8 Reasons to Keep Your Expat Life Private!!!

A brief talk from an article called “8 reasons to keep one’s life private” but we add some expat perspective to the article.

[jtraveler]

100% agree on keeping the mystery to acquaintances. No reason to expose yourself to others - when they will likely use it against you. And double so with travel plans.

[creamrising]

Wise words. As a retiree I identify as a consultant. It's nebulous enough and it allows you the freedom to pivot.

[gerrymcnally]

Well said. I let people know things about me only I want them to know. People will talk and make stuff up to see if they can get a rise out of you. I just smile at the talk and then ignore it. If people see if it bothers you, they win, if they see it doesn't, you win.

[eamonscott]

Brilliantly put.
I was thinking about this already. Time to act.

[MRBIGSLICK]

Loose Lips Sink Ships! I have several guys that are in their 60’s working for me and sometimes you’d think you’re back in High School. People love talking about other people and using the grapevine myself as the boss I keep my mouth shut, ignore all the bullshit and it seems to work.

[sanesociety-ooym]

I've been married to a Filipina for more than 20 years and at this point I don't think privacy is something Filipinos understand.

[notsocrazyjohn]

Hi Steve, good to see you are still going strong. Totally agree, privacy is paramount. Cheers Aussie John

I've never told anyone my private affairs or a great talker, informative and concerned inquisitively about other's situations and have said "you're very private!1 we never know much about you??" that's the way I am and I like it that way.
For whatever reason other's process the need to tell other's all their details about whatever, is probably seeking out Valdation and Acceptance in a world of ones self lacking be it self confidence and self belief.
In the end we all only get one live the best life you can with all the up's and downs that are thrown at us.

[TheRocket]

Great tips for security and flexibility while traveling and living anywhere in this world -- That Chismis is like a sport there in the PH and can get people into situations you don't want to engage with. Enjoy the best life where you are and go while experiencing the best of each moment!

[douglasrobinson]

Good topic. My wife and I limit what we tell people about ourselves. We don't invite people that we don't know well to our home and keep our financial information to ourselves. Living in a single family home in a gated community keeps our conversations private.

[lazylarrylee]

Steven, my father, always preached the same message.

[elitepctech]

Privacy is the sine qua non for opsec. Opsec just isn't for military folks. It is important in daily life as well.

[horacesubayar]

Steve, being from New England, I am sure you are familiar with the practice of "ballbusting" which was used as a fun form of building camaraderie. However, in today's society that same practice is being used to tear people down and create maliciousness. What a hell of a world we live in!

[davidevans]

It’s a different world now and it’s sad we have to pick and choose so called friends . People now days are so different even being in the Philippines is a challenge. 😊

[peterleiza]

My neighbors are nosey and they talk to my gf asking questions mostly about money. I tell my gf to shut up and direct them to me. As my col told me " youre on a need to know basis." I never forgot that and use it to this day. Zip it!

[EdwinCV-dhqc]

Great info, and insight as always you rock

[LeonardMarlin]

I have two thoughts on this issue.
I don't go out of my way to share anything but I am an open book.
If a person is being abused I would encourage them to open up and let the proper authorities know not to keep it to themselves.

[donaldhawkins]

Privacy in the Philippines is rare, this is where I lost my cool with them there, gossip is like a sport there no secretes seem to be allowed particularily if you have your wives family living on your property as we do, cannot seem to have a private conversation. So what I do is keep most things to myself and that includes finances, which seems be of interest to everyone.

[typicalquip]

"YEAH, BUT STEVE, U do realize philipino cultue is not private...🤐

[davewilson]

Loose lips sink ships… step 1 to making your dreams come true is keeping your wishes secret. That’s just how it works.