UK, Ireland / The Daily snot rag (Mail) removes anti-Polish content [30]


I wrote to my MP about immigration in general and didn't single out the Polish. Did it get me anywhere ? No, of course not. I wrote back and said I didn't feel I was being taken seriously, which generated a phone call from one of her assistants who gave me a patronising lecture on the benefits of immigration.


Yes, they go too far, but I think the Polish Federation would use their time better by putting the other side of the argument and standing up for their people, rather than getting a few paragraphs removed from a website.

Of course there are going to be negative stories about immigration as it's a situation that has been foisted on the UK and much of what people read in the press is happening in their own town anyway, so they know it's not totally without foundation.

Yes, they should be more sensititive, but if the powers that be listened for a change and stopped sweeping stuff under the carpet, maybe the headlines wouldn't be so "anti".

UK, Ireland / Polish is suing because she cannot speak english!!! [45]


What is your disability if you don't mind me asking ?

This woman shouldn't have signed a contract that she couldn't understand, however, she shouldn't have come here to work if she couldn't speak enough English to understand an employment contract.

Why does anyone leave their homeland to clean hotel rooms in another ???????

No one looking to hire staff should allow someone to sign their contract knowing that they might not understand it fully. That is really mean and the fact that the employer was Polish and he sold out one of his own makes it even worse.

Her bad English makes her disabled ???????? Even in this crazy country, where plenty of the "bad back brigade" scam the system while replacing roof-tiles, I doubt she will be able to make that stick.

Oh and I've stayed in quite few Travelodges and the cleaners make pretty much zero effort anyway. The rooms are always pretty ropey.

UK, Ireland / The Daily snot rag (Mail) removes anti-Polish content [30]

I do think that the "Federation of Poles in Great Britain" have done little to help their countrymen by making them out to be totally unable to stand up for themselves.

The DM have always got it in for someone and it's best to come out fighting and put the other side of the argument and have a proper debate.

These kinds of tactics just anger the British against the Polish even more.

UK, Ireland / The Daily snot rag (Mail) removes anti-Polish content [30]


I take it you don't agree with freedom of the press then ?

Why is anything that's against mass immigration in its current form always seen as "racist" ?

Playing the race card is very easy.

UK, Ireland / Tell me whats the best way to integrate in england [26]


What is your main reason for wanting to come here ? You're very young, so it's a really big step to be taking.

If you're coming here thinking work is easy to find and it's cheap to live, then you might need to do some more research. It's not a cheap place to live and it's hard work to make a living if you want to live a decent life that doesn't involve living with loads of others to keep the costs down.

You say you only read the UK news, then you will know that the economy is taking a downturn, so jobs are becoming harder to hold onto and harder to find. Personally speaking, I wouldn't want to be the one with a foreign accent claiming benefits right now, so you need to avoid state help if you can avoid it.

You need a job and a place to live BEFORE you come here.

If you come here without a job, then you need enough money to live on for at least two months (around £1500) to give you time to find something. I really wouldn't even think of coming here without a job lined up.

I would suggest you come for a holiday first, check out the jobs and the living situation and see if you can see yourself living here.

As others have said, avoid big cities and READ UP LOADS on where you think would be good to live. Integrate by mixing with lots of different types of people and don't make your area a "Little Poland".

Also be prepared not to like it here. Have a "Plan B" and don't be afraid to go home if you don't see things working out. You can always try again when you're older.

Hope this helps, good luck !

UK, Ireland / British car with 3 wheels... [45]

They also made a four-wheel version called the Reliant Kitten.

I've never driven either, but always thought they were quite cute. Top Gear made a Reliant Robin into a rocket which crashed in spectacular fashion.

Never understood the Robin Reliant/Reliant Robin mix-up, but I think they also had the nickname of a "Plastic Pig".

UK, Ireland / UK bus company boss jailed for hiring an incompetent Pole [71]

I agree with you Craic_Monster.

The standards of driving in general are really bad in this country. It's a lethal combination of UK drivers who haven't taken a driving test or had an eye examination since they were 17 and foreign drivers.

There has been a lot of accidents caused by such drivers and there will be many more I fear.

UK, Ireland / Foreign drivers in the UK escape speeding fines [39]


I'm sure you're right, but as much as I love chatting to you all and hearing your views and have you hear mine, it changes nothing.

Writing to MPs changes nothing either, but there is that tiny outside chance that they might just listen for a change.

If everyone who felt strongly about anything did the same, then there would be a tidal wave of letters and emails that the Government would have to listen too.

We have the Government we deserve.

UK, Ireland / Foreign drivers in the UK escape speeding fines [39]


Well for what it is worth, I've printed out the article, as it's from my local paper, and sent it to my MP.

At least she might recycle it :-)

UK, Ireland / Foreign drivers in the UK escape speeding fines [39]


It does and I have thought about it, but it seems rather drastic. Plus with my luck it would get keyed by a pack of drunken chavs. Either that or the laws would change overnight and I would be back to where I started, just with a left-hand drive car ;-)


Do your Government intend taking any action ?

UK, Ireland / Foreign drivers in the UK escape speeding fines [39]

"Hate" is a very strong and emotive word and one that I have never used on here. Nor would I use it as "hate" doesn't come into it.

What's wrong with wanting something that's fair to all ?

UK, Ireland / Foreign drivers in the UK escape speeding fines [39]

I've tried raising this with my MP, but I may as well talk to the wall.

My reason for posting it here is because the Polish were mentioned in the article, so I'm interested in what people on here think

UK, Ireland / Foreign drivers in the UK escape speeding fines [39]


I agree that the police do need to do more.


Yes that does happen, but I was talking about people who have been fined but can escape paying because they can't be traced.

UK, Ireland / Foreign drivers in the UK escape speeding fines [39]


I take it this isn't a problem in Canada ?


I don't doubt that they probably do, however, two wrongs don't make a right do they ?

From the article:

"There are 140,000 foreign registered vehicles on Britain’s roads at any one time and three million enter the country each year.

The largest group are Polish registered vehicles, which account for 36%, followed by French vehicles (10%) and German vehicles (9%).

Figures show that of the 9,783 tickets issued to vehicles with foreign number plates in Sussex between June 2004 and June 2006, only 1,164 fines were paid. "

UK, Ireland / 800K of Polish immigrants in UK don't pay taxes -what do the poles think [190]

I don't know where you're from ShelleyS, but in Britain the word "Pa*i" is seen as a racial insult, so stop throwing it around like that.

News / Come on EU lets keep it together. [20]


And continue to let the UK be the dumping ground for the trash the rest of the world doesn't want.

UK, Ireland / UK bus company boss jailed for hiring an incompetent Pole [71]


Why isn't it a story ?

Yes, they shouldn't have been hired, but why did they apply for a job that they so obviously couldn't do properly ?

They all should be doing time and not 15 months either.

UK, Ireland / Polish homeless in the UK [42]


Cash in hand work, not being on the books, living hand-to-mouth lives makes them part of an under-class, which really isn't part of society.

UK, Ireland / Poles and Poles in the UK = animosity [42]

Sounds like you need to move.

I know that's probably not the answer that you're after and you shouldn't have to move if you don't want to, but it might be less hassle for you in the long run.

I'm not Polish, so can't help you why you seem to be getting grief from your own side. Is there competition for jobs, places to live etc ?

UK, Ireland / Polish homeless in the UK [42]


I agree with the "why London?" question.

I visit now and then and find it busy, crowded, expensive and dirty. I like the idea of the "London life" and may give it a go some day, but I would have to plan it out very carefully and need to earn enough to live in a decent area. The thought of arriving there from another country and having to find a job and a place to live, while having to deal with the language issue would scare me whitless.

It would need so much planning.

I also agree that the Polish aren't fleeing for their lives, so I don't get the urgency.

UK, Ireland / Polish homeless in the UK [42]

Very interesting post, Wroclaw, but why would such an life be better than heading back home ? Or, more to the point, what was so bad that they their home country left in the first place ?

UK, Ireland / Polish homeless in the UK [42]

Are Polish people that shallow ?

To me, it takes a pretty big person to admit that they made a mistake and that things didn't work out. I wouldn't want any friend of mine to be homeless in a foreign country, just because they thought it shameful to come back home.

I think it shows real strength of character to admit that things didn't work out.

UK, Ireland / Polish homeless in the UK [42]


Why would someone do that when it is clearly not the case ?

Are they just trying to boast and big themselves up ?


I'm glad that you were able to help this lady out, but it's those who bring their children with them straight away that I have the least respect for to be honest. Why don't they send one parent out first to check things out and try and get things in place before bringing the family out too ?

If someone falls flat on their face and it's only them that's here, then there is no real harm done. They're just a bit older and wiser, but it's a whole different thing when they have children with them too.


The article is pretty old and I hope that doesn't happen now, but I agree that such things do little to help the image of those who come here saying they want a better life.

UK, Ireland / 800K of Polish immigrants in UK don't pay taxes -what do the poles think [190]

What is it you're after ?

If you're British and living/working in Poland, then you can't really expect the same as the Polish.

That's my whole point. The benefit system over here is in need of some drastic changes to make it fairer for all. I've no objection to anyone claiming money, but it should take into consideration their connection to the country. The way it works now just isn't right.

UK, Ireland / 800K of Polish immigrants in UK don't pay taxes -what do the poles think [190]


No probs, you've heard of "Eat Shoots and Leaves", so you're forgiven :-)


I think half seems rather high, but I'll take you at your word, however, it's different if someone who claims benefits and has lived here all their life, as have their parents and so on.

People can't emigrate to another country and then claim benefits - not for at least five years anyway. It's a kick in the spuds to those of us who, like me, aren't entitled to so much as a free prescription, but have been paying in for a damn sight longer than your average EU economic migrant. I paid my first NI stamp with my first job nearly 20 years ago.

I'm in the half of the British population that do work, but I don't work to keep the Polish in child benefit and dole money.

UK, Ireland / Polish homeless in the UK [42]


Yes it is very sad, but surely the Polish media report such stories ?

They must have a handle on the situation by now and anyone coming here knows the score and has made a proper plan ?

UK, Ireland / Polish workers found hung in Herefordshire [51]


So far yes, but what's happened ?

Has someone hacked into your pc and you're someone else entirely ?

Or have you read/seen something on here or elsewhere and done some serious thinking ?

UK, Ireland / Polish workers found hung in Herefordshire [51]

I guess it could be a money making scheme that's gone horribly wrong somewhere, probably someone got too greedy or in too deep.

A stabbing, a hanging and a guy kicked to death just seems like something out of a movie.