Malta - British Expat Forum

Mark, the MALTESE who were dressed as nuns and arrested at the Nadur carnival were acquitted as the court decided that dressing as a nun was not a vilification.
The 28 year old MALTESE man, dressed as Jesus, was given a one month sentence suspended for eighteen months.
Eggs, this was Maltese taking the mickey and I doubt that the prosecutors would bother in future.
Vilification: a vicious and defamatory statement. Not my style.

There was a similar row last year when a graveyard was used for a fashion shoot. Probably fewer than 10% were offended and everyone else thought it was a storm in a teacup but like Eggs was saying (I think) there's no point making enemies here.

lol these posts are hilarious, someday they are going to have to speed up with the modern world, not that they have to agree but purely acknowledge that if they stay in such a confined mindset that they are constantly going to be offended by the actions/words/lifestyles of every second person.

I give it to some of the maltese however, the younger generation seem to be a lot different, especially in the touristy parts, but thats just going to be the natural course of things anyhow. I think a sense of humour goes a long way in these matters

Well in my opinion If they did speed up to the pace of the "Modern World" Malta and definatly gozo would lose a lot of its charm, this is after all their island and we are guests living in another country, so its alot easier to just fit in with the way things are here, its not dificult after all. If things here arent to the satisfaction of people why would they even think about moving here ?

This is not intended as a dig at anyone just the way i see it.

Quite right Eggs, although reading through the thread I'm at a loss to understand why you posted your original caution. As far as I can see there had been no derogatory reference to Roman Catholicism previously, just a mention of beliefs.
Laura, the prejudice against gays came from forum contributors and I have never found a problem locally during several years in Malta/Gozo.

Chris:

Quote:

...the prejudice against gays came from forum contributors...

Yes, it did. I'd like to add that such prejudice did not go down well at all with the forum owners or regulars. I ended up chucking off the offenders.

Whilst I'd rather not have to censor or chuck people off at all, some behaviour is offensive and inappropriate on this forum - so I banned them. The management reserves the right of admission and all that.

We have a happy bunch here and I'm not prepared to stand by and see a few raving loonies spoil it.

Eggs:

I think your warning about people's views on their religion was as valid as anyone's take on any other subject. I understood why you'd make such a caution. If you were going to visit Thailand, for example, I might mention to you that you shouldn't under any circumstances insult the Thai Royal Family. It's not only in accordance with local custom, it's also the LAW.

C'mon guys. Play nicely. We're all on the same side. We have a fantastic community here.

Speeding up with the modern world doesnt mean you have to swop the beach for your iphone, or giving up the joys of nature to sit at your pc for 9 hours a day online gaming, or any of the other of the charms that malta has incuding the social side and the joy of family/friends, the warmth of people etc. Im not saying that people should trade that for a small version of rude city life.

However, malta does have a very specific opinion on many things in general. My maltese grandad moved to the UK at the age of 19, and at the age of 68 he still has not managed to adapt some of his ways when needed, which has sometimes caused problems. Malta works very well if your lifestyle is agreeable to their way of life.

For example someone summed it up with a comment saying somthing like, be careful of who you talk to about religion in malta, to be honest if you are respectful about your opinions and do not down tread those of others i dont see anything wrong with being open about the fact that you may have a completely differing views to that of the local population without threat of being an outcast.

Obviously its not Malta that suffers from this problem alone, there are many countries I can think. And I agree, if you cannot accept the local culture then you shouldnt go, but if you can accept the culture and are also able to stick by your own beliefs and opinions then why not give it a shot, it might work and then it might not.

..............and in England it's unwise to mention football.

in England, you cant do many things, looking at people...the wrong people that is...talk about football...list is endless.

Maybe something we all agree on, England is a mess, thats something we cannot get away from!

Sweden was nice....but if it had the weather that malta does it'd be a lot more appealing. -29 was something that was not nice to deal with after a long night shift!

Actually....according to my googling it was only the guy who dressed up as JC who was sentenced. The nun costumes were acquitted

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100217/local/nun-of-that

I was genuinely looking forward to moving to Gozo later this year. To live somewhere where I can enjoy the slower pace of life, be myself and enjoy the countryside. As a gay I have not had a problem in the past visiting malta, but reading the nagative vibe I'm now wondering whether I'm gonna wake up to my farmhouse egged?? Very disappointed :-/

Rotana wrote: I'm gonna wake up to my farmhouse egged??

Only if you keep dem chickens!

Chris, you seem to spend a lot of time in here, are you happy to stay or are you thinking of coming out ?

dave dee wrote:Chris, you seem to spend a lot of time in here, are you happy to stay or are you thinking of coming out ?

I've been OUT for over 50 years.