Expatriate Insights Dissertations on International Living and Deep Comparative Culture Analyses By Ladislav, Chief Expat Advisor of HappierAbroad.com aka “The Socrates of Expatriate Living” Updated 2010 Praises from Readers “Ladislav, I bow and worship your wisdom.… This is probably the best article I've read this month from all publications I read.” “Wow...the most complete analysis of expat living experience I've ever read...Thank you. Ladislav... ” “I've learned more from this than any other source about expat living. Thanks for sharing your observations and experiences! Confirms the decision I've made to live in the Philippines instead of Mexico….. Your advice about finding the right fit will save a lot of grief to those who heed it.” “I am someone that made the decision to leave the U.S. to seek my "fortune" abroad. I was always hunting for expat experiences in other countries but most of what's out there is pretty useless or typical drivel. Well, I stumbled onto your posts and they were a breath of fresh air. Your observations about the cultural/social climate of the different countries in the world are right on the button. I've read quite a few books on sociology and nothing was able to spell it out as bluntly as you have. Congrats, you certainly did impact my life.” “Ladislav, I've been reading your ebook provided by Winston and your cultural wisdom is unrivaled.” Introduction by Winston Wu Dear Reader, Thank you for your interest in pursuing knowledge and understanding of the multi-national world, expanding your cultural awareness, and openness in allowing others to share with you. This is a collection of intellectual multi-national insights, comparisons, knowledge, wisdom, lessons and advice on World Living, Dating and Cultural Understanding by my Expat Advisor Ladislav, a genius expatriate, traveler and writer whom I’ve dubbed “The Socrates of Expatriate Living”. I’ve put them together from his many posts throughout the years. Having been to over 30 countries and speaking 10 languages (a phenomenal number), Ladislav has lived an effective life and lived his dreams at the same time, by combining the benefits and advantages of multiple countries in different areas of life. He is a firm believer that one country does not have it all, and may not give you all that you want and need. So the most effective path is to combine lives in multiple countries, a concept he calls “quilting your world”. Throughout his years of travels and experiences, Ladislav has developed a multi-national scope of depth that few can ever touch, which is very evident in his writings, insight, analysis, and observations. Thus, I’ve often quoted from him in many parts of my Happier Abroad Ebook. His multi-faceted wisdom and insight in practical, sociological and psychological areas reflect a depth and broadness I’ve never encountered before. I’ve also had the pleasure of meeting him in person, and I can say that the conversations I’ve had with him reminded me of the conversations between Socrates and his students chronicled by Plato in his works. Thanks to his generosity of spirit, he has allowed me to collect what he’s written so far and put them into this Ebook to give out as a bonus gift to those who have bought my Ebook, desiring no reward or cut in return, living by the karmic rule “what goes around comes around”. This Ebook and mine together make a splendid complementary package. Ladislav does not even consider this collection, which he dubbed “Expatriate Observations”, to even be a book, but rather an unfinished neverending continuation of observations and insights he gains during his journeys. As such, you will notice that the content is not organized or structured in any systemic way. This Ebook is unrivaled in scope and depth. You will not find anything else like it. Guaranteed. Now I should warn you first, that there is NO political correctness at all in these observations – only truth, depth and insight. Therefore, if you are one of the many out there who filters the truth you see through “politically correct lenses” as I call it, you may be in for a rude shock. So be prepared. This Ebook caters to very open minded types who can see things the way they are, without any politically correct programming filter. So make sure you are willing to become such a type, before continuing on. Please keep in mind that, as with my Happier Abroad Ebook, the patterns and observations described here are only general guiding rules, not absolutes. Ladislav acknowledges that exceptions exist for every general pattern, and that such exceptions can be cited by others. Thus, absolutes are not claimed here, only patterns and tendencies. Also please note that this is a collection of observations and experiences filled with insight and wisdom, not a guidebook telling you what to do. In fact, no one can rightly tell you what to do with your life. There is no magic formula or single path that is right for everyone or works for all people. Everyone has their own path, destiny and karma that is gradually discovered through progressive revelation. Thus no one person, no matter how brilliant or experienced, really knows what is “right” for another. To presume that they do would be foolish. However, there is nothing wrong with sharing one’s observations, experiences and lessons learned for another to consider, and as an aid for introspection or self-reflection. Taken in that perspective, this collection is quite a gem. Therefore, I now present the Ebook Expatriate Observations and Teachings, and it is my hope that you will find the content as enriching as I have. Should you have any questions or comments for Ladislav about his observations and teachings, feel free to post them to him in my forum at: http://www.happierabroad.com/forum/index.php Thank you for your interest. Sincerely, Winston Wu Founder of HappierAbroad.com Note: Each of his entries are divided by asterisks *** Expatriate Lessons and Insights The friendliness of people ( and women )of a certain country towards you depends on several factors: 1) The difference in GDP between your country and theirs. The formula is this: Your country's yearly GDP /Her Country GDP= friendliness factor. I.e. $24000/$2400= 10. That means they will be ten times friendlier to you than women in your own country. Before you choose the place to go to, check out the GDP there and you will be able to calculate the friendliness factor with relative accuracy. 2) Similar religion- the more similar the better. 3) Race: the more similar, the better and/or the lighter the better. 4) With very few exceptions, the money factor will override all the other differences. If the factor 2 and 3 is any problem, more cash thrown at the situation will normally sway it in your favor. The degree of scorn piled upon you, by the same token, will also be in proportion to how many times the GDP of the host nation is greater than that of the nation you come from. *** Many things that your parents taught you about " That is the way the world is" are actually about the way things are in the country you are living in. While many social laws are universal- such as "nobody likes poor people"- (and even that is not true in all places- Communist countries, in fact, deify poor people), many other social laws vary from country to country and culture to culture. Conversely, many things that we think are proper of our country and only happen here, actually happen in other places, as well, and are just inherently human. So, when they tell you that "people are like that" or " society does not accept that" they are often talking about people and society in your country. A few hours' flight and things are as different as they can be- people are no longer "like that" and "society now accepts" whatever it did not accept back home. The same goes for ways to attract the opposite sex. What is considered to be a sure-fire- ( or imperative) way to get women in your country is no longer required. I for one, do not need to be spending three hours a day in the gym, have a Mercedes and buy elevator shoes to get a date in the Philippines. *** International travelers often confuse hospitality towards a guest with acceptance, and politeness towards visitors, with friendliness. They also confuse good customer service given to a ( perceived) rich foreigner with sincere admiration. If you really want to see how accepting a certain culture is, try settling down in that country and doing business with the local people. Often, the countries that are the most hospitable and polite to guests are the ones that are extremely hostile to those who want to stay in them for good. By the same token, countries in which people seem to be mean and inhospitable to visitors turn out to be fairly accepting to those who want to settle down and assimilate. It is as if hospitality and politeness were exact opposites of acceptance and friendliness. *** Fanatical patriots, cultural snobs, "my country is the best" arrogant nationalists, isolationists, ethnic and religious fundamentalists, racists and other such types miss out on huge opportunities to avail themselves of all the great wonders that an international lifestyle can provide. With 200 countries in the world, they think that only one country is the best and " has it all" and they do not take advantage of what the other 199 can confer upon them.