3 ms·

Yep, had a few experiences. I know a white guy from America who had a Polish last name. When we were in London we never had any problems until he had to show h

Yep, had a few experiences. I know a white guy from America who had a Polish last name. When we were in London we never had any problems until he had to show his passport. After that, there was a better than even chance that people would start being rude to him. There was "Go Home Polish Vermin" graffiti (You know those cute red phone booths? Ever look in one?) and some of the news channels had a certain sentiment. Unrelated, related story. We got into town on a bank holiday and almost everything was closed. We saw a guy come out of a door and walk towards us. We asked if he knew where we could get breakfast and he said "Nope. Cheers Mate!" We were at a four-way stop and had to pick a direction. We ended up walking in the direction that the guy had come from.. And it turned out he had just walked out of a restaurant serving breakfast. I've understood "Cheers Mate" to mean "Fuck Off" since then. Back to the story. The third time he got an "OHHHHH, POOOOLISH!" from someone looking at his passport, he snatched it from the guy, smiled, and said "Nope. American. Cheers Mate." and walked in. After the trip he reflected on how some of his UK colleagues and investors had treated him over the years. He ended up changing his name. You can't change your skin color. Prejudice is out there and there was always that weird moment of "Is this really happening or are we imagining it?" Having it be subtle enough that you're left wondering, that was the most fucked up part. So I know what you mean. Give 'em a "Cheers Mate." next time it happens.

_Wintermute 4y ago
As someone who has lived in the UK for 25 years with a Polish surname, I've never experienced this at all. It's more likely due to someone with an American accent asking strangers questions, people immediately think loud tourist and stay away.
- cassianoleal 4y ago
  GP's story seems highly unlikely, or at least is missing crucial details. I've lived in London for the last 8 years, and a total of around 11. I'm neither white nor European, let alone British. I have many friends, Polish, Turkish, British of various ethnicities, Africans from a few different countries, Middle Easterners, Americans (mostly South and Central), you name it.... I have never heard of any of them being treated in such a way. Also, why was this person flaunting a passport around London? The only times I had mine on me were when coming in or out of the country. Then, he decides to change his name because of how "some of his UK colleagues and investors had treated him over the years"? Assuming the story is true, I somehow don't think the problem has ever been his name, surname, physical appearance or passport. I don't want to assume a lie but there are definitely important pieces missing.
  - miiiiiike 4y ago
    Your comment has a harsh edge to it. I'm going to assume healthy skepticism and move on. He doesn't really talk about it openly. That's kind of the reason for the change, to not draw attention to it. I think he listed the story as the reason for name change in the court docs. So be skeptical all you like but I'm over 99% sure that part can be proven true.
    - cassianoleal 4y ago
      Sorry if it came across that way. It came indeed from skepticism, and I am fully aware that my personal experience doesn't invalidate the possibility of your friend's story. I just think there are too many combined unlikely elements in it, and that it's more likely to have been of a personal nature rather than any kind of profiling or generalisation due to his name or passport. Obviously, I could be very wrong and your friend might be the loveliest person in the world who also happened to be very very unlucky in his dealings with the Brits.
      - miiiiiike 4y ago
        No need to apologize. My comment had the 3-4 lowlights of the trip but there were many, many highlights.. Like the time we went the wrong way on the train and needed to catch a cab so we wouldn't be late for a first impression meeting. For some reason that I can't fully recall (didn't take cards?) we couldn't pay the cabbie. He knew early on in the trip but he took us the full distance. He said "Everyone needs a lift now and again." as we got out. Wouldn't give us his contact info either. Couldn't pay him back, had to pay it forward. We LOVED London. I want to live there for a year if I ever get the chance. But, shitty people are everywhere. Gotta keep an eye out. Luckily, lots of people are great no matter where you go. edit I found a previous comment where I talked a bit more about some of the good stuff: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33830648 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33830648

_Wintermute 4y ago

As someone who has lived in the UK for 25 years with a Polish surname, I've never experienced this at all. It's more likely due to someone with an American accent asking strangers questions, people immediately think loud tourist and stay away.

cassianoleal 4y ago
GP's story seems highly unlikely, or at least is missing crucial details. I've lived in London for the last 8 years, and a total of around 11. I'm neither white nor European, let alone British. I have many friends, Polish, Turkish, British of various ethnicities, Africans from a few different countries, Middle Easterners, Americans (mostly South and Central), you name it.... I have never heard of any of them being treated in such a way. Also, why was this person flaunting a passport around London? The only times I had mine on me were when coming in or out of the country. Then, he decides to change his name because of how "some of his UK colleagues and investors had treated him over the years"? Assuming the story is true, I somehow don't think the problem has ever been his name, surname, physical appearance or passport. I don't want to assume a lie but there are definitely important pieces missing.
- miiiiiike 4y ago
  Your comment has a harsh edge to it. I'm going to assume healthy skepticism and move on. He doesn't really talk about it openly. That's kind of the reason for the change, to not draw attention to it. I think he listed the story as the reason for name change in the court docs. So be skeptical all you like but I'm over 99% sure that part can be proven true.
  - cassianoleal 4y ago
    Sorry if it came across that way. It came indeed from skepticism, and I am fully aware that my personal experience doesn't invalidate the possibility of your friend's story. I just think there are too many combined unlikely elements in it, and that it's more likely to have been of a personal nature rather than any kind of profiling or generalisation due to his name or passport. Obviously, I could be very wrong and your friend might be the loveliest person in the world who also happened to be very very unlucky in his dealings with the Brits.
    - miiiiiike 4y ago
      No need to apologize. My comment had the 3-4 lowlights of the trip but there were many, many highlights.. Like the time we went the wrong way on the train and needed to catch a cab so we wouldn't be late for a first impression meeting. For some reason that I can't fully recall (didn't take cards?) we couldn't pay the cabbie. He knew early on in the trip but he took us the full distance. He said "Everyone needs a lift now and again." as we got out. Wouldn't give us his contact info either. Couldn't pay him back, had to pay it forward. We LOVED London. I want to live there for a year if I ever get the chance. But, shitty people are everywhere. Gotta keep an eye out. Luckily, lots of people are great no matter where you go. edit I found a previous comment where I talked a bit more about some of the good stuff: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33830648 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33830648