Should foreigner ask about benefits?

I hope I haven't been judgmental of your personal circumstances, but I think whenever you bring state benefits into a topic, you are going to get comments.  It's a red rag to a bull.

If there's something you don't want to throw open for debate, it's probably best not to mention it at all, especially if it is peripheral to the main thing you want to discuss.

If there's something you don't want to throw open for debate, it's probably best not to mention it at all, especially if it is peripheral to the main thing you want to discuss.

Oh, come on.  Since when are people's personal circumstances 'open to debate'.  She was simply asking for information.  Not asking people to comment on her personal hypothetical choices.  There's a difference here.

I guess it's a debate when numerous posters all come down on one or two who ask further questions.

Whether a question is "hypothetical" or not is irrelevent.  Heck, if the question is hypothetical then so is the answer - no need for anyone to get offended or defend their territory.

A foreigner coming into the country who asks about getting benefits to cover something which is self-inflicted, calculated and intentional is going to get some peoples' backs up.  It doesn't matter whether the topic relates to pregnancy or whatever.  Whether it is reasonable or not for them to get flack for even thinking about benefits is neither here nor there - the fact is is that it's a contentious issue, whatever the background.  As I said, it's a red rag to a bull (which means that any reasoning is out of the window).

For the sake of political correctness, it is probably best to leave unsaid any thought of getting state benefits.  The topic becomes a debate any time it's mentioned.  Think of it along the same lines of mentioning someone's race, and the effect that this has on an otherwise innocent topic.

A foreigner coming into the country who asks about getting benefits to cover something which is self-inflicted, calculated and intentional is going to get some peoples' backs up. It doesn't matter whether the topic relates to pregnancy or whatever.

Oh, heaven forbid that a foriegner should ask a question about benefits!  OMG, you're right!  We've all come to this great land with one thing on our minds.  Getting the most we can out of the British Government.  Never mind that foriengners pay taxes too.     Thanks for setting me straight, JacChic. 

Glad to be of help, Mindy.

You seem hell bent on turning this into debate.  It's like Fawlty Towers and "don't mention the war".  A competition  in who can be more politically correct.

The fact is that benefits is a contentious issue, whatever way you try to flavor it.  If you want to discuss a different topic in a serious way, don't bring benefits into it as it is bound to deflect attention away from what you really want to discuss.  Simple.  The OP was asking about the technical ability of NHS doctors to give her proper care for her risky condition (hypothetical) - by bringing benefits into it, she is deflecting attention away from what she really wants to discuss.  You can't really blame respondants - they will only comment on what is already on the table.

Now, I fear I am about to be admonished for repeating the same thing three times.  Or have I not been clear?

Oh, heaven forbid that a foriegner should ask a question about benefits!  OMG, you're right!  We've all come to this great land with one thing on our minds.  Getting the most we can out of the British Government. 

unfortunately, some of us have met americans who expatriate here w/that exact purpose in mind.    what is ironic, and this was a personal experience i had and by no means indicative of all expats, was that the person would not have dreamed of asking for benefits in america.  that's sad, b/c as expats we - whether we like it or not - are representatives for our country.  and when persons conduct themselves in such  way, it can make us look like a bunch of freeloading moochers.  we are all here at this nation's hospitality.  some keep that more in mind more than others.  

Now, I fear I am about to be admonished for repeating the same thing three times. Or have I not been clear?

Oh no.  Thank you for that.  Being a foriegner I need things spelt out for me.  But now I know what is and isn't appropriate to ask. 

You're welcome

Could someone define what they mean by a foreigner please. 

"and this was a personal experience i had and by no means indicative of all expats, was that the person would not have dreamed of asking for benefits in america.  "

Yeah..because they don't exist.

"and this was a personal experience i had and by no means indicative of all expats, was that the person would not have dreamed of asking for benefits in america.  "

Yeah..because they don't exist.

Sure they do.  My best friend got Section 8 and was on the state healthcare programme (Colorado) for low income persons whilst she tempted until she was made a permanent hire. 

I guess it's a debate when numerous posters all come down on one or two who ask further questions.

Whether a question is "hypothetical" or not is irrelevent.  Heck, if the question is hypothetical then so is the answer - no need for anyone to get offended or defend their territory.

A foreigner coming into the country who asks about getting benefits to cover something which is self-inflicted, calculated and intentional is going to get some peoples' backs up.  It doesn't matter whether the topic relates to pregnancy or whatever.  Whether it is reasonable or not for them to get flack for even thinking about benefits is neither here nor there - the fact is is that it's a contentious issue, whatever the background.  As I said, it's a red rag to a bull (which means that any reasoning is out of the window).

For the sake of political correctness, it is probably best to leave unsaid any thought of getting state benefits.  The topic becomes a debate any time it's mentioned.  Think of it along the same lines of mentioning someone's race, and the effect that this has on an otherwise innocent topic.

Wasn't the original question about whether the NHS covered things like childcare?  Considering that anyone in the UK on a spouse visa or work permit is entitled to NHS care, I fail to see why you had a problem with someone asking what that included. 

i, too, am a foreigner in the UK; husband is on WP. I, for one, can't see calling anything connected to the NHS a benefit, and would be happy to see anyone getting anything they are entitled to from the NHS as we pay so much for it and get so little in return.  We lived in London for 4 years and payed LOTS of money out of pocket because of poor service in the NHS.  Admittedly, the service is much better here in Kent, as I have been told it is in most rural areas.

Could someone define what they mean by a foreigner please.

How do you spell it?     I'm thinking of changing my forum title to Dyslexic Guardian Reader.   

ha ha Mindy how DARE you come to the UK and not be able to spell, what a burden on taxpayer funds. Please return to the US and do not come back til you can spell properly.