I forget that I am. It only hits me from time to time when I overhear some conversations about people that are coming into the country and the “damage” they cause, to the expectation of the citizens and the “culture”.
I am perhaps a little unforgiving when I hear this in Ireland, so many Irish have moved to other countries. Over the last few years I have had the privilege of living in Austria, Czech Republic, Ireland, and have had the opportunity to travel to almost all European countries for periods of time. Each one has their “outsiders” that flood in, as they see it. I sit in the Luas and listen to conversations. People blame the eastern Europeans for much of the trouble that happens in Ireland today. I heard one woman say, (and have heard many agree with the sentiment), that you can’t go into a shop and get served by an Irish person. (Not quite true, but nearly)
This is a phenomenon which is common to all countries, not just Ireland. So I don’t even now try to fight against it. Though I do say from time to time in these conversations, “I am an outsider, I am Scottish”, ah but that doesn’t count they tell me. Interesting…yes I am white and a native English speaker (of sorts).
However the Czechs have the same feelings towards their outsiders, the Ukrainians. Through Czech eyes eyes these people are dangerous and have to be watched and are never to be trusted. They think that there are too many of them in their country and that they are “stealing” their jobs.
The Austrians can be counted on, if you wish, to keep Turkey out of the European Union. One recent political campaign asked its populace in a poster campaign “Do you want Wien (Vienna) to be a little Istanbul?” That gets straight to the point. I lived in Vienna in a mixed area, a mosque one hundred meters around the corner a church the same in the other direction, the area had a high percentage of Turks it appears, never a problem for me. It was good for me, on a convenience level, all the Austrian shops were closed every day at six and never open on a Sunday, but the Turkish shops were open later and for a while on Sundays. I felt completely safe in the area – however all of Vienna is like that, very safe. But they have what they call their “Turkish problem”.
I love the fact that I can travel all Europe freely, (except in and out of Britain and I am British). I can chose to live anywhere if I can support myself. I look forward to the day when I can apply to Brussels for my European passport. Get rid of these nationalistic ideas where citizens fashion themselves according to their group against the outsider. I am not going to change this, it has happened for centuries, it has been, (and perhaps still is), a great way for government to control their populace.
It is a proven fact that first generation immigrants are more law abiding than the local population, they are more aware of being a visitor or guest in the host country. Problems do occur, due to alienation and little integration. This is perhaps a better topic for us. How can we make sure everyone has the opportunity to learn the host language? How can we facilitate integration? Much more constructive, as people will come to work while there is the opportunity.
Prague, Czech Republic – West Highland Way – Dublin Ireland Dublin
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