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Post by Carol on Mar 14, 2011 20:10:04 GMT 1
I've tried in vain to find the link to what I read Angelo. Maybe it wasn't even you (in fact it probably wasn't you since you don't know what i am talking about).
Basically there had been some correspondence with someone representing the Cro govt whereby the writer had asked the Cro govt to do something about the anti-UK attitude from (I think) the Cro people rather than the Cro Govt. The reply had said - yes, some effort needed but then it added something along the lines of but its not exceptional as everyone hates Britain. Then the eprson who I thought was you had added at the end of the post a (sarcastic, I hope) comment about the writers professionalism.
I only saw it in passing last week. i don't usually go on that site as I am not Croatian. I just happened to be there as I was looking for a link to show crojoe that you and Anna have multiple sites (and are therefore IMO merit more embassy interest than you seen to have got before now).
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Post by Carol on Mar 14, 2011 20:14:08 GMT 1
I would add though that I found it terribly dispiriting.
I heard Croats complain about Britain when I lived in Croatia. The jist of their complaint seemed to be that the Uk did not rush to recognise Croatia when Croatia declared independence and worked to stop arms being sent to the region when the war started. The old alliance with Serbia kept getting mentioned but as far as I know, it hasn't had any relevance to British politics since 1918.
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Post by Angelo on Mar 14, 2011 20:22:53 GMT 1
Yes, I am Croatian but have lived in the UK for many years - and love the UK.
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Post by Angelo on Mar 14, 2011 20:36:10 GMT 1
Okay Carol, I know what you are referring to now on the Croats in the UK forum.
That was actually correspondence between us and the British Embassy in Zagreb. Amongst other things he said, the comment was actually that Croatians are not different from other nations and how they view other peoples. (Not that everyone hates Britain!)
No, my comment was not sarcastic, I did think they were professional both in the reply and the very quick response we received. (We sent it at 6pm, they replied at 8am the next day.)
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Post by ray51 on Mar 15, 2011 9:47:10 GMT 1
Yes, I am Croatian but have lived in the UK for many years - and love the UK. I am also a Croatian and have lived in England for many a year ( in-between my other experiences ) ; I neither "love" , nor hate the U.K. ; with very , very few exceptions , most Croats I've ever met dislike and ( just adore to ) criticise the U.K. ( of which they usually know : muuuch too little ! ) ; this extends even to the members of my own family , although : since I've treated a few them to London and S.E. England , those few are now a bit quieter and somewhat more amicable to the Brit-ways ( and even to the ways of some other , strange to them : "worlds" e.g. BeNeLux ) ....not everyone must think that the center of the Universe is Austro-Germany-Switzerland , see ? Then again , how many Croats like , or think highly , of the French , the Belgians , the Cypriots , many other EU- and other nations ...? You would almost think that they wish the Habsburg Empire was back in force and that they could blame all their troubles on Franz Jozef , the Magyars and the rest of that , then world...
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Post by gary on Mar 16, 2011 11:46:19 GMT 1
I seem to remember Croats telling me of their soft spot for Ireland and Iceland, because of their speed in recognising the newly formed state of Croatia.
Whereas Britain, under John "Back to basics everyone while I pleasure Edwina Currie" Major only agreed to recognise Croatia after concessions on the 48 hour Working Directive by Germany.
Can't say I blame Croatians for having an attitude towards the UK.
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Post by crojoe on Mar 16, 2011 12:21:43 GMT 1
I seem to remember Croats telling me of their soft spot for Ireland and Iceland, because of their speed in recognising the newly formed state of Croatia. Whereas Britain, under John "Back to basics everyone while I pleasure Edwina Currie" Major only agreed to recognise Croatia after concessions on the 24 hour Working Directive by Germany. Can't say I blame Croatians for having an attitude towards the UK. But it's all so long past that it sure would be nice if they majored on the majors, like dropping taxes, getting investment and people back into work. Croatia will never attract investment like Asian countries due to the pay, but they sure could do a lot more to encourage it here. I recently hired some temporary workers for a month of work (students, and even then got charged taxes of 17.5% on their pay), so I wouldn't even dream of hiring a "normal" adult worker due to costs of doing so. A quick trip to the student centre downtown Zagreb will give you a good glimpse that I am not alone in the practice. Place full of students getting temporary work permits.
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Post by gary on Mar 16, 2011 16:06:28 GMT 1
I seem to remember Croats telling me of their soft spot for Ireland and Iceland, because of their speed in recognising the newly formed state of Croatia. Whereas Britain, under John "Back to basics everyone while I pleasure Edwina Currie" Major only agreed to recognise Croatia after concessions on the 48 hour Working Directive by Germany. Can't say I blame Croatians for having an attitude towards the UK. Edit: In fairness, there is not a Croat alive who dislikes the UK as much as I do.
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Post by crojoe on Mar 16, 2011 17:52:13 GMT 1
I seem to remember Croats telling me of their soft spot for Ireland and Iceland, because of their speed in recognising the newly formed state of Croatia. Whereas Britain, under John "Back to basics everyone while I pleasure Edwina Currie" Major only agreed to recognise Croatia after concessions on the 48 hour Working Directive by Germany. Can't say I blame Croatians for having an attitude towards the UK. What happened, did you try to enter as an illegal or sponge of the benifit system? Other then that, you'd have to be pretty doppy to get in any trouble in the UK, business or otherwise. Edit: In fairness, there is not a Croat alive who dislikes the UK as much as I do.
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Post by 3lions on Mar 16, 2011 19:02:40 GMT 1
I seem to remember Croats telling me of their soft spot for Ireland and Iceland, because of their speed in recognising the newly formed state of Croatia. Whereas Britain, under John "Back to basics everyone while I pleasure Edwina Currie" Major only agreed to recognise Croatia after concessions on the 48 hour Working Directive by Germany. Can't say I blame Croatians for having an attitude towards the UK. Edit: In fairness, there is not a Croat alive who dislikes the UK as much as I do. well exactly, the conservative Right Wing dominate popular culture in Croatia. This has created a self perpetuating myth. Britain and Croatia have never been historical allies, and that's the end of it.
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Post by crojoe on Mar 16, 2011 21:04:36 GMT 1
Edit: In fairness, there is not a Croat alive who dislikes the UK as much as I do. well exactly, the conservative Right Wing dominate popular culture in Croatia. This has created a self perpetuating myth. Britain and Croatia have never been historical allies, and that's the end of it. Where's Croatia?
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Post by Madgolfer on Mar 17, 2011 19:12:35 GMT 1
In fairness, there is not a Croat alive who dislikes the UK as much as I do. I bet I hate it more than you do! No you dont..... Yes I do..... No you... Yes..
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matov
Full Member
Posts: 47
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Post by matov on Apr 12, 2011 17:25:33 GMT 1
I dont really think that Croatia features much on the UK's political radar if the truth be known.
Personally I think that Europe essentially only has 3 main political players and that everything else is just a part of the 'game' between each of them.
So you tend to find that the Scandanavian countries and Poland will tend to side with the UK, with the rest splitting themselves between France and Germany.
And Croatia is seen very much just as a pawn for the Germans in the greater scheme of things.
Most Brits I know have very positive images of Croatia as a holiday destination but anybody with any interests in politics here tends to veiw Croatia with a slight distaste because of the perception of Croatia as just a modern day version of the Ustache puppet state in WW2.
But an enemy has to represent a threat and Croatia does not represent that to the UK in the slightest.
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Post by gary on Apr 12, 2011 18:42:20 GMT 1
"What happened, did you try to enter as an illegal or sponge of the benifit system? Other then that, you'd have to be pretty doppy to get in any trouble in the UK, business or otherwise".
Erm, not too sure of your point.......I'm a UK born British Citizen, with a long Scottish heritage, dating way back to the man who painted woad on Mel Gibson's face.
Never, ever had to claim benefits in the UK. And I have never "sponged". I probably won't even claim my state pension.
I had two parking tickets back in the 70's...that's the limit of my "doppiness".
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Post by capio on Apr 12, 2011 18:51:55 GMT 1
Angelo is a wise man indeed. It's a shame that many other Croatians haven't experienced the warmth of the British people. I was simply astounded at the issues so many Croats had with Britain... not Brits per se but the government, which exhibits itself as Anglophobia. What Croat's don't understand is that 99% of Brits have no negative opinion or any opinion Croats at all. It's a very one sided relationship, one based on previous friendships with our foes. Oddly our foes have moved on and become friends Croats have not.
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