I have a question about the word "expatriate" or "expat." Theoretically, it can and should apply to ANYBODY living in Switzerland who isn't a citizen. If a German comes to work for a German-speaking country (not a multinational) in Switzerland and doesn't have to learn English, he is an expat, too. If somebody from the Balkans or Eastern Europe comes to Switzerland, works in a menial job, and only learns the local language, that person ALSO is an expat.

However, I've noticed that the word "expat" in practice only seems to be used for foreigners for whom English is a native language, or for whom English is an acquired language and used much at work or at home. Am I wrong about this? If I am wrong about "expat" being used primarily to describe English-speakers, am I also wrong about it being used to describe only middle-class or rich people living abroad?

From a geographic standpoint, Scarsdale is wrong. Metaphorically, she's right. I've read that only 5% of Americans hold a U.S. passport, and most have never left their country. For these people (I was one of them until last May), the U.S. is an island, and it's a big reason why most Americans have never learned a foreign language. The equivalent of a "canton" in the United States is sometimes bigger than a country in Europe.

Not everybody in Europe is bilingual, but since Europeans travel more often outside their native country, sometimes to a land where people speak a different language, more Europeans can speak different languages because they have to.

There is a simple explanation for this. The word "expat" doesn't exist in German. No Swiss would use this expression. We only know one expression for non Swisspassport holders settling in this country: "Ausländer", which simply means that somebody doesn't come from Switzerland (without any double meaning this time).

What about "Einwanderer"?

To me there is on big difference between expats from America and the ones from other nations.
Citizens of European and Asian countries know before the relocate that they go to another country, Americans do realise it after they relocated.

I could understand this attitude until 20 years a go. Till then you had to do a proper research including reading numerous books to get to grips. But today thanks to internet one can do the homework to understand at least the most important points before accepting a job.

i was sure that i was moving to another country before i moved here. then again, i'm not an expat .

anyway, what does this statement mean?

Fair point: An Einwanderer is an Ausländer who immigrated and wants to make this country to his home. In German we know the expression "Heimat", not necesseraly connected with the nationality. The lyrical explanation: "Heimat" is the place where your feelings are.
But I insist, everybody living in Switzerland and not having a Swiss passport is per definition a Ausländer.

I was refering to the original question. It does mean that US-Americans come often accross as ignorant persons because they simply seem not be prepared to the fact that life in other countries is not the same as at home.

mhm, i was invited to a birthday. he was from "oaks creek", michigan or what. his parents were over to europe for the first time ever. the convo with his dad kicked off and after the usual small talk i knew size of house, how many bathrooms, acres of land and what it had cost. i didnt ask for it and, being 25 at the time, fresher on the job, no need to impress me. this i have experienced so many times.

the whole billboard charts is artificial crap and id be happy if the whole compatible US pop, rock and RAP!!! would be less heavy rotating on the radio. says nothing to me.

why not sharing with SIL? she might be offended, furious, mad, eh? damn those people know nothing about the US, gosh! what douche bags! correct me if im wrong....

That's an immigrant. Expats aren't - they are typically only temporary in a country. And that is often part of the problem: Why spend a lot of effort on learning a local language if you aren't staying and already have a demanding job?... the list could go on forever.

What I find interesting is the very one-sided view that Swiss are US critical. To be honest: I think I am far more critical about the US politics than most Swiss I met - mainly cause most were not as much interested what is happening outside planet Switzerland as I am. (And that some people here mention tax laws as an example for questionable US politics is frankly bizarre - I can come up with some far more serious issues than that.)

Honestly: I have mainly seen the absolute opposite in Switzerland: In the rural part of German speaking Switzerland are many people extremely pro-American and idolizing US stereotypes. I have seen US car clubs meetings and driving an US pick-up in Switzerland is simply stupid - you need four parking places... if you actually fit through the gate of the car park that is. So you can only explain it with the stereotypes of the American dream. Same goes for bikes: Switzerland is probably the best country in the world for motobikes. And HD are probably the worst bikes for Swiss roads - and still sell like mad even with younger Swiss of my age. I knew one guy a bit better, so I dared to ask him the "why on earth didn't you get a bike suitable for those mountains" question: "Cause I like the American style". Many Swiss love and identify themselves with the image they have about the US. You'll see many rural bars "dressed up" with US flags and loads of "route 66" and rock n roll stuff - the same was popular in Germany when my parents were young, but things tend to change a bit slower in CH...

The hipster crowd in Zurich on the other hand is probably anti-American. They are also anti-European, anti-Basel and against globalization in general (let alone against global warming). The only thing one can do with them is to ignore them.

I do not know if there is a difference between the German and the French parts of CH, but I think you will have a hard time finding an European country where people are more US friendly than Switzerland.

Going back to the original question and getting away from the stereotyping some people clearly get off on, I agree wholeheartedly with Treverus. I have felt very welcomed here in Switzerland. Of course they are probably a bit cautious in dealing with any new person with a completely unknown background, hence the OP's question. It sure beats being beaten over the head with someone's negative stereotypes and biases constantly (which happens in other places). I much prefer a careful and polite conversation to hearing right off the bad how twisted "meine Heimat" is, and I've had those conversations, too, although never here in Switzerland. Those are NEVER people who have lived in the U.S. or really understand how life works there. That gets extremely tiresome and I find these people socially inept, to tell the truth. It's so sad when a person is unable to view someone else as a human being first and an (insert nationality) second, or maybe third or fourth. Luckily, I have encountered many friendly people here who enquire and listen.

I'll have to check out SG sometime, as you're describing something I've never witnessed here in Vaud and a visit might broaden my understanding of this small but diverse country.

In Vaud I think many of the Americans here are working for big companies and are on 3-year contracts. They don't represent a fair cross sample of the U.S. population at all. My neighbor asked me why I don't seem like other Americans to her. I responded that the Americans that I have met here are not anything like my American friends in the U.S. and for me it is like meeting someone from another country, too. That's not to be negative about anyone, but as others have said, it's a big country. Where I most recently come from, people hang out prayers flags and keep big signs on their front lawns indicating how many people have been killed in Iraq, Afghanistan...People grow their own organic vegetables and support local businesses and ride their bikes to work when there isn't 2 feet of snow on the ground.

But they can be loud sometimes, too.

"My" SG stands for Singapore, not Sankt Gallen... I left Switzerland two months ago (after seven years!). I last lived in Schwyz, were I'd say a confederate flag would probably be more suitable than the stars and stripes - so the positive comments I made apply probably only if you happen to be white and most definitely not Muslim. Ideally wearing a cowboy hat.

There seems to be a belief that "expatriates" only want to live in the country temporarily, but immigrants want to make the country their home and eventually become citizens. What about people who want to make Switzerland their home but do NOT seek a red passport? William Shatner has lived in the United States for over half a century and considers America his home, but he isn't seeking to become a U.S. citizen. (He said he's afraid of failing the immigration test.) Legally he is a "resident alien", but another word for him would be "expat." But he could also be an "immigrant" based on your definition.

Considering how certain political parties in CH are rallying the Swiss against practically everybody in their country who ISN'T a citizen, one could argue it isn't wise to live indefinitely in Switzerland without trying to become a citizen---but people can and do. Those people are expats AND immigrants.

expat - a person who is voluntarily absent from home or country
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expatriate brings in again the temporary aspect of the meaning

And to the OP, I don't think it's Americans here per say but the actions of their leaders past and present that irks some Swiss

honestly i think that someone making a blanket statement about all americans (or all anything else for that matter) coming across as anything is pretty ignorant... and btw, the people i know who complain about switzerland the most? the swiss!

My husband is one who is "in love" with America. He sooooo wanted to come see America when we first started getting to know each other, he thought it would be so perfect.

He did (still does, some) complain about Switzerland a lot but me being here and pointing out some differences which favor Switzerland, he's loving his home a bit more I think. (Maybe too much, I'm afraid I might be stuck forever! )

Why you might think this is only an American thing is beyond me. There are plenty of Europeans (including Swiss) outside of Europe who often come across as ignorant because they simply are not prepared to the fact that life in other countries is not the same as at home.

Ask me how I know?

MiniMia... how do you know? *chin rested in palms of hands, ready to listen*

Not according to the IRS.

Tom