How to be a Good Guest

Foreigners have shown massive interest in moving to Mauritius over the last two years. The advent of the Integrated Resort Scheme, and the introduction of the user-friendly Occupation Permit put Mauritius on the Movers' Map.

We now have a crop of Recently Settled Expatriates (RSE's) many of whom have found settling in Mauritius to be quite taxing! Maybe they should have read my blogs because much of the whining and complaining includes getting kids into private schools, housing issues, and bureaucratic frustrations.

When we moved here in 1993, it was also not easy adjusting to all the different things that make Mauritius unique. If we had been able to speak better French or Creole, things may have been easier, but we enjoyed the difference and each time I solved a problem I realised that my future competitors (who as yet had not arrived in Mauritius) would have to jump that hurdle too.

When we moved here, we understood that Mauritius is a different country to the South Africa we had left behind. We embraced the new and strange. We marvelled at how easy it was for those with connections to get things done. The Community of the Connected was what my wife called it.

Now we have the connections. For example, I needed to clear the bush from a property we have near Grand Bay. If I was an RSE I would have asked my landlord who would have referred me to his friend who would have quoted a ridiculously large fee for the service (Rs200 000 or USD5800 in this true life example). Instead, I had a chat to a good friend who works for a construction company and got the use of an earthmover for two days for Rs20 000.

This kind of thing can get the RSE into a state of permanent distrust and alienation. To the point that even when the price of something is reasonable, the RSE will automatically assume it is too high and someone is trying to rip him off.

From here on it is a slippery slide to an RSE vs The Rest of Mauritius state of mind. The side effects are easy to see:

• Anything that goes wrong is blamed on Mauritius.
  
• Everything that is different is now automatically wrong or inferior.
• Hankering for many of the good things left behind in the Other Country become obsessions.
• Frustration at having made 'the mistake' of moving to Mauritius.
• Limiting of friends to include only RSE's. This one is a bit hard not to do as many who are not RSE's cannot abide their negative attitude and choose to avoid them.
  

I remember when Mugabe took over Rhodesia and renamed it Zimbabwe (after the ruins that it became). Many Rhodesians moved to South Africa. No sooner had they settled when they would nostalgically mention things like:

'When we were in Rhodesia, the beer was always colder'
'When we were in Rhodesia, the servants were far more enthusiastic'
'When we were in Rhodesia, the meat was cheaper and tastier'.

We called them Whenwe's.

Even if these comments were true, how quickly did they forget their fenced-in farms, the land mines, the personal tragedies, the lack of opportunities for their children.

RSE's behave like in-laws that come and stay with their children. Enjoying the hospitality but feeling free to complain and criticize at will. This can be very testing for the hosts and the HSE's (Happily Settled Expats).

So you want to leave your current country of residence?

Write down your list of reasons for wanting to leave your home country. Then, when you get to Mauritius or any other place you have picked, stick this list on the inside of your toilet door.

This will keep your focus on the big issues and keep your niggles in perspective.

Mixed Message

March is here already.  This post is long overdue.  My reasons for the silence are: 

• Festive Season
• Post Festive Season
• Ski Holiday
• No clear ideas of what to write in this mixed-up world. 

The top three excuses are behind me now, but unfortunately I still don’t know what my message must be.  My ingredients are listed below.  What would you cook up with these? 

• I hear there are hotels and hotel groups that are experiencing very low occupancies.
• I am told about hotels (big nice ones) that are 100% full.
• My diving buddy says his income from February is higher than last year even with a week closed due to cyclonic activity.
• My hotel management mate says occupancies look like they will be down 25% this year (this is not as much as many fear).
• Some self catering properties have halved their prices.
• Hotels are under pressure from the Tourism Authority to offer better value (see my previous blog about the rip-off on booze prices).
• IRS looks very quiet
• Construction costs are coming down
• Virgin and Comair have suspended flights
• Air Mauritius is putting pilots to pasture
• The Chinese Premier promised billions on his visit last week
• RES looks as busy as it was.
• There are buyers stalking good value properties
• There are still South Africans interested in moving to Mauritius
• Quality rentals are still rocketing up.  Over Rs100 000 (nearly $3 000) per month for a good four bedroom house.  This time last year, we were looking at Rs75 000.
• The Mauritian rupee is falling against most currencies (not the rand).  Last year it was stronger than more than half of the majors.
• The Government is looking for ways to make it easier to invest capital (purchase property) in Mauritius.                             

I am a devout optimist.  I look at the above mixed messages and conclude that we will come out of this long dark tunnel stronger and sharper.  Many people will suffer hardship and insecurity.  We will be less arrogant, and will know what it is like to work harder and longer for less. 

Time will tell.