www.talkcyprus.org

[clive of peyia]

Dear Friends,

As you will know thousands of British and indeed other north Europeans are now retiring and relocating to Cyprus to enjoy the sunshine and the less stressful lifestyle. We also make a significant financial contribution to the local economy.

Many Greek Cypriots on the island are now getting upset about the "foreigners" using their hospitals and the social benefits afforded to those EU "foreigners" who are over 60. "Too many English" is a common phrase now used when something goes wrong.

Could you please help us by reminding your fellow countrymen in Cyprus that in 1974 thousands of Greek Cypriots were given shelter in the UK when the Turks invaded the Island.

There are I believe more Greek Cypriots in the UK than there are in Cyprus itself. You have full use of all the NHS facilities in the UK and social security benefits far in excess of anything in Cyprus. You have Greek Cypriot members of parliament and some Greek Cypriots mayors of London boroughs. Do you hear native Britons blaming the influx of Greek Cypriots to London for all the troubles - no you don't.

The UK provides a higher education platform that isn't available in the UK.

I know that returned Greek Cypriots are also treated badly by the locals. "Charlies" they are called and many return to the UK very dissappointed.


So when you visit Cyprus and/or speak to relations out here do explain things to them before it gets out of hand. This anti-foreigner culture is now spreading amongst the children.

Very many thanks and greetings from sunny Cyprus.

Clive of Peyia

[brother]

Thank you for that decent post and reminding people how bad prejidice can be in cyprus.

I ask all members take heed of this message.

[De_La_Soul]

Quote: Could you please help us by reminding your fellow countrymen in Cyprus that in 1974 thousands of Greek Cypriots were given shelter in the UK when the Turks invaded the Island.


...and still suffered the brunt of much racism from the English. Remember, it was the British government that caused much of the problem in Cyprus.

Quote: Do you hear native Britons blaming the influx of Greek Cypriots to London for all the troubles - no you don't. Yes you did, along with other immigrants, when emigration to this country was quite new. Who are you trying to kid??????

The refugees still went out and worked very hard for a living in the UK in those times...Clive, what are you bringing to the table?

Quote: There are I believe more Greek Cypriots in the UK than there are in Cyprus itself lol...are you sure?

[pg]

De_La_Soul wrote:
The refugees still went out and worked very hard for a living in the UK in those times...Clive, what are you bringing to the table?

That is a bit rude, isn't it?

Most likely Clive first brought a fair investment - in property - and now a monthly income from a pension fund that he spends at the local grocer and hardware shop... Very healthy money for Cyprus - as long as they keep coming.

[De_La_Soul]

Quote: That is a bit rude, isn't it?

Most likely Clive first brought a fair investment - in property - and now a monthly income from a pension fund that he spends at the local grocer and hardware shop... Very healthy money for Cyprus - as long as they keep coming.

The same way it is rude to insinuate that Greek Cypriot immigrants and refugees had an easy ride in the UK after they arrived here and were greeted with open arms by the English.

[thebrix]

clive of peyia wrote: Dear Friends,

As you will know thousands of British and indeed other north Europeans are now retiring and relocating to Cyprus to enjoy the sunshine and the less stressful lifestyle. We also make a significant financial contribution to the local economy.

Many Greek Cypriots on the island are now getting upset about the "foreigners" using their hospitals and the social benefits afforded to those EU "foreigners" who are over 60. "Too many English" is a common phrase now used when something goes wrong.

Could you please help us by reminding your fellow countrymen in Cyprus that in 1974 thousands of Greek Cypriots were given shelter in the UK when the Turks invaded the Island.

There are I believe more Greek Cypriots in the UK than there are in Cyprus itself. You have full use of all the NHS facilities in the UK and social security benefits far in excess of anything in Cyprus. You have Greek Cypriot members of parliament and some Greek Cypriots mayors of London boroughs. Do you hear native Britons blaming the influx of Greek Cypriots to London for all the troubles - no you don't.

The UK provides a higher education platform that isn't available in the UK.

I know that returned Greek Cypriots are also treated badly by the locals. "Charlies" they are called and many return to the UK very dissappointed.


So when you visit Cyprus and/or speak to relations out here do explain things to them before it gets out of hand. This anti-foreigner culture is now spreading amongst the children.

Very many thanks and greetings from sunny Cyprus.

Clive of Peyia

These attitudes are, unfortunately, not unique to Cyprus.

I generalise stupendously ... but (in the main) it is the first-rate people who have the get-up-and-go to go elsewhere and make something of themselves. That they then come back in later life and are abused by the (in the main) second-raters who stayed behind (and, probably, before then, by the second-raters in their adoptive country who thought their own jobs were being "stolen") is disgraceful.

(You may detect personal experience hidden in the last paragraph!)

Poland on the move was a great programme on this theme broadcast last night on Radio 4; the same old themes are being reproduced there.

[De_La_Soul]

Clive must have been suffering abuse in Cyprus for so long that he hasnt heard the mass blame on asylum seekers and new wave of immigrants from eastern Europe for all the problems in the UK.

He hasnt heard that the BNP has enjoyed an increase in support over the last few years because of such a fashion.

[cannedmoose]

Clive, as an Englishman married to a Cypriot I have some insight into why some Cypriots resent foreigners who move to the island. They don't resent those who make an attempt to understand and appreciate the language, culture and lifestyle of the native population. What they do resent are those foreigners who move to the rapidly expanding foreign ghettos (of which Peyia is one) and make no attempt to integrate into Cypriot society.

I can say without any qualms that I have never been abused by a Cypriot for being English, nor have I noticed any hostility towards me, even from people that I know who were fervent supporters of EOKA. This is because I have made the effort to integrate myself, even without living in Cyprus and people recognise that effort. Of course it helps that I'm married into a Cypriot family, but if anything your prescription of hostility would have exhibited itself long before.

It's not so much racism as anxiety about a sudden mass influx of a foreign population, an anxiety that has been reflected across Europe since the 2004 enlargement wave. And, ultimately, if you're looking for hostility you will find it.

[pg]

De_La_Soul wrote: Quote: That is a bit rude, isn't it?

Most likely Clive first brought a fair investment - in property - and now a monthly income from a pension fund that he spends at the local grocer and hardware shop... Very healthy money for Cyprus - as long as they keep coming.

The same way it is rude to insinuate that Greek Cypriot immigrants and refugees had an easy ride in the UK after they arrived here and were greeted with open arms by the English.

For Cypriots in 74 it was more like giving refugees shelter - now the British can come to Cyprus not only because we love every one, but because we also want their money... And then add the concept of the big European family.


Still, I just want to say I agree with the concept that we need not ask what someone brings to the table - certainly not when they make a living without relying on the other tax payers - and that goes for Cypriots abroad and foreigners in Cyprus.

[andytandreou]

I don't see the point of this post, clive. Although I respect your opinions.

Just find out what your rights are in Cyprus and stick to that. Don't bother with the opinion of people. ESPECIALLY PEOPLE IN PAPHOS!!! My god man these people where found to be among the most racist and homophobic in the whole of Cyprus. The rest of Cyprus conciders people from pahos to be from another country :)

There are leaflets, books, helplines and centers that explain your FULL rights as an EU citizen. I suggest you look it up and NEVER expect anything less. But NEVER (as a rule) listen to the silly opinions of villagers, or worse yet, let these opinions affect your living standards because they upset you! Just find out what your allowed as an EU citizen and rest assured that Cyprus would not have joined the EU if it didn't mean enormous benefits!

[De_La_Soul]

Yeah, ive heard a few times the Paphites were a bit small / village minded to say the least lol....heard they are hard though too!

[Dream_Merchant]

clive of peyia wrote:
Many Greek Cypriots on the island are now getting upset about the "foreigners" using their hospitals and the social benefits afforded to those EU "foreigners" who are over 60. "Too many English" is a common phrase now used when something goes wrong.
Clive of Peyia


What most people don't realise is that these 'retired foreigners' are spending fortunes buying real estate on this island. I do not have statistics but I am confident that the influx of EU nationals, for reasons clive mentions, has contributed with a significant amount to the development of the island's economy. So before anyone complains about these people exercising their EU rights, one should consider what these people contribute to the island.

The problem is not from such people, but rather from lazy bums who come here to suck on social welfare and sit at home complaining and doing nothing apart from making babies, so that they can divert the government assitance from their children to suck on more social welfare.

[magikthrill]

I only have two words to Mr. Clive and his claim of an open-arm welcoming UK:
Schengen Treaty

[Dream_Merchant]

yes.. we ( the EU ) should invade the UK and annex it. chop off the Queen's head and hang the rest of the royal family, enforce the Euro and ban drinking tea in public places as well as forbidding the English language to be taught as a first language in all educational institutions. Oh and get rid of that Union Jack and replace it with something more pleasing to the eye.. like a white flag with the shape of the UK in blue and on the top left corner the flag of the EU embedded, to remind everyone that the UK is an off-seas colony of the EU.

The second step would be to declare the European Empire and move the capital to Munich and make the official language Latin.

Hail to the Empire! Long live the Emperor! Down with separatist scum!

[Eric Dayi]

Dream_Merchant wrote: yes.. we ( the EU ) should invade the UK and annex it. chop off the Queen's head and hang the rest of the royal family, enforce the Euro and ban drinking tea in public places as well as forbidding the English language to be taught as a first language in all educational institutions. Oh and get rid of that Union Jack and replace it with something more pleasing to the eye.. like a white flag with the shape of the UK in blue and on the top left corner the flag of the EU embedded, to remind everyone that the UK is an off-seas colony of the EU.

The second step would be to declare the European Empire and move the capital to Munich and make the official language Latin.

Hail to the Empire! Long live the Emperor! Down with separatist scum!

Who's the Emperor?

Why Munich?

And do you write SciFi Dream books, if so, I godda get me one of those. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: