"Angry swan eater" - The British media view of Polish immigrants?

enkidu:

I am a Polish guy living in London.

According to the British newspapers I AM:

- Hard working man with strong "work ethic". I steal British jobs from British people. I can do better than them for a peanuts. I am a "JOB THEFT"
Thats why the prices are rising and wages are not.
On the same time I am a parasite living on benefits. Useless drunken bastard. I have got at least 5 children. I am putting stress on the overstretched social services.
I am a member of the "Polish knife cult" or culture. I am a rapist and arsonist.
I am an swam hunter.

Do you people realize how difficult for me it is? For I am rally wasted. Just try to be hard-working job stealer, living on benefits, making children, rape and burn something at the same time.

:)

enkiduThreads: 18 Posts: 983 Joined: Sep 23, 08	Sep 23, 08, 16:53 / #
I am a Polish guy living in London. According to the British newspapers I AM: - Hard working man with strong "work ethic". I steal British jobs from British people. I can do better than them for a peanuts. I am a "JOB THEFT" Thats why the prices are rising and wages are not. On the same time I am a parasite living on benefits. Useless drunken bastard. I have got at least 5 children. I am putting stress on the overstretched social services. I am a member of the "Polish knife cult" or culture. I am a rapist and arsonist. I am an swam hunter. Do you people realize how difficult for me it is? For I am rally wasted. Just try to be hard-working job stealer, living on benefits, making children, rape and burn something at the same time. :)

sausageThreads: 25 Posts: 1,053 Joined: Sep 21, 07	Sep 23, 08, 16:55 / #
You are a very busy man! You mean swan eater??? It is very confusing for me because słoń=elephant???

loco polacoThreads: 3 Posts: 421 Joined: Aug 5, 08	Sep 23, 08, 16:57 / #
keep up the good work budy. :D :D :D

enkiduThreads: 18 Posts: 983 Joined: Sep 23, 08	Edited by: enkidu Sep 23, 08, 17:22 / #
You are a very busy man! You mean swan eater??? It is very confusing for me because słoń=elephant??? yeah sorry - i mean swan. Large white bird on the lake. According to daily mail - Polish traditional dish.

sausageThreads: 25 Posts: 1,053 Joined: Sep 21, 07	Sep 23, 08, 17:26 / #
enkidu: I am a rapist and arsonist. At least you will be easy to spot in the police line-up... shaven head, camouflage trousers, backpack (containing dead swan)

HuegThreads: 1 Posts: 428 Joined: Apr 16, 07	Sep 23, 08, 18:29 / #
I like this post. Very Olympian. You'll have to be careful if reports are to be believed Leda was a Pole and a Black Widow no less. :)

ShelleySThreads: 18 Posts: 3,647 Joined: Jun 26, 07	Sep 24, 08, 07:29 / #
Your dog's cute though :) did you steal that off an English person ;-)

DaisyThreads: 16 Posts: 2,172 Joined: Apr 28, 07	Sep 24, 08, 07:41 / #
ShelleyS: Your dog's cute though :) more an ankle biter than a swan eater though

miranda	Sep 24, 08, 07:45 / #
enkidu: daily mail that is your problem - stop reading it.

MagdalenaThreads: 5 Posts: 1,388 Joined: Aug 15, 07	Sep 24, 08, 08:13 / #
But the daily fail is such fun to read! The things they come up with! ;-) I especially enjoy the Thursday edition with its Femail special - articles such as Can I pull off the Posh look? featuring an adult female journalist dressing in skintight leather trousers and walking around London to find out how it feels... Lots of fun, I tell you! :-) And really, they have the wildest imagination when it comes to Poles, for some reason. I don't think they have ever gone as far as to interview a Pole, or even talk to someone who has seen one of these strange creatures, they just sit in their offices and make things up as they go along! I don't hold it against them, bless their hearts. I tend to get addicted to the DM and buy it almost every day if I don't watch what I'm doing... So they must be doing SOMETHING right... ;-)

time meansThreads: 9 Posts: 2,306 Joined: Apr 21, 08	Sep 24, 08, 09:07 / #
it all depends on which paper you read,not them all and come on who belives anything in the press anyway.i detect an under lying tone here.will you elaborate a little more?

Patrycja19Threads: 79 Posts: 3,974 Joined: Oct 31, 06	Sep 24, 08, 09:20 / #
enkidu: According to the British newspapers I AM: Stupid media, its not five its six.. you forgot your raising farm hands to send back to poland :)

szarlotkaThreads: 14 Posts: 3,349 Joined: Feb 20, 07	Sep 24, 08, 12:08 / #
Magdalena: or even talk to someone who has seen one of these strange creatures Hmm. There was a strangely dressed gentleman down my local pub the other day attempting to interview our barmaid about her life in England compared to that back in Poland. Perhaps he was from the Daily Fail. Mindy you we're 50 miles north of London so maybe it was a local hack.

osiolThreads: 59 Posts: 4,714 Joined: Jul 25, 07	Sep 24, 08, 12:51 / #
If any Poles are not sure, a swan is a big animal with tusks, big ears and a long nose. There is a good adjective for describing that particular kind of nose, but I can't think what it is at the moment, but I'm sure it ends with -ible. Not -able, but -ible.

ShelleySThreads: 18 Posts: 3,647 Joined: Jun 26, 07	Sep 24, 08, 08:31 / #
Daisy: more an ankle biter than a swan eater though It looks like a puppy so give it time...

Mister HThreads: 11 Posts: 845 Joined: Jan 4, 08	Edited by: Mister H Sep 24, 08, 12:59 / #
enkidu: I am a Polish guy living in London. According to the British newspapers I AM: - Hard working man with strong "work ethic". I steal British jobs from British people. I can do better than them for a peanuts. I am a "JOB THEFT" Thats why the prices are rising and wages are not. On the same time I am a parasite living on benefits. Useless drunken bastard. I have got at least 5 children. I am putting stress on the overstretched social services. I am a member of the "Polish knife cult" or culture. I am a rapist and arsonist. I am an swam hunter. Do you people realize how difficult for me it is? For I am rally wasted. Just try to be hard-working job stealer, living on benefits, making children, rape and burn something at the same time. :) I know you're trying to make light of the situation and have a good old laugh at the stupid British for thinking anything like what you refer to is true, but the sad thing is that there are a few bad Polish apples who are ruining it for the rest of you. I don't want to get into the debate about the good and the bad side of immigration, but if you were all "young, healthy and single" like our lieing Government kept saying you all were, then maybe there wouldn't have been the screaming headlines in the Daily Mail, Daily Express, The Sun etc I don't agree with the way they cover certain stories, but I do think that they should be reported on. Rather than having a joke at the expense of many British people, maybe you should be having a go at the people who personify the stereotype of the EU migrant who came here to take us to the cleaners.

espanaThreads: 40 Posts: 2,233 Joined: Feb 28, 07	Sep 24, 08, 13:48 / #
enkidu: Hard working man with strong "work ethic". hard working person only the first two years , after that a lazyfuc*ER

enkiduThreads: 18 Posts: 983 Joined: Sep 23, 08	Sep 24, 08, 14:44 / #
espana: hard working person only the first two years , after that a lazyfuc*ER You just don't get it, do you? The point is: This is all lies! About swans, knifes and also about work ethic. Yep.

osiolThreads: 59 Posts: 4,714 Joined: Jul 25, 07	Edited by: osiol Sep 24, 08, 15:09 / #
enkidu: work ethic At a conference recently, I got chatting to someone who does a similar job to me. This chap also works with manual labourers recruited from a temping agency. Where I had found many of the Poles to be hard working and fun to work with, he had found them to be difficult and lazy. On the other hand, I have generally found the Lithuanians I've worked with to be difficult, not nearly as much fun, and perhaps even slightly lazier than the Poles, whereas this other chap had started learning to speak Lithuanian and found them to be great people. I don't believe national stereotypes mean very much, particularly when you take into consideration the fact that everyone is an individual and therefore different, and that there will always be people who don't do whatever is supposed to be typical for whatever group they have been characterised as being a member of. enkidu: knifes Some of them do, just like people from just about any corner of the globe. enkidu: swans Never seen a Pole eat an elephant. Nor any kind of large aquatic bird. edit: I ought to mention that that conference was held in a Scout hut, and that I was still wearing my work boots. The food was good though.

lola782Threads: 1 Posts: 3 Joined: Aug 24, 08	Sep 24, 08, 17:47 / #
I am not a pole. . .I am worse. . .I am from Yugoslavia and slightly Albanian. I have been in the UK for 14 years. First of all a lot of Brits really do just read the Sun Newspaper which although charming is rather lacking in real evidence based news. Secondly many Brits lack a hinterland. It is hard but, try to make British friends it makes all the difference. Also do not be afraid of being honest about bits of your culture are different eg. .where i am from knives and violence was used as a means of resolving disputes. I work in a busy A&E, so when co-workers are rude to me I instantly think to myself, how much damage could i do to this person! Not healthy but effective! As for the SWANS. . . . do not be afraid to point out that although you have never eaten a swan, you have seen ANIMAL HOSPITAL and that it looked very hard to catch them and that the people form the RSPCA seemed to need a team of people to do this. . .then ask the Brit in question if they have ever seen a group of (insert ethnic origin) chasing swans in their area? The Brits are not afraid to be confronted on their own ignorance. And finally, if you live in an area where lots of Poles settled after 1945, Bristol, Nottingham, Sheffield, London, Southampton, Most Northern towns etc. Do not be afraid to ask to join the local polish community club, they frequently have social clubs, although these people are poles who have not lived in Poland for 50+ years they will remember how hard the transition was and may provide an introduction into life into the UK. I spent the first 6 years in the UK only mixing with other Eastern Europeans and my life changed when I made English friends. I am now assumed to be a Londoner from my accent. Yet i still amintain my cultural identity. As for the media, never give up reading the Mail/Sun as you need to know what the enemy is thinking. Also when I arrived Kosovan's were satan's spawn, give it 18 months and it will be someone else's turn and never forget how a group of Romanians/Moldovans or Russians would be treated if they arrived in Poland, not speaking the language and understanding the cultural nuances of Poland. Lola

enkiduThreads: 18 Posts: 983 Joined: Sep 23, 08	Sep 25, 08, 14:06 / #
lola782: I'm afraid you misunderstand me a little. I don't have any problems with Brits (Hey! After all - it's THEIR country!). Ok there is a slight problem with British jokes - these are just not funny but thats all - I swear! I also don't have any urge to join some "Polish club" whatsoever. I do not avoid my countryman - make it clear - I just have had enough Polish culture for more than a quarter of a century while living in Poland. Now I want to get to know something else. I maybe seems strange but I don't even have any problem with Daily Mail. I admire headlines like : "1000 Polish children born every month!", "Knife culture in Poland", "Two Poles fishing for carp for dinner", "Beware of Polish swan-hunters". I am almost proud to be a member of this great barbaric nation. You know - its make me look tough. I am doing my part spreading news about Poland. My favorite story is about white polar bears wandering during winter on the streets of my home town. I find it awesome that somebody is keen to believe these stories. (Well - they probably already read Daily Mail) To be a little more serious: vast majority of the immigration into the UK is originated from Africa and Central Asia. Poles are not even a drop in the ocean. But if somebody wants to say something or write to a newspaper about problems with immigration he usually chooses Poles as an example. Why? Simple because we're white Europeans. Just try to say that Africans have got a "knife culture" and you will be branded as a "racist" with all legal and social consequences of that. We are a "soft target". There was -if I remember correctly - 27 deaths this year from stabbings in London. Recently I have seen in the newspaper photos of victims. They are all look ... hmmm.. un-Polish if I may express it that way. But in the same newspaper a few weeks ago there was something about "Polish knife culture" despite the fact that NO Pole was ever involved in any of this incidents. Neither as a victim nor as an attacker. Or 1000's of children. Almost all Poles I know in London are single guys. We are all adults, yeah? If one wants to have a child - involving a woman in this process is inevitable. By the way - we are working, we are paying taxes and social security contributions - why shouldn't we have children? Shall we live in shacks and work for peanuts? (actually this is a worse option. This way of living may mess with the job market, right?) I will not be surprised if someday I read about "Secret polish voodoo cult" in one of the national newspapers. And that is good. Because the image of Poland and us - Poles becomes more colorful day by day. And some day (who knows?) I will be able to tell the story to my British friends about children throw into a pit full of rabid dogs just for fun in Poland. And who knows? Maybe they will believe me?

osiolThreads: 59 Posts: 4,714 Joined: Jul 25, 07	Sep 25, 08, 14:11 / #
enkidu: Ok there is a slight problem with British jokes - these are just not funny but thats all - I swear! What? We tell jokes. You swear! K----!

Mister HThreads: 11 Posts: 845 Joined: Jan 4, 08	Sep 25, 08, 16:15 / #
enkidu: Almost all Poles I know in London are single guys. We are all adults, yeah? If one wants to have a child - involving a woman in this process is inevitable. By the way - we are working, we are paying taxes and social security contributions - why shouldn't we have children? Shall we live in shacks and work for peanuts? (actually this is a worse option. This way of living may mess with the job market, right?) So, after a couple of years worth of paying National Insurance and income tax, you want the same entitlement as someone who has been paying in for the best part of 20 years ?

MagdalenaThreads: 5 Posts: 1,388 Joined: Aug 15, 07	Sep 25, 08, 16:33 / #
Mister H: So, after a couple of years worth of paying National Insurance and income tax, you want the same entitlement as someone who has been paying in for the best part of 20 years ? When you come to live Poland long-term, you naturally expect the same, and should get it. This is what the EU is all about. But never mind... The funny thing is that most Poles would really not mind if they were asked to pay a small fee for NHS services etc. But the system is set up for exploitation from the outside, which unfortunately cannot be blamed on migrants. They simply take what is offered to them - wouldn't you? Also, several years of paying NI should buy me some basic medical help anyway. I have actually seen my GP twice in three years, so I don't think I'm that expensive. The most unfair part of the deal is that illegal immigrants, or those waiting for a final decision on their status, do not have to pay anything at all into the system, but use it nevertheless. Why aren't asylum seekers allowed to work? I guess it is so that they won't get too used to being in the UK in case they are to be deported. But if they are to be deported, they simply abscond and get to stay in the UK and milk the system anyway...

enkiduThreads: 18 Posts: 983 Joined: Sep 23, 08	Sep 25, 08, 16:47 / #
Mister H: So, after a couple of years worth of paying National Insurance and income tax, you want the same entitlement as someone who has been paying in for the best part of 20 years ? Make it clear - no Pole ever asked for it. We're all come here expecting hard job for good money. Personally - I think this is unfair. Even stupid. Wait... there is a word for it ... ludicrous. Yep - that is the word. I came to the UK in 2004. For fun, for adventure, for money at last. I was astonished when I find out that after 1 year of legal employment in the UK I am entitled for everything what the British social security system has got to offer. If you want to blame somebody - blame Tony Blair.

Mister HThreads: 11 Posts: 845 Joined: Jan 4, 08	Sep 25, 08, 16:51 / #
Magdalena: When you come to live Poland long-term, you naturally expect the same, and should get it. This is what the EU is all about. I don't agree. I've been paying into the system for almost 20 years now and am entitled to less than the average person from Poland who has probably been here less than 5 years. How is that right ? Magdalena: They simply take what is offered to them - wouldn't you? I agree that the system is at fault. Magdalena: The most unfair part of the deal is that illegal immigrants, or those waiting for a final decision on their status, do not have to pay anything at all into the system, but use it nevertheless. Why aren't asylum seekers allowed to work? They shouldn't be allowed to use it. Most have no connection with this country, we're just the dumping ground for the rubbish the rest of the world doesn't want. Their claims should be turned around much faster. We shouldn't have so many here in the first place as the country simply isn't big enough for all these people. Would you prefer a mass Exodus from the British and give the Polish and the asylum seekers more room to spread out ?

noimmigration	Sep 25, 08, 16:53 / #
Now that poland is in the EU, you will be taking your share of third world asylum seekers, enjoy ;).

enkiduThreads: 18 Posts: 983 Joined: Sep 23, 08	Edited by: enkidu Sep 25, 08, 17:15 / #
Mister H: I don't agree. I've been paying into the system for almost 20 years now and am entitled to less than the average person from Poland who has probably been here less than 5 years. How is that right ? How can I get more than you? What do you mean by this? I think this is a myth. Urban legend - no more. (Disclaimer: I don't look for fight. Just asking a question) noimmigration: Now that poland is in the EU, you will be taking your share of third world asylum seekers, enjoy ;). I am not afraid of this scenario. You know why? In Poland when you get fired from your job an if you've been working for at least 1 year before this happen - you are entitled to 6 months of very poor benefits. By poor I mean - "You will not die from starvation but forget about car, holidays, and self-esteem" stuff. And after 6 months? Nobody care! You are adult man, right? If you just can't cope with you life - don't expect government will do it for you. There is no way in Poland to have a comfortable life on taxpayer's expense. And in the UK? All you have to do is claim to be asylum seeker to get at least 2 years of holiday paid by The Queen. No. I am not afraid a wave of asylum seekers in Poland. To make long story short: In Poland in order to survive you have to work. In the UK you just have to be. Which country do they choose? How do you think?

Mister HThreads: 11 Posts: 845 Joined: Jan 4, 08	Sep 25, 08, 17:27 / #
enkidu: Make it clear - no Pole ever asked for it. We're all come here expecting hard job for good money. Personally - I think this is unfair. Even stupid. Wait... there is a word for it ... ludicrous. Yep - that is the word. I came to the UK in 2004. For fun, for adventure, for money at last. I was astonished when I find out that after 1 year of legal employment in the UK I am entitled for everything what the British social security system has got to offer. You're right, it is "ludicrous", but I (as a humble British Citizen) am powerless to do anything about it. At least when it all goes wrong, you get to go back to Poland. enkidu: If you want to blame somebody - blame Tony Blair. I do, but I also blame previous Governments who have allowed this situation to slowly get worse down the years. Even that mad old bag Thatcher didn't do anything to stop the crazy approach to immigration.

MagdalenaThreads: 5 Posts: 1,388 Joined: Aug 15, 07	Sep 26, 08, 17:17 / #
Mister H: I've been paying into the system for almost 20 years now and am entitled to less than the average person from Poland who has probably been here less than 5 years. How is that right ? Examples? Pretty please? I hope you know that the new EU state members are only entitled to benefits if they can prove 12 month's continuous employment (Workers' Registration Scheme - £90.00) prior to applying, plus they are supposed to remain employed throughout. So Child Benefit, Housing Benefit, WTC and CTC, and council housing (in appropriate cases) are only accessible if you have worked and continue working. If you are very ill, disabled, or cannot find work for a long period of time, social services will inevitably ask you whether you would not prefer to go home, i.e. to your country of origin. And they withdraw funding as well, so no assistance with housing or rehabilitation is forthcoming. Which I am fine with, as it makes absolute sense. It's a pity though that this sensible approach only applies to this particular group of migrants. I recently interpreted for a young Polish Roma couple at the housing dept. of one of the London boroughs - they live with their in-laws, the girl only recently arrived in the UK, the boy is unemployed, and they want a place of their own because the house is crowded. So they apply for council housing. The officer tells them they are not entitled to any support because they are not working and cannot prove 12 months' worth of WRS registered employment in the past. So far, so good. Then suddenly it turns out that the boy comes from a family which was granted Indefinite Leave to Remain before 1st May 04. So they are entitled to council housing, no problem at all! :-O Other people may have serious housing problems, experience conflicts with a dishonest landlord, or whatever. But this adorable young couple who have never worked a single day of their lives only need come in and say that they want a place of their own, and shall get what they want - for free. Because Mum and Dad knew what to tell the immigration officers way back in 1999. :-/ The system is totally f***ed. I really feel sorry for the UK. But you have your nicey-nice politicians to blame, I'm afraid...