Immigrant behaviour leessons

[mungbeanz]

Should would-be immigrants be given a mandatory course of how to behave in the UK before being allowed access (at their own expense)? It seems that activities and attitudes that are ok in Poland, Pakistan or Somalia cannot be simply brought to this multi-cultural island. If the British people have to show respect, shouldn't everyone else? This doesn't apply to all immigrants I know, but if show that they know how to behave then they won't need to take the course. I think it is a great idea. Activities such as driving etiquette and looting could be addressed.

[237SJ]

You`re so right about the spitting in China. You can see a really pretty girl walking along the pavement, then she`ll cough up the hugest amount of spit (making a charming noise) then discharge it on the pavement. I haven`t seen that happen so much lately. They tried to get people to stop doing it when they had the olympics in Bejing because foreigners found it so disgusting.

[heathfield]

What was the TV program that featured the football match players in ''Gob of the Day''? In my early days there were 'No spitting' notices in buses, and on lamp-posts in the town centre. As kids we were taught at school that germs could survive in dried spit for up to six months and be blown around in the wind. That scared us and stopped us from spitting - so why aren't kids taught this these days?

[joko]

i think mungbeanz raises a valid point... regardless of the intricacies over who does what most etc, there is a definite lack of understanding of many things in this country... probably mostly due to the language barrier - in that they cant read signs and forms etc and so dont realise.

there should be some sort of citizenship test, for their own benefit and ours...even if it came in the form of a book... letting them know the law etc...and that ignorance is no defence

[ichkeria]

So far we have:
Spitting on the ground - not illegal in the UK as far as I am aware. And quite a common practice amongst natives of the UK, including by me when I'm running.
Not insuring ones car - this is also illegal in most countries with car insurance as far as I am aware. And quite a common practice amonst natives of the UK is the local court cases are anything to go by

Any more?

[jackthehat]

Well, with diligent chaps like Brodie Clark overseeing our Border Controls, how would you suggest stopping them?

[boxtops]

There's another side to this coin - that we in the host population don't always understand what are the cultural norms in other countries. Immigrants don't always behave as we expect them to, but many Brits too are just as bad in behaving in a way that other countries don't expect, when we go to their countries. Cultural awareness is something I've worked on quite a bit in the past, and it's amazing how - if people have a small appreciation of the norms in another country - we just see it as their peculiarities, which makes them different, but not necessarily wrong.

[ichkeria]

""
jackthehat
After the 'feral youth' on our own sink estates had been signed up, would there be many places left for 'incomers'? "

no there wouldn't. So stop them altogether. "

So the problem might not be that in our wonderfully civilised land there is no place for the uncivilised and great unwashed from abroad, but rather that there are so many uncivilised and unwashed in our own country that there's no room for anyone else.

I'm tempted to laugh.

[boxtops]

I'll laugh with you, ich...!

[DTCwordfan]

One of the encouraging things I have heard, from somewhere inside Number Ten, is that there will be the creation of a new University for these very activities, the University of Toxteth.

The impact on our immigrant population and sloth society will be significant, not only for the creation of new under-employment but the student body at large.

Course syllabuses are not yet known and suggestions are welcome....

Obviously a BS in Bachelor of Spitting is one potential offering.

[boxtops]

The Psychology of Spitting seems a fitting subject for a PhD, DT.

[DTCwordfan]

True - how about a Masters in the Genetics of Gozzing too......

[DTCwordfan]

Uncalled for and not your first sneery comment tonight/this afternoon.

[DTCwordfan]

yes

[boxtops]

I'm old enough to remember when people had respect for their elders, ian (and I don't mean you, I mean the feral youth who walk our streets).