Did anyone else feel like Henry Hill at the end of Goodfellas when they returned to their home country?

Posted by BadassBuddusky@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 12 comments

> "The hardest thing for me was leaving the life. I still love the >life...And now it's all over. And that's the hardest part. Today >everything is different. There's no action. I have to wait around >like anyone else. I can't even get decent food. I'm an average >nobody. I get to live the rest of my life like a schnook!" Been home a few years now but these words still resonate.

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12 Comments

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Permexpat@reddit

I plan to go back to the states when it’s time to die, until then I’ll carry on living a happy and fulfilling life abroad.

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Cosistetly_Late_Agan@reddit

It is engrained in you, the small things, the details just don't add up and there is this feeling in the back of your head that this is the way it should be

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atropear@reddit

Ha, good reference. I just had to sell the car I used on my few visits. Insurance + storage got too crazy for a car that is parked most of the time. So if I go back to visit I'll probably be on a bus. Ultimate expat schnook.

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hedgefundpm@reddit

Ya you're pretty much mafia boss level status when you dip out to a poor country.

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Gullible_Eagle4280@reddit

What was it he said about gravy (spaghetti sauce) being like ketchup? Food is the thing I miss most, I left the SF Bay Area and you could get great (authentic) ethnic foods from just about anywhere in the world, where I am in Mexico, not so much.

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Hitsuzenmujun@reddit

Great quote and yes it sums up returning home very well. At home there is much less “adventure” I’ll call it. As expats we have daily challenges (esp in non English speaking countries) that while trying, are also invigorating. At home it’s just … easy. You sort of already know the ins & outs of everyday life. Much less challenge. (Side note: this feeling is also expressed in the Hero’s Journey when the hero returns home. C.f. Lord of the Rings when Bilbo tells Gandalf he wants to see mountains again…)

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DrLaneDownUnder@reddit

Yup. Whenever I visit the U.S. I get annoyed with tipping and card payment systems.

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Swimming_Tennis6641@reddit

lol and this is why I will never go “home”

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contented0@reddit

Such a good analogy!

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HedonisticMonk42069@reddit

If anything there are some things I look forward to when I'm in the states. Not that I'm not happy where I'm at. TBF I only go back state side to visit. If I was going back to live again I feel like even then it'd be temporary to work, save up and leave again. But having said that yes I can see myself missing certain things and being spoiled in that regard. But that's the case for me in the country I moved to. There isn't exactly a home depot or lowes I can go get some materials or power tools short notice. Are you back home for good, what moments have you feeling that way in your post? Great reference by the way. Peak Scorsese, and Casino.

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SweetAlyssumm@reddit

Were you a mafia boss who didn't have to wait around in the country you immigrated to? It sounds awful to give that up and be an average nobody!

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captaincrunk82@reddit

Ha! This used to be my go-to analogy when I’d visit home. Now it’s kind of in reverse, but I’m ok with the lack of access to “things”.