Comments on: Discordant note

By: Sammy Morse

Sammy Morse — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:50:16 +0000

Also, we are still stuck with a begging bowl approach to attracting investment, which is hugely counterproductive in my view, but that’s what Invest NI still peddle. Polish and Lithuanian waiters = labour shortage /= charity case in need of foreign alms, er… sorry, investment.

By: Craig

Craig — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:35:23 +0000

Of course being multicultural is considered modern and good… but not if it means all the Black and Brown faces are the ones mopping the floors and cleaning the laundry. Maybe that’s what they were thinking? More likely some banal racism.

By: Linda Margaret

Linda Margaret — Wed, 07 May 2008 06:16:09 +0000

It’s especially ridiculous considering some of the delegation is from New York. A multicultural staff is to be expected!

By: Aidan Kehoe

Aidan Kehoe — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:23:24 +0000

I’ve seen a couple of blog entries from US tourists in the Republic disappointed to have waiters from Poland and Lithuania (omitted to bookmark them, though, so no links right now). I think you’re right, but I don’t think the local reasoning was necessarily badly-motivated.