A couple of weeks ago, I shared my thoughts on the refugee crisis and mentioned that I do empathise with migrants seeking a new start in Europe. While I stand by those views, I’m disappointed by news of bad apples among the migrants.

You’ve probably heard about Alexandra Mezher, a 22 year old social worker who had been working at an asylum centre in Mölndal, Sweden, helping unaccompanied minors adapt to life in their adopted home but was stabbed by a 15 year old migrant boy from Somalia earlier this week. She died a few hours later. 

In Germany, which has welcomed over a million refugees, at least 500 sexual assault and robbery complaints have been filed since the New Year’s Eve attacks in at least three German cities, Cologne, Hamburg and Stuttgart, by groups of men of North African and Middle Eastern appearance, according to police reports, sparking anti-migrant and anti-Islam protests across Germany and other European countries. 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel who has been such a gracious host has since warned that asylum seekers and illegal migrants who break the law will be deported. In Denmark, lawmakers just approved a controversial refugee bill which will allow police to seize asylum seekers’ cash and valuables. Anything above £1,000 will be taken away to pay for their stay. 

The Danish parliament also voted to extend the waiting period for migrants to reunite with their families to three years, in a bid to discourage more people from coming in. US lawmakers have also forced President Barack Obama to halt his plans to take in more Syrian refugees over fears that terrorists might exploit the system. 

Similar steps are being taken by France and Belgium and this would probably not be the case if all asylum seekers made an attempt to fit in. If you’re against drinking, keep your thoughts to yourself. Also get used to the fact that women dress however they want, especially in summer so while you may get away with staring, don’t you dare touch. It’s just like when you visit a friend or relative and spend the night. 

You forget the comforts of your own home and do with what your host provides. Even if dinner is horrible, you smile and thank them for the meal. If you’re served black tea in the morning, don’t ask where the milk is! Similarly, don’t help yourself to several pieces of chicken however tasty it may be. People tend to get too comfortable at times. I accidentally broke a plate while visiting an aunt once and I felt so terrible. 

I know it sounds trivial but to this day, I wonder if she still remembers the incident. I also hate cold water in the morning but unless I’m at a very close friend or relative’s house, I will grit my teeth and shudder through the cold bath. However, I have friends who visit and sleep in even on work days. I’m too polite to wake such people up even when that means I end up getting to work late. I’m just glad my mum taught me better!