Cyprus-Forum.com

[anastasiaC]

i tried Nikitas...i think I gave it over 100% commitment and I did fall in love with the island, the language, food, music
i even started thinking with the same mentality but I really didnt feel connected with the cypriots....especially the girls
it was hard to make friends with them...they thought u were out for something like their men maybe?
most of my friends were foreigners or English Cypriots....

[miltiades]

Am I the odd one out? Born in Cyprus , in the UK since 1961 , do not feel like a foreigner , not one bit .
In Cyprus also I do not feel like a foreigner but a 100% Cypriot , just as in the UK I feel 100% British.
I guess the moral of the story you are what YOU perceive your self to be .Many UK Cypriots , including some of my own family "clan" tend to be over critical when in Cyprus .They mostly appear to be constantly referring to the locals in a derogatory fashion . Phrases such as I KIPREI EN TOUTO , I KIPREI EN TELIA KIPREI !!! , a reference to the Cypriots which does not include them !! My advice to those moving back to Cyprus is to balance the "good "with the" bad "and never expect Cypriots to bow to you or consider you as you consider yourself. Be humble , stand your ground , take no nonsense if anyone calls you a "foreigner " and try using these words on a daily basis. I have used them for years and believe me they work . Here they are : TI OREA POU PERNOUME - WE ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME !!

[Niki]

Am I the odd one out? Born in Cyprus , in the UK since 1961 , do not feel like a foreigner , not one bit .
In Cyprus also I do not feel like a foreigner but a 100% Cypriot , just as in the UK I feel 100% British.
I guess the moral of the story you are what YOU perceive your self to be .Many UK Cypriots , including some of my own family "clan" tend to be over critical when in Cyprus .They mostly appear to be constantly referring to the locals in a derogatory fashion . Phrases such as I KIPREI EN TOUTO , I KIPREI EN TELIA KIPREI !!! , a reference to the Cypriots which does not include them !! My advice to those moving back to Cyprus is to balance the "good "with the" bad "and never expect Cypriots to bow to you or consider you as you consider yourself. Be humble , stand your ground , take no nonsense if anyone calls you a "foreigner " and try using these words on a daily basis. I have used them for years and believe me they work . Here they are : TI OREA POU PERNOUME - WE ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME !!

Well said Miltiades! It is all about perception. 'Foreigners' may have to work harder to be accepted than pure Cypriots but you get what you give in life.

In reality the attitude towards me as a 'female' has been more extreme than how I've been treated as a 'foreigner'. I was used to being treated the same way as my husband in the UK when it came to important decisions, legal matters or large purchases. It was never assumed it would be him signing/paying/taking control as our career paths, responsibilities and salary has always been at a similar level. In Cyprus people automatically look to the 'man' of the house. However this is the same for Cypriot females.

I had expected this though so am happy to live with it, I have nothing to prove, been there done that and it's actually quite nice to wimp out of important decisions occasionally!

[zan]

Am I the odd one out? Born in Cyprus , in the UK since 1961 , do not feel like a foreigner , not one bit .
In Cyprus also I do not feel like a foreigner but a 100% Cypriot , just as in the UK I feel 100% British.
I guess the moral of the story you are what YOU perceive your self to be .Many UK Cypriots , including some of my own family "clan" tend to be over critical when in Cyprus .They mostly appear to be constantly referring to the locals in a derogatory fashion . Phrases such as I KIPREI EN TOUTO , I KIPREI EN TELIA KIPREI !!! , a reference to the Cypriots which does not include them !! My advice to those moving back to Cyprus is to balance the "good "with the" bad "and never expect Cypriots to bow to you or consider you as you consider yourself. Be humble , stand your ground , take no nonsense if anyone calls you a "foreigner " and try using these words on a daily basis. I have used them for years and believe me they work . Here they are : TI OREA POU PERNOUME - WE ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME !!

I too have to agree with you here Miltiades. I here far to many Brit TCs disrespecting the Islanders.

[Sotos]

I think to be Cypriot means to feel that being Cypriot is your only option. If you fee that you can be something else whenever you choose then you are not Cypriot. Its all in the commitment.

[Niki]

I think to be Cypriot means to feel that being Cypriot is your only option. If you fee that you can be something else whenever you choose then you are not Cypriot. Its all in the commitment.

Is it really that black and white?

I am sure and I hope my girls will have their hearts in Cyprus BUT if they use their heads they will probably have to study and gain a career elsewhere. Then come to Cyprus when they have completed their own personal journey.

Should my girls also be restricted as Cypriot girls with very little opportunity to meet the right man or be well paid in their chosen career? I love Cyprus but I don't feel it is the right place for them to really do the best they can and experience the world. It has strong traditions and morals which is not a bad thing but I feel some things need to move on.

Commitment to a country has to be an educated decision, not simply following whatever is offered.

[phoenix]

I think to be Cypriot means to feel that being Cypriot is your only option. If you fee that you can be something else whenever you choose then you are not Cypriot. Its all in the commitment.

Sotos, that is very idealistic! Don't you sometimes feel just a little bit Greek? . . . somewhere buried deep in your genes.

Overwhelmingly Cypriot 99% of the time though . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKCJN1sS3x4

This makes me feel homesick

[jansler]

We had a son born here last year we are not Cypriot as i understand it he can have dual nationality and passports, but will not be asked to do national service as i, the father am not a Cypriot