Blogging For Bermuda

One of the hardest things about writing this blog is making sure I don’t come across as just another bigoted, white, English expat who thinks nothing in Bermuda is as good as it is back home. Over the last week a number of Bermudians I know have raised an eyebrow at some of the things I’ve said here, so I feel the need to clarify a few things before I irrevocably offend the locals.

There’s nothing worse than a foreigner who has chosen to come and live in your country moaning all the time about how crap things are and how much better life is back home. While living in the UK I had an American friend who did just that, and it was incredibly annoying. It just makes you want to shout “Go back to your own damn country then!”.

For the most part, I like living in Bermuda. The weather’s good, the views tremendous and I’d much rather raise a family here than in London. I’m profoundly grateful for the opportunity to spend the rest of my life here.

But it’s also a very small place, and that poses a number of problems for bloggers such as myself. In a small community, everyone knows who you are. In a small community, pissing people off is dangerous: there aren’t exactly many places to go to get away from them. As a foreigner, it’s even harder: Bermudians are particularly sensitive to outsiders criticising their way of life, an unfortunate consequence of the number of arrogant expats who come here.

Being married to a Bermudian, I don’t consider myself an expat. But neither am I a Bermudian – at least, not for another ten years (and even then there will always be people who still won’t consider me a ‘true’ Bermudian). However I am here for the long haul, and because of that, I care what happens to Bermuda. Because of that, I believe I have as much right as any local to question the way things are done here, and do my best to effect some change. Living on a small island, with the consequent lack of anonymity, makes it harder to criticise what goes on than it would be if I was still living in London. But it also makes it easier to make a difference.

Like anyone else, I get frustrated. At the end of the day, my perspective is an English one, and certain aspects of Bermudian life drive me absolutely nuts. When I write about these, I try to do so with a sense of humour. Sometimes I’ll probably come across as pompous. For that, I apologise. It’s not my intention.

At the end of the day I’m blogging for Bermuda.

Comments

[Angelo on 29.11.03 at 18:04]

I enjoy reading your blog because you simply state it how it is, no political siding, just a personal opinion about the Bermuda you see.
Bermuda is not perfect, but what we have, and what we have the potential to be is what keeps me in my land of birth. The more I travel and the older I get the more I appreciate Bermuda.
As a Bermudian I have been very fortunate to have been able to live abroad for almost 10 years and travel rather extensively. This time off the rock and experiencing life in other countries has given me perspectives and views that allow me to see and appreciate things about Bermuda that other Bermudians just don't see.
I personally believe that every Bermudian needs to leave the rock for a few years and live and explore the rest of the world. Hopefully this experience would make them better appreciate what we have here.
We are some of the most blessed people in the world, its just that most Bermudians have no vision to see this.

[graeme outerbridge on 30.11.03 at 10:00]

Heah--I like your views---you cant get anymore Bermudian than Outerbridge--nothing you have stated has offended me in the least as a Bermudian---your views are refreshing and insightful---I do not think that anybody with half a brain needs to be defensive because of something you have said---at the end of the day its just another opinion---if somebody takes a different view all they have to do is make an arguement in return---There are some people that carp on behind others backs---they are sort of like huge icebergs---you do not see much on the surface but underneath what a mess. I like your straight arrow approach its basically an Outerbridge family trait---people that truely care about you will always tell you the truth to your face---the others that dont are cowards or do not care about you in the first place---Bermuda has always been a tapestry of people-its are biggest strengths--The gombies have influences from africa american indian and english as well as Bermudian culture--when you here the drum beat we all follow---Far as I am concerned with hooking up with Mandy your part of the Bermudian tribe---Write On hoorrroo Wolf pack

[American friend on 15.04.04 at 19:14]

That American 'friend' did go back to their own country thank you very much but will be interested to see how you feel after a couple of years when all the novelties wear off. It’s a whole different perspective.

[The Limey on 16.04.04 at 13:40]

Perhaps. But I wonder how you'd feel if your British husband now living with you in the US began to compare everything American unfavourably with everything British. I can't imagine you'd appreciate it too much either.

Any of us who have chosen to live as foreigners in someone else's country have an obligation to be respectful of the way of life there even if we don't always like every facet of it. To be otherwise is just rude. I know it's not always easy, and I'm certainly guilty of lapsing into unfavourable comparisons of Bermuda and the UK from time to time. But at the end of the day you either have to suck it up, work to change what you can, or throw up your hands in despair and return to the country of your birth. It's a matter of attitude.

Moreover by carping about the negatives all the time, you can fail to appreciate what's actually better about your new home. For example, in Bermuda it's much easier to be an expert in any particular field than it is elsewhere in the world. The weather and the beaches are a helluva lot better too.

I also think that, for me, the negatives will get easier, not harder to live with as time goes by. For me it's not a question of how long I can tolerate the things I dislike. Having made the decision to move to Bermuda, I intend to do all I can to fit in here. I never consider returning to the UK as an option, and the things I dislike here I'll either learn to accept or try to change. I certainly have no intention of spending the rest of my life griping about them.

[Sylvie Nault on 17.05.04 at 09:54]

Dear Sir,

How I envy you! I am a Canadian from Montreal, single women 42 no dependents that is looking to start over my life in Bermuda. I have been there twice and love it. My friend Michael Keats just got married to a Bermudian this weekend. I am a former advertising gency account executive that can double up as a great bilingual (French & English) executive assistant with lots of computer skills. I had an excellent contact with RBK advertising in Hamilton this Spring but was considered too senior for the job, I have to call back Kathryn Kelly this Fall. In the meantime, should I send my resume to temp agencies? I am afraid the move, because of the high cost of living, would not be worth it if I get a junior secretary position. I could also do great for the Bermuda Small Business Association as as have Entrepreneurship training and extensive marketing experience. What do you think? Can anybody use my French skills in Bermuda.

I will come back later to your blog to read it all as it will give me great insights. It looks fantastik. Unfortunately, I have no website but designed one for a client at www.lesbabouches.com

Best regards from Montreal,

Sylvie Nault
(514) 575-0130

[Sutchat Massey on 14.06.04 at 16:49]

Wow!
Just ran accross this site and bloggingly became consumed..there are soooo many angles to express one self here. Good going! It seems to me that you have a fondness for Our island. You are able to be yourself and have some true sence of responsability to be honest. I realy injoyed (more than the article and comments)the fact that you took it upon your site to post "rules of conduct". I was looking for more comments on How Bermudians choose to live abroad and then their view of the island upon returning from years away and what was their motivation..ie- Money, Medical, Lack of Opportunitys at home, Small mindedness of small spaces, Paranoia-goldfish, lack of stimulation,growth, to hi living poorly, just to name a few and why they endure more where they are...do they fear what may become of their island homeland as more people become settle. i will be looking out for this... im presently working on my bach in Social Work and work for a government dept. in Texas that gives over all Care for Homeless persons. thanks again for being you and letting us share fairly. Blog On!

[Rob on 19.01.05 at 22:26]

Well done on your site...love it. I am a Bermudian and quite frankly Bermudians are the most repulsive race in existance, white, black or portugee. they are the greediest unfriendlyist bunch of hypocrites I have ever seen, the only difference betwween a Bermudian and a dog is a dog growls when you get in front of his food bowl ..the Bermudian ..the dollar...HA!!!
Let em go independent it will do them some good HA!!