UK, Ireland /
Polish Thoughts on Britain and the British [273]
but I am not sure how the 'original" British recognise the changes themselves?
Firstly, thank you for taking the time to share the views of a long term Polish resident. I found your comments to be very constructive and insightful
I think that the British, in general, are a tolerant and phlegmatic people. We have a long term history of accepting immigrants from around the world. We have had influxes of people from all around the world and in general they have been well received and our country is richer for their influences upon our culture and certainly from the economic benefits that have accrued. There have been tensions from each wave of immigration and there have been far too many instances of racialism from some sections of our society. Any group of newcomers that have made the effort to integrate are largely welcomed. Groups that have chosen not to integrate or have sought to demand special treatment are the ones where antagonsim from the 'original' Brititish has been at its strongest.
In terms of Polish people, I believe most of us welcome your presence openly. Yes there are some people who blindly repeat the mantra of some of our popular press that you are stealing our jobs. Mainly these people do not want to work as hard as the Poles, want everything on a plate and see hard working, intelligent people as a threat. I guess that is an indication of a complacent but currently successful economy. You pay our taxes so you are benefitting our economy and culture so good on you.
There has to be a time when the pressure on our infrastructure and services from large number of migrants reaches a crisis point. My own belief is that this time is here or just around the corner. It is a factor of numbers not race.
In summary I think we welcome people who will integrate and pay their way but there is a finite limit to the population that these small islands can sustain.
