'British expats have rescued our hometown from the grave,' say Italian villagers
'British expats have rescued our hometown from the grave,' say Italian villagers
'The historical old district was turning into ruins... the British have breathed new life there,' says one restaurant owner
'The historical old district was turning into ruins... the British have breathed new life there,' says one restaurant owner
Just posting this because i don’t think I’ve really ever read a positive article about UK immigrants in Europe and my brain kept trying to insist it was satire while reading.
Apparently not. A nice uplifting read.
It is a refreshing change. I don't know why people always focus on the bad stuff in life, we could hear so much more uplifting stories.
Here's a quick one from me...
About 20 years ago my dad moved to a village in Spain. I think he was the only British person there, he tried learning Spanish. He made out he was amazing at it but I could tell he wasn't, but the locals thought he was great for trying.
When I visited they would treat me so well. We'd be invited to people's homes for dinner and lunch. One man randomly gave me a huge watermelon while I walked down the street, not entirely sure but it was a lovely gesture.
When he died there, there were more of the local friends and their family at the funeral than UK friends and family. It's like half the village turned up.
The people there were so wholesome. I miss them. So different to the people I'm used to here in the UK.
but the locals thought he was great for trying.
I think this is key though - being seen to make an effort to become part of a community and contrinute goes a long, long way. Compare that will the groups of Brits who emigrate to little brit enclaves and only drink at 'The English Pub' that one of them opened.
I don’t know why people always focus on the bad stuff in life
It's an evolutionary thing. Focusing on the bad experiences helps us to better avoid them in future. However, modern journalism exploits this for more "engagement" and sales.
Everyone hates tourists and gentrification but when they leave, then you get places like Blackpool. Tourism brings money to areas that can't have other industries. Thanks for the link OP
They're not expats, they're migrants.
Neighbourly ties have also formed. London-based Hussain Ramzan, who bought a building for €10,000 (£8,600), leaves a copy of his house keys with a woman living across the street from him in case anything happens when he’s in England.
They've bought holiday homes on the cheap, they haven't migrated
I'm so conflicted, this isn't what the guardian has told me.