FabSwingers.com > Forums > The Lounge > Feeling uncomfortable in your own country

Feeling uncomfortable in your own country

By (user no longer on site) OP over a year ago

I did today! And not for the first time.

I work with 7 women (aren’t I lucky) and 3 of them are Polish. They quite often talk to each other in their own language despite being able to speak English very well.

Today I was on my break with three of them. They sat together talking and laughing in Polish. They didn’t speak a word of English to me.

Later on I was having a conversation with one of them when the other two appeared, middle of my conversation they began speaking in Polish. I stood in the doorway between them not sure what to say! Or what they were saying!

After the finished in my witty sense of humor I said “Are we in England or Poland” One of them jokily said “Poland” and one of the other girls said “You should learn Polish Aaron” I replied “Why we’re in England” She walked off and let the kitchen door slam shut.

I think its bloody rude of them and I felt so uncomfortable. Why should I feel like this? They are living and working in our country so should speak in out language, especially when they all can!

Has anyone else experienced this? Or felt the same?

PS Sorry for a weekend rant!

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By *ittle_brat_evie!!Woman over a year ago

evesham

i dont see why they should talk in English just because they can. I can understand them feeling more confident speaking to a fellow Polish person in their native tongue. They have masde the effort to speak English for when they speak to other people, which is more than most English people do when moving abroad.

As for the throw away comment about learning Polish, you were being flippant with them, asking what country they were in, why cant they respond in the same manner?

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By *hole Lotta RosieWoman over a year ago

Deviant City

"i dont see why they should talk in English just because they can. I can understand them feeling more confident speaking to a fellow Polish person in their native tongue. They have masde the effort to speak English for when they speak to other people, which is more than most English people do when moving abroad.

As for the throw away comment about learning Polish, you were being flippant with them, asking what country they were in, why cant they respond in the same manner?"

100% agree

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By *rumalexMan over a year ago

Birmingham

As for the throw away comment about learning Polish, you were being flippant with them, asking what country they were in, why cant they respond in the same manner?

100% agree"

have to agree they can speak whatever language they want when they're chatting to each other

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By *uddlesloves!Woman over a year ago

Plymouth

I so agree with you. I used to work in a cottage hospital and there were Polish, White South African and Black South African. Each side of the South African's didn't get on and would argue in front of patients, then along came the Polish who would pretend they didn't understand if there were any issues. My own staff were insulted many times by the 3 groups of staff as mine who carried out the role of domestics and catering. After taking the insults and having them reported back by my staff I questioned the others and asked for the meanings of different words, finally getting to the bottom of the true meanings!!!..it was not pleasant to say the least. Also being told that in "their" country they did things differently. I had to explain we are here in England, the contracts worked out etc to supply a service. The hospital had many complaints from the patients who hated the fact they did not understand the foreign language of others' spoken, thinking they were being talked about. Not a nice feeling. The outcome was for the Head of the Hospital to send around memos' to state, that once entering the building the only language spoken would be English and if not it would lead to warnings and so forth. She had guts and I take my hat off to her as we were all there for one reason..The Patient.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Where I work everyone has to speak English when in main working areas, they are allowed to speak any language on a break but when they are working they must use a language everyone can understand

Personally I think that's how it should be, noone should be alienated and if you get a group of people working speaking in a language one person can't they are excluding them from everyday work life

While they are working they are on works time so shouldn't be talking about anything they don't want others to hear anyway there for If it's work related everyone should be able to join In

I remember going in a meet once, I met a none English couple and all the way thro the drink in the pub they kept talking to each other in their own language

Asking me a question then sitting there infront if me discussing it so I couldn't understand what they was saying

I'm sorry but it is rude

I'm not English but I wouldn't dream of standing In front of people speaking another language just because I can, infact I use my own language that little most don't even know I can speak it

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By *ittle_brat_evie!!Woman over a year ago

evesham

"I so agree with you. I used to work in a cottage hospital and there were Polish, White South African and Black South African. Each side of the South African's didn't get on and would argue in front of patients, then along came the Polish who would pretend they didn't understand if there were any issues. My own staff were insulted many times by the 3 groups of staff as mine who carried out the role of domestics and catering. After taking the insults and having them reported back by my staff I questioned the others and asked for the meanings of different words, finally getting to the bottom of the true meanings!!!..it was not pleasant to say the least. Also being told that in "their" country they did things differently. I had to explain we are here in England, the contracts worked out etc to supply a service. The hospital had many complaints from the patients who hated the fact they did not understand the foreign language of others' spoken, thinking they were being talked about. Not a nice feeling. The outcome was for the Head of the Hospital to send around memos' to state, that once entering the building the only language spoken would be English and if not it would lead to warnings and so forth. She had guts and I take my hat off to her as we were all there for one reason..The Patient."

fairly sure that would fall foul of equality laws to be honest! i can see them all huddled in the cleaning cupbaords having secret illegal conversations with each other, listening out for 'the man'

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By *ugby 123Couple over a year ago
Forum Mod

O o O oo

I have no problem with polish people speaking polish ....I do however think it is rude when someone else is is in the same company who doesn't speak polish.

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By *rumalexMan over a year ago

Birmingham

"I have no problem with polish people speaking polish ....I do however think it is rude when someone else is is in the same company who doesn't speak polish."

the op said they were on a break and chatting to each other in their own language, i dont see the problem

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By *uddlesloves!Woman over a year ago

Plymouth

My staff were English, treated like dirt by the others. When the 3 different nationals got together it was like war infront of the patients, seeing no wrong in talking in their own language with the patients worried they were saying things about them. It had to be stopped for the patients sake. All of us paid to do a job, from time of starting work to finish. What you do in your own time is your choice.

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By *ugby 123Couple over a year ago
Forum Mod

O o O oo

"I have no problem with polish people speaking polish ....I do however think it is rude when someone else is is in the same company who doesn't speak polish.

the op said they were on a break and chatting to each other in their own language, i dont see the problem "

You don't have to.

I answered the OP of what I thought.

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By *els_BellsWoman over a year ago

with the moon n stars somewhere in gtr manc

"I have no problem with polish people speaking polish ....I do however think it is rude when someone else is is in the same company who doesn't speak polish."
+1

Used to work at an airport, and was called a stupid white bitch. I actually translated it for them, as I had been taught insults in different languages, at which point the passengers were very embarrased and I refused to deal with them.

I would have found it uncomfortable the women in question speaking a different language and obviously excluding you and would have asked what they were saying.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I have no problem with polish people speaking polish ....I do however think it is rude when someone else is is in the same company who doesn't speak polish.

the op said they were on a break and chatting to each other in their own language, i dont see the problem "

If they are on a break there's nothing you can do, if they are on works time the work place can demand they speak English

In this case of the OP I think it's more bad manners that the lady was talking to him then just ignored him mid conversation in order to speak to someone in her own language

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I have no problem with polish people speaking polish ....I do however think it is rude when someone else is is in the same company who doesn't speak polish.

the op said they were on a break and chatting to each other in their own language, i dont see the problem

You don't have to.

I answered the OP of what I thought."

Made me laugh sorry lol

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Where I from there is a high concentration of Asians and they do the same thing. The factory I used to work in had a 70% Asian female workforce and they used to jabber away in their own language in the full knowledge that they wouldn't be understood by the supervisors, who were English.

When they were asked to do something they weren't keen on they would pretend they didn't understand what was being asked of them yet it was well known they could all speak English reasonably well. They never had a problem with English when bartering for a pay rise though. Strange that.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

One of the worse places I encountered the same thing was in Wales.

They started occhhh-ing, ooo-ing,.thhcchh-ing when they heard an English accent.

Had something similar in Scotland and encountered the same in many asian shops.

Luckily one of the blokes I was working with was asian.and taught me a bit of lingo.

There's nothing more.satisfying than telling someoneto fuck off in their own language when you know they are talking about you in a bad way.

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By *adja_lazloCouple over a year ago

Solihull

"I did today! And not for the first time.

I work with 7 women (aren’t I lucky) and 3 of them are Polish. They quite often talk to each other in their own language despite being able to speak English very well.

Today I was on my break with three of them. They sat together talking and laughing in Polish. They didn’t speak a word of English to me.

I think its bloody rude of them and I felt so uncomfortable. Why should I feel like this? They are living and working in our country so should speak in out language, especially when they all can!

Has anyone else experienced this? Or felt the same?

PS Sorry for a weekend rant!

go to HR, ask them to show you the policies, if you are made to feel uncomfortable, it is their duty of care to sort it out, would go into the ins and outs, but its a minefield, but you dont have to suffer

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I agree with the OP, sorry but they shouldd seak in English if they can, and if one is speaking in english then other two shouldnt be rude to cut into the conversation in Polish.

This country is England, English is the native language, and should be primary language used in socisl situations.

Whenever i visit any other country, i attempt to learn some of there language, even if its just badics, as feel its polite and respectful to speak in their primary language, and the same respect should be adopted to our country.

Sorry, English and proud

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By *phroditeWoman over a year ago

(She/ her) in Sensualityland

"Where I work everyone has to speak English when in main working areas, they are allowed to speak any language on a break but when they are working they must use a language everyone can understand

Personally I think that's how it should be, noone should be alienated and if you get a group of people working speaking in a language one person can't they are excluding them from everyday work life

While they are working they are on works time so shouldn't be talking about anything they don't want others to hear anyway there for If it's work related everyone should be able to join In

I remember going in a meet once, I met a none English couple and all the way thro the drink in the pub they kept talking to each other in their own language

Asking me a question then sitting there infront if me discussing it so I couldn't understand what they was saying

I'm sorry but it is rude

I'm not English but I wouldn't dream of standing In front of people speaking another language just because I can, infact I use my own language that little most don't even know I can speak it "

I agree with you. I am not English either but would dream of excluding anybody by speaking in my mother tongue. At home with family it is different but even then we all speak English the moment there is an English speaking person around.

I will say though that a group of whatever nationality gathered briefly for a natter in their mother tongue would not worry me as long as it was reasonable and not used to exclude others.

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By *phroditeWoman over a year ago

(She/ her) in Sensualityland

"Where I work everyone has to speak English when in main working areas, they are allowed to speak any language on a break but when they are working they must use a language everyone can understand

Personally I think that's how it should be, noone should be alienated and if you get a group of people working speaking in a language one person can't they are excluding them from everyday work life

While they are working they are on works time so shouldn't be talking about anything they don't want others to hear anyway there for If it's work related everyone should be able to join In

I remember going in a meet once, I met a none English couple and all the way thro the drink in the pub they kept talking to each other in their own language

Asking me a question then sitting there infront if me discussing it so I couldn't understand what they was saying

I'm sorry but it is rude

I'm not English but I wouldn't dream of standing In front of people speaking another language just because I can, infact I use my own language that little most don't even know I can speak it

I will say though that a group of whatever nationality gathered briefly for a natter in their mother tongue would not worry me as long as it was reasonable and not used to exclude others. "

* Would not dream of excluding anybody*

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"go to HR, ask them to show you the policies, if you are made to feel uncomfortable, it is their duty of care to sort it out, would go into the ins and outs, but its a minefield, but you dont have to suffer"

Remember though: you still have to work there, and with the same people. Report them and they'll ostracise you because they don't like you, and that can't be legislated against. Nobody can force someone to talk to someone else if they genuinely don't like them.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Where I from there is a high concentration of Asians and they do the same thing. The factory I used to work in had a 70% Asian female workforce and they used to jabber away in their own language in the full knowledge that they wouldn't be understood by the supervisors, who were English.

I almost sacked someone for that

All this 'me no understand' rubbish

I told him if he couldn't speak English he would have to go as i can't have people working in the ware house who can't understand the the rules as it was against health and safety and it would be my neck on the line if he had a ascendant

He learnt English perfectly in about 15 seconds

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I almost sacked someone for that

All this 'me no understand' rubbish

He learnt English perfectly in about 15 seconds

Accident even lol damn phone

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By *ucky_LadsCouple (MM) over a year ago

Kidderminster+ surrounding areas.

surely in the interested of all in health & safety they should understand english?.

i work on heathrow airport which has many nationalities too numerous to mention!,but on the engineering & construction site there are many eastern europeans and some of them wear the lettering 'translator'on the hi viz vests we have to wear but sometimes when there are a crowd of poles or rumanians chattering away in own languages as we are constructing modules one of the guys will kindly explain to me what is being talked about when they see my puzzled expression.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I get the language thing sometimes at my gfs house as her parents sometimes speak Sinhalese, sometimes it's just easier for them to explain something in their home tongue. Doesn't bother me as my gf will translate if it's important. I am also trying to learn but it's a hard language!

However in the case of the OP, if I was mid convo with someone and they then started talking a different language I would be quite offended.

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By *ittle_brat_evie!!Woman over a year ago

evesham

To be fair if an English speaking person started to talk to someone else whilst I was mid conversation I'd be pissed to so I don't see what language has to do with it.

Manners transcend language surely?

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By *phroditeWoman over a year ago

(She/ her) in Sensualityland

I have been thinking about this a bit more and maybe it is again one of those situations where there is no hard and fast rule. Sometimes it is perfectly ok for a group of people speaking their mother tongue within another liguistic community and it does not cause offense... other times it feels exclusive, rude and even divisive. I guess like in many situtations what is needed is a bit of sensitivity from both sides?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"To be fair if an English speaking person started to talk to someone else whilst I was mid conversation I'd be pissed to so I don't see what language has to do with it.

Manners transcend language surely? "

of course it does

but lets be honest if you was talking to someone at work and someone else wanted them who was english the chances are they was say excuse me for butting in or words to that affec,t to you before doing so, or maybe even include you in the new conversation

or at least the people i work with would

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By *ngelbiTVTV/TS over a year ago

Dyserth, North Wales

I have to agree that they can speak whatever language they want.

My mum is from Mauritius and my dad was English. He banned my mum from speaking French to me and my sister when we were babies.

He later apologised for his narrow minded view.

Besides, the English are the only people who go to holiday resorts where the natives have to speak English because of our lack of respect trying to learn another language.

Angel xx

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By *leasureDomeMan over a year ago

all over the place

I dont think there is a problem communicating in any language people wish.But to change suddenly when in an existing conversation with someone like the OP witnessed is a bit rude.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"..the English are the only people who go to holiday resorts where the natives have to speak English because of our lack of respect trying to learn another language.

Angel xx"

Woah! I take umbrage at that. It's hardly our fault that other languages are not actively encouraged when we're children. Sure we get basic French as school but at home we're not encouraged to learn other languages BECAUSE English is so widely spoken elsewhere. It has nothing to do with lack of respect for other countries and cultures.

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By *ucky_LadsCouple (MM) over a year ago

Kidderminster+ surrounding areas.

am i correct in thinking that english is the language used by pilots & air traffic control throughout the world?.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"am i correct in thinking that english is the language used by pilots & air traffic control throughout the world?."

It became mandatory after the Tenerife air crash, which was down to the pilot of the Dutch KLM aircraft not being able to understand Spanish. Even though both controller and pilot could speak English, neither of them thought to do so.

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By *ngelbiTVTV/TS over a year ago

Dyserth, North Wales

I was taught German at school but in my travels I've learned to order food, drinks, ask directions and buy tickets for trains, trams and boats in French, Flemish, Spanish & Italian.

It's not much and I probably look a bit stupid with my pronunciations but I'm hoping they at least thought I tried my best.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

100% with you they should speak english or fuck off back to poland

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I have to agree that they can speak whatever language they want.

My mum is from Mauritius and my dad was English. He banned my mum from speaking French to me and my sister when we were babies.

He later apologised for his narrow minded view.

Besides, the English are the only people who go to holiday resorts where the natives have to speak English because of our lack of respect trying to learn another language.

Angel xx"

but we are not talking on holiday we are talking living

if someone came here on holiday i wouldnt expect them to learn english for 2 weeks!

my parents came over here in the early 70s and they could speak english well enough to get by but over the years they have picked it up by speaking it, the only way you will learn is by talking it, keep speaking in your owen language all the time and you'll never get any better

if your living in a country you should learn the language and speak it

sorry if my views offend anyone but that just how i see it

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By *ngelbiTVTV/TS over a year ago

Dyserth, North Wales

"I have to agree that they can speak whatever language they want.

My mum is from Mauritius and my dad was English. He banned my mum from speaking French to me and my sister when we were babies.

He later apologised for his narrow minded view.

Besides, the English are the only people who go to holiday resorts where the natives have to speak English because of our lack of respect trying to learn another language.

Angel xx

but we are not talking on holiday we are talking living

if someone came here on holiday i wouldnt expect them to learn english for 2 weeks!

if your living in a country you should learn the language and speak it

sorry if my views offend anyone but that just how i see it"

I disagree lol

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By *nnyMan over a year ago

Glasgow

" ..the English are the only people who go to holiday resorts where the natives have to speak English because of our lack of respect trying to learn another language.

Angel xx

The business of just teaching basic (or even advanced) French is very out of date in Scotland.

There's huge emphasis on teaching Spanish and either Cantonese or Mandarin. These are the languages, after English, which are growing faster in population and commercial terms.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I have to agree that they can speak whatever language they want.

My mum is from Mauritius and my dad was English. He banned my mum from speaking French to me and my sister when we were babies.

He later apologised for his narrow minded view.

Besides, the English are the only people who go to holiday resorts where the natives have to speak English because of our lack of respect trying to learn another language.

Angel xx

but we are not talking on holiday we are talking living

if someone came here on holiday i wouldnt expect them to learn english for 2 weeks!

if your living in a country you should learn the language and speak it

sorry if my views offend anyone but that just how i see it

I disagree lol

didnt see that one coming

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By * starr -Woman over a year ago

Burton on Trent.

why cant they get jobs in their own countries?

or feck off to america or australia, its only cus we provide so much, that they come over here.

no wonder there arent any jobs for the kids coming out of school uni etc or parents.

kick em out and let us have some of our jobs and housing back.

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By *ucky_LadsCouple (MM) over a year ago

Kidderminster+ surrounding areas.

when i have worked in holland germany or belgium i have always got my phrase book out to order my breakfast at work in the local language,at night too i used to learn how to order my meals and beers in the local language and it used to be appreciated even though i might have got it slightly wrong,in holland i could even get mashed potato with my evening meals instead of bloody french fries with everything!.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"why cant they get jobs in their own countries?

or feck off to america or australia, its only cus we provide so much, that they come over here.

no wonder there arent any jobs for the kids coming out of school uni etc or parents.

kick em out and let us have some of our jobs and housing back.

jobs are open for everyone

English people have the same chance as anyone else of getting them

most companies just take on the polish etc cause they are willing to do more hours and, has to be said are harder workers

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By *irtyAndCh33kyCouple over a year ago

North Wales

"why cant they get jobs in their own countries?

or feck off to america or australia, its only cus we provide so much, that they come over here.

no wonder there arent any jobs for the kids coming out of school uni etc or parents.

kick em out and let us have some of our jobs and housing back.

'they' come over here to do the jobs that the 'British Jeremy Vile watching brigade' are to damn lazy to do!

These jobs would still be vacant if people didn't come into the uk to do them as our benefit system makes life far too easy

Mrs Dirty

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Besides, the English are the only people who go to holiday resorts where the natives have to speak English because of our lack of respect trying to learn another language.

Angel xx"

And the Russians, French, Germans, Americans, Italians..... Oh sod it.... Stick a pin in an atlas....

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By *isscheekychopsWoman over a year ago

The land of grey peas and bacon

"why cant they get jobs in their own countries?

or feck off to america or australia, its only cus we provide so much, that they come over here.

no wonder there arent any jobs for the kids coming out of school uni etc or parents.

kick em out and let us have some of our jobs and housing back.

Housing you have to be Eligable for so its not a given right that they will be given housing... Jobs they apply for jobs that British people think they are too good for or they just want to stay on the dole for the rest of their lives...

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"why cant they get jobs in their own countries?

or feck off to america or australia, its only cus we provide so much, that they come over here.

no wonder there arent any jobs for the kids coming out of school uni etc or parents.

kick em out and let us have some of our jobs and housing back.

*Sigh...*

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By *ucky_LadsCouple (MM) over a year ago

Kidderminster+ surrounding areas.

'they' come over here to do the jobs that the 'British Jeremy Vile watching brigade' are to damn lazy to do!

These jobs would still be vacant if people didn't come into the uk to do them as our benefit system makes life far too easy

Mrs Dirty "

it's not strictly true that 'these' jobs are open to brits as well because the majority of companies find they can drop the rate of pay to the foreign workers far too easy,the rsult in engineering & construction nowadays is no overtime rate for weekend work!,no lodging allowance when working away from home!,i know as i am one of those construction workers affected by the foreign invasion.

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By *nnyMan over a year ago

Glasgow

"why cant they get jobs in their own countries?

or feck off to america or australia, its only cus we provide so much, that they come over here.

no wonder there arent any jobs for the kids coming out of school uni etc or parents.

kick em out and let us have some of our jobs and housing back.

jobs are open for everyone

English people have the same chance as anyone else of getting them

most companies just take on the polish etc cause they are willing to do more hours and, has to be said are harder workers"

Often more hours than are allowed by law.

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By *unky monkeyMan over a year ago

in the night garden

Faaaaaaarkin ell mate!

If I eard those farkin carnts talkin in their farkin Swahili jibberish I wuduv given em all a slap. Espeshully the wimin!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"why cant they get jobs in their own countries?

or feck off to america or australia, its only cus we provide so much, that they come over here.

no wonder there arent any jobs for the kids coming out of school uni etc or parents.

kick em out and let us have some of our jobs and housing back.

'they' come over here to do the jobs that the 'British Jeremy Vile watching brigade' are to damn lazy to do!

These jobs would still be vacant if people didn't come into the uk to do them as our benefit system makes life far too easy

Mrs Dirty "

we have a lot of eastern europeans where i work and they will work over xmas, new year, easter, dont want time off in school hoidays, happy to do saturday night, do over time at short notice etc

you get a english person willing to do that, thats why they get the jobs

i have just taken on 8 seasonal stuff for the xmas period and all are eastern europeans because i know they will do the hours im after

i interviewed English people too but noone wanted to do boxing day, new years day etc and they are our busiest days, whats the point in going for a seasonal job if you dont want to work the seasonal period yet they still expect to get the work and moan when you give it 'foreigners'

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By *ucky_LadsCouple (MM) over a year ago

Kidderminster+ surrounding areas.

"why cant they get jobs in their own countries?

or feck off to america or australia, its only cus we provide so much, that they come over here.

no wonder there arent any jobs for the kids coming out of school uni etc or parents.

kick em out and let us have some of our jobs and housing back.

jobs are open for everyone

English people have the same chance as anyone else of getting them

most companies just take on the polish etc cause they are willing to do more hours and, has to be said are harder workers

Often more hours than are allowed by law."

on heathrow airport twice a gang of polish workers that should have been working with us brits were found sleeping in a BAA area that contractors were ot allowed to go into,they managed both times to hang onto the jobs!.

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By *nnyMan over a year ago

Glasgow

Nothing changes. These days it's eastern Europeans, asylum seekers and Asians. Previously it was the Carribeans and the Irish.

I'm reminded of the song 'Any Mick'll do' It goes

"Cause any Mick'll do, any black, any Jew

Any poor wee bastard who's not like you

They're down from the trees and they're up from the bogs

They come round here and they steal your jobs

They're all the bloody same - just no' the same as you

And when a scapegoat's what you need - any Mick'll do"

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"why cant they get jobs in their own countries?

or feck off to america or australia, its only cus we provide so much, that they come over here.

no wonder there arent any jobs for the kids coming out of school uni etc or parents.

kick em out and let us have some of our jobs and housing back.

jobs are open for everyone

English people have the same chance as anyone else of getting them

most companies just take on the polish etc cause they are willing to do more hours and, has to be said are harder workers

Often more hours than are allowed by law."

the law says you must have 11 hours between shifts

so you can work 13 hours a day 7 days a week, not many people do more than that

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By *nnyMan over a year ago

Glasgow

"why cant they get jobs in their own countries?

or feck off to america or australia, its only cus we provide so much, that they come over here.

no wonder there arent any jobs for the kids coming out of school uni etc or parents.

kick em out and let us have some of our jobs and housing back.

jobs are open for everyone

English people have the same chance as anyone else of getting them

most companies just take on the polish etc cause they are willing to do more hours and, has to be said are harder workers

Often more hours than are allowed by law.

the law says you must have 11 hours between shifts

so you can work 13 hours a day 7 days a week, not many people do more than that"

How many people have to suffer from gangmasters before it becomes a problem?

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By * starr -Woman over a year ago

Burton on Trent.

some of us could and will work weekends etc, its just i struggle to find jobs suitable for my needs and lots i am not qualified for.

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By *ucky_LadsCouple (MM) over a year ago

Kidderminster+ surrounding areas.

jobs are open for everyone

English people have the same chance as anyone else of getting them

most companies just take on the polish etc cause they are willing to do more hours and, has to be said are harder workers

Often more hours than are allowed by law.

the law says you must have 11 hours between shifts

so you can work 13 hours a day 7 days a week, not many people do more than that"

i have done many times spent weeks doing 12 hour shifts over 7 days on refinery shutdowns to get the calciner turned round and firedup,but they get foreign workers in now to do the work withlesss pay!,no lodge allowance!,thats why construction is in turmoul becaue of the BOGOF you buy one foreign worker & get one free!.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I think its very rude. My family is Polish and I speak it fluently. The only time we ever spoke it was when we were alone.

That being said, its a beautiful language and an incredibly close knit and interesting culture.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"One of the worse places I encountered the same thing was in Wales.

They started occhhh-ing, ooo-ing,.thhcchh-ing when they heard an English accent.

Had something similar in Scotland and encountered the same in many asian shops.

Luckily one of the blokes I was working with was asian.and taught me a bit of lingo.

There's nothing more.satisfying than telling someoneto fuck off in their own language when you know they are talking about you in a bad way."
just to point out to you that Wales is in the United kingdom as is Scotland and the welsh have our own language wich we are very proud of as you are proud of you're mother tongue when you are in another coutry you should respect that country's language.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"why cant they get jobs in their own countries?

or feck off to america or australia, its only cus we provide so much, that they come over here.

no wonder there arent any jobs for the kids coming out of school uni etc or parents.

kick em out and let us have some of our jobs and housing back.

jobs are open for everyone

English people have the same chance as anyone else of getting them

most companies just take on the polish etc cause they are willing to do more hours and, has to be said are harder workers

Often more hours than are allowed by law.

the law says you must have 11 hours between shifts

so you can work 13 hours a day 7 days a week, not many people do more than that

How many people have to suffer from gangmasters before it becomes a problem?"

thought we was talking about foreigners who take jobs from the English people?

Gang masters are totally illegal and not what i would class as taking a job from the english

plus most people who work for them are in this countrey illegally thats why they work for them but thats another thread

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

becaue of the BOGOF you buy one foreign worker & get one free!."

do they work like that if you shag them too

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By *riendly foeWoman over a year ago

In a crisp poke on the A814

Havent read all the replies because I cant be bothered

The women were being ignorant! Carrying on a conversation with the OP stood amongst them, knowing he never spoke Polish, was just downrite rude!

Understandable if they couldnt speak english, but according to the OP they speak it very well....

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"One of the worse places I encountered the same thing was in Wales.

They started occhhh-ing, ooo-ing,.thhcchh-ing when they heard an English accent.

Had something similar in Scotland and encountered the same in many asian shops.

Luckily one of the blokes I was working with was asian.and taught me a bit of lingo.

There's nothing more.satisfying than telling someoneto fuck off in their own language when you know they are talking about you in a bad way."

I've done that so many times. I don't have an accent, as I was born here, but speak fluent Polish. I've been in situations when I've spoken to them initially in English, they've then started bad mouthing me to their mates in Polish. I then interior them in Polish and play merry hell with them. I now get excellent service at the hand car wash!

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By *ucky_LadsCouple (MM) over a year ago

Kidderminster+ surrounding areas.

becaue of the BOGOF you buy one foreign worker & get one free!.

do they work like that if you shag them too

will ask for you on monday!,see if any interested in coming to see you.

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By *nnyMan over a year ago

Glasgow

"why cant they get jobs in their own countries?

or feck off to america or australia, its only cus we provide so much, that they come over here.

no wonder there arent any jobs for the kids coming out of school uni etc or parents.

kick em out and let us have some of our jobs and housing back.

jobs are open for everyone

English people have the same chance as anyone else of getting them

most companies just take on the polish etc cause they are willing to do more hours and, has to be said are harder workers

Often more hours than are allowed by law.

the law says you must have 11 hours between shifts

so you can work 13 hours a day 7 days a week, not many people do more than that

How many people have to suffer from gangmasters before it becomes a problem?

thought we was talking about foreigners who take jobs from the English people?

Gang masters are totally illegal and not what i would class as taking a job from the english

plus most people who work for them are in this countrey illegally thats why they work for them but thats another thread

That's to wholly misunderstand the nature of gangmasters. They're no better than pimps, whoremaisters might be a better description of them.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I love it when a thread basically about manners becomes a thread about immigration lol...

I tend not to think the worst of people, if they are chatting in their own language...I'd check for body language if I felt it was deliberately targeted to myself in the negative way

The girls in this case were rude to re-converse into polish

I'd rather not hear bigoted shite as I've read above in some of the posts

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"some of us could and will work weekends etc, its just i struggle to find jobs suitable for my needs and lots i am not qualified for.

Damn these foreigners for ruining your chances. How dare they be more qualified than you and have needs that are less 'special' than yours.

They should be sent home at once.

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By *iss_tressWoman over a year ago

London

"I love it when a thread basically about manners becomes a thread about immigration lol...

I tend not to think the worst of people, if they are chatting in their own language...I'd check for body language if I felt it was deliberately targeted to myself in the negative way

The girls in this case were rude to re-converse into polish

I'd rather not hear bigoted shite as I've read above in some of the posts"

I'm impressed it lasted as long as it did before the racists made their inevitable appearance.

You just know how these threads end, as a black person I expect it...but I don't feel "uncomfortable".

My sister is married to an Italian. My brother-in-law feels "embarrassed" with his English which is 100% better than my Italian. Their daughter is Brazilian and speaks a strange mixture of all three languages.

They spent the summer with me. My sister and I would be chatting away merrily in our own "language", one we learnt from our dad and only my sisters and I now know...it dies with us.

It was probably "rude" of us, but we automatically reverted to what we were comfortable with, we haven't seen each other in years. It could also have been "rude" my sister and her family chatting away together in Italian excluding me. But you know what, I recognise it's easier to speak in a different language, it doesn't always mean people are rude, trying to exclude you with sinister motives.

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By *iss_tressWoman over a year ago

London

"some of us could and will work weekends etc, its just i struggle to find jobs suitable for my needs and lots i am not qualified for.

Damn these foreigners for ruining your chances. How dare they be more qualified than you and have needs that are less 'special' than yours.

They should be sent home at once. "

Cheek of Johnny Foreigner knows no bounds!

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By *inge61Couple over a year ago

n/wales

"One of the worse places I encountered the same thing was in Wales.

They started occhhh-ing, ooo-ing,.thhcchh-ing when they heard an English accent.

Had something similar in Scotland and encountered the same in many asian shops.

Luckily one of the blokes I was working with was asian.and taught me a bit of lingo.

There's nothing more.satisfying than telling someoneto fuck off in their own language when you know they are talking about you in a bad way."
we tell the English. all the time but they don't like it if we speak Welsh and its the oldest language in Europe not like English lol

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By *ikeriderMan over a year ago

prestatyn

"One of the worse places I encountered the same thing was in Wales.

They started occhhh-ing, ooo-ing,.thhcchh-ing when they heard an English accent.

You had a problem with people speaking their own language in their own country??

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I do feel a little uncomfy when i am in a shop and people are talking in a foreign tongue... i am used to it abroad of course but not really comfy with it over in my own country. Not really sure why..just feel uncomfy... i am sure there not ridiculing me .. just feels wrong to me i guess.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

If they are on a break they can speak whichever language they choose. If working it should be English. However if you felt awkward, I think being flippant was the wrong way to go. Perhaps a little discussion with them about how it made you feel would have went down a bit better. If still unhappy, see your line manager or HR re policies, and ask for a clarification if not in policies.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"One of the worse places I encountered the same thing was in Wales.

They started occhhh-ing, ooo-ing,.thhcchh-ing when they heard an English accent.

Had something similar in Scotland and encountered the same in many asian shops.

Luckily one of the blokes I was working with was asian.and taught me a bit of lingo.

There's nothing more.satisfying than telling someoneto fuck off in their own language when you know they are talking about you in a bad way."

Unless it was Gaelic, its generally english spoken in scotland, theres strong localised accents but its English spoken.

Once got on a plane from Frankfurt to Edinburgh and the man about to sit next to me cool as you like asked if i spoke german or english, in order to talk to me, we are a lazy nation when it comes to learning another language.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"One of the worse places I encountered the same thing was in Wales.

They started occhhh-ing, ooo-ing,.thhcchh-ing when they heard an English accent.

You had a problem with people speaking their own language in their own country??

Not their language, their attitude.

Speaking English and then speaking Welsh when they heard an English accent.

No problem to me, just found it uncomfortable.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

poor you. i would just ignore them.

maybe try and find another job.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Being rude is unfortunately acceptable in today's society. And people accept it and even defend it, which is even worse.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Why does this country have to change its laws, way of life and provide funds to non nationals? other countries do not do it why should we?

When we go abroad we accept their way of life we deserve the same rights here.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

u felt uncomfortable in that situation not ur country. they prolly just see it as socializing among themselves in their native tongue

if ur uncomfortable with it in the workplace have a word. communications key

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"Why does this country have to change its laws, way of life and provide funds to non nationals? other countries do not do it why should we?

When we go abroad we accept their way of life we deserve the same rights here."

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"poor you. i would just ignore them.

maybe try and find another job."

I have and couldn't be happier

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Bear in mind I am a first generation immigrant who have lived in this country for over 30 years, so my views on the matter may be somewhat controversial.

When I came here in 1979 to go to school, my school mates informed me that they did not the foreign girls talking in their own languages in their presence, as they would think they were talking about them.

So I did not, except when I wanted to wind them up, and I would warn them I was winding them up in advance.

As soon as I stepped off the plane, something in the air made me wanted to stay in this country forever, and that was exactly what I had done.

For the first couple of years, I would fly back to the Far East to spend my summer holiday. Then the trips home became less frequent as I preferred to spend time here instead.

I missed the TV programmes and celebrity culture of the time. However, the more I spent time in this country, the less I missed them.

The trips back home became less frequent as I preferred to spend my time in this country.

Some of the foreign girls would fly back to the homes every long holiday at Christmas and Easter etc...

They would congregate and speak in their own language every break time, excluding everyone else.

I did not join in, as I did not like them to start with. Their topics of conversations bored me, and found I had nothing in common with them.

Some would shout on top of their voices in their own language to each other down a busy corridor, much to my and others annoyance, as we all thought it was bloody rude.

My EFL teacher at the time advised me to work on my accent in order to get ahead in this world if I were to settle in this country, such as the teachings of the day. So I did.

When I went to uni in London, the college where I studied had a number of students from the Far East, and they would venture to Chinatown frequently.

Although they would often invite others to join them, they seldom did, for the main reason that they often converse in their own languages to the exclusion of the others. Again, I find their topics of conversations bored me, so I did not mingle with them.

The immigration rules etc. changed shortly after I came here, making the length of stay no longer a guarantee to

full citizenship.

And the length of stay would exclude time spent at educational institutions.

However, there were stories abound about each person's case being given individual considerations, and the rules were not set in stone etc...

Hence I braved a trip to Lunar House in Croydon where immigration matters for foreign nationals were handled, after having stayed in this country for 10 years, with a 9 month break when I was tricked to return to the Far East by my parents as they did not want me to spend my gap year in this country, and told me my dad was ill!

I collected my number and waited patiently for my turn.

I was asked by the gentleman handling my case why I wanted to remain in this country, and I replied I liked it here, and was self-sufficient with a good job and qualification etc...

He disappeared, and returned about 20 minutes later and said I had been granted permanent residency and could apply for full citizenship in a years time!

I had this grin on my face for the rest of the day as I was so happy! I rang my folks straight away on reverse charge using a public phone at Lunar House to tell them the good news!

I am of the opinion that if one adopts another country as his/her home, then he/she should at least try to mix in with the locals and adopt the language and customs etc., especially if they are young enough to be able to adopt the changes.

For those that are older, I can appreciate why it is harder for them to adopt the change. My mum still finds it hard after having lived in Canada for over 20 years. However, she did not try very hard and mingled mainly with peeps from the Far East.

I guess it is the "safety in numbers" mentality.

Whereas I never feel the need to mingle with my own kind in order to feel safe while living in this country.

So back to the original topic, yes I too believe it is rude to converse in a different language in front of other people, unless one is on vacation in a different country.

There you go. My very personal views based on events of my past, and yes, I am an odd ball.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"why cant they get jobs in their own countries?

or feck off to america or australia, its only cus we provide so much, that they come over here.

no wonder there arent any jobs for the kids coming out of school uni etc or parents.

kick em out and let us have some of our jobs and housing back.

'they' come over here to do the jobs that the 'British Jeremy Vile watching brigade' are to damn lazy to do!

These jobs would still be vacant if people didn't come into the uk to do them as our benefit system makes life far too easy

Mrs Dirty "

Totally agree I've wiped shitty arses scrubbed toilets never not been able to find a job my friends are all far too good for now apparently I've been so lucky getting the job I have now !!!!! Wtf 3 kids full time college 3 part time jobs and my own business before I got my dream job which was 3 year apprenticeship shite money no support studying still being mum out the house all day stressed out my box oh yeah it all came so easy to me !!!!! Rage get off your asses and stop blaming everyone and anyone else for your own laziness

For the record 10th generation scot haven't traced family tree back any further

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"One of the worse places I encountered the same thing was in Wales.

They started occhhh-ing, ooo-ing,.thhcchh-ing when they heard an English person."

Now that's a stereotype gone bad ...

You were an English person in another country - Wales - do they have a perfect right to speak Welsh.

And to reduce it to "ochhing" us insulting

That said it us rude of them to blank a person.

I'm an englishman who's lived half my adult life in wales, work in a country that its proud to celebrate it's cultural heritage.my place of work is bi lingual, and I freely admit to struggling to learn Welsh, but that doesn't prevent me from learning a few phrases and getting to get by.....

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

On my phone and struggling to quote it.

But I love what Pearl said just above.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Apology for the massive post!

It is a subject that is very close to my heart as one can tell!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

When i worked in a nursing home we had three brilliant care assistants from China and i just thought it was majorly ignorant of them when they spoke in mandarin infront of the clients. I used to explain to clients/residents of the home what id do to them as i was about to do it and would never talk over a client or even to another collegue about personal life. my time with the patient was quality time with them so it was conversations involving them, reflect on their life and asking them things.

Frustrated me when id hear them talk in mandarin to each other when they would work as a double up pair.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"One of the worse places I encountered the same thing was in Wales.

They started occhhh-ing, ooo-ing,.thhcchh-ing when they heard an English person.

Now that's a stereotype gone bad ...

You were an English person in another country - Wales - do they have a perfect right to speak Welsh.

And to reduce it to "ochhing" us insulting

That said it us rude of them to blank a person.

It was their attitude, not their language I commented on (as stated earlier)

I speak a few phrases in different languages and also a little sign language to help with the job I was doing at the time.

Too many of us are jumping to conclusions without knowing the true facts about someone.

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By *ackandkateCouple over a year ago

Truro

Kate is half Polish, we've been together for 32yrs and I still don't have a clue what she yapping on about

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"I did today! And not for the first time.

I work with 7 women (aren’t I lucky) and 3 of them are Polish. They quite often talk to each other in their own language despite being able to speak English very well.

Today I was on my break with three of them. They sat together talking and laughing in Polish. They didn’t speak a word of English to me.

I think its bloody rude of them and I felt so uncomfortable. Why should I feel like this? They are living and working in our country so should speak in out language, especially when they all can!

Has anyone else experienced this? Or felt the same?

PS Sorry for a weekend rant!

You should try going to Spain and spend some time with the vast majority of English ex pats who haven't even made an effort to learn Spanish and expect everything to be translated into English. The thought of groups of English speaking in Spanish to each other in Spain is wishfullness in the extreme. Why should your Polish colleagues act different to the English in Spain. Try thinking about what you might do, not just what you expect.

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By *upitersmileCouple over a year ago

Manchester

"Bear in mind I am a first generation immigrant who have lived in this country for over 30 years, so my views on the matter may be somewhat controversial.