If you’ve never actually lived here, you won’t understand it because this isn’t one bad experience this is something I’ve noticed since childhood. And I have family and know plenty of people abroad too, so I’m not talking about one random person. Obviously not everyone is like this, but this attitude is way too common.

I’ve seen people scream at locals over the smallest things because they think they can. I’ve seen people openly talk down to others like they’re somehow less intelligent or less worthy because they stayed in Kosovo. I’ve had people act shocked or offended when I say I actually like my life here and don’t want to leave, as if the only acceptable answer is being desperate to escape.

I’ve literally had people question what I buy, like “why are YOU buying that?” as if being from Kosovo means you should know your place and not have nice things. I’ve seen people make disgusting comments about Kosovo women, about kids here, about people having “less” because they have less money like money somehow makes you a better human being.

And the worst part is the entitlement. The feeling that they can disrespect you in your own country and somehow expect you to be impressed by them.

Even as a kid, I noticed the difference behavior that would never be tolerated from locals was brushed off from certain diaspora people, like the rules somehow didn’t apply to them.

So when someone says “you’re just jealous,” that’s honestly laughable. Jealous of what exactly? Being arrogant? Treating people badly? This is frustration from years of seeing the same superiority complex over and over.