So This Gypsy Girl Tried to Swindle Me...
Happy 4th everyone!
Seems the Irish like to celebrate our holiday so we will faithfully fulfill their notions of what it means to be an American and get good and schnockered on the day of our independence. I actually think the Irish just like the idea of someone, anyone separating from the British. Therefore, we will be heading out to the Yankee Doodle Disco at the Trinity Rooms tonight for some 4th of July action (where Americans pay no cover!). The Dean of the Law School at UL is having a get together for us before that, where we will meet at a pub and celebrate something. I was secretly hoping they would celebrate the 4th like we celebrate St. Paddy's Day, but to no avail, no one seems to be passed out in the roundabout and 'tis nearly 4 pm.
Okay, so the Irish are all up in arms about massive immigration from eastern europe over the last 2 years, mainly Poland. Some 120,000 Poles have immigrated here where they are having a hard time finding jobs and housing. So they live in "Caravans" which can best be described as mobile home parks or RVs parked in a circle. They don't have cars so they ride horses everywhere (not on the horse, they have little benches with wheels that are drawn by the horses). I looked up yesterday and there was a horse just staring into my window looking at me! Best case scenarios, these are non-ethnic gypsies and they have a little foothold about 100 yards from our front door. They keep bothering us and trying to get money or food from us.
Yesterday was the kicker. 3 other guys and I made a quick run to the convenience store to do a beer run. To our dismay, there was only wine available, but not deterred, I bought the finest bottle of screw top wine you could get. On our way back we crossed paths with a heard of gypsy girls, no older than 5 years old. They followed my friend Sean and the oldest said to me "hey mister, can I have a drink" (in thick Polish accent). I have seen a lot of things and been to many places but never before has a gypsy child ever asked me to give them alcohol. This is a first people! I flat out responded "Nooo!" to which one of the other girls tried to mimic my American accent.
The situation is parallel to ours in the US right now. Due to the small overall population of Ireland (roughly 4,000,000), the influx of immigration provides some problems that come along with the benefits of immigration. However, unlike the US, all of the Poles are here legally because as of 1/1/2005, Poland entered into the EU and free immigration between member states cannot be controlled. It's interesting to see how both cultures are dealing with the situation. I personally think immigration is great, but I'm an economist, not an Irish citizen. Until the Irish and Poles assimilate, however, my gypsy run-ins will be quite frequent.
Have fun on holiday today! Tom
Seems the Irish like to celebrate our holiday so we will faithfully fulfill their notions of what it means to be an American and get good and schnockered on the day of our independence. I actually think the Irish just like the idea of someone, anyone separating from the British. Therefore, we will be heading out to the Yankee Doodle Disco at the Trinity Rooms tonight for some 4th of July action (where Americans pay no cover!). The Dean of the Law School at UL is having a get together for us before that, where we will meet at a pub and celebrate something. I was secretly hoping they would celebrate the 4th like we celebrate St. Paddy's Day, but to no avail, no one seems to be passed out in the roundabout and 'tis nearly 4 pm.
Okay, so the Irish are all up in arms about massive immigration from eastern europe over the last 2 years, mainly Poland. Some 120,000 Poles have immigrated here where they are having a hard time finding jobs and housing. So they live in "Caravans" which can best be described as mobile home parks or RVs parked in a circle. They don't have cars so they ride horses everywhere (not on the horse, they have little benches with wheels that are drawn by the horses). I looked up yesterday and there was a horse just staring into my window looking at me! Best case scenarios, these are non-ethnic gypsies and they have a little foothold about 100 yards from our front door. They keep bothering us and trying to get money or food from us.
Yesterday was the kicker. 3 other guys and I made a quick run to the convenience store to do a beer run. To our dismay, there was only wine available, but not deterred, I bought the finest bottle of screw top wine you could get. On our way back we crossed paths with a heard of gypsy girls, no older than 5 years old. They followed my friend Sean and the oldest said to me "hey mister, can I have a drink" (in thick Polish accent). I have seen a lot of things and been to many places but never before has a gypsy child ever asked me to give them alcohol. This is a first people! I flat out responded "Nooo!" to which one of the other girls tried to mimic my American accent.
The situation is parallel to ours in the US right now. Due to the small overall population of Ireland (roughly 4,000,000), the influx of immigration provides some problems that come along with the benefits of immigration. However, unlike the US, all of the Poles are here legally because as of 1/1/2005, Poland entered into the EU and free immigration between member states cannot be controlled. It's interesting to see how both cultures are dealing with the situation. I personally think immigration is great, but I'm an economist, not an Irish citizen. Until the Irish and Poles assimilate, however, my gypsy run-ins will be quite frequent.
Have fun on holiday today! Tom
posted by tomasso at
10:00 AM
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