David's World

October 26, 2006

Polish Edinburgh (the more, the merrier)

With the borders between the old Europe and the East (like Poland) slowly going away, we've come to see a lot more Polish people here in Scotland, and with them Polish clubs and delis. Some of my Scottish friends are glad that they can finally get good service here (because the Poles are taking low-paid jobs in the service industry, and they're quite dedicated), and even a joiner or a plumber or electrician who would actually turn up to do some work.

You won't be surprised that a bunch of people ressent the influx of a new culture. To mix, evolve and move ahead, you have to accept that you can't live the way you've gone about doing things for fifty years. However, a lot of people just don't get it. In a forum at Gumtree, I've read some of the most idiotic comments. "I do not think my intetions are either to Patriotic or install bad thoughts in others" (sic), says one local dubbed Albertking2000. And "corsebou" adds, "No, definitely, they should refrain polish people and other poor poeple, or force them to adopt local culture and rules... which is not possible I think (no one will accept to lose his culture)." (sic)

Mistakes are being made - mistakes that the Germans and the Dutch have made long before. Segregation instead of integration. A job for all parties involved. Then again - I'm not so sure if I want the Poles to become more British, or the Brits to become a bit more Polish. Dangerous69 writes: "I say the more Poles the merrier!!! The girls are beautiful, and the blokes are a good laugh!"