Illegal immigrants

How can hearing all kinds of languages be a bad thing? Many countries have several official languages anyway, not to mention other unofficial ones. Brits are narrow-minded over this issue due to their island mentality, it's hardly something to celebrate. Learning several languages is beneficial to the mental development of young children as far as I can see, it certainly was for me - learning two of the UK's official languages, that is.

Leicester is (apparently) where white natives are a now a minority and I feel thoroughly at home. And you can get a pretty fine curry.[/QUOTE]

 

I've never understood the problem with the word paki? its just a shortened name.
I've been called a Brit many times, but dont take offence.
I've also been called a pommie and limey.

 

@noisette47, just re-reading my post (#73) that you hit disagree on, and I'm just wondering which of the various stated facts you disagree with. Was it the bit where I said I lived in Sheffield and there were lots of immigrants? Or perhaps you disagree that I liked living there? Perhaps you disagree that I moved back, or that I regret moving back? Or perhaps you are one of my neighbours and have said hiya in the street or stopped for an impromptu beer that I've somehow forgotten about? Or was it the bit about us having the freedom to make many choices? Perhaps in Britain we are really oppressed and are not having this discussion because the internet is so heavily censored here that we can't?

 

There are still vast tracts of the UK where you will hardly see a non-white face. Unless it's the local GP. Ditto hearing other languages - unless it's the accented good English of a Polish or Lithuanian graduate who's over here doing bar work or picking vegetables because "our own" won't do the job at all or won't do it for the pay offered.

 

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I think you missed the point.

Its not hearing the languages that is the problem.
its not knowing what they are saying about you, they are mostly very loud, look at you as if you are something they just scraped off their shoe and are very pushy.

 

It should be just a name - but it has acquired negative connotations because it is almost always used as a derogatory term. When I worked at a rough school you couldn't even say the word 'Pakistan' in a geography lesson without the kids dissolving into sniggers, presumably because that's what their parents did.
The word 'Brit' is more neutral in its connotations.

 

You worked at a rough school?

 

Ah I see the problem now. Those aren't immigrants Pete.

 

Just to put the record straight, I did judge my quality of life as it was being affected by all the residents of the town where I lived. Between being dictated to by a zealot council as to who I had to accept and embrace, the disaffected 'native' youth with their charming habits and the influx of both greater London overspill and what seemed like half of Eastern Europe, there was no quality of life! What people who play the 'racist' card often forget is that, individually, we would probably all get along somehow, but to be told that you WILL like and accept allcomers is hardly democracy and has the opposite effect to the one intended.
When the dice appear to be loaded in favour of immigrants regarding benefits, housing, healthcare etc, well, with the help of the more histrionic media, it's no wonder that there is discontent!

 

Mostly they are not saying anything about you. Why do you feel like this - it seems paranoid to me. As they are always in the minority mightn't they more reasonably worry that people are saying stuff about them? Which they aren't usually, either. I'm not saying it never happens but even after a fair bit of experience of foreign travel it still is unusual and you can tell from body language what is going on. In fact, the most offensive street incidents I've had is when some horrible white British teenager has passed some nasty remark fully intended for me to overhear.

BTW have you tried smiling at these people? Usually works a treat.

 

I dont often go around smiling at people for no real reason, it can get you into all kinds of trouble.
Usually they are in groups, often young males and best to steer clear of.

I think we are talking about two very different kinds of immigrant.

 

Madahhlia summed it up perfectly. It is negative as it is based upon skin colour and applied to people from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Uganda as well as people from Pakistan. We will not be called Brit, Pom or Limey until we open our mouths.

 

At the very least it will get us a reputation as some sort of nut job!!

 

Oer, not very up to date then am I Who changed that then ? when I wasn't looking
I did Google it. I love this site have been a member for years, So many learned people. always good for a laugh some times But always better than the Telly.

 

I too believed that it was still law. Then two years ago it was a trick question in a pub quiz night. The Diana bit was also a pub quiz question.