What am I supposed to do/say as an expatriate Brit when asked what I'm doing for the 4th?
My family doesn't celebrate it (bc we never did growing up in the UK), nor do I begrudge anyone their freedom. Anyways, happy independence day y'all. If you need me I'll be sipping tea in the middle of a wide open field wearing my ceremonial red coat.
I do not celebrate treason day you ungrateful colonials
I mean, this right here is a perfect answer
Just say you’ll be at home avoiding all the noise. I’m saying that and I was born in the U.S.
I like this answer. Sounds like something I'd say on any other busy day
It’s a day off from work.
So do what you’d normally do on a day off. Sleep in, read a book, go for a hike, play some games, paint a picture, do some home improvement, cook something special, grab a drink, volunteer at a shelter…
Whatever you want. I don’t really care about fireworks, personally. But nothing preventing Brits from joining in the celebration. We love you guys!
Thank you
Honest question: what's the difference between an emigrant and an expatriate?
Per Google... "An expat or expatriate is simply defined as a person who lives outside their native country. Similarly, an immigrant is a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country. Only one distinction is made here – immigrants intend to stay in their new country indefinitely. Whether expats do or do not is unclear."
Sojourner workers are also usually called "immigrants" not "expats", especially if they are from non-western nations.
Like @kennydidwhat says, there is a race/ethnicity component to it.
An American doctor in Dubai is called an "expat" while a Filipino nanny in America is colloquially called an "immigrant" even if they both fully intend to return to their home countries.
It's a race thing. The term "expat" is used almost exclusively by us white folk to spare us the dreadful indignation that is being labeled an "immigrant."
Seriously, it's a race thing.
Per Google... "An expat or expatriate is simply defined as a person who lives outside their native country. Similarly, an immigrant is a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country. Only one distinction is made here – immigrants intend to stay in their new country indefinitely. Whether expats do or do not is unclear."
I mostly lost interest in fireworks a long time ago, but if you want to do fireworks American style just think "November 5th + 20% pointless danger." E.g. As a kid we used to wrap "whistling pete" fireworks in electrical tape then smash them with a hammer before we set them off. They usually just explode, but sometimes they shoot off in a random direction first.
What I do these days if assume most stuff is closed so I stay home during the day, Then in the evening I might go to one of the parks doing "official" fireworks to people watch.
"The 4th what?"
"4th wall, man. What are you gonna do for it?"
July, US independence day
"Happy independence day. Who did the US win independence from?"
Just say youre doing whatever it is youre doing. Like "relaxing, staying home" (? If the field is at your home? Or is there no field and that was a joke lol) I'm not from or in the U.S.A. and if someone asked (online) I'd probably just say "just staying home I don't live in the U.S.A. ." (But since you're in the U.S.A. ofc u dont need to say the second part.)
This. Same thing you say for memorial Day, labor day, Thanksgiving, etc. Are Christmas and Easter the only holidays we share?
Same as any long weekend or holiday like presidents day, memorial Day, labor day, Thanksgiving, and others - Going out of town, hanging at home, sleeping in, etc. Is it just Christmas, Easter, and New years that we share?
In your shoes I'd be probably pissing nationalists off by saying "it's a government. A government is a fucking abstract tool, not a person. I don't commemorate the anniversary of a government, just like I don't commemorate the anniversary of a screwdriver or a piece of software."
If however you're looking for something a bit less socially disruptive, probably "I'll chill at home." is your best bet.
Same as any long weekend or holiday like presidents day, memorial Day, labor day, Thanksgiving, and others - Going out of town, hanging at home, sleeping in, etc. Is it just Christmas, Easter, and New years that we share?