Certain things only seem to happen to ex-pats. I cannot imagine this tale ever having happened back in Blighty.
Since living in France, I have been 'warned-off' associating with two different people. Someone I knew, who was 'well connected', had access to info about 'undesirables'. He consulted the records of those who bought houses nearby, if (to him) they looked in the slightest bit 'dodgy'.
One of these 'undesirables' was a very pleasant Dutch guy, who was probably best described as 'a lovable rogue'; I imagine he had been involved in the selling of drugs back in Holland, but I don't really know.
We got on very well together. We didn't meet that often, and I certainly never saw a nasty side of him.
He had bought a group of ruins, and converted the pigsties into a small but comfortable home. He lived with his very beautiful girlfriend and they followed a quiet life travelling between Holland and France. One of his greatest pleasures was sitting outdoors on summer evenings and shooting Rats as they came out from one of the ruins. As I say; he lived a simple life.
Then, one day I was warned-off. I was told in no uncertain terms that a law-abiding person (such as myself) should have nothing to do with him, and I reluctantly heeded the advice. Not long after, there were stories of an escaped Dutch prisoner arriving at his home, a resulting gunfight, and all the ensuing police palaver that one might imagine. I was very relieved to have cut my ties when I did.
I tend to take people as I find them. Dutch Pete was an interesting and fun person. Maybe he did have some minor criminal past, and had I known about it I might simply have tucked it away at the back of my mind, but it certainly wouldn't have made me shun him. It was only when I was given my serious warning that I took note. I only write about him now because Dutch Pete is long dead.
The second of the two warnings I originally ignored. I came to my own conclusions later on, but not at all because of my friend's remonstrations.
At the time I was quite shocked by these 'warnings', and frankly I am still quite shocked that they were ever made at all. I can't imagine a similar scenario in England.
I know what you mean. It goes on over here as well. I take people as I find them, I always say.
ReplyDeleteI don't wish to be told with whom I should, or shouldn't, associate. But occasionally people do give their opinions, and very occasionally they might be right. However, I do have my own mind.
DeleteMaybe an ex drug addicts who left a toxic surrounding: to be far from pushers, to start all over again and have a second chance in life.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Maria x
I have no idea what his background was, but he always seemed like a pleasant person. I suppose that when the escaped criminal turned up at his house it suggested that he was mixed up in something.
DeleteQuite a few here have moved as far away as possible for a simple life and to reinvent their lives knowing that they are literally leaving their past behind.
ReplyDeleteRumours sometimes follow them but who cares. I'm like you, take people as I find them.
I know most of the expats here but don't have much to do with them and am very happy to be able to pass a cheery few minutes with them in the supermarket and go on my way.
I'm much the same. I'm not a member of any ex-pat clique, in fact I like to keep away from most of them.
Delete"You would do well love to stay clear of him", might be as much as you warned off in both the UK and here. I am guessing you were warned off by someone who was in a powerful local position, otherwise you would have made a rude finger gesture at them.
ReplyDeleteIt was just someone I knew, who had access to EU police info. He gave warnings, but never said what the info was.
DeleteI have never been warned off associating with anyone luckily. Not that I would have taken a blind bit of notice if I had. Thinking about it, over the years I have always attracted a certain sort of person, not sure how to put this, folk with mental health issues. Why, I don’t know? Do they suspect a kindred spirit, empathy or is it because I do tend to say it like it is? My motto is smile and be accepting of all. Life is to be enjoyed, embrace each day, the grot as well as the good.
ReplyDeleteLX
That is an exemplary attitude. Being connected with 'The Arts', most of my friends have been painters sculptors and general nutters. I'm not quite sure how we find each other; but we do!
DeletePerhaps in the UK's smaller villages there might be that sense of community but given the density, mobility and variety of population in most places there just isn't that cohesive community spirit.
ReplyDeleteNo, I suppose not. I imagine he was just looking after mutual foreigners.
DeleteI've been unfairly judged in the past so I like to make my own mind up about people.
ReplyDeleteQuite right. I normally don't take any notice of tittle-tattle, but in Dutch Pete's case I was quite lucky to have been given such a serious warning. I'm not into gunfights!
DeleteThere's a book to be written in there somewhere Cro. Incidentally what a good photograph of ratty. Did you take it?
ReplyDeleteNo, it came from Mr Google. I couldn't think of a better illustration.
DeleteI tend to avoid violent criminals, but the rest I don't care about so long as I am not involved. I have noticed that Holland has quite a few criminals, but I suppose that applies to everywhere.
ReplyDeleteHe wasn't the type that I would have thought capable of a gunfight, but I don't think it was Pete who started it.
DeleteI don't think I've ever knowingly met a criminal
DeleteWe seem to have quite a lot of criminals at the top, here. Every time one is toppled, two more climb up to the top of the heap. I can't make out the lesson.
ReplyDeleteThat's politics for you!
DeleteI never take any notice what people say about other people, especially ex-pats. My step-son told me he was having a quiet drink when some new ex-pats started up a conversation. They asked him where he lived, so he told them, they then asked if he knew US and how did we make our living. He said he did know us and that when he went home for his evening meal, he would ask!
ReplyDeleteThat's why we have nothing to do with these awful ex-pat cliques. As a result, WE are the ones they talk about behind our backs, and we occasionally hear things about ourselves that even WE didn't know!
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