To ask what you think of Eastern Europeans living in the UK?

[Bananasinpjs7]

I have lived in the UK for almost 10 years which is pretty much a 1/3 of my life. I never thought I’d stay this long but met my partner here and decided to build a career in an industry that we don’t really have in my home country... yet.
I’m trying my best... language wise I think I’m pretty fluent. English is the language I speak 95% of the time.
I try to fit in as much as possible, learn as much as I can about the UK to understand it’s history and culture...
But I feel extremely left out ... I feel people look at me and think ‘she is from eastern eu’ as if it has some sort of stigma. It feels like if you are from somewhere glamorous like France or Scandinavian countries you are much more accepted... I’m so tired of constantly feeling like this

It think it depends on how you integrate too, I know you can't beat bigots they are best ignored.
A neighbour from Poland on my DM's road became one of my best friends for 6 years.
They fully integrated into the area during the heavy snow her DH dug out all the elderly driveway. She taught neighbours how to make soup, there is many families like them But there are just as many who don't try to integrate they can come across as standoffish.
The majority fit in they've a good work ethic I've many polish neighbours.
I've only had an issue with one household --many single men lots of vodka but I'm not stupid enough to think they represent the country.

I think that because EE are seen as economic migrants and are causing people to lose jobs

People that actually believe that don't have a clue how economies work.

I grew up near Ealing in the 60s/70s where there was a significant Polish community. My parent’s generation remembered the war and spoke about the bravery of the Polish pilots and I had several classmates who had either 1 or 2 Polish parents.

My parents were not English, and I’ve always felt a little bit of an outsider myself in England, so maybe what you are picking up on OP are the judgemental vibes that some little Englanders* give off to people that are “not like us”.

Well I would rather be “one of them” than a little Englander.

Isn't 'Eastern European' an anachronism, founded in Cold War politics? Countries once so described, the Czech Republic etc are firmly Middle European, a term used prior to the end of WW2, or Latvia etc, the Baltic states. I think people are, or can be, stuck in past perceptions. In a way, like saying 'the Third World'. Basically, it's not you, it's them. Probably doesn't you help in day to day terms though.

Could it be the area that you live in? And city? Certain parts of the UK are like this generally. Do you feel like this when your in certain places more so?. Ignorance is bliss don’t let it bother you OP.

Very hard working and like others I have worked with people from all over the world in higher education. However someone upthread pointed out a positive, they had building work done well and at a far cheaper cost than an English company would charge. So tradespeople may feel negatively about this. There is a long history of anti immigration sentiment due to economic reasons and wages being undercut when labour is plentiful. Trade unions in the 1970’s were very anyo immigration. That was purely self protectionism studied the history of trade unions on a course I was sent on by my union.

So whilst some people’s feelings will be xenophobia . Much of this is about economics.

Please note the difference between racism and xenophobia, both horrible and both divisive but there is a difference.

Thank you so much for the comments. I’m surprised how many people have commented...

I’m not Polish... actually no one has mentioned anything about Hungarians but that is where I am from if anyone wondered.

I get some of the hate for Eastern Europeans. I have actually tried to to make some friends with people from EE but have been let down a few times... also undoubtedly there are many EEs who come here for the money and benefits and it is bloody annoying. I have come across a few who loved to take the piss of the British which really annoyed me so ended those friendship and haven’t tried to make new ones with folks from EE...

I am not so offended by brexit. I don’t think the idea of the UK leaving is/was bad. But I think it was ridiculous that it was brought to a voting without actually having a smooth, worked out plan with the EU and presented to the country before actually voting... but that’s just my personal opinion

Someone asked how I know what people think of me... I don’t but I never said I do... I however do feel like I am being judged by some because of my origin. I had a client once commenting on my accent and she thought it was extremely difficult to understand me... ooopss well never mind!

I live in London btw... I can’t imagine how much worse this could be if I lived in a small town. But then again, it might be better, who knows.Oh well life goes on. I just try to get on with it and not feel so upset about people being funny about where I come from.

I’m really sick of the ignorant attitudes from some Brits towards people from abroad, especially if said people look different or English isn’t their first language. But it’s alright for “Brits on the piss” to go to the Costa Del Sol, get wasted and never try to speak one word of the language.

Some are nice some arent.

Like everyone I suppose.

My experience is they stick together.

I dont blame them for this must be harder to connect in another language.

Being bilingual is a great achievement 💕

Just to point out racism and xenophobia is not unique to the U.K. Has everyone forgotten many of the Eastern EU nations’ response to the Syrian refugee crisis?. I’m not saying racism is ever justified but I can see that such an influx of migrants when the EU extended its freedom of movement caused issues and ill feeling at a time when austerity was kicking in.
Do people believe that Poland would be fine and dandy with a million or so Nigerians emigrating to their country?

I wouldn't say 'eastern europe' anyway i would say central Europe.

@OnlyFoolsnMothers.there would be riots.
But then it's going to happen is it. Nigeria was a British colony.

Nigeria was a British colony I know, my husbands Nigerian.

Why are we discussing Polish people? Poland is in Central Europe, unlike, Ukraine, for example.

I've encountered some EE people with really quite racist views towards black and Asian people...I know it's not all of them obviously but it shocked me as I live in a diverse part of London and have never really witnessed that before.

But then it's going to happen is it

Pretty sure @OnlyFoolsnMothers was talking hypothetically

and has he ever had any.....comments from central Europeans?
I understand a fair bit of Polish and have been shocked by overt racism more than once....

I'm really sorry you've had to go through this experience. I really admire and respect people from other countries who live in a diffent place, this is difficult to do and they make so much effort to make it work.

There's so much to learn from each other and it's a huge shame more people don't want/try to. The Eastern European people I've known have always been amazing and the children I teach who come from these families are model pupils and a real pleasure to teach.

I think the people who look down on people who come from specific places lead insular lives and are small minded- I wouldn't want to associate myself with them. This could be because they haven't had enough knowledge of the world and/or life experience with a range of people and in a range of areas whether by fortune or on purpose so their emotional depth and understanding is limited but that's no excuse- we should all be trying to understand everyone on the world better. I think certain countries have an elevated status because they are seen by some in higher regard/ more on par with the UK which is why introducing yourself from France, Germany etc will have a better reaction. It's so unfair though and I feel for you.

and has he ever had any.....comments from central Europeans? my husband grew up in Italy and experienced some vile assumptions/ racism growing up there, hence he left as soon as he could for the U.K. My brother is law, much like formerbabe has had comments asking where he’s “really” from by Eastern/ Central Europeans ...errr south London!

In my experience, people from eastern European countries have been the loveliest I have ever met. I worked with a lot of Romanians in the past who welcomed me in Timisoara when I worked there for a while, and I currently work with some fabulous people from Bulgaria who are living in the UK. I also met and enjoyed the company of many Polish people while living and working in Switzerland and Germany. We have so much in common, and also so much to learn from each other.

The Eastern European people I've known have always been amazing and the children I teach who come from these families are model pupils

What a really patronising comment. My dc go to school with lots of EE children...like the British children and other nationalities, some are well behaved, some are really quite naughty and some are in the middle.

I think it's probably the same in most places. I've been living in France for the past 23 years (I'm almost 40), I also spent 2 years here as a child. I dont have an English accent when I speak French. I have joint nationality (French-British). Even so, I'm still referred to as "l'anglaise" as soon as anyone finds out I was born in the UK.

One of my DILs is Russian, and has Russian and Moldavan employees; one of my DSis' partners is Croatian, and another DSis' partners is Polish.
It's brilliant. I’m learning so much about food, customs, etc.
Nothing but respect for people who migrate elsewhere to live and work, and contribute.