...to think it is disrespectful to tell an immigrant how you dislike immigrants but "people from your country are ok"?

[Intrum]

I have to share an office with a man who doesn't like immigrants as they either scrounge off the state, steal british jobs or live ten people in a tiny flat. I try not to argue with him as I'm trying to stay friendly with people I work with and have to see everyday.

However, I'm an EU-immigrant so get very offended by this, but he doesn't understand why as he thinks people from my country are ok.

Thing is, I'm a Swede. He doesn't like the Polish. I've got the exact same right to be here as a Pole. There isn't much of a difference. I've "stolen" a British job. So how can he think I will not get offended by him going on about immigrants all the effing time?

I think you can be against immigration but not have anything against individual immigrants. I think immigration has been ridiculous in the last decade or so, and has permenently damaged this country, but I wouldn't blame the immigrants for it, I'd probably do the same in their situation. The people at fault are those that allowed it.

Aaaah, don't you just love racists? So illogical...

My FIL would say things like this sometimes. In his more alcohol-fuelled loquacious moments, he would complain about people coming into the UK, not paying their fair share, not integrating and living in their own cultural bubble while taking up local jobs etc. Then DH and I would point out that his son was living in Dubai, not paying any tax and taking up a local job while ignoring local, Muslim culture and be told that 'that's different'. Not sure how it was different. Except for the great British distinction between 'expats' (British people living abroad) and 'emigrants/immigrants' (anyone else who doesn't live in their own country).

Anyway, the reason for you being acceptable, Intrum, is that you are from the socialist paradise of Sweden, where blond-haired perfect people live perfect lives free of crime, with higher incomes than the UK and top-class schools and social equality so you are presumably living in the UK for a dare or as part of some surreal social experiment for Swedish TV. You don't need to be in the UK not like those awful people who come looking for work and a better life.

Debbie, I can see what you're saying but my collegue seem to think all immigrants come here with the intention to scrounge and that is very much blaming the individual.

MrsP, I thought Canada was famous for its successful multi-culturalism!

Haha, Napa. That made me laugh!

Intrum - I hear you. If you're white and very fluent in English, and not Polish, the morons often forget you're a job stealing drain on the NHS, too. Annoys me so much.

I've had it from coworkers in different jobs, twice to extent that I actually logged a complaint.

Intrum so much here is compared to the States and is therefore deemed successful when it is not that great. Canada is certainly more welcoming and seems less racist towards it's immigrants. The poor First Nations on the other hand have a hell of a time and some of the attitudes towards them are quite frankly repulsive.