I admit it: I liked calling myself an expat. Something about the word sounded cool, even though no Mexican has ever called me, or any other foreigner I know, an “expatriada.” They refer to us as either extranjeros or gringos.
I thought of this recently when two Mexico News Daily readers commented that my use of the word ‘expat’ in an article I wrote was offensive and elitist. I pointed out, defensively, that the Oxford Dictionary’s definition of expat is pretty innocuous: “a person who lives outside their native country.”
What’s not to like? But while the word ‘expat’ may seem neutral at first, its implications are not. As you probably remember from high school English class, there’s denotation, the literal, textbook meaning of a word, as opposed to connotation, the subjective idea or sense — positive or negative, but rarely neutral — associated with that word. And it turns out, the connotation of the word “expat” is very charged.
Unpacking the terms expat, immigrant, and migrant
What makes one person an expat and another an immigrant? I doubt most foreigners who move to Mexico think of themselves as ‘immigrants’. Moving here, for most of us, is a lifestyle choice and not the result of economic deprivation or dire circumstances in our home country, such as oppression or persecution. Even those foreigners who move to Mexico because they can’t afford to buy a home in the U.S. are still privileged economically, compared to most Mexicans.
The truth is, the word expat carries assumptions about class, race, education, affluence, and privilege, and usually refers to Western white people working or retiring abroad.
There are a few exceptions. For example, I’ve met professionals from India who work in the US high-tech sector. Although they’re not White, the kind of work they do gives them expat status (although they may be perceived as immigrants because they’re dark-skinned, just as affluent African Americans are sometimes stereotyped as people on welfare).
“Migrants” are people searching for higher pay and better living conditions, who move back and forth across a border to find work, like seasonal crop harvesting or construction. I’ve never met a foreign resident in Mexico who picks avocados and sends money back to their family in the U.S., the way Latino migrants in California pick strawberries and send money back to Mexico.
Then there are the foreigners who work within the Mexican economy, who don’t fit into any of these categories. In Guanajuato, for example, where my husband and I live, we know foreign residents who teach English at the University of Guanajuato or perform as musicians in the university symphony. Their salary is decent only by Mexican standards, and their pensions are small. These foreigners have the privilege that comes with skin color, without the usual economic advantages.
To me, the word “immigrant” sounds less affluent, more like a person searching for better economic opportunities, than the word expat, which sounds classy and hip. No wonder I liked the sound of it.
Changing the words we use will not, by itself, change the inequities that privilege brings, but it’s a start. How we refer to ourselves and others carries weight. I, for one, have decided not to use the term ‘expat’ anymore. I’m an extranjera, a foreign resident of Mexico.
How do you feel about the word expat being offensive in nature? Does it describe us best, or is there another word you would use when describing yourself?
Louisa Rogers and her husband Barry Evans divide their lives between Guanajuato and Eureka, on California’s North Coast. Louisa writes articles and essays about expat life, Mexico, travel, physical and psychological health, retirement and spirituality. Her recent articles are on her website, https://authory.com/LouisaRogers.
Good one G Alma!
Agree Steven Broin
The negative connotation of privilege associated with the term “expat” seems to me mostly limited to those familiar with the historical abuses of colonialism by British and other western European nations throughout the 18th to 20th centuries. These imperialist activities have recently (and rightly) become subject to critical scrutiny, leading some to reject the term “expat” because of its usage by certain English-speaking overlords in the past.
However, this is not the intended modern-day connotation by any means. Were an expatriate to return to the country of their birth and primary original residency, they would “repatriate.” Therefore, “expatriate,” or “expat” for short, is simply a term that covers those living outside of their country of birth or original citizenship, with a connotation of agency in their decision to do so.
For better or worse, the terms “immigrant” and “migrant” (at least among the majority of American and British English-speakers and most folks having European cultural backgrounds) have usually carried the sense of need or intention to better one’s position in life by settling permanently somewhere other than their nation of origin, with “migrant” often additionally used to describe temporary workers. Recent distressing upticks in refugeeism due to global shakeups (think Syrians and Somalis) have further muddled these terms.
The term “extranjera” is suitable, but only among noncitizens in Spanish-speaking nations.
A Spanish citizen moving to Mexico in this century wouldn’t dream of calling themselves a conquistador. That term has obvious imperialist connotations not at all suggested or intended in the term “expat.”
So “expat” I shall remain, at least for now.
Well said and thank you. The statement “These foreigners have the privilege that comes with skin color” is a bit offensive to me. I have lived in Mexico for a long time and have not experienced any privilege because of my skin color. If anything it has been just the opposite. Anyway with that said, call me what you want just don’t call me late for dinner. Have a blessed day 🙂
A very nice response, Margaret Petela! As a 30 year US government employee assigned to multiple overseas countries, we are use to the term “expat” – in our case, a person living outside of the United States. We are currently assigned to Mexico City and will continue to refer to ourselves as expats! No elitism intended!
Like some other commenters here, I believe the word “expat” perfectly describes my situation living in Mexico. You’re welcome to call me an immigrant, a foreigner, or a gringo. I don’t concern myself much with a million shades of meaning in these terms.
I am sometimes addressed as “Guera” in the market, and my physical therapist also calls me that. I used to wonder if I should be offended, but it seems just to be a convenient reference to an Anglo.
Market vendors often appeal to prospective buyers by calling them “güerro/a” no matter the skin or hair color of the person addressed. To explain that usage I think you have to look into the caste delineations instituted during the colonial period. I think of myself as an immigrant because I don’t intend to return to the US to live. I don’t feel comfortable with the term “expat” because for me the connotation is someone from the US who seeks out an affordable retirement here in a large community of “expats,” many of whom have little knowledge of Mexican history and culture, don’t speak much Spanish, and don’t have much contact with Mexican people. I guess I’m snob in that way.
If anyone is offended by the term “expat” it’s likely they are not one because they don’t have the skills to be one or can’t afford to be one. That’s the reality. There is nothing wrong with being a migrant or an immigrant. Prior to obtaining his US citizenship, Elon Musk was an immigrant in the US. Now he is on his way to becoming the first Trillionare.
i use visitor “visitante”…even living in México…
Where did you go to get temporary or permanent status to live in Mexico? You ARE an immigrant! If you want to believe it or not. Expat is a made up name. Just because it isn’t some dictionary doesn’t mean that it’s correct or official.
Here is another word for debate. I, a Residente Permanente from Canada, simply call myself a gringo.
Interesting, Keith. I have encountered Canadians living in Mexico at least part-time who insist the term “gringo” applies only to citizens of U.S.A. I don’t mind it myself, though of course, it can be applied by a Mexican native with a negative connotation in some circumastances.
Interesting discussion. I’m a “estadounidense” born in California (once part of Mexico of course) and a permanent resident of Mexico working toward Spanish fluency, if I live that long, and Mexican citizenship. (Two more years to go before I can apply!) I’ll go with the Mexican government’s terminology as outlined above. Also, after three years in Oaxaca, I sometimes call myself a “gringoqueño,” but that’s just a joke. Thanks for writing the article.
The only offensive word in this article was ¨privilege.¨ I did not receive a privilege from anyone. I worked for what I have.
While living in Phoenix I had the privilege of helping the much maligned “asylum seekers” aka asylees find their way to sponsors. That is a term that might fit some of the US people moving here now for political asylum.
I love this article. Clever and informative too.
My first dinner with my future wife’s family, her youngest granddaughter in the middle of the dinner blurted out the question – ” he is gringo ?”. She was 6 years old and there was a lot of embarrassment and uneasy laughter.I replied, sí correcto, soy gringo, por supuesto. And I have been the gringo ever since.
I’m pretty sure most Mexicanos refer to us as gringos. And that is how I refer to myself.
To follow up, I consulted an American living in Germany and a Scot living in London. The latter said he associates “expat” with today’s British retirees who have moved to Spain. No overlord or colonialist or elitist connotation. My friend in Germany doesn’t hear or use “expat” or any other single term at all there. When asked, she explains her citizenship, when she moved to live permanently in Germany (1970s), and, being a political animal, her intention to not return to her country of birth. I am beginning to wonder why the term has become such a big deal in Mexico of late.
Immigrant
When I was 16, I left the UK with a green card, and became an ‘immigrant’ to US to enable me in my chosen career path in the hotel industry. Three years later, in order to continue my career, I moved to the Bahamas (a British colony then), and with a work permit, and was considered an expat. Subsequently I moved to Jamaica, where again I was an expat with a work permit. Later I returned to the Bahamas for many years, and was expat. Then I moved to St Croix in the US Virgin Islands, as a temporary resident. Twenty five years ago, I bought a home in Mexico and became a permanent resident of Mexico, while now being a US citizen, and referred to as an expat by the other expats living here, but not by our Mexican friends. Unlike Dottie, I’ve never been referred to as an Anglo, even though I was born and schooled in The UK. Maybe a Limey in the US.
Expats tend to find each other wherever they are and consequently socialize with other expats, regardless of the country of origin, but more because of the language spoken and customs such as Independance Days!
Great article. I will start calling myself a migrant because I move back and forth biannually and I work in both countries.
To show how words change in meaning, expatriate or expat for short is a great example. It is neither new nor “made-up.” It comes from the Latin ex- (meaning out of) and patria (homeland or country) and was originally used to describe a specific form of punishment: being banished from your home.
There have always been migrants and immigrants, but in modern times, a third group developed. Migrants are simply people moving (often temporarily), while immigrants are people seeking to change homelands. Both have a sense of obligation: I would rather not do this, but I have to because of (money/fear/politics etc.). The third group was seeking to live outside its homeland by choice, not obligation. It started with the English and their former colonies, but spread as more and more people of means chose to live the expat lifestyle.
Expat stems from this English usage, so it’s no surprise it doesn’t show up in Spanish. The Spanish colonial empire had very specific terms for people: Peninsulares or gachupines for those born in Spain, criollos for Spaniards born in the New World, Mestizos for those of mixed races. They had no need for the concept of expatriation, and hence no word.
If you came to Mexico to become a Mexican citizen eventually, you’re an immigrant. If you came to visit but intend to return to your home, you’re a migrant, but you can gussy that up to digital nomad if you like. If you came to Mexico to live but never become a citizen, you’re an expat.
Good idea for an article and ID of the privilege of many. I am a longtime resident and have my PR card/Pisano. I speak/read Spanish well enough to become a citizen. But outside of voting and the honor/pride of being a “Mexican” I’m fine right now with just being “a resident.” I am not an “expat.”
So much to do about words. I was born a US citizen and remain one. I immigrated to Mexico and obtained my citizenship and a burial plot and intend to join my father there. I am not a visitor , guest or extranerjo – all offensive to me. I am fine with Gringo but it offends my Mexican Friends. Expat implies you plan to return to some other country. I can’t say I’m Mexican to either my Mexican or American friends without a lot of explanations. The most appropriate term – but lengthy would be bi-National. But that requires explanation too. And really – why are we so concerned about putting people in linguistic boxes & dragging privilege in. So I just stick with GRINGO – even Tia Gringa which infuriates a close Mexican friend. All TOO complicated. We are all just humans living in a certain country. All the rest requires a complicated conversation. So silly.
My husband and I use the term “migrant” to describe ourselves living in Oaxaca. It equalizes our status as one of those people who have moved to another country to have a better life, according to their own definitions of what is a better life. Some migrants do it to have a chance for economic security, others for reasons of safety, education, career advancement or privilege. By using the term migrant, we are not putting one group as somehow above or below any other group that changes their country of residence–we all are migrants. Harold Kooden