Being an expat has a lot of well-known benefits, but since some of the pluses aren't so obvious, I, an American expat in Italy, am here to share with you:
The Top 5 Hidden Advantages of Being an Expat:
1. An intimate knowledge of various airports, train stations, post offices, international phones (do *you* know your country code?), tax treaties, and best of all, packing strategies.
2. You can show up for dinner parties with basic fare of your home country and be considered a gourmet chef/baker instantly--chocolate chip cookies anyone?
3. You're considered "exotic" just by being you.
4. You can be the crazy/cool aunt or uncle in your family without having to endure prison, rehab, or a stay in a mental institution.
5. You can feign ignorance of your adopted country's language when it serves you (depending on your country, of course).
Fellow expats, what's your favorite part about living in another country?
Future expats, what do you look forward to?
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If you enjoyed this post, please come over and visit me at my blog, bleeding espresso... and also check out my interview on ExpatInterviews.com here.
I love when you go to
I love when you go to someones house for dinner, if you do not like the food or drinks no one gets offended as it is your foreign palate, and not their cooking that is under question.
Good one!
Leanne, that's an excellent point--I use this often when various pig parts are placed on the table (an email to you is on its way, I swear!) ;)
Pig parts
If I were to be an expat, I think I'd look forward to #5 the most. Sounds like awesome fun.
Note to self: not all people think various pig parts are succulent delicacies. ;-)
Pretending is fun!
Lizza, seriously, you can't imagine how lovely it is to play language-dumb when you just don't want to deal with someone; I use this power only for good of course ;)
And if you saw some of the pig parts I've seen (and what they've done to them), I think you'd see my point of view a little clearer...and I didn't even mention tripe ;)