Importance of an expat community

There needs to be several from your area in order to get good local information. For many many regions, there are not several. Norwich is one.

It wasn't condescending, It was a statement of preference. It's only condescending if you say one is definitely better overall, not that it's suits you personally better. There are differences in womens' concerns and mens concerns on average. Wasn't there just a TV show on that yesterday? if you saw it, remember that one woman anomaly who kept coming out on the end of the spectrum with all the men?  That's me. How can I possibly be held responsible for your interpretations? I certainly don't hold your responsible for my interpretations of what you say.

Your quotes:
Being forthright does not mean saying things without thinking about whether or not what you are saying is true: “There are no intelligent political discussions on these forums,” isn’t forthright; it’s incorrect.

You said that most women don’t have intellectually stimulating conversations.  Since many of the people here are women . . .

You will not find either quote anywhere in my postings, only in your interpretations of them.

Oy vey! Is this still going on? Its getting quite boring.

Oy vey! Is this still going on? Its getting quite boring.

I agree, Pebbles.  A bit like a broken record at this point. 

What's that old saying about protesting too much? 

Oy vey! Is this still going on? Its getting quite boring.

Hear, hear

Last on this. i'll be in London tomorrow. I don't dare mention the Tube stations. That WAS a joke. Sorry to  the folks who won't like it.

DJC

I agree, Pebbles.  A bit like a broken record at this point. 

What's that old saying about protesting too much? 

agreed and also off topic.

I don't see how just because we don't cover the UK landscape with the correct percentage of American expats the information is less than useful.....most of the information we disperse is from opinion or experience and is given as a suggestion not as a definitive answer or a course to take(except for the immigration)..the reader has the choice to take it or not. ....

Anyway MI FRIEND you raised a good point in your original post and hope none of this malarkey makes you run as well as for lurkers out there. We all are quite friendly and quite happy to share opinions or a giggle without any hassle. I think what causes malaise is when forum users want to oppose their views at the expense of other readers on the forum or degrade the quality of the information posted


So welcome MI and all the other lurkers out there 

Re: Importance of an expat community
« Reply #124 on: Today at 09:08:46 PM »   

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Last on this. i'll be in London tomorrow. I don't dare mention the Tube stations. That WAS a joke. Sorry to  the folks who won't like it.

DJC

what wont people like that joke or the fact that you'll be in London

oh and DJCNYC
you might want to utilize this:

http://www.queendom.com/tests/minitests/fx/humor.html

Anyway MI FRIEND you raised a good point in your original post and hope none of this malarkey makes you run as well as for lurkers out there. We all are quite friendly and quite happy to share opinions or a giggle without any hassle. I think what causes malaise is when forum users what to oppose their post at the expense of other readers on the forum or degrade the quality of the information posted

So welcome MI and all the other lurkers out there 

Hi Alicia

Nope - I'm fine     Not put off at all!   I've had some great response to my topics even though some posts may be O.T.    but no probs - it's about discussion too    Interestin' 

And I know people here have strong views on UK life and other things... They're all great! 

Last on this. i'll be in London tomorrow. I don't dare mention the Tube stations. That WAS a joke. Sorry to  the folks who won't like it.

No, seriously, I dare you to say something funny.

Sorry for boring people, but since the post was directed at me:

Your quotes:
Being forthright does not mean saying things without thinking about whether or not what you are saying is true: “There are no intelligent political discussions on these forums,” isn’t forthright; it’s incorrect.

You said that most women don’t have intellectually stimulating conversations.  Since many of the people here are women . . .

You will not find either quote anywhere in my postings, only in your interpretations of them.

If you're like me, the kind of woman whose interests run more to the arts and politics and philosophical questions, the kind who tends to wind up hanging with the men at parties because you enjoy their conversations more, it's not a great place for discussions, yet. If you're interested in the kinds of things the groups of women at a party are discussing, I guess it works.
     

Broken down:

1.   I am a woman who is interested in the arts, politics and philosophical questions.
2.   I usually hang out with men at parties because I enjoy talking to men more than talking to women.
3.   I prefer talking to men because they talk about things that interest me.
4.   I prefer not to talk to women because they don’t usually talk about these things.
5.   Therefore, women do not usually talk about arts, politics, philosophy—things that I would find intellectually stimulating. 

OK, you did not use the words “intellectually stimulating,” but I have to assume that you like talking about the above subjects because you find them intellectually stimulating. Why else would someone talk about these subjects?

If I have misinterpreted you, please break down clearly and simply what you meant to say, so there is no room for misinterpretation. 

It wasn't condescending, It was a statement of preference. It's only condescending if you say one is definitely better overall, not that it's suits you personally. There are differences in womens' concerns and mens concerns on average.

Separate but equal, eh?

wow! sweetpeach - reminds me of my philosophy class in college (blech). However, I have to admit, your deduction is the way I was going with this too.

I suppose I don't understand the feeling I get from djnyc's posts (that of a negative attitude towards us) after this was a place of salvation for her just several weeks ago    I know this was stated previously, but it had not been answered.

Could we please just move along. 

Any more This is what I said or This is what I think you said can be taken to pm's. 

Interesting question. I wasn't *really* sure how to cast a vote. None apply? All apply?

I'd been here for about a year and I was lonely as all get-out. It just happened that my husband worked away for 12 hours a day, we lived in a tiny, unfriendly village. I was too afraid to use the phone because I wasn't used to every single call costing something (and that meant getting online too). We got only three channels, and only one wasn't fuzzy.

I was lonely and I felt like I'd made the biggest mistake of my life.

And then I came across an online community of Americans living in the UK, and the first time I physically met up with a group, my life changed. Or at least it brought back some laughs and smiles. Because these strangers knew me. They ate the same food, missed the same things, laughed at the same jokes.

Almost eight years later and I've settled in completely, would never dream of moving back to the US.

And I still stick my head in...but it's to try to offer advice on how I managed a few things along the way, to meet up with old friends, make new ones, and yeah, I still even have a few questions. I think I come here more as a 'thank you', and maybe paying back some of the great I get out of it.

My head is starting to spin.    ( We need a spiny to head )

Ooh. I'm embarrassed.
I only read the first page and posted. Then I see there are EIGHT more pages!

Just sat here reading all through them.
And I've got lots of thoughts running through my head   But Mindy's right. We need to stay on topic for this thread.

MI_Friend asked a good question...any other thoughts on it?

Ooh. I'm embarrassed.
I only read the first page and posted. Then I see there are EIGHT more pages!

No need to be embarrassed! Honestly when I read your first post, my reaction was "good for her, just answer the question and ignore the rest of this!" LOL I understand peoples reactions to what has transpired here, I think a whole negative spin was put on a very good thread. But I do agree that some things could/should have been said in a way so not to purposely offend the very people that are here trying to help you out! That's my two cents or pence you take your pick  I am done now here lol this thread is making my head hurt!