Sink or Swim Dear International Living Reader, When I heard about the recent blackout in the northeast and midwestern U.S., I was thankful to be thousands of miles away from the chaos and the heat--and happier that I took the plunge to move to Ireland last January. Offshore-related matters are my livelihood. I know all about international banking, tax regulations, residency guidelines, etc. I was confident that this move would be no different than if I had been moving from Washington, D.C. to Dallas. But while my financial and residency issues were a breeze, I wasn't prepared for the cultural differences. I've since realized the minute you arrive in your adopted homeland, it is sink or swim. It's that simple--you have to embrace the differences--and soon--or you become frustrated and disillusioned very quickly. After seven months in Ireland, I've experienced a range of emotions, from elation to sheer frustration. And, more than once, I nearly pulled the plug and gave up on Ireland altogether. But I now know that when someone tells me they'll "ring me tomorrow" or that the slate floor being installed in my kitchen will be finished in a week, it won't happen. A cheap dinner for two will set me back 50 euros (Ireland is one of the most expensive countries in the euro zone). It's perfectly acceptable to park on the sidewalk (parking is at a premium), and road etiquette demands that you turn on your hazard lights as a way of saying thank-you when someone allows you pass them. I always have my reusable grocery bags in my trunk because the government levies a tax on plastic disposable bags, and a euro coin is needed to "rent" a shopping cart. I am always impressed when an Irish acquaintance remembers me (by name), or when the woman at the dry cleaners knows my voice (the American accent is a dead giveaway) and always gives me a 15% discount. The Irish are wonderful, warm people. But, timeliness is just not in their nature. Things get done in their own way and at their own pace in this country. And, I'm starting to enjoy it. In fact, I can almost accept it. Erika Nolan
For International Living P.S. A key benefit of moving offshore is eligibility for citizenship in your adopted country. To learn more about the "nuts and bolts" of this process, I personally recommend The Passport Report. Here, you'll find out everything you need to know about alternate citizenship, passports and expatriation: http://www.agora-inc.com/reports/190SGOPS/W190D910/
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