A new survey by Fortune 500 company Aetna International has revealed how expats think they are viewed by locals in locations including the US, China, Singapore, Dubai and India.
The survey encouraged respondents to identify “the good or ill-feelings that exist between themselves and their new communities”, with phrases ranging from “important” and “vital” to “rude”, “insensitive” and “a burden”.
The results differed significantly by location, with 38 per cent of expats in the US perceiving that locals view them as a “burden”, compared to only 4 per cent of those expats living in Singapore.
A total of 69 per cent of expat respondents living in Dubai thought that locals view them as “vital”, compared to just 13 per cent of expats living in India, and 14 per cent of those living in China.
Perceptions of insensitivity were also explored, with 41 per cent of expats living in India perceiving locals as viewing them as “insensitive”, compared to just 15 per cent of those living in the US, and 18 per cent of those expats in the UK.
Meanwhile a total of 35 per cent of expats living in China perceived locals as viewing them as “rude”, compared to just 18 per cent of those expats living in Singapore.
And as for being “fun”, only 9 per cent of expats living in the UK thought that locals would view them as such, compared to 38 per cent of those living in India.
Other perceptions explored in the survey include “friendly”, “rich”, “insular”, “superior” and “hostile”. A full breakdown of the results can be seen here.
