Thread
1) My experience as an #immigrant has been mostly positive, but I got to say I& #39;ve also been treated like something & #39;exotic & new& #39;, but not as someone to REALLY get to know. I found many are already busy with their families & old circles to really let you in their lives.

2) & #39;Oh I& #39;d love to see you for a drink& #39; & it never happens no matter how you try. & #39;Let& #39;s meet up for a coffee sometime& #39; & there& #39;s rarely a follow up, you& #39;re put at the end of their list. Some wants to see you for a bit cause you& #39;re bringing something new...

3) ...but there& #39;s no way they& #39;re going to mix you up with their existing friends, including & embracing you.
Now, I& #39;m not saying we can become close friends with everyone we meet, but it& #39;s also true an immigrant has a real need for connection, especially if they came here alone.

4) I& #39;ve mainly found deeper connections with other immigrants & with Irish people who lived abroad, cause we understand that need. With many other Irish people, they went from interest level 10 to 0, cause the moment I wasn& #39;t new anymore, a friendship seemed too much effort.

5) What I& #39;m trying to say is: give us a chance. We& #39;re people like you. It& #39;s sad to feel you& #39;re building a friendship & someone never finds time to meet you & REALLY see you. When the thrill of something new is gone, we discover we& #39;re all the same. Let us in. #ImmigrantsMatter