In Poland, a large article was published in Rzeczpospolita and a survey on the perception of Ukrainian citizens who resettled in the country during a full-scale invasion.
The results of the survey showed a deterioration in attitudes towards Ukrainian refugees.
Rzeczpospolita, citing polling data, writes that Poles are annoyed by the Russian language, which is often spoken by immigrants. The Poles consider it hostile and lose the idea that Ukrainians are in front of them.
Also, many do not like the remnants of the “Russian world” that some Ukrainians brought: a passion for snobbery, expensive cars, non-compliance with prohibitions like speed limits, parking in the wrong places.
First of all, we are annoyed by the surrounding foreign language, mainly Russian, which is spoken by the refugees. In the end, this is a “hostile speech”, we lose the idea of who they really are, writes a Polish newspaper.
Two studies on this subject have been carried out at the University of Warsaw. One in June 2022 and the other in January 2023. The Rzeczpospolita report compares the results of these studies.
In June 2022, only 6% of Poles for sure (zdecydowanie tak) saw a threat to Poland from refugees from Ukraine. Only 15% saw the threat rather (raczej tak).
In January 2022, only 6% of Poles for sure (zdecydowanie tak) saw a threat to Poland from refugees for Ukraine. Only 11% saw the threat rather (raczej tak).
That is, over six months, the percentage of those who see a threat in refugees in Ukraine has decreased by 4%.
The Poles saw a threat in June in the negative impact on the labor market, the Polish economy and entrepreneurial activity. The fourth biggest threat was Ukrainian nationalism (in Poland, the word nationalism has a negative connotation, it is more associated with radical nationalism or Nazism).
In January 2023, Ukrainian nationalism disappears from the most frequently mentioned threats.
As possible threats, 17% of respondents noted the negative impact on the labor market, the Polish economy and business activity, the fourth most mentioned threat is theft. The number of people who see another culture as a threat is also increasing. Another thing also appears – postawa roszczeniowa. This can best be translated as a “you owe me everything” attitude.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.