no problem with party poopers they add to the mix and often find themselves sitting in the corner ignored. But your definition of ex-pats, baggage and nostalgia interested me as one unlike yourself who has actually experienced the phenomena. I agree to begin with that we do all collect 'baggage' along the way and the British more so than many. However emigrating to another country very quickly ensures you get rid of the 'baggage' - one because you want to anyway and two the 'natives' of the other country assist you very quickly to get rid of it - ie they won't tolerate it - and showing your 'baggage' to them ensures you are swiftly kicked in the backside!

nostalgia - yes - but it's almost always a nostalgia for things that no longer exist - a younger earlier life with friends who no longer keep in touch. So what we are saying here is "this is the England that I enjoyed and remember" but what we often don't add but know is "but it no longer exists in that form" It's like remembering a grandfather who no longer lives or an old dog who no longer lives.

The greatest thing humans on this planet have is memory - that's why dementia is such a horrible disease - and it's memory that enables us to function in this fast paced world but also to sit and have some nostalgia sometimes with a nice cup of tea and a scone!

I still ask you the question non-britisher - what contributions are immigrants making to British culture??