Should non-british ppl convert to british living???

[AnnaInManchester]

e.g. wearing western clothes, speaking english in public

I feel very strongly about this.

I think that all those Indian Resturants should be forced to restrict their menus to the bit at the end that offers 'chicken and chips' or 'omlette' - oops no, just the chicken and chips, as 'omlette' sounds disturbingly French.

AND as for this summer's kaftan craze - what on EARTH is wrong with a nice summer frock and a knotted hanky on your head?

AAnd even on MN, I saw a recipe request for Sweet Potato, the other day. Now if the African-caribbean population would just stick to McCains (they are a UK, company, aren't they?) and hadn't started asking for sweet potatoes in the market, we wouldn't need so many threads cluttering up active convos would they?

I'm SO pleased the Breeks haven't outlawed speaking in other languages in public - we would have had an awful holiday, I can only say 'aspri krasir, parakalo' - and DS doesn't even drink white wine!

If they chose, sure. If not, so what? It'd be nice if we could all just live and let live, eh?

Umm, that's 'greeks', not 'breeks'.

Got a bit confused on the breeks bit there Blu, though we were moving on to Scottish dress, but I loved the nice summer dress bit

blu

blu .

also we should force feed steak and kidney pudding to all new immigrants. they'll put too much strain on the sewerage system otherwise.

I believe when you are in a country (any country) you should try to be inoffensive yet remain your own person.

I mean in the respect of when i was in Kenya a lot of the places we visited were religeous and expected womens legs and arms to be covered so thats what I did! I'm christian but when visiting a mosque i remove my shoes etc..

Personal respect for your surroundings is important regardless of race, religion or ancestry.

Well if they didn't speak English in public they wouldn't get very far, would they? As it's England???? Lets face it, you wouldn't go to France and not try and speak French, would you, unless you were going to be filmed for one of those 'place in the sun' type relocation programes?

Otherwise - what a stupid question (sorry if you meant to be philosophical but really...)

that's a good point, dizydi - there's a world of difference between conforming completely and changing your habits slightly so as not to cause offence.

wordsmith - no, people really do go to france and just speak english very loudly.

And they should all be made to wear Union Jack vests and Pearly King and Queen outfits, unless they live in Scotland, when obviously the traditional dress code of kilt and no kecks should be strictly observed. (Dunno about Wales and N Ireland though?)

[Grin] Senora - I was trying to be ironic.

doesn't work with a capital G

right gotcha.

(actually i made a similar joke the other day, and was likewise taken seriously. what a short memory I have.)

What is British living exactly? Not very easy to define anyway is it?
I lived in France for a while a few years ago and was always very happy when another English speaker arrived so we could chat about "home" things and eat Cadburys chocolate. Surely, whever you choose to live you are still affected by your home country and would want to keep up with the culture, language etc of that country?

SenoraPostrophe - how is it different - British people 'shoving' their kids into Spanish schools without teaching them any Spanish or immigrants coming here putting their kids into school without teaching them any English?

Doesn't make sense.

Can someone please tell me what this wiltshire thread thing is?

I am confused.

In general its not different. I said immigrants should attempt to learn the language.

It is different for some assylum seekers though, who may not have had time to plan their trip much, and it's fair enough if your kid doesn't speak the language fluently when they start school. But parents should get the child saying something before starting school. to do otherwise is not fair on the child or the school.

(also when I said "...and then whinge about the school system" , I actually meant to say "and then whinge that their child has found it difficult to adjust". )

"breeks" Blu
Agree with the consensus here - if moving to another country I'd expect to learn the language and respect the prevailing cultural norms WRT to dress and public conduct.
I think it is important to offer language lessons to all non-English speaking British residents, and to make access to assistance in getting to grips with British culture and society as wide and as welcoming as possible.

NBG, Wiltshire started a thread last year - a horrible racist thread, and has resurrected it again after the London Bombings

Think this thread is a reference to that one.

Oh dear

I think they should become english in the same way that anyone with american citizenship is expected to become american

well, if they have a BRITISH passport, they are British - but being English involves more than a passport, Twirlaround. Like Chiken tikka Marsala as the nation's favourite dish.

And being American invlves a very wide range of customs and cultural practices, so not sure of your point.

I have posted before about how I feel about this. I do strongly think that anyone moving to any country should learn the language. From a medical point of view - important care decision could be taken wrongly because the patient cannot say they are allergic etc - puts strain and pressure trying to organise a translator who may not be in work etc etc.

I live in area with a great deal of immigration. And yes I do think too much. The most tolerant person I know (my lovely mum - can't get much leftie than her!) says she feels a minority in my town. I do believe there needs to be a balance - and also that immigrants should be well integrated into our communities. Not so they become British, but so we are tolerant of their way of life and them of us.

I find it awful that our traditions are being stopped in case they cause offence. Nor would I like to think other countries are stopping theirs for the same reasons.

One example that happened to me recently. A group of muslim men (I know they were as they were next to the door of the *Community Muslim centre) were talking in their language. One turned and looked over at me, then obviously pointed at me and started gesturing and talking very aggressively obviously about me. That is not a nice feeling on your doorstep but I felt I was unable to challenge them.

The other thing I hate and I see it happen on here is 'any black/asian/muslim mum's' etc on the meet up threads. There was also an advert at work for a flat share - 'preferably phillipino' That is just as racist and creates bad feelings IMO.