Does anyone integrate with the country they've immigrated to?

Question

When immigrants come to Britain from Muslim countries, Eastern Europe or wherever people complain about them not integrating. Yet when British people move to Spain do they learn Spanish and integrate with the locals? Even if they do, do they not take their British culture with them? Is this hypocracy - or am I missing the point?

Hypocritical to criticise others for not ingegrating, while when you emmigrate you don't integrate yourself.

Answer 1

It depends on the individual. Some people retain their national pride in their homeland and hold on to their culture, roots, religion, accent/language etc. Others prefer to just blend in. All of a sudden they have a British or American accent and dress to blend in as much as possible.

Usually Europeans and Americans don't change/integrate very much. They usually want to be recognized as American or British or French or whatever. Yet when immigrants from less developed countries immigrate to their countries, they seem to want them to conform or else be outcasts. It's a sort of first world arrogance that exists.

Hey what can you do eh? Can't change people, especially those from countries with a superiority complex.

Answer 2

I moved to Spain 4 years ago with my wife. Full integration is actually not as easy as it sounds and it takes time but we have made Spanish friends and we are learning the language. We go on trips and to parties with Sapanish and Gibraltarian people (and others); we have a great time including struggling along with the language. At the same time we maintain our British culture and our Spanish friends enjoy some of the things that we do and to which we have introduced them; so we do a bit of both. Some people do more than us others less but we would miss out on a lot if we didn't try.

I'm not sure whether hypocracy s the correct word. I don't see why anyone who comes to live in another country has to deny their own culture but I do believe that it is important that they should respect the culture of the country thay have moved to.

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Answer 3

My parents retired to Spain and they both learnt the language and the customs in the region they live. They thought it was respectful.

I love in America, and although the language is the same, I have tried ti integrate as much as possible. I love some US sports, but I also try to explain how good true football is to my friends here.

As, the girl earlier stated, they are many hispanics coing to this country and not trying to assimilate. They don't want to learn the language, and then complain when everything is in English. The crime goes up, the house prices come down, and the standard of living is despicable wherever they live.

Answer 4

i live in spain my children go to a spanish school not english both aged 6 and 14 speak fluent catalan we have intergrated very well it takes a while to adjust but let me say this on intergration in england every different culture overides the anglo saxon culture and the goverment has taken the side of the "minoritys"rather than the born natives here in spain we expats observe the spanish laws,way of life and even when we disagreg we know we are guests here and we accept that i would never walk into a spanish church in bikinis all hell would break loose you would not do it thats like shoving their religion in their face but england with the race relations act thats one sided you cannot even suggest anything about "minotities" or your a racist.
so the majority of brits that i know anyway do try very hard to intergrate but dont forget its not easy living here no water no electric no rubbish removals no free nhs no dole.

Answer 5

I don't know about Brits, but early American settlers from all over Europe began to speak English and began to become Americans the day they got here at Ellis Island. They knew they needed to learn English to succeed in this great place of opportunity. Whereas, illegals from South American countries are not doing this. Most illegals cannot speak acceptable English. Unless they change this, they will become a permanent underclass.

Answer 6

there is difference between integrating and assimilating yourself in a new country. In respect of your new home one should learn language and customs, but no one should force them to forget the customs of the homeland. I have no problem with people who try hard... some cultures have a real hard time speaking English, but as long as they try to speak it, I'll do anything in my power to help them. Just don't come and demand some rights if you don't know your responsibilities.

Answer 7

Yes, and the closer the culture - the easier it is. Learning the language surely makes the process faster and in fact opens the doors to a culture.

Answer 8

We are moving to Bulgaria and we will have a go at learning the language and would like to get to know the local people they are a lot more friendly than most countries.

Answer 9

I think you have a very good point, it always makes me embarrassed the way British ex-pats stick together, have their newspapers sent over and don't mix in with the native culture.
I have a house in Italy when I am there I love getting to know the local people and helping with the grapes and olive harvest., otherwise what would be the point?

Answer 10

yes, people integrate Americans have assimilated from different countries that why we all speak English.

one group though refuses to assimilate and learn English and that group wants to take over the United States and turn it into a 3rd world cesspool!