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27/01/2008, 21:02 groslard Joined on 26/12/2007 Posts 255 Too many immigrants? I have seen these problems in France: Excessive immigration into France by people who have no wish to integrate, who don't bother to learn the language before they arrive, and who set up ghettos where they mix only with others who speak their language. A refusal to accept the French principal of laïcité, and attempts to impose an alien religion and observances on their communities in their own language Attempts at the destruction of the French identity by people who don't know about French history, don't understand how things are done here, and try to insist that it would be better if it were more like in the country of their origin. Excessive house prices caused by excessive immigration, meaning that young French people can no longer buy houses in their own communities. These are the Brits abroad.    Report

27/01/2008, 21:40 greyman Joined on 06/01/2008 Perigord Blanc 24 Posts 58 Re: Too many immigrants? Oh boo hoo ! Welcome to the modern world and modern europe. If France wants to create the Peoples Republic of France and close it's borders then that is an option open to the voters - it's still a democracy. I don't see it happening though ! If some people choose to behave in this way then they are entitled to. It may not be in their best interests if they want to enjoy life to the full in their new country of choice but it's their life. I don't really see a few Brits changing French culture any more than all the French in London are going to turn it into Gay Paris. I haven't noticed many young French people buying dilapidated barns in this corner of the world nor retired Brits buying apartments in central Perigueux but perhaps I don't know much about the French housing market. Where I moved from young people couldn't afford to get on the housing market either but it had nothing to do with immigrants. And how are these people living in ghettos imposing anything on their French communities. Isn't that the point of ghettos - they don't interact much with the outside world ? And maybe perhaps France could learn something from Britain just as Britain could learn from France. Why not take best practice from wherever and share it. I for one consider myself a European who just happens at the moment to be living my life in this part of Europe. I conform to practices and pricipals that best suit my own and my family's lifestyle. If I don't like snails I won't eat them. If I'll get by better speaking French I'll speak it. You only have to look at the queues at MacDonalds to appreciate that it's not possible to impose a culture on the people - it will develop based on what the people want. Long live democracy and the free world. It is what it is....    Report

27/01/2008, 21:40 woolybanana'sbrother Joined on 18/01/2008 Posts 961 Re: Too many immigrants? So, it is a civilizing mission then?    Report

27/01/2008, 23:07 Tresco Joined on 23/08/2004 Charente Maritime. Posts 4,635 Re: Too many immigrants?  groslard wrote: I have seen these problems in France: ...A refusal to accept the French principal of laïcité, and attempts to impose an alien religion and observances on their communities in their own language What have I missed here? What have Brits been up to in this regard?    Report

27/01/2008, 23:09 Dick Smith Joined on 23/08/2004 Surrey and Manche (Pays Mortainais) Posts 8,730 Re: Too many immigrants? The Return of the Jedi? Regards Dick Smith Nowhere is there warmth to be found Among those afraid of losing their ground    Report

27/01/2008, 23:15 Tresco Joined on 23/08/2004 Charente Maritime. Posts 4,635 Re: Too many immigrants?  Dick Smith wrote: The Return of the Jedi? I wish a Jedi Knight would call round here sometime, rather than the Jehovas Witnesses. There are a lot of people who claim to be of the Jedi ilk in UK. I suppose some of them have moved here and may be trying to 'impose' their 'religion' on the French. Sorry Groslard...I know your post was serious but I'm having trouble with that part of it, (about religion), in particular.    Report

27/01/2008, 23:26 Just Katie Joined on 11/03/2006 Posts 3,526 Re: Too many immigrants? Perhaps they should be rounded up and deported, the lot of 'em! Seriously, more retirees are attracted to living in France than the young because, to put it bluntly, we are all aware that employment opportunities are pretty dire.  I remember in early 90's, the French friends I have were showing concerns that their rural towns were dying as youngsters were moving away to chase better oppotunity.  Now, they are showing concerns that the Brits are moving there to die. It is a pity because, if it wasnt for these retirees, their rural property would still stand empty as employment opportunity remains bleak, and the Brits money would not be pumped back into the local economy also, the land owners would not have cashed in on their piles of stones! Sorry if all that sounds a bit bigotted. Finally, although I would certainly integrate if I moved to France, I can well understand the older generation who choose to flock with their own, and taking on a new language would be very difficult for most retirees.  Sorry if that sounds a bit ageist.      Report

27/01/2008, 23:55 Frederick Joined on 19/11/2007 Vendee 85/ Dorset Posts 201 Re: Too many immigrants? Groslard .....in the village my place is in when it comes to speaking with those who only speak my language  I have a bit of a problem ....In a village of many holiday homes I find my non French  neighbours living close by  if their number plates are anything to go by are mostly Dutch or German ..........languages I do not speak ..or Irish ....and I can just about understand them......As for the 11 other English housholds I am informed I  share the village with when there........ like me they do their own thing !    Report

28/01/2008, 0:50 Eos Joined on 10/09/2007 Leinster / Herault Posts 160 Re: Too many immigrants?  Frederick wrote: ...mostly Dutch or German ..........languages I do not speak ..or Irish ....and I can just about understand them...... I'm sure they'd be more than happy to speak more slowly if they realised how they are inconveniencing you. Or maybe it's deliberate... An apology is a good way to have the last word.    Report

28/01/2008, 3:05 groslard Joined on 26/12/2007 Posts 255 Re: Too many immigrants?  Tresco wrote: [ Sorry Groslard...I know your post was serious but I'm having trouble with that part of it, (about religion), in particular. I think you underestimate the separation between Church and State in France, which goes back to the Revolution in its roots, and to the law of the 9th of December, 1905. Many of my French friends would be unhappy to speak of religion in a definition of what is French. Obviously with the established Church in the UK, British people here often have difficulty in understanding that, asking for example why there is no carol service at the local school, or wondering why sometimes Easter isn't at the centre of the holidays. These are a trivial examples, but no French person politician would say "God save la France" or "God save the Président"..and it shocks them to hear GWB say "God save America" or talk of praying. In short I think that Anglophones tend to bring a different attitude to religion, which is much closer to that of Islam that that of the French.    Report

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France Forum » French Culture » French Culture » Too many immigrants?

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