Times Are Changing?

[nichola]

On Friday there was a peaceful anti terrorist protest march in Fethiye.

I am very reliably told that there was an element of those that attended that took exception to the presence of the Ölüdeniz Yarenler, the group of retired British residents who perform Turkish folk songs and dances and other "immigrants" that attended.

Comments akin to the sort of thing one might routinely see in the British media about immigrants in the UK were made so there is no need to repeat them here as we are all familiar with these sort of attitudes and language.

I have personally wondered how long it would be before resentment towards the large and growing immigrant population in Fethiye would show itself; is that time now?

[Supacabby]

I sincerely hope not Nichola, I've encountered the exact opposite in my 1st month here & that is also what I've always had ever since I've been staying in Turkey for the last umpteen years. I can see why some die hards would get upset but the majority (I hope) will continue to welcome the extra culture with open arms.

Now, if I lived in a very "multi cultural" city in the UK would I be saying the same? Certainly gets you thinking!

[tinkerman]

i think in everyday life here there is no problem but when you get the marches people get a bit nationalistic as they do all over the world, birds of a feather..

[KKOB]

I think there's always been a small element with an underlying resentment and they just get a bit braver when there's a few of them gathered together. A bit like the BNP, EDL, UAF in the UK.

[Ian]

I think Tinx and KKOB are spot on but I do often wonder what does the average "man in the street" who is not making a living out of tourism think?

If we had a group of Polish or Asian residents morris dancing in Rochdale Town Centre I think there would be a large element of "what do they think they are playing at" coming from the indigenous passing public.

It would be really interesting if the members who are married to Turkish partners could share a view with us?

Do we add value to the local culture / economy or are we damaging those things?

[Stan]

If we had a group of Polish or Asian residents morris dancing in Rochdale Town Centre I think there would be a large element of "what do they think they are playing at" coming from the indigenous passing public

If we had a group of U.K residents morris dancing in Rochdale Town Centre I think there would be a large element of "what do they think they are playing at" coming from the indigenous passing public

[nichola]

lol

[KKOB]

quote:Originally posted by Stan

If we had a group of Polish or Asian residents morris dancing in Rochdale Town Centre I think there would be a large element of "what do they think they are playing at"

Yeah, but if they were dressed as Cowboys, nobody would bat an eyelid would they ?