Are expats in Asia an endangered species? This recent article on WSJ.com identifies some important developments in the world of the Asian expatriate workforce:

Companies now want executives who can secure deals with local businesses and governments without the aid of a translator, and who understand that sitting through a three-hour dinner banquet is often a key part of the negotiating process in Asia, experts say.

In fact, three out of four senior executives hired in Asia by multinationals were Asian natives already living in the region, according to a Spencer Stuart analysis of 1,500 placements made from 2005 to 2010. Just 6% were noncitizens from outside of Asia.

Perhaps most interesting is how some search firms are breaking out potential executives into four categories:

Asia natives steeped in local culture but educated in the U.S. or Europe; the foreigner who has lived or worked in Asia for a long time; a person of Asian descent who was born or raised in a Western country but has had little exposure to Asia; and the local Asian executive who has no Western experience.

This is a really interesting article and a must read for anyone with any kind of interest in expatriate trends in Asia.

Chris Pavone, author of the newly released novel “The Expats,” has written an installment for “The Speakeasy” section of WSJ.com about the changing roles of men and women, and how his life is a testament to that fact:

But I’m admittedly biased. Because the reason I wrote this novel about a stay-at-home parent is because I was one. Because I left New York City to follow my wife’s career opportunity to Luxembourg, where she was one of those corporate vice presidents who worked all the time, while I became an expat househusband. A cook and launderer and cleaner, a children’s chauffeur and disciplinarian. Someone who hung around the school cafeteria after drop-off, drinking coffee and chatting with other parents, before doing things like taking French classes and playing tennis, shopping at the farmer’s market and the mall, organizing vacations and birthday parties and afterschool activities.

But here’s the thing I didn’t expect in supposedly progressive Europe: I was nearly the only man doing this.

We’ll often read about the changing demographics of the expatriate workforce, so it’s not surprising to see these changes work their way into the plot of a new novel!

Here is another excerpt from a Parenting Report submitted from Mazatlan, Mexico:

What are the strengths of your home culture’s parenting style? What are the weaknesses?

Strengths: rules make things much more predictable, enable advanced planning, leave room for more communication “misses”

Weaknesses: too many parents at “home” spoil their children- too capitalistic, centered on “things” and “having more.” Also teenagers at home are permitted, even expected, to be moody, private, alone in their bedroom, which I don’t like. It’s one of the reasons we moved, to a place where teenagers are more respectful of elders and observe social niceties/politenesses.

What are the strengths of your destination culture’s parenting style? What are the weaknesses?

Strengths: open love and caring, understanding of the kids’ situation/not judgmental/open to who the kid is, spontaneous and flexible

Weaknesses: not as much parental involvement in teenagers’ lives as I would like to see – give too much independence and lack of supervision too early, in my opinion.

If you are a parent abroad, please fill out your own Parenting Abroad Report!

We’re proud to announce our Parenting Abroad report, the newest addition to our growing Expat Report Series.

Here is one of the first submissions, an expat parenting report from Gex, France:

How is being a parent in your destination country different than in your home country?

My children were raised in several countries. Generally the parenting style in the Netherlands is more relaxed. Children have perhaps more input into their upbringing. They also have more freedom of movement than in England, where my children were born…

In Switzerland and France the children are allowed to be children for longer. They get a chance to have a decent childhood. They are part of the culture. More included in daily life.

What are the strengths of your home culture’s parenting style? What are the weaknesses?

Due to the fact that they are more informed they learn to cope with their given freedoms on a more gradual scale. As they become older and gain more life experience, they are given more freedom. This way it’s not such a shock when they hit 18 and all of a sudden they are presumed to be adults and don’t know how to deal with their responsibilities…

What are the strengths of your destination culture’s parenting style? What are the weaknesses?

In England, children are not part of society. There is still very much a seen and not heard attitude. One gets a babysitter when one goes out. Consequently, children don’t get an opportunity to learn to behave in public…

Read the full Parenting Abroad Report for Gex, France, and take the time to fill out your own Parenting Abroad Report.

Some expats abroad, via American Citizens Abroad (ACA), have written a press release to bring attention to a lack of response from the IRS to a “taxpayer advocate directive” that relates to overseas taxation of Americans living abroad. Here is an excerpt from the press release:

Geneva, Switzerland (PRWEB) March 09, 2012

On March 5th, American Citizens Abroad (ACA), an advocacy group of U.S. citizens living overseas, wrote to Commissioner Doug Shulman of the IRS to express great concern that he has not yet answered the Tax Advocacy Directive (TAD) which National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson issued in August 2011 and repeated in her Report to Congress issued December 31st, 2011. Tax Analysts, a non-profit publisher of tax information, has reported that “IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman has no plans to respond in writing to National Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson’s taxpayer advocate directive (TAD) on the IRS offshore voluntary disclosure program (OVDP) despite a statutory requirement that taxpayer advocate recommendations be responded to within 90 days, Olson said February 17th.”

While we’re not sure what changes might come as it relates to the taxation of overseas income, it’s important that Americans abroad keep abreast of any changes to avoid running afoul of the law. We’ll keep you updated as this progresses.

It’s fun to read about the expat lifestyle, and a recent review of the new book “The Expats,” by Chris Pavone, provides a little insight into the world of this new spy thriller:

Kate Moore leaves her double life as a wife and mother and a covert operative in the CIA when her husband, Dexter, gets a new job in Luxembourg. She tries to be a stay-at-home mom (her husband had no idea of her job working for the CIA), and though her former bosses aren’t concerned, she’s worried that her past will come back to haunt her.

Soon her new life as an expat begins to unravel.

The review goes on to describe the thriller as “a skillful and atmospheric descent into paranoia.” I think a fictionalized account of the expat lifestyle adds some variety to the mix. Looking forward to reading it myself!

Are British expats getting pounded by the economy? One would think so given the economic problems that continue to plague the Eurozone. But that’s not a completely accurate picture according to a recent survey of British expats, which shows a majority have been for the most part unaffected:

According to the annual quality of life index from NatWest International Personal Banking, nearly three-quarters (72%) of expats have not seen their quality of life deteriorate in the last five years.

Although the number who are watching their spending on luxury items has more than doubled, from 17% when the index was first compiled in 2007/8 to 44% today, more expats than ever (83%) said they regarded themselves as between “comfortably off” and “quite prosperous.”

David Isley, the head of NatWest International Personal Banking, said the results suggested that expats were “riding the storm” of a struggling global economy.

Is this a sign that there are rays of hope shining through the economic cloud still reported to hang over the Eurozone economy? Recoveries ease their way into the bigger picture, rather than all elements of the economy picking up at once. So it’s hard to say, but it is an encouraging development. Are expats somehow immune? Time will tell!

Expat Exchange loves expatriates reporting on their experiences overseas, as do other expats and those considering making the big jump abroad!

Here is a recent submissions in our new Expat Dream vs. Reality Report: Balikpapan, Indonesia…

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Balikpapan, Indonesia

Describe how you “dreamed” expat life would be before you moved overseas. Please provide as much detail as possible.

I thought it would be full of new and exciting experiences. I also thought it would be less focused on money and “worldly” achievements and more about helping the country and people in which I would be located.

How has your expat experience met the expectations you dreamed about before you moved abroad?

I love that each day brings new things to learn and do. You get to experience different cultures and meet people from all over the world.

How has your expat experience NOT met the expectations you dreamed about before you moved abroad?

It’s a bit more focused on money and packages that I originally thought. There are certainly “levels” of expats and positions. It can be cliquey among females (partners).

Share your own Expat Dream vs. Reality Report!