LIFESTYLE-Magazine-Winter-2016

We also help our close family and friends financially giving small interest free loans to help themduring difficult times. More importantly, moral support and advice at difficult times is what I got frommy family and I ampassing that on to the ones that ask. Tommy Fox - Irish Being Irish and living through theTroublesmade me feel both part and apart frommy culture. It’s not something I talk about, but being in the Royal Air force created problems for mewith some of my friends. It also openedmy eyes to things I’d rather not have seen and don’t like to think about. As for being Irish - I love the identity – doesn’t everyonewant to be Irish on St Patrick’s Day? I can sum it up through football really. If Ireland are playing another part of Ireland I will support my team, if Ireland are playing England I support Ireland, but if England are playing a foreign team then I’mcheering on England.We have a good few Irish livingwhere I do and yes I would say I do feel automatically closer to them I suppose. 6. Marriage. Is it outdated or to be celebrated? Can families play a positive role in helping to arrange them? Do you have any views on same sex marriage? Marcin Kominek - Polish Marriage should be celebrated?Yes of course. This is a fantasticmoment where two people start living together and family/friends should enjoy this timewith them. In the Polish tradition always the parents/family play a large role in preparing for thewedding. It is a special moment where young people thank you for everything that they received for many years.Weddings in Poland usually take two days.They are full of fun and joy. As a Catholic and a person of faith I do not support same-sexmarriage, but this is just my opinion. David Render -White/English The general argument made against same sex marriage is that children born into these marriages/relationships will be at a disadvantage. I totally disagree, I have friends who aremarried to the same sex and it's not a problembecause they both love each other.

Being Irish and living through the Troublesmade me feel both part and apart frommy

culture Tommy Fox

The general argument made against same sex marriage is that children born into these marriages/ relationships will be at a disadvantage Dave Render

5. How does your ethnic identity shape you as a person? Do aspects of your culture make you feel protected in any way? For example financially speaking some Irish and Asian friends talk about their Commiees which allow them to borrowmoney interest free. Others talk of food sharing. Marcin Kominek - Polish We Poles are basically taught to convey kindness and to share it. People say wework very hard andwe are non-confrontational.This is true. I personally for many years help people fromdifferent communities as a police volunteer and community link worker. And I do it completely for free. I amglad that I can support the people in different needs I come froma generation that teaches/taught people to help each other during difficult times. Today’s society ismulti-cultural and very different to the society I grew up in in the 80s and 90s. Munsif Dad - British/Kashmiri I come froma culture and customwhich teaches generations to help and support close familymembers, relatives, friends and communities.We celebrate festivals together, and get together tomourn the loss of a loved one. and fromdifferent backgrounds. David Render -White/English

Top and Right: The Retro Food and Drink Restaurant, Accrington where the four men met and the interviews took place.

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