Page 15 - COBH EDITION 1st SEPTEMBER DIGITAL VERSION

I made lots of calls to different window people over the years and I got various answers, but
most companies told me they couldn’t do anything. One guy told me he could solve my prob-
lem for a zillion Euro while others had no interest and never got back to me.
I rang one company and explained my difficulty to a lady and she told me that somebody
would contact me. When a week passed by and I didn’t hear anything, I called her back. She
told me that she had passed on my message and she couldn’t do anymore so she advised me
to ring this man myself. Needless to say, I didn’t bother.
Then one day out of the blue, an advertisement popped up on the Internet offering a profes-
sional service for repairing windows and doors. I sent off an email and the following morning
at 7.45am I got a reply offering to call to me the following day at 11am. I wasn’t holding my
breath but at the appointed time there was a knock on the door.
This window man introduced himself and as it happens, he is from Poland. He came over here
about ten years ago, saw an opening and set up his company. He did a very professional job
at a reasonable price and solved my problem.

I can remember, in a previous life, I had responsibility for engaging with members of the new
communities in Cork City and at one stage during the 2000’s it was estimated that there were
about 30,000 Polish nationals living in the greater Cork area.

While it was always expected that many of them would return to Poland when their economy
improved, it was also acknowledged that many of them would stay and make Ireland their
home and many did.
I, for one, am delighted they’re here. My experience has been absolutely positive and as far
as work ethic and professionalism go, they could teach some of our home grown heroes a
thing or two.

Read more from Trevor on his blg at www.trevorlaffan.com
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