to consider these comments as racist

[Abbey0134]

So a couple of month ago we were out with some very old friends, who asked us how our building work was going. So we replied that it was going okay and happened to mention that two of the builders are Polish. To which she replied "I'm surprised at you hiring Polish workers, you know we don't do things like that" and generally carried on it that vein, even to the extent of saying "What goes around, comes around" when you can't get a job remember who you gave work to......
My DH and I were so shocked and bewildered that we didn't say anything at the time and neither did the other three couples we were with.

We haven't seen them since but they are popping in to see us tomorrow. I'm dreading it tbh, but have agreed with dh that we won't let any more comments like that go, but it has really spoiled the way I think about these people and don't believe that our relationship will ever be the same again. Which is sad when you think that we have known them for over 30 years.

Is racism dependent on colour then? I didn't know that. I'm British and Jewish and my family originally came from Russia. I have experienced racism though.

TheChandler - why would the use of two Polish workers give the impression that the job was cash-in-hand and enabling tax evasion?

IF it was racist then you should challenge them but if they were just saying that they preferred to employ British workers in the same way they would prefer to shop locally or buy British goods then I don't see anything wrong with that.
I don't agree with removing any discrimination laws but I think that if a person prefers to employ a British person then I have no issue with that.

So in 30 years they have not said a single other thing that's racist/ xenophobic? If you didn't feel the need to say something then it's a bit pointless to be posting months later about it.

Pico2 TheChandler - why would the use of two Polish workers give the impression that the job was cash-in-hand and enabling tax evasion?

Because Inland Revenue statistical reporting shows that.

Are you really unaware of this practice?

Some sensible posts on this thread.

Don't go looking for racism where it isn't.

By the way if you do a search for Polish speaking jobs you come up with loads and loads. Now since Polish is not taught in schools and there is no funding for any Polish language training would you not say that is a bit unfair for the majority of non-Polish people here in the UK?

You're not really reacting to their comment as being 'racist', which it isn't. But to their criticism of you for employing non-British builders.

All you had to do was explain why you'd employed them. Cheaper? Good references? And then debate their objections to it. Or decide the whole thing was too controversial for a pleasant social occasion.

Institute - no, it needn't be related to skin colour. It goes back to a time when the human race was divided into different subsets. Caucasian, Negro, Asian etc. Jews (and Arabs) were Semites. Your Russian ancestors originally came from what is now Israel, but way, way back, the Jews were driven out of that area. The Diaspora.

This was just an academic categorisation and it's too simplistic, especially when complicated by religion. But there are some medical conditions which are more common in these basic racial groups.

More of a political statement from what you recount, although it would depend on the tone and the language used as to whether it was xenophobic.

What I would find most objectionable is being judged for your decision about who to hire to do your building work. It's your choice and your friends shouldn't preach to you about 'buying British' or whatever else. Everyone has a different stance on these things and immigration is quite an emotive issue. If someone criticised me, uninvited, in a social setting for not holding the same political views as them, I would be pretty offended.

So I think it's more rude and high-handed than anything, IMO, and I can see why you would be a bit worried that they'll raise it again when you see them tomorrow. It creates an uncomfortable atmosphere and it's not what you'd expect from old friends.

I am aware of tax evasion by accepting cash in hand, but not of any statistics showing that this is more commonly done by immigrant workers, can you link to the study?

Speaking from the other side, my DH used to be a decorator, he couldn't earn enough to pay the rent and so was forced to go on the dole by housing benefit. The reason he couldn't get enough jobs was because Polish people had taken a lot of them. We know because we see them locally and can hear them talking. This is a fact. I'm not remotely racist.

Bathsheba - how are the Polish decorators paying their rent? Is it by being single and only needing a room in a shared house?

Made me think of this...

Pico2 Some live in their cars and vans. My DH knew of quite a few who did this because they can't afford rent, some were even sleeping at the sites :(

adsy I couldn't agree more. I don't hate Eastern Europeans for being here, I hate the government for allowing such large scale immigration

However, the remark was xenophobic.

When i moved house i looked for moving companies, the British ones charged around £300 for a one bed flat move.
I found some eastern europeans who did it for £100
I understand why your mates may feel like that but me personally im to poor to be picky, im sure others are the same.