat's under this definition.
But using BD's definition, I voted Yes.

I'm with you agreeing on the first part, but the second is rather loose though this is understandable as a work based definition.

As a UK citizen deriving income there, retired in LoS and with no income here, with no intention of returning to the UK except for annual vacations, I still pay enough taxes there to keep most local families in bliss. I consider myself an expat but wouldn't argue with anyone calling me a voluntary exile, or even a longstay sex tourist.

[blackgang]

being an expat has nothing to do with taxes although if you are, and from the Uk, you can get tax exemption those poor seppos cant

But even as such, don't SEPPOS make about 30% more as based on minimum wage.

I don't know as I have not worked here in 40 years and was always US employed when I did, but my understanding is Brits have to get a min. of 40K per month and a US citizen must be paid at least 65K.

Or is that wrong??
But if we stay 18 months without returning to US then we paid no tax there.

But do to the fact that all my income is pensions, I pay no US tax now.

[stroller]

but my understanding is Brits have to get a min. of 40K per month and a US citizen must be paid at least 65K.

I am sure it is the same for anyone for a work permit and visa,, it's gone up to 65k a couple of years ago, I think.

[William]

^but that's basic. No expat would work for that

[friscofrankie]

I am sure it is the same for anyone for a work permit and visa

Unless it's changed again in the last year or so, No. It's not. US citizens required the highest pay out of the list. COuple of "professions" are exempt "Teacher" for one...

[AntRobertson]

^but that's basic. No expat would work for that

Just out of interest - and not at all because I'm rude and nosy and like to live vicariously through others - but I wonder what the average salary of TD members is?

[ChiangMai noon]

^
yay.
Ant is back with an outrageously inappropriate question.