[widforss]

As a refugee one is looking for a better life per definition. Surely the primary goal is to get away from war or threats of violence and death, but if you were starting over, wouldn't you want to start with the best possible odds?

[curiousgal]

The worst of those odds still beats living in Syria by a long mile believe me. For this particular guy, going for the "best possible odds" definitely doesn't justify the risk he took.

In a nutshell, beggars can't be choosers.

[vidarh]

Of course beggars can be choosers.

What that statement generally means is that beggars can't generally afford to turn down charity, hoping for others to give something better.

But in this case this is not what we are talking about, but a situation where someone has to decide which country they will try to apply for asylum in, amongst multiple possible options. In that case, they most definitively can choose to some extent, even though the alternatives may have different perceived risk profiles.

And as with everything else, of course some people will choose badly.

[PeterisP]

But these aren't simply "multiple possible options" that differ only in the final country.

One option, getting asylum as soon as you can, is your right, and the other option - crossing the border with forged documents to get asylum elsewhere - is a crime.

Yes, you may prefer A to B - but if one of them is permitted and the other is not, then there is a big ethical difference, and simply choosing whatever benefits you most is not appropriate.

[jamespo]

It would seem they can in this case, maybe you don't want them to.

[curiousgal]

Beggars can't be choosers.

Person A can choose.

Ergo, Person A is not a beggar.

Of course they can choose, but they have to stop playing the "refugee" card.

[charlesdm]

Absolutely. Given he speaks excellent english, the UK is pretty much the only logical choice.

[Tehnix]

Except for the fact that you can easily get by with english in most european countries.

[socialist_coder]

Yeah, this is a huge misconception. You pretty much need to be able to learn the language to successfully live in a country long term.

Even if you can find a job in English (which is possible, things like startups or video game developers are sometimes in English), you will need the local language to talk to shop keepers, repair men, salespeople, any government worker, etc. Basically all the day to day bullshit errands you need to do are only doable in the local language.

Nordic countries are probably OK with English only since a huge % of the population speaks English. Everywhere else though, no chance. The English speaking % is far too low.

[Tehnix]

>Even if you can find a job in English (which is possible, things like startups or video game developers are sometimes in English), you will need the local language to talk to shop keepers, repair men, salespeople, any government worker, etc. Basically all the day to day bullshit errands you need to do are only doable in the local language.

In Nordic countries at least, that is indeed not a problem. Literally everybody speaks english at some level, and the whole especially in the larger cities you can often end in shops or restaurants where the people that work there only speak english.

[zorked]

If you are a tourist sure. If you hope to get a job, especially if your occupation isn't in high demand, then no.

[foldr]

In France?! You've got to be kidding.