Of all the questions I have ever been asked by new acquaintances, the two I consider the most boring are ‘Why did you come to Ireland?’ and ‘Why did you decide to learn Irish?’ When I say that I’m from Poland, there is little follow-up chat, even though there are so many stories connected to where we come from.
If somebody would also say ‘You’re from Poland? Tell me about your country’ or even mention somebody who was in Warsaw or Kraków, that would be some chat. There are basic questions that just should not to be asked first. If you really are interested why I speak Irish or work here, learn something about my country first.
And just to be clear – no, I’m not here to work and save money. I have no intention of buying an apartment in Poland. I am not checking up offers for returning prodigal sons and daughters or listening to any other calls for emigrants to go home. I have no problems with my Polish identity. I am just here because I want to be. If I ever marry, my accommodation will be set up. I am not an emigrant, I never was (only “ar drabhlás” in Dublin, considering my Kerry connections).
Personally I am absolutely delighted for the opportunity to write about my country in the language that more people would understand. This is a multi-cultural paper and, paraphrasing Pat Shortt, it is ‘Irish-English I use, all right?’ With a touch of a Polish accent, and everything pro Polonia bono. Meet my country.
– Anna Paluch
