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.

22 points · 23 comments · view on lemmy.world

23 Comments

Devi@kbin.social · 21 pts · 3y

I do not celebrate treason day you ungrateful colonials

thetokenlady@sh.itjust.works · 8 pts · 3y (1 reply)

Just say you’ll be at home avoiding all the noise. I’m saying that and I was born in the U.S.

mattchu_c@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 3y

I like this answer. Sounds like something I'd say on any other busy day

Suedeltica@kbin.social · 8 pts · 3y

If you need me I’ll be sipping tea in the middle of a wide open field wearing my ceremonial red coat.

I mean, this right here is a perfect answer

pinwurm@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 3y (1 reply)

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!

mattchu_c@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 3y

Thank you

alokir@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 3y (4 replies)

Honest question: what's the difference between an emigrant and an expatriate?

mattchu_c@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 3y (1 reply)

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."

livus@kbin.social · 4 pts · 3y

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.

kennydidwhat@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 3y

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.

mattchu_c@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 3y

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."

Bishma@social.fossware.space · 4 pts · 3y

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.

scutiger@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 3y (2 replies)

"The 4th what?"

doleo@kbin.social · 3 pts · 3y

"4th wall, man. What are you gonna do for it?"

mattchu_c@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 3y

July, US independence day

Today@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 3y

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?

May@kbin.social · 2 pts · 3y (1 reply)

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.)

Today@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 3y

This. Same thing you say for memorial Day, labor day, Thanksgiving, etc. Are Christmas and Easter the only holidays we share?

vynlwombat@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 3y

"Happy independence day. Who did the US win independence from?"

Today@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 3y

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?

lvxferre@lemmy.ml · 1 pts · 3y

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.