I have been asked by work to run a conversation/debate class once a week. The debate is of course in English and I chose the topic. This is completely voluntary so all those who attend come of their own accord and usually have something to say. So this is a great opportunity for me to get the views of some more Poles. It's a bit like the BBC show Question Time, with me playing David Dimbleby. The class has only been running for two weeks but already we have spoken and debated the topics of Climate Change and Immigration/emigration.
I chose climate change because it's one of the most talked about topics at the moment. That discussion went well and a good debate started between an older more cynical man and a younger, less cynical girl. Although that was good, the second topic was much more interesting and relevant. The topic of immigration is one which effects Poland in a completely different way than it effects Scotland. So we had an interesting discussion about why young Poles are leaving in their thousands and what impact this is having on Poland. I was surprised to find out that Poland will probably have to start bringing in labourers from China and Vietnam to help them build the stadiums they need for Euro 2012. Most people in the class also admitted that they plan to leave Poland at some point in the future, with a quite a few saying they would like to settle abroad permanently. The most popular destinations, not surprisingly, are the UK and Ireland. The reasons? Money, it's that simple really. There is also a general feeling that life is easier in the UK and Ireland. That you can keep more of your money and things are just better. I suppose this is what my blog is all about, comparing life in Scotland with that in Poland. My gut instinct is that some people have too idealistic an impression of life in the UK. Sure, wages are higher and relatively, the cost of living is cheaper. Many things are also easier and less frustrating, see my article on queueing theory. However, not everything is rosier in the UK or should I say, worse in Poland. One thing which is certainly not rosier and arguably worse in the UK is the level of street violence. Krakow has it's bad parts but it's got nothing on Glasgow when it comes to serious crime. It is slowly beginning to become noticed here the number of Polish people killed or seriously injured in violent assaults in the UK. A feeling of safety is something that you really appreciate when you have it and I certainly have more of it here than I did in Glasgow.
