UK, Ireland / Are the Poles in England hated? [450]

There are plenty of Poles in The USA, who say they "hate" America, yet - they stay, work, own a house...go figure.

News / 14 year old rape victim from Warsaw denied abortion! [348]

It's very interesting that there is no mentioning of the rapist. Who was he? A nice catholic boy? A friendly older neighbor or an uncle? He is the one who needs a visit from a priest, but in prison, where he should be used as a girl for some time.

I have no mercy for this kind of animalistic behavior.

This poor girl is victimized all over again. I wish the priests just stay in church and stick to the prayers - that's their job.

Life / To all of you who are Polish - where did you learn English? [64]


lol. I've done that too! Viva Tom and Jerry! :)

Life / GAY PARADE IN WARSAW, PL [87]

He intent was (I think) to start a conversation. He succeeded.
It is about the posters now, if they want to turn it into an inflammatory discussion...Homo can be used as an abbreviation for homosexuals, a perfectly proper word.

Life / GAY PARADE IN WARSAW, PL [87]

I don't see him posting his views on the parade. He just told us about the parade. I don't see it as trollish.

It's the parade observers or participants who do (or not) and that's a whole different story. I see nothing wrong with a gay parade as they should have the right to do it. All in a good taste, however. I don't want see men groping and heavy kissing each other just as much as heterosexual partners doing the same in public.

Travel / Is train travel recommended for tourists in Poland [14]

I took intercity when in Poland a couple of weeks ago - the famous Gosiewski train and a stop in Gosiewo (not the real name of the town). :)

I found it very clean, open (no compartments) - thus safe. It stood to its name TLK (tanie linie kolejowe - cheap rail lines).

I heard that people get robbed more on trains with compartments. The robbers spray something to make the passengers sleep, and then, well... rob them.

UK, Ireland / Poles singled out as responsible for increase in knife culture [39]

I carry a pocket knife in my purse because it has some funky tools: a screwdriver, a beer opener, a filer, a citrus fruit peeler... etc.

Do I increase the polish knife culture and, am I responsible for increase of crime in the UK or The USA?

USA, Canada / US Polonians complain about petrol prices... [11]

We are quite spoiled in The USA. The convenience of driving is what counts. I would not like to share my ride to work with lots of sweaty people, even it is so much cheaper. America is in love in their cars. They'd rather sit in the traffic for 2 hours than get on a Metra or "L" train. That's the way it is - now.

I (they) would rather commute in a car. Some people do have a choice to go to Chicago by public transportation, but they simply will not.

The public transportation does not go everywhere and often you don't have a choice, especially in the suburbs, if you don't have a car - you're simply stuck.

Life / What is Poland's favorite ciggarette? Which brands are the most popular? [46]

really, I don't. People make fun of my 'puffing'. I like the taste, however. Ugly, but tasty - to me.

Life / What is Poland's favorite ciggarette? Which brands are the most popular? [46]

I bought Marlboro when I was in Poland recently. They tasted bad. Luckily, I still had some of Marlboro lights 100's I brought with me from US.

I'm more of a 'party" and 'occasion" smoker, so I don't do it daily, besides, just like Billy Clinton - I don't inhale. :)

USA, Canada / POLISH AMERICANS AND THE 2008 US ELECTION [79]


Don't comply with the majority, bracie. You are still an individual and can make your own choices. But, you are right - the big government is moving towards a socialistic approach and wants to make decisions for us. Now way.

Life / Cool Polish names [133]


Lovely. lol.
I've met lots of people with "odd" names like that and even harder to say. However, for us who speak any European language plus English it is easy to pronounce even the weirdest ones. I'm always complemented when i repeat a 'difficult" name. Unfortunately, to an english only speaking person - it's not easy. Americans are all about abbreviation of names and acronyms at work.

And, constant chills thru my spine due to badly said name are hazardous to my health ;)

Travel / WE ARE BACK FROM POLAND AND HERE IS OUR REPORT [96]

Great post about the trip Rjrogalla. I was in Poland about the same time, but spent my time mostly with family and friends enjoying their home cooking :) The few times that I went to a restaurant left me satisfied as to food and service.

I too choose this time of year for my visits as the idea of summer heat and no air-conditioning in homes (no matter how big or splendid) - scares me.

I totally agree with the maniac way of driving. Even my sweet niece was turning into a road warrior, when behind the wheel! Everybody on the road seemed to be on her way! I don't know what to think of it...

Life / Cool Polish names [133]

I'm afraid he will end up being called Andrew....

My friend in Texas named her son Jerzy. Poor kid has his name mispronounced all the time. Mostly, it sounds like jersey and he hates it.

Do your son a favor, name him Andrew and just call him Andrzej at home if you like. It is a very nice name, but too hard to pronounce.

(my legal name is hard to pronounce and my American coworkers and friends "gave" a nick name, luckily a nice one, and it stuck with me for the last 28 years). :)

Life / Well You visited and/or lived in Poland, tell us what its like. [41]

I just visited Poland and got a very positive image. The amount of new housing - from small villages - to impressive homes in the burbs of big cities. It makes me wonder how so many people can afford them, when so many others keep on whining about money.

Will there be the rich and the poor only in Poland? What about middle class?

The streets are clean, the yards (most of them) kept trimmed and neat. A little worse in the countryside. Also,I was amazed with the amount of colorful houses: yellow, blue, orange, lime green.... I can barely recognize the market square in the town I was going to high school in - so colorful, happy looking place :)

The prices for food, electronics, house-ware, gas, cosmetics - just about everything - are outrages. I thought vegetables in "warzywniak" stores were fairy priced and fresh looking. Ah, I love potatoes in Poland, the yellow ones, simply delicious.

Chicken however seemed to have some "fishy" aftertaste, makes me wonder what the farmers are feeding the chickens with.
I hoped for a real chicken soup made from "real" free range chicken, but even my only farmer cousin stopped having chickens running in the yard...Lots of pigs in the barn, however! :)

Food / COFFEE BRANDS IN POLAND & ELSEWHERE? [17]

None of my family members in Poland had a coffee maker and I was stuck with instant coffee or 'parzona" -boiled water poured over very fine grinds. They were actually pretty good. One of my cousins had espresso machine so I enjoyed a few great cups of java with her! Arkadia Mall in Warsaw had a great coffee too.

I wanted to buy a coffee maker for my niece, but in the small town (about 15000) there were only two stores that had a couple of them to choose from.

They were also very cheaply made and cost 140 zloty! I could get a pretty decent coffee maker for about 70 bucks here.

Travel / I miss Kraków... What do You miss...? [95]


the same here LIR.

I did not go to Krakow this time, so unfortunately - no chance for a good obwarzanek ;(

Language / 'przytulic' cannot ever be properly translated into English [33]

well, I wouldn't consider "pipa" to be a kind word (if you mean what I think you do), but I guess OK when used lightly and not said in anger.

Language / 'przytulic' cannot ever be properly translated into English [33]


I can't find the perfect, polish word for cute, just like pipeczko can't find English one for "przytul sie". I know what you mean pipeczko, all the words are very close - but not It.

Life / The Change in the Role of Women in the Polish Society [32]

None of my married nieces can be called a housewife.
Most of my young cousins are actually business owners, work long hours and their husbands help with the housework and cooking. I also have two single nieces. Both are very independent. (looking for suitable husbands nonetheless, I could "peddle" them off to two nice men looking for a polish wife...hehehe).

They don't make a lot of money, but manage pretty good anyway.

janekb, you are so right in your post.

USA, Canada / Gas prices in America [127]

When I left on my vacation to Poland and France, the price per gallon in the USA was $3.79, I came back to $4.11. Yes, it went up but we still pay half the price drivers pay at the pomp in Europe...It better don't happen here! My cousin in Poland has a car converted to propane gas! Many people do. He can even switch between gas and propane. I found it very interesting, somewhat scary, but hey, gas explodes too!

News / What do Polish friends think of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton? [226]

Poles are for McCain because they believe in business and not socio-democratic government which reminds them of the past in Poland. No respectable family owning a business wants a democrat, who will tax them - just to give it away.

Most Polish business people feel that republican party is better for the business, better for them. Only the "poor' (read lazy) people count on some government 'scarps" thrown their way. Most enjoys the opportunity the republican government promises.

That's just a general opinion overheard.
Frankly, I too don't want to have taxes increased so I can support the people who'd rather play poor, instead of getting their arse moving and work. If I can do it as an immigrant, some third generations of bums can too.

I don't know what's going to happen in November - yet, but neither Obama or Hilary strikes my fancy. If I go for Hilary, it would be only because I want to see a woman win. Not because I believe what she stands for.

That's why McCain might be my guy.

USA, Canada / Visiting Chicago again in a few weeks!! [19]

I did not see this type of a band at Taste of Polonia last year. It was very disappointing. I love to listen to this lively music.

Hopefully they will have one this year ! :)

Life / Cultural readjustment... returning to Poland from the West. [58]

I WILL!!! Thanks. I can't wait! :)

Life / My girlfriend wants to go back to Poland as she thinks lifes better there [36]


I'm with you on this one. When I say that I make that much they think I'm awfully rich, but this kind of money is OK (normal) here. I don't want 18,000 in Poland and begin from scratch...

Language / Things Polish people who speak English language say [180]

Dice, I agree. I never heard the word.
Wikipedia is always edited by people, but it is not the official dictionary I would look up to. Even when you Google..1st - Wikipedia...then..guess what 'polishforums'. LOL.

Life / Cultural readjustment... returning to Poland from the West. [58]

£ukasz, when I go to a grocery store or a post office i don't expect to have a "friend" on the other side, but i want and expect the person to be friendly towards me and i want to feel that I'm welcomed.

"Hi, How are you" does not mean that the person is taking a personal interst in me. It is just a "small talk", which is better than than a silence.

It never hurts to have a welcome smile, which makes me feel...well - welcomed.
I don't want to see a clerk who does his/her job like a robot.
It might seem "phony" to some, but it really is not.
You still get to choose your friends to associate with on Saturday night...I will pay attention to it next time I'm in Poland...and that's May 7th.

From the people in the airport, to the grocery store, to the people on the street, to the people in dental office. Everything.

Life / Cultural readjustment... returning to Poland from the West. [58]

Well, I'll be there in two weeks! I can't wait see my zombie brother and sister and at least 30 zombie, unsmiling cousins and friends! We're going to have a hell of good time sitting and staring at each other without a word! :)

On a good day we'll be walking drunk on the street with a bottle of vodka. Do people put them in a brown bag? They seem to do it in NY or Chicago...

Life / Cultural readjustment... returning to Poland from the West. [58]

Adjustment is always in order when you move to another city, another state... and not to mention another country. As long as you keep your mind open to all the newness around you, you'll be fine.

It's just like every morning you make a decision to be happy all day or to be grumpy..the mood will follow you all day. The choice is yours.

Work / Moving to Poland with my work - which town should I choose? [25]


1. How do you know?
2. Is the TV any good?
3. Children in their hands (let's make it arms)...an enjoyable view.
4. Vodka bottle...well, just a life style for a few bums.

So, New Guy - don't get discouraged. Go to Poland, visit the cities, chat with people and form your own opinion(s). :)