Does she have a point?

[SueEllen]

When did I say that Greeks and Portuguese look all the same? You seem to be projecting deep prejudice on me.

You will probably twist my words to make me look like a racist monster (because thats how we Poles are),

My comments were more to show that you are being very Polish as you would see that it not that easy to pretend to be from another country especially one with another religion.

but it is my personal experience that up to 2008 some Pakistanis, Lebanese and Jordanians represented themselves as Greeks. Since 2008 their identity of choice is Portuguese and sometimes Italians. To be fair, because the period of reference is December2012-September 2013, Romanians would also have strong motive to fake their identity. I am not saying that this actually happened in every single case.

Cities and large towns in the UK have more ethnic minorities, and have one or more long established Greek, Pakistani and Italian communities. In the case of the European communities a lot of the people don't look stereotypically Southern European.

This means if you were trying to pass yourself of as Greek when you were Pakistani you are very likely to end up with a government official or NHS worker who had Pakistani or Greek heritage who would prove you weren't. (I've actually heard of people doing this but they claimed to be from other countries. )

Also how you speak English even if badly helps give away where you are from.

I am merely trying to work out the reasons behind the fact that the number of 'bogus students' was so perfectly offset by the increase in the immigration from Southern Europe.

European migration isn't measured properly in the UK so you can discount the figures.

The trend could be triggered and supported by an increase in unemployment in these countries in the period leading to January 2013. On the other hand these countries have been suffering high unemployment rates for considerable number of years and yet the immigration to UK stood still at 50% of the last reported number. Is it possible that the level of unemployment in these countries reached the tipping point? Is it possible that Romanians and growing illegal migration from outside of the EU crowded out intra Mediterranean migration?

Romanians like Bulgarians were allowed to get visas to work as agricultural or care workers for years before they could become self-employed - all before this year.

The only reason I was given for tradesmen from Central and Eastern Europe lying about being Polish was because Polish tradesmen have a reputation for having a good work ethic and saying that would get them more work then admitting they were Serbian or Ukrainian.

[Zero Liability]

I wonder if Mos is referring to the fact that both in Greece and Cyprus there are quite a few foreign workers from Sri Lanka, Pakistan etc., some of which are naturalised citizens, and thus some who aren't attempt to pass off such a background. I don't think he's implying they look the same as southern Europeans, as that would strain credulity, to say the least. The latter are quite pasty by comparison, besides other physical differences.

[mos]

My comments were more to show that you are being very Polish as you would see that it not that easy to pretend to be from another country especially one with another religion.

I cannot imagine what you mean, but it seem to show lofty contempt for people from my country.

Yes - I am very Polish. And I am pretty sure that I am at least as well travelled as you are.

[NotAllThere]

There was a poll recently about polish immigration. 90% of respondents said "To jest świetne!"

[mos]

There was a poll recently about polish immigration. 90% of respondents said "To jest świetne!"

polish immigration? is nail polish immigrating? This is very old rehashed joke which you 'adjusted' to reflect new popular hate target. You use it on me because hating POLISH people is now respectable in England.

[Ticktock]

You and Scooterscot should hook up. The overblown feeling of victimisation is very similar.

[mos]

You and Scooterscot should hook up. The overblown feeling of victimisation is very similar.

Overblown? Why will you not watch Cameron branding us as child benefit abusers. Or watch the Great Immigration Row in which Polish Ambassador (SIC!) is put on stand alongside ethnic comedians to be accosted by the likes of Kate Hopkins. I will not even mention Farage whose polonophobia knows no bounds.

On the personal note, If you will be put middle contract under the management of 21 year old Indian 'consultant' and persistently labelled as a person who 'run queries for him' you will see that something is waaay out.

[xoggoth]

As Ticktock said (Why does the reputation thing say I must spread around whoever I click).

Never been concerned by Poles much, I think their economy will improve rapidly and in in 2 or 3 decades the arrangements will be much more reciprocal. However, I must admit mos's ignorant and fact-free whines have somewhat diminished my view of Poles.

PS AS before (and I got no answer obviously) please provide a link to some examples of Farage's supposed polonophobia.

[mudskipper]

As Ticktock said (Why does the reputation thing say I must spread around whoever I click).

Never been concerned by Poles much, I think their economy will improve rapidly and in in 2 or 3 decades the arrangements will be much more reciprocal. However, I must admit mos's ignorant and fact-free whines have somewhat diminished my view of Poles.

I don't think there is a general dislike of Poles.

At the bottom end of the job market, there is understandable resentment that there are a large number of Polish workers "taking our jobs", but the general impression seems to be that the Poles do it better and cheaper than the Brit equivalent. And, from my limited experience, it is Poles rather than Eastern Europeans - I worked for a company which had a large warehouse operation, and the signs in the warehouse were Polish and English.

[mos]

Never been concerned by Poles much, I think their economy will improve rapidly and in in 2 or 3 decades the arrangements will be much more reciprocal. However, I must admit mos's ignorant and fact-free whines have somewhat diminished my view of Poles.

I am the one who is Ignorant? Your unwillingness to recognise any argument you disagree with is epic.
But I also must admit, that for UKiP follower you are moderate in the choice of invectives.