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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do you really want us to leave...

219 replies

guest2013 · 21/01/2017 10:53

I'm European.
Last night I stupidly allowed myself to rise to someone telling me to go back to where I came from.. it ended up with about 6 people arguing with me and they were adamant that foreigners are to blame for the country's problems.
It's absolutely shook me to my core.. I feel very strange today, I've never, in my 8 years here had any negative comments. Lucky I suppose.
Are people who think this way unreasonable? Are there any exceptions where immigrants are a negative thing?
Do any of you think this way?
I'm not looking to carry on arguing but this is a safe way to discuss and I would respect your opinion.
Thanks

OP posts:
GingerIvy · 21/01/2017 11:49

At this point, I'd be happy to get rid of the EU (government) itself and keep the immigrants. I like the European people - not so fond of the EU government itself.

Mrskeats · 21/01/2017 11:52

Brexit will see the end of the NHS
Higher costs and difficulty with recruitment will be the final nails in the coffin.
Does anyone still believe in the 350 million extra that will go in???? It was a lie that people bought.
I'm sorry for what happened to you op.

meg54 · 21/01/2017 11:53

Are there any exceptions where immigrants are a negative thing?

Yes there are.
But they are in a minority as most sensible people will realise. In the same way that British born people can be a negative thing.
I'm glad you're here.

wishparry · 21/01/2017 11:55

I'm sorry you had to go through that.Britain is a multicultural society and as soon as people realise this the better it will be for everybody.
My great uncle fell in love with a German lady in the 50's,and they were going to live here in the UK together.but after numerous verbal attacks and threats of violence towards her,they decided they would be safer living in Germany.
it really shouldn't be like that.

cheekyfunkymonkey · 21/01/2017 11:58

No you should not have had to experience this. They are small minded and not very well informed if they really believe this. If you felt threatened report it. Ignoring such attitudes only lets people think they're acceptable
Sadly since Brexit people's nasty options are coming to the surface. I already left my hairdressers for the outright racism voiced by other customers. The hairdresser didn't shut them down and motioned for me to ' just ignore it love'. I don't want you to go, and more people want you to stay, leave only won by a small margin and not all who voted leave did so because they want ' out so please don't let a few get to you but good on you for arguing back, and sorry no-one else stepped in to help.

KatherinaMinola · 21/01/2017 11:59

If I tell the Danes who would never say anything like that around me, they make excuses for their countrymen and say it's just a minority or say that it's just idiots or say they meant the "other" immigrants. So, it sort of gets backed up even by the "nice" ones because they minimise it and make me feel over-sensitive.

I expect they are overcompensating from sheer embarrassment, rather than trying to minimize the issue. I often feel like doing the same (stressing the tiny minority of racist bigots, to the point of bending the truth), in the wake of Brexit.

Carollocking · 21/01/2017 11:59

If you bothered to read both my posts you might understand

KatherinaMinola · 21/01/2017 12:00

Although the "other" immigrants comment is well out of order, of course.

RortyCrankle · 21/01/2017 12:00

I voted Leave and as i have said on here before, no I do not want you to leave. Anyone who has the skills we need and works and pays taxes is welcome to come and remain as far as I am concerned. It's true that I do want us to have control of our borders - and don't want this country swamped by illegal economic migrants such as those previously at the Calais camp.

As to the people who were so rude to you - they are obviously extremely stupid and I'm very sorry you were subjected to such rudeness and ignorance Flowers

DoctorDonnaNoble · 21/01/2017 12:02

Rorty - that may be what you thought you were voting for but TM is now saying that she won't guarantee the position of those already here and working.
What Brexit means is changing ALL the time.

apostropheuse · 21/01/2017 12:03

Unfortunately racism in the UK is well established. The same nonsensical vitriol was levelled at my Irish grandparents...both maternal and paternal. That's why I find it particularly ironic when people who are obviously from immigrant stock themselves are so inward thinking and insular.

OrlandaFuriosa · 21/01/2017 12:04

Cherryskypie, noooo we don't want more bigots in Kent....

OP, of course not. And how very discourteous they were. Completely unacceptable on both counts. So sorry.

Carollocking · 21/01/2017 12:07

I think we are all happy to be multicultural but been multicultural dosent mean we have to stay in the ripoff European Union

purpleleotard · 21/01/2017 12:07

Sorry that people have been so unpleasant.

I am utterly embarassed that some UK citizens are blinkered to the reality of the benefit that the county gains through the hard work of non nationals.

We as a nation would be totally wrecked if all the foreign workers left.
Our heath service, both in hospital and in the care sector would collapse. The farming community would be unable to harvest.
Our tech sector would fail like a spent battery.

There are not the willing or qualified UK workers available to replace those who may leave.

Just so short sighted.

The pound falls every time our dear leader opens her mouth. The markets are in a real state of flux. The unknown is going to continue for years.

Just chaos.

Trooperslane · 21/01/2017 12:08

I want no one apart from the wankers who got us into this mess to leave 🍻

Sorry you had to listen to that absolute shit, op.

temporarilyjerry · 21/01/2017 12:10

don't want to fund other countries to the expense of my own loosing out in bad health care and lots more as they say charity begins at home

The NHS is in the state it is due to Government cuts but don't worry because we'll soon have £350 million which will be invested in health care. Of course it will.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 21/01/2017 12:11

OP, I most certainly don't want you to leave, please stay.
In life, unfortunately, you will encounter cruel, undereducated bullies, Brexit or not. Please continue to enjoy your life here, do not give them anymore headspace. 😡💐

Cherryskypie · 21/01/2017 12:13

Grin at the Calais camp being mentioned as a reason. Why on earth would the French bother to keep migrants on their side of the channel once we leave the EU?

PausingFlatly · 21/01/2017 12:14

barkinginessex, that's awful.

Please, please, if you haven't already, report these people racially abusing passengers to the British Transport Police.

If they're doing it regularly, they should be easier to identify.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 21/01/2017 12:15

Are there any exceptions where immigrants are a negative thing?

Yes, of course there are exceptions - but that doesn't mean you're one of them Smile

We know nothing about you so couldn't possibly say, but if you've been here eight years without a negative comment (which surely says a lot in itself) then it doesn't sound as if you have anything to be concerned about ... unlike last night's group, who seem not to have heard about manners

engineersthumb · 21/01/2017 12:15

Unfortunately we're are seeing more of this. My wife is German and is feeling very unwelcome after 10+ years here. We have children, a house and jobs here and are now faced with having to leave the UK. I think the final straw was the suggestion that firms should be taxed for employing European nationals effectively limiting employment opportunities. What is next being told where we can live?

Cherryskypie · 21/01/2017 12:15

Sorry Orlanda Grin. Perhaps we could cluster them around low lying coastal areas. They probably don't believe in global warming either ...

youarenotkiddingme · 21/01/2017 12:18

I personally don't want you to leave.

I personally don't want anyone to leave.

I'd like someone with some common sense to take over the running of the country, improve education, improve outcomes for young and old, improve the discrapancies between wages and living costs and the cost of housing.

I don't give a shit where anyone comes from if they are living within the law.

And id certainly never think someone who's an immigrant wanting to work hard and pay taxes in this country should leave when there's plenty of uk born and bred citizens who've never worked and never intend to solely for reasons the welfare state provide for them.

charlestonchaplin · 21/01/2017 12:20

Rorty With Britain outside the EU the French could decide to let those economic migrants go through France to wherever they like, including the UK. They don't have a responsibility to stop them leaving France. (That I know of, and even if there is a legal responsibility, they can be slack in carrying it out.) They don't have to be as co-operative with the UK government as they are now, effectively moving the British border and border controls to France.

Carollocking · 21/01/2017 12:20

I agree the money for sure won't end up all in NHS as every government is full of lies. However at least the money will still be in the uk and not Europe