[Serious]What will happen to Europe with all these new immigrants?

Great question.

I live in Europe and it's the Big Topic here.

I can't predict what will ultimately happen (nor can anyone else---there's nary a psychic in the bunch) but the mood is getting a bit ugly in some places.

Even those who feel great pity for those seeking refuge are concerned about strains on the infrastructure, and / or having to absorb so many people whose customs, culture, beliefs, and level of education can be so different from those of much of Europe.

If a guy knocks on my door and says, "I'm hungry...could I have something to eat?" I can handle that. If he keeps coming back day after day, maybe I can figure out a way to help him.

If, though, a week later he brings ten of his hungry friends with him, and a week later they bring ten of their friends, can my household handle that? It's not a question of whether I'd want to help or not---I would---but whether I could help. There's no such thing as "unlimited resources."

People need educations, jobs, shelter, food, and assistance while they get on their feet...but simultaneously, so do natives of the host country. If your own kid can't get a job, how sympathetic are you going to be to 10,000 immigrants who also want a job when there aren't any jobs.

They also need to be more flexible in their thinking than many want to be, and ask what THEY can give the country they seek refuge in, instead of always asking for help FROM those countries.

Lest you think I'm down on immigrants, no. I understand they seek a better life, and I'd like to see them have it. But just imagine if I saw video of Beverly Hills and decided: "I'm moving there!" And when I got there I said, "I'm here now---take care of me!" It wouldn't be unreasonable for the people of Beverly Hills to ask, "Uh, exactly what do you bring to the table, Head-Mechanic?"

My wife and I have kind of "adopted" a Syrian refugee I met in one of my German classes, and developed a friendship with him. He's a great guy. I've met a few of his cousins, who have also been granted asylum here. I like them all, and I think we're all learning from one another.

But Europe is filling up fast, and it's looking like things are going to get ugly before everything settles down.

/r/AskReddit Thread