Are Expats Ambassadors for All Expats? [Season 4, Episode 4]

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On this show, Greg introduces a fascinating question for
expats: to what extent should they see themselves as
'ambassadors' who represent the country they come from - or
indeed, expats in general? Ed opens a bit contrarian, arguing
that expats only have a duty to obey the law and not act like
jerks, the same as if they were at home. Greg counters that while
that sounds good in theory, in fact locals will blame expats'
countries and cultures for expats' individual misbehavior. This
leads to a fascinating (if we do say so ourselves) back and forth
from two long term expats on exactly what duty should guide
expats while overseas.


They boys also discuss a related but slightly different
issue: to what extent should expats 'do as the Thais do'? Do we
have a duty to assimilate and 'act Thai'? Your hosts discuss the
minimum (taking shoes off, bowing, etc.) but also possible limits
on how 'Thai' foreigners should be in the Land of
Smiles. 


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