UK population increases by 500,000

[Stadt]

Everyone is insular. But the main reason for immigrant segregation is economics.

I don't disagree but immigrant communities seem too inward

[Frank to be]

I don't disagree but immigrant communities seem too inward

Have you tried going there and getting to know them?

[Voll Blau]

I don't disagree but immigrant communities seem too inward

 

Based on personal experience I'd disagree, appreciate there are places where there are massive issues around segregation though. Having lived up north for a couple of years it's a real eye-opener as to just how divided some communities are compared to Leicester (which isn't perfect, but certainly a better example of integration than the vast majority of places).

 

Sometimes you have to make the first move to reach out to people though and make them feel welcome. Found that out working in a fast food restaurant.

[Stadt]

Have you tried going there and getting to know them?

In my opinion it should be down to immigrants to engage with the country they're living in.

[yorkie1999]

I'm sure the uk population was 56 million when i was leaving school, early 80's, 64 million is something like 15% increase in 30 odd years. Wonder if its a gradual increase or rapid over the last few years. and i wonder what it will be in another 30 years. 

[Voll Blau]

In my opinion it should be down to immigrants to engage with the country they're living in.

 

I think it's unfair to say it should be completely down to them. Obviously people should prepare themselves to adapt to the customs and culture of the country they're moving to, but if the "natives" (for want of a better phrase) aren't going to bother to welcome you it's easy to see why people stick to their own communities, which just makes the problem bigger in the long run.

[Kinowe Soorie]

Have you tried going there and getting to know them?

Have you had a bang to the head?

[purpleronnie]

Have you had a bang to the head?

I bet it was an immigrant.

[Stadt]

I think it's unfair to say it should be completely down to them. Obviously people should prepare themselves to adapt to the customs and culture of the country they're moving to, but if the "natives" (for want of a better phrase) aren't going to bother to welcome you it's easy to see why people stick to their own communities, which just makes the problem bigger in the long run.

Yeah I agree actually but the expats in Malaga for example shouldn't be insular, they should engage spanish culture, not go for England in the sun

[Frank to be]

In my opinion it should be down to immigrants to engage with the country they're living in.

They do. They don't live in walled communities. What exactly do you expect from them? I mean precisely, what actions could a new immigrant take to satisfy your desire for them to integrate into British culture?

Have you had a bang to the head?

No, why?

[Stadt]

They do. They don't live in walled communities. What exactly do you expect from them? I mean precisely, what actions could a new immigrant take to satisfy your desire for them to integrate into British culture?

No, why?

How many Polish people do you see in town shopping, socialising, going to the football, in coffee shops or restaurants? Not many, this certainly doesn't mean they don't integrate but it doesn't seem like they enjoy "British culture". However my experience of Polish people is quite limited so I could be talking bollocks, adittionally I suppose assimilation comes with greater economic standing of immigrants

[Frank to be]

How many Polish people do you see in town shopping, socialising, going to the football, in coffee shops or restaurants? Not many, this certainly doesn't mean they don't integrate but it doesn't seem like they enjoy "British culture". However my experience of Polish people is quite limited so I could be talking bollocks, adittionally I suppose assimilation comes with greater economic standing of immigrants

So just to be clear, in order to satisfy your desire for integration, you want immigrants to go shopping, visit coffee shops and eat in restaurants?

I hardly ever do any of those things.

[bovril]

Depends on what you're used to. My town has a lot of Polish and Lithuanian and they seem to quite like British culture, make an effort with the language and go to pubs etc. It seems they're more assimilated than immigrants from Indian subcontinent that I see in Leicester. But I could also be talking bollocks and it's not fair to lump everyone in together. Basically people like what they're used to.

[Stadt]

So just to be clear, in order to satisfy your desire for integration, you want immigrants to go shopping, visit coffee shops and eat in restaurants?

I hardly ever do any of those things.

 

 

How many Polish people do you see in town shopping, socialising, going to the football, in coffee shops or restaurants? Not many, this certainly doesn't mean they don't integrate but it doesn't seem like they enjoy "British culture". However my experience of Polish people is quite limited so I could be talking bollocks, adittionally I suppose assimilation comes with greater economic standing of immigrants

Polish people from my experiences (admittedly limited) just seem to keep themselves to themselves, theres not a lot wrong with that but do you really want this segregation?

[Voll Blau]

Bi off topic but there's quite a few Polish lads (including some on this board I believe) who go down the City and have adopted us as their team. Met a couple and they're top blokes.

[Stadt]

Bi off topic but there's quite a few Polish lads (including some on this board I believe) who go down the City and have adopted us as their team. Met a couple and they're top blokes.

zawiswa leicester or something? tbh I was always surprised at that the lack of Poles interested in football here considering the fan scene over there

[Mark_w]

How many Polish people do you see in town shopping, socialising, going to the football, in coffee shops or restaurants? Not many, this certainly doesn't mean they don't integrate but it doesn't seem like they enjoy "British culture". However my experience of Polish people is quite limited so I could be talking bollocks, adittionally I suppose assimilation comes with greater economic standing of immigrants

 

The percentage of people in Britain who are Polish is fairly small, how many do you expect to see in town shopping or at restaurants? You've not going to see a great deal because they're a much smaller percentage. You wouldn't necessarily notice Polish people on sight anyway.

Voll Blau knows of a few Polish people who go to the football, there's a Polish girl at my Uni who's better integrated into English society than I am. Bovril also knows of many. That's a good start for the few people who've visited this thread since you started posting this dribble.

 

 

Polish people from my experiences (admittedly limited) just seem to keep themselves to themselves, theres not a lot wrong with that but do you really want this segregation?

 

I keep myself to myself. I was born in Leicester. Are you going to kick me out as well?

People vary greatly. Some will feel comfortable integrating into what you think British society is or should be, others won't. It doesn't mean they don't contribute and it doesn't mean they don't socialize. They just don't necessarily do it in the manner you expect, nor do plenty of English people. Having said that I think there are plenty of immigrants who are very willing to integrate into English society in the manner you expect, and maybe you'd notice that if you were more welcoming.

[Stadt]

The percentage of people in Britain who are Polish is fairly small, how many do you expect to see in town shopping or at restaurants? You've not going to see a great deal because they're a much smaller percentage. You wouldn't necessarily notice Polish people on sight anyway.

Voll Blau knows of a few Polish people who go to the football, there's a Polish girl at my Uni who's better integrated into English society than I am. Bovril also knows of many. That's a good start for the few people who've visited this thread since you started posting this dribble.

 

 

 

I keep myself to myself. I was born in Leicester. Are you going to kick me out as well?

People vary greatly. Some will feel comfortable integrating into what you think British society is or should be, others won't. It doesn't mean they don't contribute and it doesn't mean they don't socialize. They just don't necessarily do it in the manner you expect, nor do plenty of English people. Having said that I think there are plenty of immigrants who are very willing to integrate into English society in the manner you expect, and maybe you'd notice that if you were more welcoming.

Where did I mention kicking people out? It's not even implied.

[Rincewind]

I used to work at a hostel for homeless men in Leeds. We accommodated men from all walks of life: those who were homeless through relationship breakdowns; those who had been released from prison; those who suffered from alcohol/drug addiction; those who had mental health problems; those who had been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK. The hostel had 36 rooms and the aim was to "support" clients into their own independent accommodation within six months. All were claiming benefits: housing benefit to pay for the (vast) majority of the hostel rent; JSA; ESA; DLA.

 

The refugees came from many countries: Iraq, Iran, Syria, Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, North Korea, Latin American countries, Belarus - a "melting pot" as such. I worked there for three years, and for every refugee I worked with, to a man, they shared the same goal: To secure their own accommodation and to secure a job. I never knew a single one that failed in this ambition. There was a lot of violence working there (a major factor in me leaving in the end), mainly from clients with alcohol addiction, anger management issues etc. To a man, these individuals were white British. I never once came across a refugee who caused any problems for the staff or the greater community within which the hostel was based.

 

Maybe we got lucky, and believe me I don't view this through a biased opinion, but it affirmed in my mind one thing: many people's opinions regarding asylum seekers/immigration are wrong. These opinions are based on what the media "reports" and are swallowed verbatim and repeated without thought to what is being said. I'm no "leftie", but through my own eyes and experience of refugees, immigration overall is a positive outcome for the UK. 

Good post. I know people that  have been in hostels and the majority  have not wanted to be  there. A little misfortune led them there. One who is now a director of the newly  revamped DNO was once in a womens refuge with two young daughters after fleeing  a  violent relationship. The ones I have worke with  treat everyone the same and if they are willing encourage them to better their li ves. Its a 50/50 thing.

[Rincewind]

It may betrue some from other cultures do not mix  so well.   How ofyen do us Brits go to Polish clubs or restaurants? They have a different type of ebeng to us. Their  music will be different. Their idea of a good time will be different. Same with the Greeks.

You wont see many Muslins out on the town drinking because as a rule it is against their beliefs. A lot of Indians have been here a few years so may have got used to our way of life  but still hold  strong family values. Not sure about the Sikhs  some like their drink (I know at least one  but  does not openly declare it) that drinks yet when I did the radio the Sikhs that  ran the station would not allow any mention of alcohol during airwave time  but  that may have also due to the programmes were there to raise awareness  about mental illness and broadcast to ethnic minority audience.

[Rincewind]

I used to work at a hostel for homeless men in Leeds. We accommodated men from all walks of life: those who were homeless through relationship breakdowns; those who had been released from prison; those who suffered from alcohol/drug addiction; those who had mental health problems; those who had been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK. The hostel had 36 rooms and the aim was to "support" clients into their own independent accommodation within six months. All were claiming benefits: housing benefit to pay for the (vast) majority of the hostel rent; JSA; ESA; DLA.

It is getting worse now. Here  is something from the Yorkshire post. This is just one story. Plenty more in m sig link.

[lavrentis]

I think there will become less and less immigrants in London, it's being cleansed of poor people. Not saying all immigrants are poor.

[Rincewind]

I think there will become less and less immigrants in London, it's being cleansed of poor people. Not saying all immigrants are poor.

IDS says he welcomes foodbanks and is glad that decent prople run and help out with them. Really? People who are not decent and uncaring are not very likrly to run them. Thanks Iain for stating the bloody obvious.

[Frank to be]

I think there will become less and less immigrants in London, it's being cleansed of poor people. Not saying all immigrants are poor.

If you were that would be ridiculous. London is becoming out of reach for most Brits because wealthy immigrants have pushed prices up so high. It's more likely to be "cleansed" of natives than it is of immigrants.

[Rincewind]

If you were that would be ridiculous. London is becoming out of reach for most Brits because wealthy immigrants have pushed prices up so high. It's more likely to be "cleansed" of natives than it is of immigrants.

You could be right there.