I was chatting with expat people I met recently and questioned the fact that they don't use the EiT site anymore. The resounding reply was that EiT was not a proper Expat site. It was open to Turkish people. And they wanted to be a part of a real Expat site, as EiT was when it started. I played Devil's Advocate (my favorite character in these situations) for a spell of serious debate, at times, quite heated.

The name of the site alone seemed to be a contentious issue ...Expat in Turkey! Should be for Expats then! Expats that have been born and raised abroad and are working in Turkey, that's the community you expect when you come to the site.

With regard to social inclusion of the Turks for any expat event, sentiment sided on the 'invitation only' route.

At a guess, because I've not discussed this with admins, the EiT ethos has possibly evolved to cover all expats, even those of Turkish descent who have had a spell as an Expat living ouside of Turkey at some point in their lives.

Judging from the various polls, possibly 50% or more are Turkish on the EiT site. Does this statistic detract from the EiT purpose?

I would be interested in finding out what the general concensus is from the 'Non-Turkish' expats. I will conceal my own feelings about this subject for the moment. However, I will join in the debate, if it turns out that way, when it starts getting juicy.

If we are to stop including Turkish people in this forum, does that mean we have to cull the people like me, who are currently not living in Turkey? I have found this site throughly useful and enjoyable, despite the fact that I am not really an ex-pat at this stage. I'm not sure how everyone else feels, but I like the info that the Turkish posters have provided on here too. Always helps to have insider info, I think.

No Turks - that's just silly!

Gilly,

you should select the people you talk to more thoroughly. These people would probably prefer the more colonial days.

The question is not so much what people passports are but what is being discussed on the site. And to my taste it is a very "Expat" site, but not in an excluding way.

So, good that the people you were talking to have left the site.

Perhaps they'd be happier down in Çaliş or other such 'expat communities'? Dubai has a nice friendly community which totally excludes natives.

Actually they have a point.Why would anybody want to move to a foreign country and immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy your surroundings? Surely its much better to isolate yourself with like minded individuals and actually pretend you're still back in your home country and ignore unwanted 'outside' nuisances!! Splendid train of thought.

Well said Monkeyman!!!!!!!

Agreed! And in addition, I appreciate finding English-speaking Turks outside of my workplace with whom to discuss lots of non-work related topics. It's a refreshing change from the "teacher world" that I'm in.

Errr. This is indeed a thread to ponder on Gilly. Thanks. I'll join your ranks in the summer but let me brew on the subject further. So far, I tend to agree with Maymunn.

Something to share though: As an expat in London, I belonged to a pretty exclusive organization (Kensington & Chelsea Women's Club) since it was only for women and all were of foreign origin although the majority were from the US since it was founded by an American spouse of an expat. Perhaps what the local equivalent in Turkey would be the IWI but I tend to disagree since the KCWC had a different agenda and activities. Clearly, the founder of KCWC was trying to fill a need so creating that niche was substantiated I think. Women who joined the KCWC were women married to expats who had a lots of time on their hands and were looking for social and civic connections and at the same time trying to get to know the host country in a non-intrusive way. It was just one among my many social outlets availble to me so I never saw it as a barrier nor did it have any negative impact in my bigger world while in England. Not having English members was insignificant since I think the KCWC geared its activities to "discovering England" and its traditions which is already a beaten path to locals. Occasionally, we had local experts on certain subjects. Members are encouraged to bring "guests" though in all activities and trips so in a way, it is open to all.

To add. we didn't have a forum such as this where we can openly exchange ideas remotely.

Still let me percolate on the subject more...can't wait to know your real sentiment on the issue G!

I think that as long as we keep quality an issue (i.e. no trolls, no dating services) then the site won't suffer by the inclusion of Turkish people (repats especially are welcomed are they not?).

I find that generally there is a lack of understanding about Turkish people, especially on the social level (are you after our women? stop staring). Many people should really just chill out a bit and expand their social circles.

Yeah, I have absolutely no problem with the way the website is run in this regard. Trust in your admins to remove any undesirables of any nationality.

Who were these complainers? I can't recall having lost any long standing members from the forum through this issue so perhaps they were just people who enjoy bitching (or have an unduly high opinion of themselves)? My only real problem actually is the hordes of members who come to our parties but never post - perhaps these are the same folks, no?

Aye aye Charly! OM gosh, VT(Virtual Tourist) has so many trolls that I dread opening my mails over there. I have reported many people but I never heard from the admins. Furthermore, many newbies have not even left their hometowns and it's supposed to be a site for travelers. Sadly, they don't have admins of your caliber and they lack discerning minds. They need someone like JF as one of the gatekeepers.

Any community finds its own, natural way of growing and evolving over time. EIT has evolved to be a social oriented communtiy, open to expats as well as expat-oriented Turks.
Being an expat for close to 12 years, this is the first time I am an actice member of any expat forum. Indeed most forums exclude non-expats and mainly try to re-create their home-country living what makes them dreadfully boring places to be avoided at all cost.
All the way with Maymumm on this one!

i vote for 'ban the turks'...oops...forget that. my self-preservation instinct just kicked in

I would really like to meet these folks who are interested in exclusivity.

So I can wish em a merry life in their little bubble.

I am very saddened.