Expat communities?

[erictby]

I find this post incredibly insulting. It presumes that we "white folk" are racist snobs who believe that locals are beneath us, which is total b*llsh*t.

It also presumes that expat women are housewives who don't have much more to learn from the locals than recipes from their taitai neighbours (who actually don't cook, since their helpers do it for them). You would be surprised to know that outside of cooking (and cleaning) we are also interested in books, arts, culture, politics etc.

Also, thanks for the tip, but my kids have lived in 6 different countries, so they know all about different cultures and backgrounds. You could actually learn a thing or two from them about being openminded about other cultures.

That because you look down yourself. You lack confident about yourself, and this might be different culture thinking. And I never assume people I talk with are "white folk", I mean any expat form place others than HK. It's might be any earth people.

(I don't know you are "white", "yellow", "brown", "black" or other colour, before you let me knows you are "white folk".)

I used the word "housewife", because wife included working wife. Working wife are too busy with work in HK environment and no time to cook, i pressumed. If working wife mixed around with others, they trend to do others more relaxing activities others than cooking.

I don't know what you understand with "...", for me it mean "etc". So, it might include any others interest or hobby.

Since your kids so well knows about others culture, they should give you a lesson~ The different talking style from different culture. (p/s: Hope next time, you will fully understand my talking style.)

The taitai neighbours didn't cook because you are in the area with "class" people, then the maid will do the rest for them. If you intent to meet cook housewife then not in the "class" area.

Of course, not cooking only. Its can be anything for both learning from taitai or shown to taitai.

[ontheroad]

I used the word "housewife", because wife included working wife. Working wife are too busy with work in HK environment and no time to cook, i pressumed. If working wife mixed around with others, they trend to do others more relaxing activities others than cooking.

Well you presume wrong, because I'm a working wife that cooks. So there. What kind of relaxing activities do you mean?

[timklip]

careful HKChigger (though I'm surprised no one jumped down your throat yet...) - in your definition of Housewife or Househusband..."a person who doesn't work..."

I know what you meant, but the people who demand chairperson, fireperson, policeperson etc. might not...

erictby, good to see you're keeping your common sense when those around are losing theirs...not all of us expats are so self defensive and prone to spluttering on about being offended by this word and that....housewife is a man's possession but wife isn't?

and of course hello_there is correct...no expat anywhere on Earth would refer to their wife as a possession, nor do any of them ever verbally, emotionally or physically abuse their spouses...that would be terribly offensive and surely something (by inferrence) that a local would do... excuse me while i try not to gag on that pile of crap!

[muse07]

Your housewife can learn some local cooking...

People always are ego. In their mind, always think, "Why I have to meet them? I have high education, they are not educated / I have high income, they are poor /I am high 'class' people, they are low 'class' people...etc". Mixed up with these kind of people didn't bring any benefit to me, they will bring down my 'class'.

I'm with you, ontheroad..

I certainly don't think there is anything wrong with being a "housewife" (although I believe the PC term for this now is "homemaker").

However, what I would object to in relation to the comment "your housewife can learn some local cooking" is (i) it assumes Paul's wife does not work. NOWHERE did I see Paul mention that his wife does not work (again, as mentioned above, nothing wrong with that if that's the case), and (ii) it assumes that's the only thing his wife could do in a "local" community. Saw some other objections in earlier posts that I would also agree with.

Also, I believe that to think that just because someone doesn't want to live in a certain community means they think they are better than the wider population is another incorrect assumption. It may just mean they are more comfortable in the area they choose to live. This happens a lot eg when migrants move to a new country.

The point about not wanting to mix with locals is a separate and valid one but ultimately this is a person's own choice.

[muse07]

I should add, that living in a "local" area is no guarantee of meeting locals. I imagine you wouldn't just be making friends with people because they live nearby. Where I used to live in Australia, I didn't get to know any of my neighbours (not even ppl who lived in my building). I think people generally tend to meet people at work or through social activities and friends.. Oh and I guess the internet, like here You can meet both "locals" and "expats" that way - it's a state of mind rather than just a function of where you live, I think.

[timklip]

However, what I would object to in relation to the comment "your housewife can learn some local cooking" is (i) it assumes Paul's wife does not work. NOWHERE did I see Paul mention that his wife does not work (again, as mentioned above, nothing wrong with that if that's the case), and (ii) it assumes that's the only thing his wife could do in a "local" community. Saw some other objections in earlier posts that I would also agree with.

please explain your quantum leap in logic wherby a suggestion that someone might want to pick up a new form of cooking equates to suggesting they don't have a job? and how that same suggestion 'assumes' that's the only thing an expat could do?? should he rather list the hundreds of other things an expat could do? perhaps he felt paul was smart enough to come up with more ideas once he got the ball rolling?

here's a thought....eric may..just possibly...is trying to offer some simple advice to someone, some encouragement as to why they might CONSIDER a more local place to live...as far as I'm concerned, erics the only one here who seems not to have some kind of chip on their shoulder, either feminist or expat or otherwise...

[HKChigger]

careful HKChigger (though I'm surprised no one jumped down your throat yet...) - in your definition of Housewife or Househusband..."a person who doesn't work..."

Why would people jump down my throat? If I fill out a credit card application under occupation I sometimes see "Housewife/Househusband" or just "Homemaker". Don't see what the big deal is. By saying Housewife or Househusband I am covering both sexes and refering to it as someone who does not go to an office or other place of work, but instead in a relationship has elected to stay at home and take care of home business such as cleaning, cooking, and child minding.

They are a person who doesn't "work" per say. Work as in an office or other workplace.

So don't even mention my posts alright? You need the chill the f%3k out.

[muse07]

[QUOTE=timklip;160903]please explain your quantum leap in logic wherby a suggestion that someone might want to pick up a new form of cooking equates to suggesting they don't have a job? and how that same suggestion 'assumes' that's the only thing an expat could do?? should he rather list the hundreds of other things an expat could do? perhaps he felt paul was smart enough to come up with more ideas once he got the ball rolling?
-----

I don't see any quantum leap in logic. I did *not* say or imply that the fact that someone likes cooking means that they don't have a job.

It's simply that I understand that the term "housewife" means a woman (wife) that is not employed (eg as HKC mentioned in an office or workplace), and this assumption was made about someone's wife (again, I stress, there is nothing wrong with being a homemaker) on no basis.

And no, I didn't mean to imply the hundreds of things one could do needed to have been listed. It's fine to get the "ball rolling". However, really this point also relates to my point about simply living in a local area and this vs one's state of mind when meeting different new people through various situations. I kind of doubt that that means one is much more likely to pick up local cooking in itself. But, as mentioned before, I *do* take the point and agree that there are good reasons why it is good to 'mix' with locals.

And incidentally, at least in my peer/age group nowadays, a lot of guys like to cook and it's equally likely for people to ask a guy if they like cooking as a gal.

[erictby]

Paul, sorry because make your thread a bit out of your topic.

Maybe I am quite new in this forum, a lot active user still don't know me, they don't know my style. I want to make a clarify at here, I didn't have any intention to anti any party.

I will always asked or created some question that will make other people think twice before make decision.

The way I always do before I came out with final decision was, I will always seeking some people those might give me offensive opinion. After listen to their opinion, if they still can't convince me, then I will stick to my plan. Forever I won't regret for the final decision I made, no matter what going on afterward. If the offensive opinion make me feel not confident with my original plan, then I will really really think twice or sometime triple or more before make the decision.

Of course apply for, the main decision that might change my life, not a decision to buy a pair of shoe.

So, next time you see my post in others thread, the same, if most people in "angel" side, then I will at the "devil" side. If most people are "devil", than I will transform to an "an...gel", ha...ha...

I am not a psycho, argue with other not my hobby, JUST FOR BRAIN STORMING. Hope all user can come out with more viewpoint, not just "yes" to others people's opinion only.

p/s : For people whom have "argue" hobby, please don't argue with me except you are can come out with some good point or too bored.

[erictby]

I should add, that living in a "local" area is no guarantee of meeting locals. I imagine you wouldn't just be making friends with people because they live nearby. Where I used to live in Australia, I didn't get to know any of my neighbours (not even ppl who lived in my building). I think people generally tend to meet people at work or through social activities and friends.. Oh and I guess the internet, like here You can meet both "locals" and "expats" that way - it's a state of mind rather than just a function of where you live, I think.

Muse, then you should think, is there any problem with you?

Are you too cool? If you always have a smile face, how come can't made any neighbourhood friend?

A lot people always scared other people have some motive toward them. As I say in pervious post, be more optimsm, the good guy more than the bad guy.

I didn't mean for the 1st meet, you can bring the guy home. But start from a smile (a very basic manners), slowly to a greeting, then some conversation the end will become friend.

Maybe I am a bit talkative, basically I can talk with anybody even for the 1st meet. So easily I can make friend with anybody.

You say people tend to make friend through workplace, social activities...that right for some situation. But how about housewife (Expat wife, who have a job not in this category, because themselve are expat also, am I right?)? The easiest place for them to meet others was the place they live, because they spent most of time there.

Don't forget neighbour was the people that might help us while we are in some household trouble. Locals, at least they are more familiar compare with any expat.