I don’t think I make a very good American. I don’t think I could tolerate living anywhere in the U.S. but New York or San Francisco. Politically, I believe in things like human rights and socialism. I like good, unprocessed food. I prefer walking or taking public transport to driving. I believe long vacations are a human rights. Et cetera. I like the Third World, but Europe’s somewhere I could handle living on a permanent basis.
How do I go about this? I think I need to marry a European. The odds of this happening are increased if I am in Europe. So a need a job there. But it’s hard to get a job there because I don’t know people in my field. Catch 22.
I also need to pick a country. I’m fluent in Spanish, so Spain’s an obvious choice. But I also know enough French and Portuguese to be fluent in a short time. I have no interest in Germany and Scandanavia is too far north for me. The places I’m most likely to find a job are Geneva or the Hague, which are not too appealing.
I think maybe the wording of the post was your downfall, dear. If you’d said, “I’m in a rut, I’m curious about other countries and would like to move somewhere for the excitement of it,” well, I’d be right with you (well, not right with you–I’d be in France or England).
But when you imply that you want to leave the US because our food, ideals and human rights suck, you’ve got to expect a bit of prickliness in the replies . . .
Exactly. This country is far from perfect, but to imply that being an American that lives outside of NYC or San Francisco means you don’t value human rights or good food (?!) etc. is simply insulting. I have absolutely nothing against our European friends (Coldfire), and if you feel that you would rather live there, then by all means you should leave.
I, for one, believe that this country is a place that is worth working on to improve, but I would never want someone to remain who didn’t share that sentiment, or who would rather live elsewhere. The line to get in is long enough, so if you don’t like it, and feel it is so horrible, by all means take the next flight east and let someone else take your place. You won’t be missed.
I’m not “curious” about other countries. I’ve been to Europe several times and stayed for a year and a half once. Now I’m pondering the idea of staying permanently. I’m curious as to how one ends up being an expat.
Clearly I wouldn’t be pondering leaving forever if I felt like there was no place like home. Did you expect this thread to be about patriotism. But I don’t see how I was bashing the United States. Americans do eat more processed junk food than Europeans; they do rely on their cars more; vacations are much shorter; there are no socialists in the government; and the United States has not ratified most of the major human rights treaties. These are some examples of things I like better about Europe.
So… you did mean to attack me? Jesus, I just posted some musings in MPSIMS. I didn’t imply any of the things you accused me of implying. What is did imply is that in most of this country, people are to the right of me politically, you need a car to get around, and the cuisine leaves something to be desired. All those things are true. You probably don’t care about those things but some of us do. That’s nice for you that you think the U S of A is damn near perfect. You’re crazy to expect everyone to agree with you. Some people actually prefer to live in other countries.
P.S. The INS doesn’t work like the doorman at your local club. How many people come in has nothing to do with how many people leave.
Kind of got me thinking of the song “Kathmandu,” by Bob Seger. Not a huge fan of his (Like a Rock is way too much), but that song hits a chord.
Sometimes people have to get away to greater discover themselves. I hope the best for you. If you can get a source of income, even low paying, and can live frugally, go for it. After awhile you might even miss parts of the U.S. you never thought. New York or San Francisco are wonderful places, but the sheer cost of living in those places are prohibitive. Europe I hear aint inexpensive either, but I hear the beer is.
Rhum Runner, I feel patriotism should mean more than how loud you can scream U.S.A. So someone wants to get away, and feels out-of-place where he is. It is only insulting to one who wears their patriotism like a chip on his shoulder. Too much nationalism is not a good thing.
I felt the same way chula did, and took off, lived overseas for 6 years. Never intended to make it permanent, but was looking to get away from politics that I felt didn’t synch with my ideals and/or morals.
Living outside of the US didn’t make me anymore patriotic, but it did make me realize how damn lucky I am to be an American. But that sure as hell doesn’t make me any better than anyone else from any other country.
Ehm, if you could pull your head out of your ass long enough to read what I wrote, you’ll see that I freely admitted that the “U S of A” is anything but perfect.
I don’t expect anyone to agree with me. One of the nice things about the USA is that you can believe whatever you want. You believe, apparently, that everyone outside of NYC and San Francisco is some sort of jingoistic uncivilized monster. I believe you are a complete and total wanker. See how nicely this works out? Everyone gets to believe what they want.
** Road Rash** I am not insulted that he wants to leave. He doesn’t like it here, he has said as much, and I wish him the best of luck in his future life abroad. He has clearly said that this is not about experiencing other cultures, or simple travel. He should feel free to leave his American passport and citizenship, and all the privileges and protections that it affords, at the boarder.
Just keep on poking that straw man. Speaking of “did you read what I wrote”:
Are any of those statements even barely debatable?
Rhum Runner I anticipate that you’ll start the victim act soon, repeating the “doesn’t like it here, he has said as much, and I wish him the best of luck in his future life abroad” line and whining that everybody’s jumping your back. But as long as you keep making personal attacks, no one will believe you. Anyway, the plain truth is that your first post was rude. We know it, you know it.
Jump away. I stand by my posts, I do wish him the best of luck, whether you choose to believe me or not is your problem, not mine. Further, my first post was not nearly as rude as the OP. You know it, and I know it.
I don’t have a bumper sticker that spouts, “America, love it or leave it!”
And although Rhum Runner’s first post might have been a tad bit rude, I sympathize with his position.
My first thought upon reading chula’s initial post was:
“Don’t let the door hit ya in the ass on the way out”
Jingoistic? Perhaps.
Isn’t it nice to live in a Country that doesn’t send a death squad to your door if you express a desire to leave?
I’m obviously out of touch with mainstream America because it never occurred to me that anything I wrote would be controversial. The people I know can compare different places without taking it personally. I’m wondering whether it would be offensive if I said I preferred French wine to Californian wine. Or if I mentioned the merits of freshly pressed Greek olive oil. May I admit that I like old buildings? Am I a bad person because I’m a night owl who’s happier living on a Mediterrenean schedule? Is it un-American to read The Economist instead of Time or Newsweek?
Anyway, if anyone wants to share a story about how they became an expat, that would be nice. Or any thoughts on living in Europe.
