Page 14 | I really liked my neighbour until she said this

neighbourhoodwatch · 2022-08-18T22:00:32+00:00

I've recently moved to a new area and was talking to my neighbour, who I really like. Somehow the conversation went to GPs and how you can never get appointments and basically have to beg to be seen nowadays. She was saying how it didn't used for be that way... before... She then went on to say that it's because of all the immigrants that have come into this country and how our country is too small to hold all these people. She also talked about the illegals coming in on boats etc and how terrible it is. I am immigrant. I didn't come on a boat and I have a good job etc. But essentially I came to this country. I've never claimed benefits or anything like that. I'm on a high salary etc and studied here etc etc. So, I'm well established. Essentially whenever people say stuff like that, alarm bells start ringing for me. Am I seeing it too black and white ? It's just difficult when someone says stuff like this to someone who also came here..... as an immigrant...

ThreeLocusts · 20/08/2022 19:25

Hi OP, serial immigrant here - sorry about all the grief you're getting.

The UK was the first and the fourth country I moved to but left for good in 2016. Around 2005, I had a Polish colleague in London and we'd laugh together at the newspaper headlines about how Eastern Europeans were coming to the UK to 'take advantage of our marvellous NHS'.

We were both in the habit of traveling to our home countries to get medical treatments, especially dentistry, and would happily have moved on to any number of countries if we'd had the linguistic competence... this nonsense has been going on for a long time.

You're completely within your rights to dislike your neighbour now, for sheer cluelessness of nothing else. Sorry you'll have to put up with her, hope you find some nicer ones.

Freedomfighters · 20/08/2022 19:25

There is truth to it. The middle class lefty MNers like to try and shut people down
by accusing them of racism and bigotry. The same privileged types who despise the working classes for voting Brexit in an attempt to improve their own lives. Those who don't even stop to think (or care) how living conditions might be for other people in not so nice parts of the UK.

When the population expands dramatically without infrastructure to support it, then the impact on the native population is obvious. There is nothing racist about stating this obvious fact. Not that government plans do anything about it or build the infrastructure necessary to support a much larger population.

carefullycourageous · 20/08/2022 19:30

Freedomfighters · 20/08/2022 19:25

There is truth to it. The middle class lefty MNers like to try and shut people down
by accusing them of racism and bigotry. The same privileged types who despise the working classes for voting Brexit in an attempt to improve their own lives. Those who don't even stop to think (or care) how living conditions might be for other people in not so nice parts of the UK.

When the population expands dramatically without infrastructure to support it, then the impact on the native population is obvious. There is nothing racist about stating this obvious fact. Not that government plans do anything about it or build the infrastructure necessary to support a much larger population.

I'm not privileged and come from a mixed MC/WC background. I'm pissed off with everyone - MC and WC - who voted for Brexit because it was a shit idea that made us all poorer - and in particular is making the poorest even poorer still. I also have no time for anyone who is racist towards immigrants, immigrants are shown to contribute more in tax than they take out, they grow the economy. We currently have a labour shortage and our economy is shrinking.

I'm tired of liars and racists peddling crap.

Freedomfighters · 20/08/2022 19:32

I'm tired of the ignorant preachy types who shut others down with insults when this stuff clearly doesn't impact on their lives much.

woodhill · 20/08/2022 19:42

So am I

WildfirePonie · 20/08/2022 19:43

Your neighbour is talking about the thousands of men rocking up on our shores in dingies, helped by the Border Force and RNLI.

She is right... these men are coming from Albania and god knows where, unwilling to integrate, their intentions unknown to us, smuggling in guns, etc..

She isn't talking about legal immigrants like yourself and many others.

Fancydancer1934 · 20/08/2022 19:45

Oooh another "white people are racist" post. YAWN!

Freedomfighters · 20/08/2022 19:54

I'd like to know why discussing the infrastructure of the country not being able to support a hugely increased population is racist?

Anyone who takes this position care to explain exactly why?

I won't hold my breath.

Loics · 20/08/2022 19:54

threatmatrix · 20/08/2022 18:14

If she was racist she wouldn’t of talked to you. She’s just saying what most of us feel at the moment. British people do not mind people from others countries coming here as long as they work etc.

Most of us do not feel that way. Well, I'm not British, but I am so glad my British friends don't spout the Daily Mail gibberish OP's neighbour did.

Freedomfighters · 20/08/2022 20:00

Why is it gibberish Loics?

Fancydancer1934 · 20/08/2022 20:01

IMO this post is fake. The conversation never happened and it's just been put up to provoke and divide.

Freedomfighters · 20/08/2022 20:04

Why do you think it's fake? People have these conversations all the time in real life.

Loics · 20/08/2022 20:09

"She then went on to say that it's because of all the immigrants that have come into this country and how our country is too small to hold all these people."

That includes me. Since I was 18, I haven't not worked - at least in a part-time capacity when studying. Since I moved to the UK, I have worked my way up and paid for qualifications at postgraduate level. I now pay a lot of tax and earn more than most of the population (if statistics are to be believed).

However, people seem to think some immigrants are okay, and some aren't. I just can't dislike the fact that someone was born elsewhere - it's sheer luck where you happen to be born. I like living in the UK but some attitudes towards immigration are so depressing.

Ketanne · 20/08/2022 20:09

Fancydancer1934 · 20/08/2022 20:01

IMO this post is fake. The conversation never happened and it's just been put up to provoke and divide.

I am beginning to think so too.

Freedomfighters · 20/08/2022 20:15

So what if it does include you? It doesn't mean that mass immigration and the lack of infrastructure hasn't had a massive impact on the native population does it. It doesn't mean British people dislike you. Is it racist to acknowledge this? If so, why?

LoisLane66 · 20/08/2022 20:20

Your neighbour is talking about illegal immigration. People with nothing to offer this country, who don't respect our rules and laws who don't want to make a difference to their lives and our country. Most of them are not fleeing persecution or war.
I must also stress that we ARE a very small island, FOUR TIMES SMALLER than France and these incomers pass many safe countries in order to get here, then they complain about living conditions as has been reported. They lie about their age and don't go down the proper route to enter the country. We cannot sustain the numbers arriving here, any fool can see that and many incomers make no attempt to integrate into British society, instead congregating in enclaves where many women dare not walk.
Some make excuses when they assault or harass or rape women or men (which has happened) and they rely on trotting out the mantra that it's allowed in their country and thought it was ok here.
We don't need that type here but we do welcome those with a decent grasp of our language and respect for our customs and laws, who want to make a good life and contribute in a positive way to our society and values.

Spritual333 · 20/08/2022 20:20

I Completely agree with you great response

woodhill · 20/08/2022 20:22

Exactly this

LoisLane

Freedomfighters · 20/08/2022 20:25

I agree Loislane66.

pollykane · 20/08/2022 20:26

I think we should all be forgiving and the truth is (and its her truth) that she believes it was easier to get a Dr's appointment back in the day and we cant change her truth she has lived her life.
20,000 more people arriving this year alone will of course put pressure on public services in the UK and no one can deny that can they?. Even if you take into account the amazing help and work many give by working in our public sectors including the NHS.
If they come from third world countries, or if they have a different set of religious/ cultural beliefs, it adds more complications, regarding the blending of cultures and communities. Birds of a feather Flock together and sadly that hasnt changed a great deal.
Even immigrants who have lived here a long time must wonder how many do we let in before communities are affected . I guess when is enough enough?
However, yes we need to NOT to be judgemental and learn to understand why she feels afraid and maybe try and understand. We need to have these conversations openly and not shut each other down.

Fancydancer1934 · 20/08/2022 20:32

Freedomfighters · 20/08/2022 20:04

Why do you think it's fake? People have these conversations all the time in real life.

Im sure this type of conversation does occur - I've seen it parodied on TV - Man like Mobeen? But this particular conversation did not happen.

Yes we know racism is rife, people are scared of change, and GPs appointments ARE like gold dust but trying to get people to take sides isn't helping anyone.

holesinmypants · 20/08/2022 20:32

DysonSphere · 19/08/2022 05:29

I personally wouldn't take offence. I'm black and some people, especially the older generation aren't PC, they will still refer to brown people as coloured etc. I try to seek things I have in common and have a fairly robust threshold for offence and writing people off. It has always paid off.

I also think that just because someone voted Brexit doesn't automatically make them a racist🙄 I think that's equally as lazy as someone blaming immigrants for everything and I thought we'd got past that nonsense and acknowledged that there were a lot of factors that influenced peoples' vote. Actually calling people racist for raising issues about immigration leads to people listening to people with more extreme viewpoints.

I do think there needs to be an acknowledgement of how immigration legal or otherwise, has rapidly changed some areas, not all positive and for white indigenous people born here decades ago, the areas they grew up in might feel taken over and alien to them.

I was born and grew up in SE London the child of second wave Windrush and one day an elderly lady I used to check in on was saying she felt the local high street had changed out of all recognition. The traditional small independent grocers, stalls and specialists shops (think things like pollards) had gone, replaced with sellers of exotic foods, cosmetics, cafes etc owned by non-british people some of whom don't speak English much or only employ family members as staff and don't mix with the community or attend the local pub etc.

I was quite young at the time and thought 'how ignorant' But after a few years I thought: She's right. That's how it is from her perspective. Who am I to say otherwise? I can see myself how it has changed from Frank and Barbara running the local corner shop and post office, who you would chat and have a natter with to being replaced with a family from abroad who maybe you don't have much in common with and don't talk to English to you beyond necessity and speak in their own language around you.

Then there's schools. Is it necessarily beneficial for schools with children representing 20 different languages or more to be using/receiving extra resources to help them catch up? I'm focusing on the word beneficial, because again for some people, they may think well, everyone else is getting the help, but not the poor white school children in some deprived part of the country away from the major cities.

The NHS: There is a massive shortage of training GPs and other allied health professions. It's all good foreign doctors being fast tracked or granted visas to work within the NHS, but why has the government withdrawn or reduced bursaries over the years for university health courses to the indigenous population whilst placing emphasis on immigrants holding the NHS together? And how many white English GP's are there for a white person to go to without waiting for ages? That sounds ignorant - why do you care as long as they're qualified? - but I try to put myself in their shoes. There have been times that I as a woc have desperately wanted a black doctor because they will understand things culturally that my white doctor as competent as they are, won't quite understand in the same way, and I don't see why it's different for a White person either.

When people expressing concerns (however ignorantly) like your neighbor are not listened to and just written off with a slogan of DailyFail Reader, Brexiter, racist, and not engaged with, then they are sitting ducks for the far right who do listen and give them all the time they want.

We need to have a balanced conversation around immigration. It may be a net good, but it does have impacts that may not be wholly positive that need to be acknowledged if we are to have cohesion as a nation. We may not like those views, but you can't just dismiss them.

This is such a wise comment, especially this paragraph:

“When people expressing concerns (however ignorantly) like your neighbor are not listened to and just written off with a slogan of DailyFail Reader, Brexiter, racist, and not engaged with, then they are sitting ducks for the far right who do listen and give them all the time they want.”

It’s tempting to write off people with bigoted and xenophobic/racist views because it’s easier than trying to engage but it plays into the hands of the far right Tory rags who seem to divide. A polarised society is what they want.
I wonder if it’s worth looking past the comments and seeing the person as someone you like, but accept she has flaws. She is, after all, entitled yo her opinion, just as you are entitled to not like it. There’s more that unites us than divides us.

However, OP, the fight against the daily mail et al is not all on you and YWNBU to keep your distance.

Freedomfighters · 20/08/2022 20:36

Why is it trying to get people to take sides fancydancer? It's just a discussion. Nothing is going to change anyway. Immigration will still continue. Infrastructure will not keep up with that. And these conversations absolutely do happen. I'm having this very conversation, right now, in real life.

Loics · 20/08/2022 20:38

I didn't mention racism at any point...?Well, I suppose I'd like to see figures that show there are more "illegal" immigrants not contributing to society (in the UK). Solid figures from a reputable source, not newspaper reports.

Maryminx · 20/08/2022 20:41

You sound terribly precious.
your neighbour expressed an opinion which she is entitled to.