Cyprus-Forum.com

[Get Real!]

Just register on the board, say your bit and get out. If you get banned or edited so what? No point posting it on here and requesting somebody else speaks on your behalf.

You’re so full of shit Jimbo! You didn’t even reply to unkie GR’s attempt last year to create an account there! I’ll have you know that people actually PAY ME to abuse them let alone debate with them… ask Miltiades!

[Oracle]

Halil - you misunderstand what I'm suggesting. I quoted a Brit, who frankly had a complete lack of understanding of the situation, by comparing it to Braveheart and saying "Well, I'm Scottish, and I married an English person"... my point being that Scotland/England was in no way comparable to Turkey/Cyprus. I understand you were in the the south pre-'74, and you have just as much right to restitution as the GC's do.

If you summarise the problem, it comes down to the fact that I am stunned that someone can live on this island and be quite so oblivious to the political issues that take place here...

To take two opposing sides.... Halil and Oracle... will either of you accept that the situation is in any way similar to Braveheart? Really?

JimB - I'm happy to accept your comment that I posted it here to "sensationise", but, really, what's the point in arguing with people who have moved to Cyprus to live in their own British bubble, shop at Marks & Spencer, and pretend that the politics of the island just don't exist?

There's a reason the CyprusDying forum doesn't discuss it... it doesn't effect the peaceful home counties life... so why would they care???

I don't have any problem with Brits shopping at M&S, or Cypriots buying Starbucks or whatever. That is just a consequence of Globalisation and Cyprus is as much a part of that, as anywhere else under free capitalism.

I don't know in what way you are comparing England/Scotland with Cyprus and the Turks, but what I do know is that there is no similarity between GCs and Turks either culturally, historically, ethnically, politically or their claim to Cyprus. Zilch!

The Brits as Celts, were all one people for thousands of years, before the Angles, Saxons and Jutes drove some further north into Scotland and west to Wales (c 500 ACE). There was another introduction of Celts from Ireland around 1000 ACE into Scotland. But mostly the Scots and Welsh represented those people that did not assimilate with the Anglo-Saxons as much as those in the south did. But the Anglo-Saxons, and later the Normans (French) mostly assimilated with the natives in terms of language and adoption of Christianity; they didn't try to change the natives or force their own language upon the Old English speaking natives (although of course Middle English was enriched, mostly because of Latinisation). The only invaders that did not assimilate substantially with the natives of Britain were the Romans, and they left after 400 years.

But the Scots and the English have a very long common history and the Scots could claim a separate country if they want to go that far, but since they are culturally so similar, is there any need? (Unless England becomes too Islamic, when the Scots may react more forcefully than the English.)

The Turks are such a recent introduction to Cyprus, and refused to assimilate, that they do not figure in Cyprus' formative history, except towards the bloody end ....

[JimB]

JimB - I'm happy to accept your comment that I posted it here to "sensationise", but, really, what's the point in arguing with people who have moved to Cyprus to live in their own British bubble, shop at Marks & Spencer, and pretend that the politics of the island just don't exist?

There's a reason the CyprusDying forum doesn't discuss it... it doesn't effect the peaceful home counties life... so why would they care???

Glad we agree on the sensationalism - but hey, a topic's a topic even if I'm sick of seeing the same old us and them argument.

The topic normally ends with a 'if you don't like it then why don't you just f*** off home' post. Search the archives if you don't believe me.

People will always 'live in their own bubble'. Bird's of a feather flock together after all.

This is not a British trait nor is it unique to the Brits. Chinatown, Banglatown, the Golders Green Jewish community and the Cypriot enclave around North London are just a few examples of this within the London area alone. Repeated time and time again in countries and cities all over the world.

Restaurants, shops, radio & TV stations, churches, schools, cemeteries etc. which serve these communities occur in response to demand. Most people would see this as a positive - it increases choice and increases income just ask the Cypriot company that owns the M&S local franchise.

As to 'why should they care?'. You answered your own question. They don't have to care, get involved, take issue or sides and what's more I'd argue that they aren't expected to.

The government, the CTO, the property developers, restaurant owners and all the rest sell this place on the back of this easy living and 'Brit' friendly lifestyle.

Conflict doesn't sell an off-plan villa with pool therefore it's not included in the glossy brochures, the billboards on the highway, or the back-lit advertisements at the airports.

If they want to enjoy 'living the dream' so what? They've paid for it.
They don't have a vote and aren't involved in the democratic process so why should they be expected to know the politics of the place?

Then there's people like myself, here because of work. Here for another couple of years or so then I'll be off to some place else. I've been out of the UK for a long time and must admit that's it's nice to be in a place where I can experience an occasional cod and chips and a UK Sunday paper once in a while.

My company provided a country profile to read before I came here. I Joined this forum as I wanted to learn a bit more about the conflict as I have to manage Cypriot staff and didn't want to drop myself in it on the first day. However, I've done the same research on all the places I've worked.

TBH I don't think the GC's / TC's would even want involvement at such a level.

They are both frantically marketing the island as a tourist, retirement, second home, golf resort and theme park destination. If not to the Brit's, then it's the Russian's, eastern Europeans, Germans, and pretty much anybody else who will listen.

Brit's haven't forced change on the Cypriot's. The Cypriot's have adapted and evolved to better market the island and themselves. They do it willingly and in full knowledge. They are rapidly trying to re-brand and adapt to grab some of the Russians and eastern Europeans cash as I type.

They've done it for centuries and they will keep on doing it - they prize their Merc's and BMW's way to much to want to do anything else.

[Oracle]

Yes Cypriots are survivors, and the branding of Cyprus as a tourist destination is not to the exclusion of solving the Cyprus problem. It is something to do, which brings in money, as well as many others things, whilst all the while, negotiating for a solution.

What do you expect Cypriots to do? Twiddle their thumbs until the Turks get lost?

[JimB]

Yes Cypriots are survivors, and the branding of Cyprus as a tourist destination is not to the exclusion of solving the Cyprus problem. It is something to do, which brings in money, as well as many others things, whilst all the while, negotiating for a solution.

What do you expect Cypriots to do? Twiddle their thumbs until the Turks get lost?

Agreed. Life goes on.

And once there's a resolution the locals will start selling tickets for the open top bus tours of the previously occupied area, trips to the military installations with audio guided tour, and an obligatory stop at the newly opened museum. Fact of life.

When that happens then the glossy brochures will add it to the list of tourist attractions and it will become just another entry in the many conflicts and sites of cultural interest that this island exhibits.

It will become just another part of your cultural identity. It won't define you.

[CBBB]

Yes Cypriots are survivors, and the branding of Cyprus as a tourist destination is not to the exclusion of solving the Cyprus problem. It is something to do, which brings in money, as well as many others things, whilst all the while, negotiating for a solution.

What do you expect Cypriots to do? Twiddle their thumbs until the Turks get lost?

Agreed. Life goes on.

And once there's a resolution the locals will start selling tickets for the open top bus tours of the previously occupied area, trips to the military installations with audio guided tour, and an obligatory stop at the newly opened museum. Fact of life.

When that happens then the glossy brochures will add it to the list of tourist attractions and it will become just another entry in the many conflicts and sites of cultural interest that this island exhibits.

It will become just another part of your cultural identity. It won't define you.

?

[JimB]

?

You all confused again CBBB? Helps if you take the time to read the preceding posts as they tend to follow on from each other. This in turn provides context.

If your struggling with an individual word or phrase let me know and I'll try to help.