In the hallowed tradition of “You Know You’re an Expat / Third Culture Kid / Missionary when . . .” lists, I offer my own version for repats. This is for the times when you’re reminded that your plug doesn’t always fit the outlet.
Since I’m a former missionary to Asia who’s repatriated back to the US, a lot of my list leans in that direction, but I hope there’s something here for repats of every stripe (or voltage, as it were).
You remember you’re a repat when . . .
1. Your passport is your preferred form of ID.
2. You comment on how cheap gas is in the US.
3. You ask your friends who they’re picking to win the World Cup.
4. Your CNN web page is set on “International.”
5. You accidentally try to pay for something with the strange coins from the top of your dresser.
6. You don’t trust your friends when they say they’ve found a “good” Italian restaurant.
7. You ask the clerk at the convenience store if you can pay your electric bill there.
8. You don’t know how to fill out taxes without Form 2555.
9. You think Americans are loud.
10. You talk about Americans overseas and call them “foreigners.”
11. You find out that living overseas is not the top qualification employers are looking for.
12. You learn to stop talking about the nanny and groundskeeper you used to employ.
13. You have to ask how to write a check.
14. You forgot how many numbers to dial for a local phone call.
15. You tell your toddler, “No seaweed until you finish all your hamburger.”
16. You try to order fried chicken at Burger King.
17. You check prices by converting from what a similar item cost overseas.
18. People say, “football,” and you ask, “Which kind?”
19. You don’t know how to respond when people say, “I bet you’re glad to be back home.”
20. You prefer to hear news reports from someone with a British accent.
21. You wonder why all the commentators on TV are yelling.
22. You wish you’d brought back ten of your favorite kitchen utensil because you didn’t know it’s not sold in the States.
23. You realize international students are you’re kind of people.
24. You ask where you can get a late-model, low-mileage Toyota for around $2000.
25. You turn on the subtitles on an English movie because you don’t want to miss anything.
26. You ask the clerk at the video store if they have VCDs.
27. You wonder if organization should be spelled with an s.
28. You load up your suitcase and you try not to “pack like an American.”
29. You stop bringing your bi-lingual Bible to church.
30. You just smile at people who say, “So I guess you’re all settled in now.”
[top photo: “Electrical Outlet,” by grendelkhan, used under a Creative Commons license; bottom photo: “Having It Both Ways,” by Keith Williamson, used under a Creative Commons license]
Clearing Customs 
These are hilarious – and true!
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Thanks. It was fun putting the list together.
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Reading this felt like I was reading my thoughts and feelings. Very funny but so very true. It helps to know there are kindred souls out there, even if just through the blogosphere. Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier, I’m looking forward to reading more of yours! I’m heading over to parts 2 and 3 now… :)
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Thanks for the comments. Kindred spirits are a great find, even over the Internet.
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:lol: spot on!
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Glad to see all your comments and to get your thumbs up on the list.
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Oh my, my husband and I laughed so hard–and we can so relate!
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Happy to hear you both enjoyed it. Thanks.
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This is a wonderful post, Craig. I’m pretty new at the expat life, but I identified with and was delighted by most of your observations.
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Expats, repats, TCKs . . . new or old . . . we all share a lot of the same experiences. Thanks for commenting.
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I haven’t moved back yet but I can relate to many of these. I especially like number 7. I will miss 7-11’s being the ultimate convenience store.
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7-11s really are zhen hao!
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No doubt you’ve compiled a good list! Whenever I return to the States, which is only every two to three years, I live the items on your list! Thanks for sharing!
Oh, and thanks for liking one of my photos!
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Thanks. I really like your photo of the pails. You could do a good job with the rows and rows of teapots I’ve seen at the night markets in Taipei. My attempts at photographing them didn’t do them justice.
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Just picked up my parents’ low mileage 1995 Toyota Corona from Tainan yesterday and “enjoyed” having it to drive around Taipei today. That bullet point on your list made me smile.
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You’re brave to drive in Taipei. That’s something I never did. But, then again, I didn’t have a sweet ride like a ’95 Corona.
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Ahaha, sweet ride!
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I love this! But I never want to leave London!!!! shhhh, don’t tell UKBA!
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You’re secrets safe with me. Glad you’re enjoying London, and thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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