Thread: Expatriation

Works for me. The longer I live here, the more the institution of nationhood seems like a load of old bollocks.

Yep! Allows us to take that step back and see things from a whole new angle.
Good post.

Originally Posted by Jon Snow

we are freed from the oppression of nationalism

You can say that again. Have to say, I do not like the overall tenor and direction of the 'west' these days at all. Economically, politically, or societally.

Originally Posted by sabang

Originally Posted by Jon Snow

we are freed from the oppression of nationalism

You can say that again. Have to say, I do not like the overall tenor and direction of the 'west' these days at all. Economically, politically, or societally.

..and I thought it was being pseudo retired that made me "think too much" in Thailand?

I guess being an expat has a lot to do with it but not being on the more introverted tunnel visioned treadmill of being a provider and salary slave gives one more time to ponder the futility of wealth/power struggles and aggression in this wonderful world of ours ....it can all be rather depressing though..

Interesting,would love to read more input on this subject..

Very good post and an insightful description from an expat's point of view.

Estrangement from one's former country and inability to "join" the adopted one creates a hybrid consciousness, a mental space in which we are freed from the oppression of nationalism if we choose to be. In this space we can see through the propaganda of nations, the futility of their wars, the hypocrisy of their policies, the pettiness of their exclusion zones.

being the outsider here in thailand gives me a freedom and anonymity i never had back in the uk, the ability to float into and out of situations and encounters, nothing is expected of me because they arent sure of my rules and boundaries, i can exist on the edges or choose to become more involved.

Yep, being irresponsible is fun.

^ Many expats hold responsible positions, and are well rewarded for their efforts.
But I'm not one of them anymore. Yep, being irresponsible is fun.

a sprinkling of freedom perhaps
for the outsider
without the boredom of routine.

nationalism is a disease.

not only is ,,, i'm an american, an englishman , a russian, a chinaman, all separative and divisive
but equally,,, i'm a Buddhist , a christian , a muslim ,a guru hugger, an athesist separative and divisive.
all crap.
nice to be nothing, absolute. in the here and now. .

Consider one who leaves the familiar because he has tired of the relentless
banality and tedium he endures in the land from whence he came.

So he goes somewhere else.

There, things are no less banal and tedious but they are unfamiliar,
are in fact often confounding,…………. even incomprehensible.

Things are thus more tolerable.

He's content not to understand what most people are saying
because to understand would possibly bring a bit of disappointment.

Likewise, he notes with bemusement the vapid concerns of this new
land's striving and preening types, wealth and power seekers, the fame
wanters, the pretty people, the very types who in the old land elicited
from him disdain if not contempt.

Regardless, he is here because; here he has no stake in anyone or anything.
In this place he can detach from nearly everything, including himself.

With the fullness of time our wayfarer does come to know not only that
banality and tedium cannot be avoided but also that they need not be endured.
Their source he learns is not without.
Banality and tedium are, rather, two things he has brought with him.

Later attempts to ship off his banality and tedium and send them post haste
to a place he will never go prove futile.

They keep coming back.

Time passes. He stays here, does not go back there.
If pressed he can not quite say why here and not there.

Who knows?

He may make noises about women, food, weather, but they are just noises.
One place is as good as another, really, and so here he remains, a pilgrim
of no discernible progress.






(Of course, given a choice between living in the west or Thailand, is
like trying to decide between a swift kick in the balls or a blowjob).




Where am I going with this?............ Fuck knows really............








(Not my work, put together from various sources).

Smeg is going to love this thread.

To have soulleashed by geography ..ugh

Originally Posted by Jon Snow

(Of course, given a choice between living in the west or Thailand, is
like trying to decide between a swift kick in the balls or a blowjob).

Classic! Love it - havn't heard that one before.