Cyprus-Forum.com

[GorillaGal]

The point is not to run at the slightest problem, life is for fighting.

i like that.
well said, sega, i never heard it said that way, but i have to agree.

[Niki]

I know of quite a few Brits returning back to the UK , but all are Cypriots or UK born Cypriots that some how have difficulty in adjusting to Cyprus life . Still the greatest place on earth as far as I'm concerned , but I would say that wouldn't I !!

The Cypriot weather coupled with the majority of Cypriots attitude to life is terrific , but exclude toffee nose peasants with a few quid in their pocket and young idiots driving their cars to show off . Plonkers !

As far as personal safety , well there simply isn't any comparison , Cyprus IS one of the safest places on earth.

It's true, we do find it more difficult that others. But there is much to consider, low wages in the private sector, low opportunities and hardly any scope. Things are changing though. In Cyprus if you want opportunity you have to make it.

Working in the government is hardly an option for us (let's face it it's good if your working in that sector), and many Cypriots don't employ us because of being British-born Cypriots.

I went to one company, I speak perfect Greek by the way (you can hardly notice it, promise ), they read on my CV that I recently came over and all of a sudden they changed their tune. I think two companies did that to me. It makes me want to lie to them. One told me I am not hiring you because you don't know Greek, when spoke to him in Greek and also have Greek GCSE. I told him, then he said "ne alla xeries" = "yes but you know".

We have not been here all our lives and some see us as foreign. We are not foreign, we are the same as you. People are affraid of people they don't know (similar to racism), not sure how it is in Nicosia and Limassol. If some people understand your British-born Cypriot they say to you "why don't you go back to the UK", I am job hunting and this is all I here. The point is not to run at the slightest problem, life is for fighting.

In our village the municipality is run by a relatively young Cypriot (late 30's) who grew up in the UK and he is the most respected and influential person in the village, he's the 'vice Mukhtar' or whatever the title is. Mr Niki has helped them out and started up a girl's football team for the local girls and they now involve him in all sorts of events, there is huge respect shown and friendliness towards us.

He has said that he encourages people from outside Cyprus with wider perspectives as they can offer valuable experience and are more likely to put some effort into adding something to the village.

My point is that there are many closed minded Cypriots but just maybe things are changing? This kind of person, I believe, is the way forward and once the younger generation begins to take over that have been educated elsewhere the attitudes will improve.

[purdey]

Sega.You are right.In Cyprus you have to make your own opportunities.You will get little or no help in the job market.Start a business,businesses need other businesses to survive,it can be done.
I remember been told you will last five minutes,or you have no chance the market it is closed to foreigners,rubbish.You have to work twice as hard but the rewards are there...

[Sega]

I know of quite a few Brits returning back to the UK , but all are Cypriots or UK born Cypriots that some how have difficulty in adjusting to Cyprus life . Still the greatest place on earth as far as I'm concerned , but I would say that wouldn't I !!

The Cypriot weather coupled with the majority of Cypriots attitude to life is terrific , but exclude toffee nose peasants with a few quid in their pocket and young idiots driving their cars to show off . Plonkers !

As far as personal safety , well there simply isn't any comparison , Cyprus IS one of the safest places on earth.

It's true, we do find it more difficult that others. But there is much to consider, low wages in the private sector, low opportunities and hardly any scope. Things are changing though. In Cyprus if you want opportunity you have to make it.

Working in the government is hardly an option for us (let's face it it's good if your working in that sector), and many Cypriots don't employ us because of being British-born Cypriots.

I went to one company, I speak perfect Greek by the way (you can hardly notice it, promise ), they read on my CV that I recently came over and all of a sudden they changed their tune. I think two companies did that to me. It makes me want to lie to them. One told me I am not hiring you because you don't know Greek, when spoke to him in Greek and also have Greek GCSE. I told him, then he said "ne alla xeries" = "yes but you know".

We have not been here all our lives and some see us as foreign. We are not foreign, we are the same as you. People are affraid of people they don't know (similar to racism), not sure how it is in Nicosia and Limassol. If some people understand your British-born Cypriot they say to you "why don't you go back to the UK", I am job hunting and this is all I here. The point is not to run at the slightest problem, life is for fighting.

In our village the municipality is run by a relatively young Cypriot (late 30's) who grew up in the UK and he is the most respected and influential person in the village, he's the 'vice Mukhtar' or whatever the title is. Mr Niki has helped them out and started up a girl's football team for the local girls and they now involve him in all sorts of events, there is huge respect shown and friendliness towards us.

He has said that he encourages people from outside Cyprus with wider perspectives as they can offer valuable experience and are more likely to put some effort into adding something to the village.

My point is that there are many closed minded Cypriots but just maybe things are changing? This kind of person, I believe, is the way forward and once the younger generation begins to take over that have been educated elsewhere the attitudes will improve.

Wow if thats directed at me thanks. I never thought of it like that, unfortunatly companies don't see it like that, they view me as a virus with different ethics.

Sega.You are right.In Cyprus you have to make your own opportunities.You will get little or no help in the job market.Start a business,businesses need other businesses to survive,it can be done.
I remember been told you will last five minutes,or you have no chance the market it is closed to foreigners,rubbish.You have to work twice as hard but the rewards are there...

Certainly, you should see some of the job applications I write, completely out of this world. I always get the interview, but never the job. The market place is more open for foreigners in foreign companies, but for Cypriot companies it's difficult. I would not say it's closed, but your appreciated far less and the reward is much less. It seems they are scared of change. Not to worry, I am willing to make my mark with or without their opportunity.

[purdey]

If you get the interview but not the job,what is the problem.You must have what they want,have you asked for feedback ?

[miltiades]

I know of quite a few Brits returning back to the UK , but all are Cypriots or UK born Cypriots that some how have difficulty in adjusting to Cyprus life . Still the greatest place on earth as far as I'm concerned , but I would say that wouldn't I !!

The Cypriot weather coupled with the majority of Cypriots attitude to life is terrific , but exclude toffee nose peasants with a few quid in their pocket and young idiots driving their cars to show off . Plonkers !

As far as personal safety , well there simply isn't any comparison , Cyprus IS one of the safest places on earth.

It's true, we do find it more difficult that others. But there is much to consider, low wages in the private sector, low opportunities and hardly any scope. Things are changing though. In Cyprus if you want opportunity you have to make it.

Working in the government is hardly an option for us (let's face it it's good if your working in that sector), and many Cypriots don't employ us because of being British-born Cypriots.

I went to one company, I speak perfect Greek by the way (you can hardly notice it, promise ), they read on my CV that I recently came over and all of a sudden they changed their tune. I think two companies did that to me. It makes me want to lie to them. One told me I am not hiring you because you don't know Greek, when spoke to him in Greek and also have Greek GCSE. I told him, then he said "ne alla xeries" = "yes but you know".

We have not been here all our lives and some see us as foreign. We are not foreign, we are the same as you. People are affraid of people they don't know (similar to racism), not sure how it is in Nicosia and Limassol. If some people understand your British-born Cypriot they say to you "why don't you go back to the UK", I am job hunting and this is all I here. The point is not to run at the slightest problem, life is for fighting.

Strange I don't somehow see it. My Greek is ok , I don't look Cypriot , in some places ie Hotels I only speak to them in English , most of the staff are foreigners anyway , but have never experienced any animosity because I'm an English Cypriot. My wife who is English and looks very English has never ever in all the 40 years that we go forwards and backwards experienced any anti British feelings. She has stayed with our daughter for months on end and NOT once did she feel either unsafe or met with any anti British views.
My daughter moved to Cyprus at the age of 15 , she is now 30 , spoke not a word of Greek , but realized that in order to blend in more she had to learn Greek. She has worked for a number of mostly off shore companies and she is currently working for one where English is more of a requirement than Greek , again my daughter has never experienced any problems with the locals .
I believe that if you keep an open mind and accept that the way of life is different in many areas from the UK and mostly in irrelevant areas such as queuing up , saying thank you and sorry 100 times a time etc. etc.
The Cypriots for me at least , G/Cs, T/Cs , Armenians etc are the greatest
bunch of guys and girls , and I most certainly consider my 4 year old grand daughter to be the greatest little Cypriot ( 3/4 ) (1/4 ) English !!

[Sega]

If you get the interview but not the job,what is the problem.You must have what they want,have you asked for feedback ?

Well, I am a new graduate. When you complete a degree/masters you normally know your subject broadly. To put it in simple terms you know a lot of thing but not specific in any (i.e. jack of all trades).

I completed my degree and postgraduate in the new media field. As you can guess this is a fast market to be in, things changes quickly.

Normally when you complete such a qualifications companies invest in you and see you to have potential to go much further that others. Most companies here have no intention of investing in you. They prefer to hire people who are already specific. They don't want people who know the subject more broadly that them, it frightens them. I guess their scared of knowledgeable people.

I have seen saw my educated field as the problem and now I am applying to other positions other than my education. It's a shame really, one man once said "It's not what your qualification is in that counts but it's actually passing it".

[Sega]

I know of quite a few Brits returning back to the UK , but all are Cypriots or UK born Cypriots that some how have difficulty in adjusting to Cyprus life . Still the greatest place on earth as far as I'm concerned , but I would say that wouldn't I !!

The Cypriot weather coupled with the majority of Cypriots attitude to life is terrific , but exclude toffee nose peasants with a few quid in their pocket and young idiots driving their cars to show off . Plonkers !

As far as personal safety , well there simply isn't any comparison , Cyprus IS one of the safest places on earth.

It's true, we do find it more difficult that others. But there is much to consider, low wages in the private sector, low opportunities and hardly any scope. Things are changing though. In Cyprus if you want opportunity you have to make it.

Working in the government is hardly an option for us (let's face it it's good if your working in that sector), and many Cypriots don't employ us because of being British-born Cypriots.

I went to one company, I speak perfect Greek by the way (you can hardly notice it, promise ), they read on my CV that I recently came over and all of a sudden they changed their tune. I think two companies did that to me. It makes me want to lie to them. One told me I am not hiring you because you don't know Greek, when spoke to him in Greek and also have Greek GCSE. I told him, then he said "ne alla xeries" = "yes but you know".

We have not been here all our lives and some see us as foreign. We are not foreign, we are the same as you. People are affraid of people they don't know (similar to racism), not sure how it is in Nicosia and Limassol. If some people understand your British-born Cypriot they say to you "why don't you go back to the UK", I am job hunting and this is all I here. The point is not to run at the slightest problem, life is for fighting.

Strange I don't somehow see it. My Greek is ok , I don't look Cypriot , in some places ie Hotels I only speak to them in English , most of the staff are foreigners anyway , but have never experienced any animosity because I'm an English Cypriot. My wife who is English and looks very English has never ever in all the 40 years that we go forwards and backwards experienced any anti British feelings. She has stayed with our daughter for months on end and NOT once did she feel either unsafe or met with any anti British views.
My daughter moved to Cyprus at the age of 15 , she is now 30 , spoke not a word of Greek , but realized that in order to blend in more she had to learn Greek. She has worked for a number of mostly off shore companies and she is currently working for one where English is more of a requirement than Greek , again my daughter has never experienced any problems with the locals .
I believe that if you keep an open mind and accept that the way of life is different in many areas from the UK and mostly in irrelevant areas such as queuing up , saying thank you and sorry 100 times a time etc. etc.
The Cypriots for me at least , G/Cs, T/Cs , Armenians etc are the greatest
bunch of guys and girls , and I most certainly consider my 4 year old grand daughter to be the greatest little Cypriot ( 3/4 ) (1/4 ) English !!

It depends from person to person, there is good and bad people everywhere. In terms of employment though, people often reveal their true colours. As you said your daughter worked in mostly off shore companies. I never disputed that people are great, but companies are not people, and all people are different.

[Nikitas]

Gorrila Gal,

The crime rate is a RATE of crimes per 100 000 people. The total size of the population is totally irrelevant to the RATE. Your very reliable FBI crime statistics prove beyond doubt that your cities are much more violent than most places on earth, and no I do not believe it has anything to do with guns etc. It ties in with Anglosaxon tolerance of crimes against the person, there is no social taboo against it, the same goes for public drunkenness.

The homicide rate for the USA is 5.9, for the UK 1.62 and for Cyprus 0.26. The rates for offences against the person is about the same. Ergo Cyprus is a much safer place to live than the USA.



As for being in a legal tangle, there is not much difference, Cyprus has the exact same legal system as the USA, it is called Common Law and we both got it from the British. Which proves that the difference in crime rate is a cultural thing and not attributable to the legal system.

[GorillaGal]

Gorrila Gal,

The crime rate is a RATE of crimes per 100 000 people. The total size of the population is totally irrelevant to the RATE. Your very reliable FBI crime statistics prove beyond doubt that your cities are much more violent than most places on earth, and no I do not believe it has anything to do with guns etc. It ties in with Anglosaxon tolerance of crimes against the person, there is no social taboo against it, the same goes for public drunkenness.

The homicide rate for the USA is 5.9, for the UK 1.62 and for Cyprus 0.26. The rates for offences against the person is about the same. Ergo Cyprus is a much safer place to live than the USA.



As for being in a legal tangle, there is not much difference, Cyprus has the exact same legal system as the USA, it is called Common Law and we both got it from the British. Which proves that the difference in crime rate is a cultural thing and not attributable to the legal system.

it depends on how you define "safe." i think i see it in a more global sense than you do. Location is everything. i am much safer in NY. but that's just me.....