do cypriots like the british living here????

thetruth


Joined: 11/01/2009
Posts: 268

Message Posted:
16/01/2009 08:16

it would be nice to hear from any cypriots on this board.also how do the british living here feel,are you treated well.

maybemike


Joined: 12/01/2009
Posts: 188

Message Posted:
16/01/2009 08:21

What a strange question to ask of the brits..do you think we are living in Guantanamo Bay lol

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
16/01/2009 09:59

I've always been treated very well by cypriots. I've got some really good cypriot friends. I would guess that the majority of cypriots like most of us being here. Then again there are some 'brits' who the cypriots would rather not be here.

frontalman



Joined: 28/02/2008
Posts: 499

Message Posted:
16/01/2009 10:10

Seems a strange question for someone who has just joined. I would guess the answer might be some do, some don't, some might feel differently from day to day depending on their ongoing experiences. We are foreigners here, the moslem tradition is one of welcoming strangers. Are Brits all of one type? There are plenty of Brits I don't like today, but tomorrow I may love them, things in life aren't black and white, so I don't think there is a simple answer to your question.

frontalman



Joined: 28/02/2008
Posts: 499

Message Posted:
16/01/2009 10:14

I probably would have been better off just agreeing with the wise No1Doyen!

fatboy



Joined: 05/11/2008
Posts: 244

Message Posted:
16/01/2009 12:35

I do believe there are some arrogant brits who think that Cypriots shouldn't be living here..

PIPIE


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
16/01/2009 13:29

I have spoken to a few local T/C and while they remain very welcoming , they are now very concerned that there island is being ruined by ministers who are allowing all of the construction that is spoiling there lovelyl island .

So in turn maybe T/C will be less welcoming to people who either reside or holiday in TRNC .

markvpiazza


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 530

Message Posted:
16/01/2009 13:30

I think it depends if they are eski Inglis or yeni Inglis



Mark

Marcos



Joined: 10/12/2008
Posts: 14

Message Posted:
16/01/2009 14:36

my thoughts exactly mark

chick


Joined: 02/07/2008
Posts: 323

Message Posted:
16/01/2009 14:57

Msg 6.



Agree with you 100%.

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
16/01/2009 16:57

we are the only english family in our village.

90% of the tc's are fine with us, very welcoming and helpfull.

there is about 10% who hate the english and are real racists.

some are uneducated so i can accept there point of view.

the others who are educated i find offensive.





i think that there are good and bad in all people, something we have to accept.

thats life!

Chessman


Joined: 13/05/2008
Posts: 486

Message Posted:
16/01/2009 17:04

firestarter



Thank goodness the 10% only hate the English!

pilgrim



Joined: 11/05/2007
Posts: 1404

Message Posted:
16/01/2009 17:15

always found Turkish cypriots very friendly and have developed close friendships with 4 in last 5years.

rocking


Joined: 05/11/2008
Posts: 421

Message Posted:
16/01/2009 19:23

The village I live in now has more British than Cypriots but I have never heard anyone talk badly about the British. I have hung my head in shame when I have heard how some of the Cypriots are spoken to and especially when women walk into the local little shops in a bikini top - I have to say they do not like that - I will now wait for some of the chaps to reply to that. If you hear them saying 'ayip' that means 'shame on you'. I think if you smile at someone they will smile back it is how you approach them. Also if a few words of Turkish are spoken they like that, thank you, please, good morning etc.

The-Wicks


Joined: 27/05/2007
Posts: 2279

Message Posted:
16/01/2009 19:34

Message 15 - Rita, couldn't agree with you more! It also annoys me when British woman go for lunch in a restaurant dressed in bikinis and men wearing only swimming trunks. This, to me, shows disrespect, even if the restaurant happens to be a beach-side one. Let's be honest, N.C. is also a place that attracts the "older" holiday-maker and so by and large this is not a pretty picture.

Hope you are well.



Regards



Jean

Rocker



Joined: 24/09/2008
Posts: 384

Message Posted:
16/01/2009 19:53

THE tcs like us here I have many friend whom are TCs and ork and train with all the emergenct services and find no problems. THhe government are a completly different problem!!!!

thetruth


Joined: 11/01/2009
Posts: 268

Message Posted:
17/01/2009 07:49

it is good to see that most people here are positive.about dress code in shops and cafes,thay will have to exept that if yhay want to be a holiday destination.people on holiday are going to be dressesd that way.

Sandie


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 251

Message Posted:
17/01/2009 09:54

Message 16 - Jean totally agree with you. I think one should always respect the culture of the country you are either holidaying in or living in. Bikinis are for the beach and not shopping etc. Have a good weekend. Sandie

joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
17/01/2009 13:09

Just because it is a holiday destination, and this goes for any country in the world, I still think that people should cover up when going into shops and especially restaurants. It just isn't nice to see bare, often red, sweaty flesh when you are eating. Personally I think people should have a bit more self respect as well as respect for their fellow diners/shoppers.

decanddyl


Joined: 17/01/2009
Posts: 792

Message Posted:
17/01/2009 14:42

Can anyone help we are moving to Karisyaka at the end of the month. Can we get a PO Box before our arrival for redirection of mail. Looking forward to joining the expat community.

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
17/01/2009 20:17

Mmmm let me think. Lets cater for tourists, you know, open a beach front cafe that sort of thing. Make a decent living. Now, oh dear, those orrible people are coming into my cafe wearing what they wear on the beach, shame on them I say. Pay the bill in sterling? No problem....

thetruth


Joined: 11/01/2009
Posts: 268

Message Posted:
18/01/2009 08:13

if it upsets them going into a shop in bikini,what dothay think about all the night clubs around were thay live!

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
18/01/2009 18:40

thetruth

its a mans world here so nightclubs are ok.

a little like a wife and a mistress!

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
18/01/2009 19:48

There is no problem in beach front bars etc it is the walking around the shopping areas, anywhere in the world, which is off putting.



Some of the sights are objectionable to say the least from both men and women. Who wants to see flabby boobs and huge beer bellies while eating anyway. If tourisits cannot accept the customs and culture of a country then the do not deserve to be treated other than how a lot say they are. ie ripped off.



There is one certain thing in any holiday resort you can always pick out those from UK. Some other nationalities leave a bit to be desired in the manners but they are not dressed offensivley!!!!

joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
18/01/2009 19:49

But they would have to go in to the nightclub to see naked flesh it isn't on display in the street to the general public.

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
18/01/2009 21:16

There are some Brits. who have lived here for many years, and I know one

who has been married over 40 years to a T.C and remarked that the people

who are coming from U.K now are not the same as the older ones, and that

they care nothing for the culture of the land they have migrated to.

I agree that we must respect dress culture and also learn at least a little of

the language, it means so much. Surely it is in the interests of everyone on

the island for the government to curtail the extensive building or it will destroy

the very environment that most of us love here..

horselover


Joined: 18/01/2009
Posts: 129

Message Posted:
19/01/2009 01:52

i go back n forth a lot, have a cypriot step dad and english mum. when we first met his family, they were very welcoming. But even though im english, ive found some english a bit stuck up. i wasnt impressed when my 70 yr old mother had to undergo an examination tho,n hav things put up her backside to get residency coz she wasnt married to my stepdad at the time.! She was treated like a prostitute for not being married. Maybe britain should take a note from their book.Anyway, i know n work with both n its nothing to do with race, its the human species thats the problem....

horselover


Joined: 18/01/2009
Posts: 129

Message Posted:
19/01/2009 01:52

people are reluctant to change their way of life. It doesnt matter what country we live in. You see each in their own race's community, following their own religions n traditions, in england, cyprus, where ever. I just hope trnc doesnt end up like spain. brits can be a tad tacky.lol

plumber



Joined: 27/08/2008
Posts: 85

Message Posted:
19/01/2009 02:48

well said horse lover i like the way it is now thats why we are moving over..i find people very genuinley friendly

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
19/01/2009 09:43

cyprusishome



'There is one certain thing in any holiday resort you can always pick out those from UK.'



That will be the knotted handkerchiefs and rolled up trouser legs then.

spangles


Joined: 22/10/2008
Posts: 411

Message Posted:
19/01/2009 10:41

AJ you've forgotten the socks with sandals.

rowlo



Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 4796

Message Posted:
20/01/2009 22:24

and stuffing ice cream into theyre red faces

karakum5c



Joined: 18/03/2008
Posts: 1021

Message Posted:
20/01/2009 23:22

We are all European citizens these days, national identities are a thing of the past, one blue flag with gold stars, one currency, one passport, nobody has the right to complain about who or who does not live in their part of the Great European Empire. EC DIRECTIVE 76890/89

Lemtich



Joined: 15/02/2007
Posts: 1487

Message Posted:
20/01/2009 23:48

Forget the Turkish Cypriots. Do the Brits like the Brits living here?



Lem

Quarmby


Joined: 15/09/2008
Posts: 975

Message Posted:
21/01/2009 09:59

When I first arrived in the TRNC it was noticable by its lack of aggression, unfortunately there has been an influx of aggressive individuals in recent years.

chick


Joined: 02/07/2008
Posts: 323

Message Posted:
21/01/2009 11:39

Lem.



I think you have made a good point.

coolkid


Joined: 24/07/2008
Posts: 64

Message Posted:
21/01/2009 12:40

there are good and bad and in the middle in all colours and religions i have allways bar one exception found the Turkish and Trnc people very friendly more friendly on the whole than say spanish, french people but it is one hell of a generalisation and could go on to say that we Brits can be too self opinonated and not always as friendly as people think we are.

look at the way our families or no longer close knit and many neighbours dont even kno each other, a far cry fron 50 years ago.Is that progress?

LeylaS


Joined: 21/01/2009
Posts: 39

Message Posted:
21/01/2009 13:36

Just joined today, hi everyone.

I am Cypriot (not living in Cyprus) and what I can say is that the British are very welcome, Cypriots generally are very hospitable and respectful as you know. When I hear of Cypriots talk of their British neighbours it is never with contempt. However, occasionally I think bad behavior and a lack of any understanding or respect towards Cypriot culture can cause problems. I don't think this is exclusive to Cyprus, this is human nature. All I can say is that it takes effort on both sides to be more open and understanding and respectful of one another.

puppylover



Joined: 05/05/2008
Posts: 1427

Message Posted:
21/01/2009 13:56

Leyla5



Welcome to the board.



Very good post!

LeylaS


Joined: 21/01/2009
Posts: 39

Message Posted:
21/01/2009 14:20

Thank you for the welcome Puppylover

The-Wicks


Joined: 27/05/2007
Posts: 2279

Message Posted:
21/01/2009 14:24

Leyla5



Welcome and thanks for your excellent post.



As you rightly say, it is human nature and a little more respect/understanding would certainly help matters in all walks of life.



Jean

LeylaS


Joined: 21/01/2009
Posts: 39

Message Posted:
21/01/2009 14:39

Thanks Jean. What I come across the most is a difference in the way things are done. Here is an example, a retired British friend of ours was getting very animated as he described how frustrating it was for him in summer when the roads became congested for wedding parties, etc, and how he gets fed up of it. He wasn't being rude, he was just not used to the culture but to a Cypriot this could come across as offensive as family life and big gatherings are at the root of our culture!



As you said, respect and mutual understanding goes a long way!

TRNCVaughan


Joined: 27/04/2008
Posts: 4578

Message Posted:
21/01/2009 14:54

There are far more TC's in Britain than there are Brits in TRNC. I think this is well known, understood and taken into account by TC's. However, most people here aren't TC's, they are from Turkey. I have found most Turks be diffident, polite and generous and my feeling is that knowing that they are seen as "settlers" themselves and that TRNC isn't "their" country, they do not see us as imposing. I think that they are also well aware that most TC's don't like them and that the feeling is mutual.

Quarmby


Joined: 15/09/2008
Posts: 975

Message Posted:
21/01/2009 16:48

Well said Vaughan.

Some Tc neighbours who live in the UK but have a property here have commented many times that they are not looked upon as Tcs by the locals because they decided to live elsewhere and are not made welcome when they come back on holiday. Village mentality, perhaps by the locals.

LeylaS


Joined: 21/01/2009
Posts: 39

Message Posted:
21/01/2009 17:42

Sure, it might be different for different people but this mentality is not exclusive to Cyprus is it?!! It's human nature, whether they are TC, Turkish, English, Australian, Lebanese, Spanish, Greek Cypriot, etc.

Quarmby


Joined: 15/09/2008
Posts: 975

Message Posted:
21/01/2009 17:46

Very true.

LeylaS


Joined: 21/01/2009
Posts: 39

Message Posted:
21/01/2009 18:03

I only speak from experience, having been to Lebanon with Lebanese friends, to Southern Cyprus with GC friends, etc, I hear very similar tales so I just put it down to people being a little resistant to change or the unknown. It is actually quite endearing to hear the same stories across the different cultures. We aren't that different really.

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
21/01/2009 19:00

hi leyla

i do agree we are not that different really.

i would never judge someone on their culture but on my judgement.

i find that the local cypriots are just as willing to learn about things from us as we are to learn from them.

only once was i embarrased to be a brit amongst my tc friends.

i met a friends mum and she told me she once went to london.

i asked her did she like it and what did she think?

she was mugged whilst in london, so she hated it!

how bad did i feel as she is a lovely lady.

LeylaS


Joined: 21/01/2009
Posts: 39

Message Posted:
21/01/2009 19:45

Hi Firestarter,

You are spot on. Oh no! Well this is the thing, these things can happen anywhere can't they? I am TC, my husband is English and we have both learned so much from one another. He has never been made to feel unwelcome or not a part of the family - it all boils down to respect towards one another and a willingness to be open minded and make an effort. My culture is very important to me, equally being British means a lot to me. My 87 year old grandmother even learned a few words of English so she could speak to him. We spend far too much time trying to find differences - life is too short!

puppylover



Joined: 05/05/2008
Posts: 1427

Message Posted:
21/01/2009 21:09

LeylaS



"it all boils down to respect towards one another and a willingness to be open minded and make an effort"



That sentence says it all....well done.



We have a lovely local family who don't speak English and we don't speak Turkish but we get by with our Turkish Phrasebook, pointing and hand gestures!

Last night they bought their daughter and new baby to see us and we took loads of photo's of them.



I printed them off on my printer and enlarged one of the two children and framed it.

This evening I popped the photo's round to them and felt quite humbled to see they had gone out and bought a English phrasebook and had written us a message.......

"Thank you for your kindness to us...you are our special English friends"



Went home to hubby in tears!!

Small gestures and effort can go a long way.

horselover


Joined: 18/01/2009
Posts: 129

Message Posted:
21/01/2009 21:42

ahh thats so lovely. that someone has spent time and effort to give thanks.and what a lovely gift from you. its so much nicer than going to a shop n buying a gift . i love it when my kids make me things.i got burnt cookies today that were a bit hard on the dentures, but it brought a smile to my face.

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
22/01/2009 15:41

yes i think foodie gifts go along way.

when we first lived here the villagers tortured us with loads of different food, no was not an option. most stuff was lovely but god i hate that corbasi with beans and celery in it,lol.(village special)

a few weeks back our local shop keeper was moaning as his wife was off out and she had not made him any food.

hubby took him round a bowl of beef stew and dumplings.

after he had eaten most of it, hubby laughted and told him it was domus(pork), he said the look on his face was a classic.

so the shop keeper telephones me as asks did i feed him domus??

i just laughed, and said if he couldn't taste the difference between beef and pork he needed help.

i did phone him back and tell him it was beef, but he still doesn't believe me,lol.

now they think everything i cook i must use domus oil?

your guess is as good as mine on that one?

but we have learned to laugh at each other, that always helps.

thetruth


Joined: 11/01/2009
Posts: 268

Message Posted:
22/01/2009 17:51

leylas,so you are tc married to a brit.i have been waiting to find that partnership,it seems always the other way around.british woman and turkish man.why do you think that is?

LeylaS


Joined: 21/01/2009
Posts: 39

Message Posted:
22/01/2009 19:53

I am indeed thetruth You are right it is more common for a TC man to marry a Brit! I think to a certain extent there is still a lot of intolerance and prejudice when it comes down to a Cypriot (albeit TC or GC) marrying a non Cypriot man but it is not so uncommon anymore, although still few and far between compared to TC men and non Cypriot women. As to why I think this is, well stereo types have a large part to play, i.e. an English man won't understand the value of family and respect like a TC man, etc. so it comes down to fear of the unknown. I sound like a broken record but it's all about mutual respect, for one another and for matters to each other.



Firestarter and Pupplylover, those are lovely stories!

thetruth


Joined: 11/01/2009
Posts: 268

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 08:26

thanks leylas for your posts,it is nice to see a tc married to a brit.as you say it is not very common.when you say a tc man has respect,i can not see this.if respect is letting the wife chop firewood and properly do all the housework and then going to a nightclub then you are correct.

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 11:21

leyla

can i ask do you live in gonyeli?

as we met a couple and she was tc and he was a brit, they lived in gonyeli i think.

sunrise


Joined: 14/02/2009
Posts: 274

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 12:00

I have lived here for nearly 3 years now and find the local people very friendly, as we drive through our village they all wave and smile, but go into a government office and the staff there seem to be the complete opposite. They ignore you, then when you speak they tell you you should be at the other desk, or just wave you across without a word. Are the government staff chosen specially fo their rudeness, because they are the only ones I have found to be this way.

thetruth


Joined: 11/01/2009
Posts: 268

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 12:06

yes i agree with the last post,why are the people in the gov offices so unhelpfull.i think it is because thay have a job for life so thay dont have to be helpfull or polite.thay dont have any public relation training.

LeylaS


Joined: 21/01/2009
Posts: 39

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 12:06

Firestarter, we live in the UK, we go over to Cyprus a lot but home is in sunny (!) England for now.



Thetruth, well what can I say, this can happen in any marriage or relationship, it is incredibly sad. If that was me I would not be using the axe to chop firewood I can tell you that for sure, both husband and nightclub would look like a scene from Independence Day.

thetruth


Joined: 11/01/2009
Posts: 268

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 21:55

good for you leylas lol..

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
23/01/2009 23:26

you know its interesting to see laylas posts. mixed marriages can work. i got so much stick marrying an italian and all be it an italian toyboy. the differences in culture make you respect each others culutre. you may think just because they are european its the same but italy changes from region to region.i do love thier way of life and they are a lot like the cypriots. one thing i have learnt is they do actually respect women. they eat together no going to the pub. they may see friends to play cards etc but they may bring friends home for a feast which they wil happily cook. i guess they just love family. just look at ant spanish cypriot italian etc families and that is what they are about. goood and bad everywhere i know but they would ut the family before anything always xxx

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
24/01/2009 16:13

irisar and the truth,

the only people who are employed in the goverment offices are tc locals!

they don't give those jobs to outsiders,lol.

babyblueeyes


Joined: 13/01/2009
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
24/01/2009 16:51

Recently my wife & I met a young English lad working for a travel agency, he must be around 17/18 yrs old.

He spoke excellent Turkish & English.

I complimented him on his Turkish and asked if he lived here or was on holiday/work experience?

His reply was "I was born here & I'm an English Cypriot"

Well, like the USA many cultures/races etc - but they are all "AMERICANS"

Maybe we should think like that too?

rowlo



Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 4796

Message Posted:
24/01/2009 18:57

the world would be a much better place babyblueeyes if only eh??

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
25/01/2009 19:21

babyblueeyes

i think i may know this guy possibly, he works in girne, opposite the dome?

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
25/01/2009 19:21

babyblueeyes

i think i may know this guy possibly, he works in girne, opposite the dome?

Hector


Joined: 26/08/2008
Posts: 2352

Message Posted:
25/01/2009 19:49

I keep hearing about the local 'culture' and having respect for it etc. Can anyone explain what that 'culture' is exactly so I can properly respect it?



I'll take it as read that it doesn't include poisoning dogs, no respect for ones own countryside viz. throwing litter everywhere or regarding anyone of european origin as wealthy and able to afford higher prices or being made subject of humiliation or racism by government policies or whilst being dealt with by their employees.

Hector, not in a cynical mood, honest.

LeylaS


Joined: 21/01/2009
Posts: 39

Message Posted:
25/01/2009 23:25

Hector you cannot tarnish everyone with the same brush. A man who lives 10 mins away from where we live in England was arrested last week as he was reported for animal cruelty. He was found with 7 dead cats and 2 kittens in the boot of his car. Shall I assume that every English person is cruel towards animals? I know of these issues in Cyprus, poisoning animals is cruel and heartless (not to mention gutless), leaving litter on beautiful beaches is disgraceful, and taking advantage of people is unacceptable. I cannot however agree that this is part of my culture. I am talking about driving an old lady (stranger) who opened the door and sat inside my car home because she asked us for a lift because she could not carry her bags home. I am talking about the old couple we met outside Antiphonitis asking us to join their picnic. Society is full of corruption, contempt for others and a total lack of respect for the environment, Newsflash, this goes on everywhere.

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
26/01/2009 21:58

well said leyla

as i have said before we live in a tc village and poisoning of a dog only has happened

once in four years.

i think regarding the rubbish situation other countries are more geared up to deal with it than the trnc.

look what they charge in the uk!



hector,are you having a bad week?

i had one last week and this one is not turning out much better.

LeylaS


Joined: 21/01/2009
Posts: 39

Message Posted:
27/01/2009 12:37

Firestarter, I was watching the news at home last night and I could not help but chuckle. Headlines varied from several peers accepting money to amend laws, to a businessman being fined for passing off water from his bottle factory as that of Blenheim Palace estate!! And this is in England!



Now as for litter, I have seen a lot of progress over the last 10 years or so (but everything in Cyprus takes time as you know) so there is still a very long way to go. We stopped at the viewing point at Gecitkoy reservoir last summer and I was furious when I saw the amount of litter piled up everywhere. Turtle Beach is another one that drives me insane, they should have attendants there at the weekends to make sure people take their rubbish home with them. Fines are a way forward...but that needs a lot of enforcement.

fire starter


Joined: 19/06/2008
Posts: 3401

Message Posted:
27/01/2009 17:01

i totally agree leyla

it will come at the cost of the tax payer.

look at the cost of council tax in the uk, they do sod all for there money.

when we lived in a norfolk village we didn't even have street lights.



nothing is ever perfect but i have street lights a bin service of sorts and we even had a few new roads in the village this year.

remembering our council tax is low here, i think we are getting value for money.

LeylaS


Joined: 21/01/2009
Posts: 39

Message Posted:
27/01/2009 17:30

I know what you mean fire starter, our bin men round here collect our waste once a week (and we are lucky compared with those who have fortnightly collections) and they can't even be bothered to put the recycling boxes back where they found them so our road becomes an obstacle course (I find myself going out and putting the boxes back because it is dangerous to leave them in the middle of the road). We pay close to £2k a year for council sodding tax!!



I have seen a lot of improvements, lots more litter bins, signs up saying "Respect our environment" and quite a few programs on T/C TV talking about the detrimental impact of litter to local wildlife and scenery. It will take time to sink in.