Dining Across the Gap: A Encounter Among Different Viewpoints
Meeting the Individuals
One Diner: Peter, 34, from London
Profession Former civil servant, currently a learner studying community health
Voting record Voted the Green Party recently (also a member of the party); formerly Labour. Describes himself as “progressive, and globalist instead of nationalist”
Interesting fact A drawing of a tea cup he created as a child was once displayed in the Irish National Gallery
Other Participant: Akshat, 43, Harrow
Occupation Risk manager in the infrastructure industry
Voting record Originally from the Indian subcontinent, he has resided in the UK for half a decade, and voted Conservative. Identifies as “somewhat moderate right”
Interesting fact Akshat taught himself to understand Urdu. “It has no practical use for me, I simply found it intriguing”
For starters
Akshat During the past 20 years, I have resided and been employed in Qatar, East Asia, the US. The issues Peter and I talked about are focused on Britain, but they are also global, because people's lives more or less evolve similarly wherever it is. I was expecting someone very liberal, but Peter wasn’t all gung ho – we engaged in a good, rational discussion. I drank beer, Peter had mojitos.
Peter We split appetizers – fishy spring rolls, steamed buns, daikon cakes with beansprouts, which were superb. I was a little nervous, as I think he was too. Would he criticize me for being a snowflake? We each have immigrant backgrounds. I grew up in Dublin; I have resided in the US and the Iberian Peninsula. We bonded over our affection for London.
Key disagreements
Akshat I look at immigration similar to sprinkling salt to a dish. With a small amount, the food tastes wonderful. Add too little or too much and the dish is insipid or overly seasoned.
The second participant Akshat used an analogy about seasoning. It would be a funny place to exist if the state was selecting some ideal ethnic makeup of the nation.
The first participant There are, unfortunately, individuals fleeing persecution, but a lot of migrants coming to the UK are those seeking better finances who may not contribute much and can weigh on the welfare system. No one compels you to move to a new country for opportunity, so you should only go if you can take care of your own needs and your family.
The second participant We became confused with certain details. I don’t think it’s like you arrive and work and then following a half-decade you get permanent citizenship. Nothing is automatic. The climate has been unwelcoming for some time, application costs are quite expensive, you pay an healthcare levy, access to benefits is limited. The red carpet isn’t rolled out for anybody. And regarding the new policies, under which you can’t bring your family over, it is astonishing to state: we desire your labor, but we don’t want you. I think we have to have a degree of compassion.
Common ground
Akshat Peter’s sceptical of unregulated markets. I am, too, but simultaneously, wealth creation benefits society and ought to be promoted.
Peter We’re both internationalist. And we concurred that certain elements of the community – politics, the media – thrive off creating conflict. We did find common ground in fundamentals and values.
Dessert and debate
Akshat Peter believes that since the UK profited from colonial times, it should pay compensation to affected nations. I simply think: you cannot judge history with contemporary ethics; times are different, current society were not responsible of events 50 or 100 years ago. Suppose the UK was obliged to repay the Indian nation, it would be a significant sum of funds. Is Britain able to manage that? No.
Peter In the past, I believe adequate reflection occurred with the colonial past. For example, when I first moved to the United Kingdom, people had little knowledge of the Great Famine and the role that imperial rule contributed to it. My view is decolonization isn’t just about issuing payments, it should be about examining past errors and our current responsibilities.
Final thoughts
The first participant It may not alter the way I think, but I appreciate his worries. I converse with people every day whose views are contrary to my own. The goal is bringing everyone to the same page, so that everyone can strive for the betterment of the community.
The second participant We were there for 150 minutes. He enjoyed a sweet treat and I drank a Japanese dessert wine. I didn’t persuade him of anything, but we both enjoyed the meal, so we could hopefully be more receptive to engaging in dialogues with other people in future.
