British Expat Forum

Hi Everyone,

I have been offered a GM's position in Nuneaton, UK and am seriously considering taking the job. I do have some concerns on how my partner and I may be treated so I just wanted to see what you all think.

I was educated in the UK in the mid 70's when the UK was having its perceived problem with Pakistanis and although I am not Indian or Pak, I copped a whole heap.

For those of you who are wondering, I am Anglo Burmese, my dad was English and my mum is 1/3 German, Irish and Burmese. However, I look very much more Asian than european. Ok, if you really want to know what I look like, www.easson.net

It will just be my partner (she's Chinese) and I going as we don't have kids yet.

I have 3 weeks to make a decision so any help and advice you can give me would be very much appreciated.

Also, can anyone tell me what Nuneaton is like?

Thanks in advance folks.

Hi Excaliber, welcome to the forum.
I'm really not keen on the use of the term "paki" in any context and certainly not in the way you used them. I think/hope that Britain has become a bit more racially tolerant than that. I think if you treat people with respect then they will respond in a like manner.
I am not familiar with Nuneaton and can't ehlp you there, perhaps some of the others can.

Graeme

Graeme..

Hmm.. ok, so my Pakistani friends should stop referring to themselves as Pakis? My reference was most definitely not meant to offend.

Hi Excaliber

Yes, the term "Paki" is generally used in a derogatory way and isn't acceptable in polite company. The acceptable contraction of "Pakistani" is "Pak" - or at least it was when I worked in Pakistan.

I think Britain has changed a lot since the 1970s. We're currently in London and I was surprised, after only four years absence, to find just how many foreigners are here now. I guess it's to do with the expansion of the EU. Where racism exists these days it's more against the eastern Europeans who come over and live on benefits or harrass people by begging or various scams. I get the impression that they are unwelcome here.

Asians have generally been hardworking and make a good contribution to society, so they are generally accepted and welcome. Of course, the recent London bombings have changed that to some extent. I think it would be true to say there is a backlash against Muslims - or anyone who looks like they might be a Muslim.

I know it's not "fair" but that's how it seems to be. Please note that this isn't my view but my perception of other people's views.

I've no idea where Nuneaton is, sorry, so I can't comment on that.

Is it not possible for you to come on an exploratory visit and see how you find it?

As Graeme says, if you deserve respect you will probably get it. That said, there are nutters everywhere, including in Britain, who will form opinions on a person because of their creed or colour.

Hope this is helpful.

Good luck!

Kay

Kay..

thanks for your reply. Having been smacked around in an English boarding school on a weekly basis for 6 years, I'd be the last one to have a go at someone due to their race, colour, religion, sexual orientation or gender. I believe God created us ALL AS EQUALS! You are right, there are nutters everwhere even here in Melbourne.

I was in London in September 2004 and had a fantastic time. I had absolutely no issues whatsoever and that was what got me thinking that it would be really nice to get back to Europe. Melbourne is lovley, but I love the UK and Europe.

Its a real shame what the extremist Muslims are doing to their religion... I have many Muslim friends and have lived in Brunei and Malaysia and the people there are such wonderful people. Islam is not like that.

Incidentally, I am a Catholic although I DO believe in contraception so that would make me ..... ummm ahem... dunno really!! hahah

Wow what a cool topic, sadly racism is everywhere. But you'll find racism starts in a persons own community. My hubby is a Aborigine,and quite dark skinned,and since we moved down here to tasmania,he has copped loads of abuse,mainly from Tasmanian Aborigines,who I might add are the same colour as me(very white). They are completely threatened by his culture,and do not want him practicing his culture down here,which is daft because he is a wonderful performer, he tells dreamtime stories,plays the didgeridoo and does loads of dances,as do our kids. When we were at school we were taught that the Tasmanian Blackfellas were wiped out by the English settlers(no offence) and that Truganinni was the last fullblood Tasmanian blackfella,and she died of old age with no children,that was over 150 years ago. All the remaining Aborigines here were of course halfcaste,due to the fact that white sealers had relationships with mixed race native girls,the children would then,as adults,get with whitefellas,and so it went on, their Aboriginality has completely disapeared,however these people now,are claiming all these aboriginal benefits(benefits my hubby refuses to claim as he says we are all aussies)And they are the first to jump up and down and carry on at mainland blackfellas coming down here and promote mainland culture.Its really stupid and I could waffle on all day about it,just thought id show another side of aussie racism! To Excalibur...mate take the opportunity and move to the UK, heck Id jump at the chance.

So 'Paki' has become an insult. Oh, dear. I suppose that means that now we'll never see repeats or DVDs of Eric Sykes as 'Paki Paddy'.

It's just my opinion, Ruggie, so it's not a "fact". However, when I worked in Pakistan none of us would've have referred to the locals as "Pakis" but rather as "Paks".

It has been used so much in a derogatory way that I guess it must have become unacceptable.

I know that some British Asians refer to themselves as "Pakis", eg in the excellent film East is East, but I got the impression that's just a p!ss take.

And yes, I expect that Eric Sykes's sketch/film (I haven't seen it) probably wouldn't be allowed. More's the pity. Eric Sykes has been on the radio a lot recently promoting his new autobiography. He has us in stitches every time - a really funny guy!

[Excaliber Wrote -I was educated in the UK in the mid 70's when the UK was having its perceived problem with Pakistanis and although I am not Indian or Pak, I copped a whole heap.]

In response:

[Graeme Wrote - I'm really not keen on the use of the term "paki" in any context and certainly not in the way you used them. I think/hope that Britain has become a bit more racially tolerant than that. I think if you treat people with respect then they will respond in a like manner. ]

Graeme, Don't know if you read it right but excaliber clearly states Pak and not Paki? And as Kay said Pak is not a derogatory term ...... hmmmm

Sorry I know this topic is over a year old and racism is everywhere these days. The worst thing is, is that racism only seems to be a problem with the do gooders, If you ask any Pakistani or Indian they will maybe tell you that the racism they get from their own kind is far worse than that the so called racists give them.

I have lived and worked in Dubai for some 11 years and the racism between casts of the Indian race is extremely bad, far worse than you would expect.

Anyway enough of this, racism shouldnt exist, we are all skin, bone, flesh and blood at the end of the day.

Don't know if you took the job Excaliber would be nice to know if you did?

Gooner

Excaliber went back and edited his post so as not to cause any offence. What you see now is the edited version, not the version he originally wrote. Probably best not to stir up old things, especially when you're not aware of what went on before.

Sadly, Excaliber didn't tell us whether he took the job or not.

Gooner,

Thank you for coming out in support. Until my first post here, I hadn't realised that the term I used was derogatory so as soon as I found out it was, I edited it. Heck, being of Anglo Asian decent, the last thing I want is to start pointing fingers.

In the end, no I didn't take the job. I took a job here in Melbourne with a fantastic IT Service provider ([Advert removed by Site Admin (Alan)]) with an extremely bright future... especially if I have anything to do with it.

I miss the UK and Europe, I really do, and I tried hard to get back there and even thought that I made a mistake ever leaving (left in 2000 after Millennium Technology was sold) but honestly Melbourne isn't such a bad place to live and I think its time to grow up and settle down again!
Anyway who knows what the future holds?

Merry Christmas Everyone, and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

May world peace and freedom from hunger & poverty be the new way in which we as a human race strive to dominate and show our might!!

Hello Excaliber,

We haven't been back to England since '98, but during the 6 weeks we were there - and everywhereover there - we didn't see one single incident.
Not enough time to judge of course. I was surprised to hear your opinion
of Melbourne. We were there in '72 for 8 months and loathed it. We used to say Victorian by name Vitorian by nature, but that was then.
Sydney was much better and more open minded, Brisbane not bad either, Adelaide was very pretty but very clicky - Perth the one we chose.
Most of the racial abuse you speak of happens here and all over Australia. I suppose if you consider it the whole world suffers from it.
You pays your money and makes your choice.
Good luck in your new job.

AnnT

Hello. I too am going back to the UK after 5 years in the Land of Smiles. I have visited Nuneaton many times and it it quite a pleasant town. My aunt and uncle lived next door to an Asian family and they got on really well, helped each other out, and still keep in touch even though since my uncle died, she has now moved into sheltered accommodation. If that is an example of multi-culturalism in Nuneaton, I don't think you will have any problem at all settling in there.

One thing I have noticed about the UK is the academic 'snobbery', when applying for teaching jobs I found many job profiles are very specific in that only British qualifications are acceptable. Which is ironic, considering when my niece went to work in Switzerland they didn't think her British degree was good enough and made her repeat her studies before she could get a job there.

Enjoy your return.