Dear Immigrant

by Sean Bw Parker (June 2025)

Welcome to Britain. It seems you might not have been told this before arriving but, while Britain is country tolerant of all religions, it is also based on Christian values. Christians and Jews don’t like their religions being criticised either, but they understand that the free west is based on the freedom to do this. Their feelings neither come into it, nor are they more important than those of any other citizen. There are also many ‘unspoken’ social codes of which you might not have been made aware. One very important one is that if a woman is unaccompanied by a male, that does not automatically make her available to you.

This was left unchecked for a long time due to over-sensitivity to your feelings, but that time has passed. If you interfere with such women, whatever they are wearing or however they are behaving, you will face a long stretch in prison. Pass this on to your families and women in your life who might support your traditional views of women-as-property—it’s not acceptable in the UK. This unspoken code extends to children: it’s not acceptable to touch them without their parents’ permission unless you know them well, and will cause discomfort and tension for both you and them.

Less serious but also important is the British concept of queueing. The British are widely respected due to their patience and calm manners, and this largely comes from the idea behind queueing: your needs are no more urgent than anyone else in any queue. It’s the closest Britain gets to socialism without going to ballot box. Learning this habit will make your life easier, and keep Britain a sane and pleasant place in which to live. Similar for physical space: if you get within arm’s reach of a British person you don’t know well, you are in their ‘personal territory,’ and it is generally not appreciated outside of pubs, clubs, or gigs.

Learning a second language is a good thing for anyone to do, and many British people wish they were better able to but, if you are living here, it is only polite to learn English as well as you are able. It’s not really a done thing to speak at the top of your voice on a hands-free phone on public transport in a language not of the country in which you are living. If you attend a course to improve your English and your teacher starts criticising Britain’s past, make sure you call them out on this, and ask them about their own country’s historical record. If the teacher is British, ask them to stick to the structures of the language, as you’re not there to learn how to disrespect the country which you now call home. If it continues, report them to whomever you are paying for the course.

Alcohol may not be part of your culture, and your religion may forbid it, but it is part of British culture—and of many other countries around the world. Same for pork, eating times, fasting etc. Your home countries’ habits do not take precedence in the country to which you have moved. While it’s good that you have come to Britain for a better life and to do well financially, try not to just trade with your own people: that way social segregation lies. Most British people see paying taxes as a good thing to do, to pay back to their own state for better services for the good of all, and to only claim benefits when they are badly needed for survival. They’re not meant to be just another source of income, whatever you were told before you arrived.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your stay.

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