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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Just had the weirdest callers to my door!

68 replies

Saylwhat · 06/02/2020 10:47

So we've an intercom system here where you can see who's at the main entrance on a video thing.

So there's two men, one elderly, one maybe 30's.

The guy goes 'Hi my name is Yatsik, we're looking for Polish speaking people in this block of flats - Do you know any?'. My answer was no, because there aren't any afaik, so he just said 'ok thanks' and then I could see them walk away.

Why would they be looking for Polish speakers? He had an accent of sorts, so perhaps Polish himself?

OP posts:
user1481840227 · 06/02/2020 11:16

This wouldn't strike me as odd at all. Any time new Polish people move to my area they always seem to become friendly with the other Polish people first. I know quite a few who don't have very good English at all despite living here for a decade or more, because they mainly stick to making friends with Polish people.

Original poster
Saylwhat · 06/02/2020 11:18

That's a nice idea that they're just trying to befriend their fellow countrymen.

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Original poster
Saylwhat · 06/02/2020 11:20

Btw, I didn't mean to enable voting, it defaults to that it seems, but I'm a little bemused that 88% of you think I'm unreasonable for being nosey! Grin

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LEELULUMPKIN · 06/02/2020 11:25

My first thought was perhaps they needed a translator?

CuppaTea82 · 06/02/2020 11:27

I'm in Essex, they were very polite but it was weird!

FoamingAtTheUterus · 06/02/2020 11:27

Here we have a well established Polish community........they were probably just new to the area and looking for something similar. Birds of a feather flock together and all that. I think it's pretty normal to want to find a group you're familiar with. We all do it.

SexIsAProtectedCharacteristic · 06/02/2020 11:29

I had a similar thing - two women came to my door asking if I was a French speaker or knew anyone who was because they were members of a local community group looking for new members. I don't think it was anything dodgy OP.

Chillyourbeans · 06/02/2020 11:29

We had this last week. As soon as DH confirmed he speaks Polish, they asked if he feels God is always there for him. Conversation pretty much ended there but we assumed they were Jehovah Witnesses.

SexIsAProtectedCharacteristic · 06/02/2020 11:31

Maybe those women were JW's then? They did say it was a church group Hmm

Thelnebriati · 06/02/2020 11:31

74NewStreet Did you not understand my post? Some people pay to get here, they pay to get a job, they are vulnerable. There are people who have to pay a percentage of their wage to someone else.
You probably think they are sending money home.

Original poster
Saylwhat · 06/02/2020 11:31

Yes Foaming. I'm Irish and we emigrated in droves. Pubs were the hub of our lives abroad - it's where you found accommodation, it's where you found work, it's where you found friends. Probably the reason for so many Irish pubs around the world. But yes, your first port of call on arrival somewhere was to find an Irish pub to find Irish people. So I think it's a nice idea if they're trying to welcome fellow citizens to the country.

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Beautiful3 · 06/02/2020 11:34

I've had this too. A couple asking if I'm polish, I replied no. They asked where there were polish people nearby? I was like no, (wtf)? They seemed perfectly nice but I did kick myself for not asking why?!!!

Original poster
Saylwhat · 06/02/2020 11:34

I'm such a nosey cow, I'm kicking myself that I didn't ask why lol.

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AutumnRose1 · 06/02/2020 11:34

I'm a Londoner too OP.

just assume they're up to no good! Grin

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 06/02/2020 11:36

I'd think, if they didn't come across as shifty, it's probably a community thing.

There's a community of French people in our town who all speak flawless English, but they like to meet socially for coffee and conversation in their own language - and also encourage learners to join them. Same with Welsh-speaking people who've moved elsewhere. Nothing at all wrong or weird with that.

If anything, I'd have thought it possibly MORE weird if somebody with a cut-glass British accent was asking - I'd wonder if he was on the look-out for people to exploit for cheap labour - but even then, it could be on behalf of a Polish friend or similar.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 06/02/2020 11:40

As soon as DH confirmed he speaks Polish, they asked if he feels God is always there for him.

I suppose, maybe if they were wanting to contact Catholic people for any reason, they'd get a much higher hit-rate by asking for Polish people (or Irish or Scouse, for that matter). I don't know.

museumsandgalleries666 · 06/02/2020 11:40

We've had similar in our area near Twickenham, except they were looking for Spanish speakers, felt dodgy but don't know why or what they were after.

Original poster
Saylwhat · 06/02/2020 11:43

I suppose it might be hard for Polish people to find other Polish in the area, as unlike the Irish pubs, you don't have Polish pubs. There are a couple of Polish shops local enough, so there must be a fair amount around if there's demand for the shops. Maybe it's to do with Brexit and helping people out about that or something?
God, I've had every possible reason imaginable run through my brain now. Silly woman who didn't think to ask why.

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WeHaveSnowdrops · 06/02/2020 11:46

It's been happening around here. Someone said they are Jehovah's Witnesses looking to convert their fellow countrymen/women.

Original poster
Saylwhat · 06/02/2020 11:47

Initially I thought they were political canvassers and was thinking, are we due an election on something, then I was thinking, they look like ambulance crew (no, I haven't called 111 recently), then I thought is it a Morrisons delivery and was like - nope, am not due a delivery today. All split second thoughts and then I failed to think to ask 'Who's asking?' Lol.

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Original poster
Saylwhat · 06/02/2020 11:49

JW's targeting a specific language? Not beyond the realms of possibility!

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stillathing · 06/02/2020 11:49

We had this last week. As soon as DH confirmed he speaks Polish, they asked if he feels God is always there for him. Conversation pretty much ended there but we assumed they were Jehovah Witnesses.

That's interesting. I live near a major sports ground and a new thing I've noticed is that when there's a major event on there are several little JW stands along the road in different languages - including Polish and French!

Dragonembroidery · 06/02/2020 11:52

Good god with the suspicious natures.

They are obviously just a more community minded type peoples looking to help people and bond.

Suspicious minds and 'up to no good' mistrustfulness are why this country no longer has any community and people are so lonely.

Neoflex · 06/02/2020 11:54

My dh has a Russian surname which is on our flat doorbell. We are always getting jehovas witnesses from Russia who are on some sort of mission to convert Russian speakers in the area. Different people come at least every 6 months, if my husband isn't home they leave behind a leaflet. They always start the conversation asking if a Russian speaker lives here...

Original poster
Saylwhat · 06/02/2020 11:57

Well he was softly spoken and polite like JW's usually are, so I'd say that's the most likely answer. Thanks be to Jehovah I wasn't too friendly lol or I could be being converted here while we speak haha (not the least fear of it - the divil is cut crossways in me my mother always told me).

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