On a somewhat regular basis, I have encountered expats who seem to think that because they are in another country the rules of common courtesy, respect or general good and legal behaviour don’t apply simply because they are no longer residing in their home country where their conduct would land them some serious jail time.
So… a little advice from the Beach Gringo….
- When making every effort to evade paying local taxes (notice I said evade, not legally avoid), such as working without a work permit, taking only cash or PayPal payments, charging fees, commissions, finder’s fee etc. and having them paid in cash, then bragging how you have beat the system then bitch about lack of funding for infrastructure, healthcare, education and the such is not only self-defeating but hypocritical….don’t be that Gringo, those taxes you evaded pay for all the shit you bitch about not having
- If you are so involved in your Home Country’s political events that you must broadcast, insult and generally be a dick, go back home and run for office, there will be no noticeable change simply because you posted on Facebook to the eventual outcome, besides having some kind of delusion of grandeur and alienating people simply based on a political belief; again, just a tad hypocritical….don’t be that gringo,
- Inserting yourself into other peoples personal lives without being invited; really, who cares who lives where, who did what or who fucked who, or who paid what to whomever, really none of your business. If you are that bored that you must do these things there are many local charitable groups that you could volunteer at and put the wasted time to productive use. But, that might entail a bit of effort on your part, I mean why spend that effort helping someone when it can be used to bitch and complain, again, don’t be that Gringo,
- Honesty goes a long way, if you need to lie, steal, cheat, beg, con or otherwise take advantage of anyone, then maybe you should rethink why you are where you are; make a promise, keep it. This idea that you can skate from con to con nope, sorry, sooner or later you will get called out and the bullshit house of cards you constructed will come tumbling down. Yes, maybe you can run a few years being the scam man, but it will bite you in the ass, so unless you have the ass the size of Kong and can take a few chunks, don’t be that Gringo.
- People do stupid shit, say stupid shit and generally the intent behind it is lost in the moment. Be the bigger person, help the new Gringo and advise how things get done, don’t degrade, belittle or abandon them. You were once in their shoes – show compassion, not contempt, pick a standard of honesty and integrity and stay with it…don’t be that Gringo
- Don’t blame the locals when you fuck up; making decisions here is no different than making decisions back in the US or Canada. Just because it is sunny here doesn’t mean everything is sunshine, rainbows, puppies, kittens and skittles. Dumb choices lead to bad results and you own every stupid choice, soooo.
In every small community, you will be judged by your deeds, actions and words, for better or worse. But, every single one of those items are items you can control, change and improve and really after all the effort you put into the move to a new country, why the hell wouldn’t you put the same effort into not being THAT Gringo