Why is it that so many British people on Yahoo! Answers feel that immigrants (the good and the bad) ...?

Question

are forcing their culture on British people?

And why take offence if we are speaking in our own language? Odds are that whatever we're talking about doesn't concern you so you shouldn't be evaesdroping anyway!

Plus how many people who emmigrate from Britain actually try and integrate themselves in that country's culture and not stick together with their own anyway?? Most British people just assume everyone else will speak English

Answer 1

Why do you care as you are one. Or at least spell like one you are all snobs

Answer 2

Ah the beauty of ignorance. I take it from your question, that you are an immigrant to this great Isle. If you want to speak in your native tongue then please do, but be warned that those around you who do not speak your language may take offence, as they may think you are talking about them. Also if the conversation is private, then keep it private. Those who emigrate here to Britain, are doing so to escape the evil regime of their national country, and should respect the laws and native religions of this country. By all means practice your religion, but why should the communities have religious ruling bodies, isn't the local council good enough. Why do the immigrants to this country not try to integrate more with the national people here, you might find that you may like some of us.

For the majority who move from Britain to other countries, do take time to integrate with the nationals of the country they moved to, and the ex patriots do live by the laws of the new country, and do not set up their own ruling body. The ex patriots do learn the language of the country they have moved to other wise they would not be able to get employment.

so for integration, it would be nice to see some from the legal immigrants to this country try and integrate more.

To the illegal immigrants reading this, go home to your own country and stop costing me and the other tax payers money.

Answer 3

There's no problem with immigrants speaking to each other in their own language. However, when many councils feel it may be offensive to immigrants to fly the english or british national flag, such as in the world cup, do you not feel this is taking things too far?

I have no problem with immigration as it has made England what it is today, but as already pointed out, if second, third and fourth generations of immigrant's children feel no loyalty to the UK and openly declare their support for a foreign power something is going wrong somewhere.

I would also question exactly how many British immigrants fail to learn the language of the country they go to live in, as many go to Australia, America, Canada, etc and of the immigrants in Spain who speak British, they are mainly of the older generations and the same could be send of older immigrants from any country.

Answer 4

What a great question! I'm not really sure what is the real cause of this tendancy to be very self-protective of one's culture, but we are going through it in the US as well.

People here are so angry when someone speaks Spanish or some other language, and I really don't get it. I'm not an immigrant, but I work with them and the stories they tell me about (I don't know what you'd call it.... nationalist? as opposed to racist?) abuse is pretty shocking. Even against the English and Canadians! I thought we were supposed to be such a melting pot!

My guess--- and it's just a guess--- is that people everywhere are reacting to the globalization that has been occuring over the past few decades and to the terrorism that is prevalent all over the world. Cultures are trying to insulate themselves and cut themselves off from other ideas and attitudes as a way of protecting themselves.

Case in point: before 9/11, Bush was discussing a resident worker program with President Fox of Mexico, but in recent months the anti-immigrant sentiment here in the US has seen a distressing surge. Now we are talking about building walls and calling in the National Guard to stop Mexicans from crossing the border. It's certainly not a reasonable reaction (illegal Mexican immigration has very little to do with what happened at the WTC) and I can't be certain that America's anti-immigrant problem was precipitated by 9/11, but it seems reasonable to me, from a psychological stand-point.

It's sad and disturbing, how quickly fear of others can make us intollerant and close-minded. Best of luck to you!

Answer 5

I agree.
I am an ex-pat Brit and I find it shameful that many others not only dont mix with the locals but dont really try and learn the language.
Have you ever seen those Brit villas in Spain? Its like a mini Essex. !!!!
They want to take whats good from abroad and give very little back.
I have many Polish and Estonian friends in the UK and some are good and some are bad- like alot of local Brits actually.
How many Brits know another language?
I learned to speak French and many French get a bit miffed with those that dont, and I understand why.
Maybe that is why some Brits get miffed at you.
Two wrongs dont make a right and you as an immigrant should do your upmost to adopt the Brit culture too, just because there are a lot of hypocrits out there does'nt make it right for you.
I do , however, understand that that takes time and it is hard- if you are seen to be trying then good. And dont listen to those against you if you are trying.
You obviously do from the grammar of your question, but can you honestly say all your co-patriots do?
Get those that dont to try harder and you will see results.
Those of Indian and Jamaican backgrounds are accepted in the UK now as they integrated and there is alot less pressure against them now.
Of course there are rascists and purists out there, which is wrong, but there are in every country- so its not unique to Britain.
Both sides have to compromise I feel.

Answer 6

That's a good question.
I must admit that I think immigrant communities are very insular and don't integrate with the british culture.
I also agree with your statement that british migrants tend to 'stick together' when living abroad.

I must say that I'm actually against immigration because the reason that so many immigrants come into the UK is because of our strong economy, which is rapidly declining due to immigrants sending money 'home'. It's understandable though, because everyone just wants the best for their families right?

What really gets me though, is young asian muslim men who openly declare that their loyalty lies with the rulership of a foreign country. I have enough complaints about our government, but I at least appreciate that the priviledged standard of living here in the UK is their doing. These people seem to belooking the gift-horse in the mouth.

Answer 7

You're absolutley right, most places i've been there are large ex-pat brit communities who all go to a traditional british pub to socialise and dont' integrate other than what is necessary.

People generally like to have someone/something to blame all life's problems on (black people, homosexuals, muslims, immigrants).

Most of their reasons/blame are unfounded or misquoted from statistics or tabloid headlines. There shouldn't be anything to fear, hate or be jealous about with immigrants. I think most people who screwed up their own lives by not making use of the free world class educations offered to them, or can't be bothered working hard are jealous of asylum seekers if they receieve help from the goverment.

People like to interchange the words Immigrant and Asylum Seeker. I dont think immigrants recieve houses and free everything from the government. Asylum seekers might, but thats becuase they've fled persecution and awful lives, so they need a helping hand.

I've heard people blaming the housing crisis on immigrants, blaming pollution, the number of cars, the nhs and any problem where a scapegoat is needed.

As for the language part, its funny how brits have these expectations yet we are probably the laziest when it comes to efforts with a foreign language. A british couple who retire or go to live abroad aren't exactly going to start speaking to each other in a foreign language, they may try in shops or when out and about. And its the same with immigrants here, they will try at school, or at the doctors or when shopping, but amongst themselves is just natural.

Answer 8

Hi! This may sound a tad offensive to you - but believe me - where I come from (Glasgow) the Minority is the Majority - and the sooner the Authorities remedy this the better for everyone.. exaggerating the term racism is causing racism in communities in Glasgow. Pictures , Posters adverts on TV, Radio Newspapers, Billboards at football games - its everywhere... It is winding people up. And remember Immigrants are exactly that immigrants - no matter what colour or creed - .. A thought for you I arrive in say.. Pakistan and its a lovely day - I walk down the road wearing a pair of shorts.. what would happen ? and would the local council give me free accommodation and benefits to clothe and feed me ..I don't think so.. Am I wrong ..?

Answer 9

very few British people speak a foreign language as they are very poorly taught at school. I don't say second language as there are areas of Britain such as Northern Scotland or Wales where Gaelic or welsh is the first language and English is the second. I have no idea why people think that immigrants are forcing their culture on British people. Personally I welcome the chance to experience different foods, music etc.

Answer 10

I was born in Glasgow. went to school in Edinburgh and am fluent
in Portuguese (with no foreign accent). I speak with my kids
in Portuguese and they blame me for doing so. However I
think in English and automatically translate to Portuguese.
My friends are mostly Brazilian, my wife is Brazilian and I
naturalised Brazilian in order to compete for the country in
sporting events worldwide. I am very proud of my Scottish
background and have contact with my old school pals to
this day. I would like to go back to Scotland if I could afford
the style of life I have here. Scotland still remains in my
dreams and my ancestors go back a long way. I call this
integration without losing loyalty to my home country. I am
telling you this because it explains what integration is all
about, and anyone who lives abroad should blend into the
British way and respect British habits, or go back home
where they belong.

Answer 11

If i was to emigrate to Poland how much benefits will i be paid and what sort of house will they give me?
Would there be any chance of building a christian church in Iraq.
Will i get free bus passes, driving lessons, cash, housing, free tv licence, free colour tv, amongst many other handouts if i claim asylum in any other country. Why do asylum seekers pass through many safe countries to get here?
Its a soft country and immigration is out of hand, people are pissed off with it, whether you come here to work or not.

When in Rome, do as the Romans springs to mind