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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 acc

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

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