UK, Ireland / List of goods taken from living in the UK [64]

I do like a good kotlet/cutlette. Some garlic butter melted on top is always welcome. Do you like Chicken Kievs, Shawn? We have them in abundance in the UK. I'd like to take them over.

Life / Polish Residency - Zameldowanie to be abolished? [49]

You just have to ride it out, James. There is no circumventing it. It makes things easier in the long run.

History / UPA - Ukrainian Insurgent Army. How they killed poles in Volhynia (1943). [139]

I observe slightly differently. If Europe really embraces alternative options to gas, then Russia may find itself in a precarious position. Still, quote me some odds on that happening. Russia is secure enough for now, many new countries are interested in its natural supplies. When you talk of months of reserves, which most countries had, that's not sustainable at all. Exhaust those and you will trigger a domino effect. Not only business will suffer, interpersonal relationships will too. I have discussed this with professionals who heavily rely on these gas supplies. So, in the sphere of gas, at the drop of a hat. Its leverage may have been reduced in other areas but not in this one, for now anyway.

LOL, Kostik is good to have on board. It's nice when you can have representation from different sides. Poles, like everyone else, are not entirely accurate in their depiction of history. It has to be that way. We rely on the accounts of others.

It would be good to have some Baltic players join in, just to give things a more rounded perspective. I mean Latvians, Lithuanians and Estonians.

History / UPA - Ukrainian Insurgent Army. How they killed poles in Volhynia (1943). [139]

Russia is still a powerhouse though. It can make business deals at the drop of a hat. I don't really believe that Timoshenko will value Poland as a close partner like Yushenko did. She's a devious little coc, eh, person so don't bank on anything Sokrates.

Life / Polish Residency - Zameldowanie to be abolished? [49]

Welcome to the wonderful world of bureaucracy. My school which required me to register initiated proceeding well in advance. Everything had its time.

I have several ringbinders here, the paperwork that I have is quite staggering.

Law / HOW DO I REGISTER MY BUSINESS NAME IN POLAND? [17]

I hope they aren't operating retroactively. That'd mean that they could retract what I have.

I wouldn't be so sure, delphi. It may mean non-Poles though I'd have to check.

UK, Ireland / Supermarkets in Poland: differences and similarities to the UK. [62]

Nah, it's just the truth ;) I often shopped there, believing that they represented value for money.

The pecking order has changed in the UK. I can remember ASDA, Bridge of Dee, way back in 1999 and even before. It was anything but a nice experience but they have really made inroads into sprucing it up. Of course, you had Sainsbury's right opposite, vying for custom. They have climbed the ranks.

Tesco, for me anyhow, is still a quality supermarket. I like their own range of products and they also have Tesco Value products which are intended for those on tighter budgets. I just use my discretion, the Value products can be as good as Tesco's standard brands.

Life / Polish Residency - Zameldowanie to be abolished? [49]

That's true as well, tax dodging. I know how it works now, my fiancee did some digging just to see what was really going on. It's cheaper for them to employ you on this contract.

The PESEL is not top priority if you have your own interest. I got mine long after my NIP and REGON.

I think the registration process has been streamlined/harmonised so I don't think Warsaw operates differently.

UK, Ireland / Supermarkets in Poland: differences and similarities to the UK. [62]

I think it's a bit of both, depending of course on their income levels. The Tesco here is a little bit out of the way for some so they want to make their trip worthwhile by stocking up more fully. I notice that Poles buy a lot of 24 packs or bigger items. It works out cheaper for them.

For the things which you cannot get to a high enough standard in Tesco, people go to market stalls which are popular here. You can pick up some excellent fish, fruit+veg but seasonal prices really vary here.

Habits have logically changed. You use the options you have around you. The preference before was to go to stores such as Lidl, Plus and Biedronka. Biedronka have really branched out, replacing the Plus stores. These are supermarkets for poorer people for the most part.

There are 2 Carrefour stores here, both located in large complexes. That's quite sensible as people may be going to Leroy Merlin, for example, and then see the big Carrefour sign. Then, when they go in, they might realise that they had more things to pick up than they (had) previously thought.

Tesco prefers its status as a stand-alone store.

UK, Ireland / List of goods taken from living in the UK [64]

The classic staples. Melted cheese, the food of students. Lovely!

History / UPA - Ukrainian Insurgent Army. How they killed poles in Volhynia (1943). [139]

if you don't value opinions, CK, where is the dialogue? Borrka, for me, is a very educated and informed guy. Why ignore his opinion, why not discuss it instead?

Life / Polish Residency - Zameldowanie to be abolished? [49]

The PESEL is your personal ID number that only you can use. For most intents and purposes, you won't be using it but there are official documents where it is necessary.

O dzieło is for services rendered. It's not necessarily the contract of death, if you do contract work, e.g games projects, or want to work here only for a short time, then it's fine. I worked under one for 3 years. The holiday entitlement is not so good.

Well, it is compulsory James. My landlord was told to go home and get it, otherwise the process wouldn't go ahead. It's your agreement with your landlord, for renting/using the property etc.

As for the NIP, yes, you have to register with the tax office. The NIP-1 form is important as it shows you as the registered taxpayer.

Sorry, the gmina is simply an area. The jurisdictional area in which it covers I think.

UK, Ireland / List of goods taken from living in the UK [64]

Those sandwichers are really good. In fact, I am kinda hungry :)

News / Poland will take half a century to catch up with the West [240]

I'm fully aware of the history of it. Sorry, there were many who supported communism. This notion that it was a completely evil idea is just wrong. Many went for it and miss those days. You don't believe me? Ask the older generation.

News / Poland will take half a century to catch up with the West [240]

Finally, some recognition of this fact. There was an embracing of change. People wanted it too quickly and became disillusioned when it didn't happen as they'd've liked. Communism was a known variable, worth sticking with for many.

UK, Ireland / List of goods taken from living in the UK [64]

Well, I don't know. I don't mix with too many English folk....;)

You are welcome daughter ;)

News / Poland will take half a century to catch up with the West [240]

Geez, lad. You really represent the young generation. So many old people here harp back to the days of communism. Were your earplugs in at that time??? After Balcerowicz and his band of merry men cocked up the reform process to capitalism proper, many lost confidence and looked afresh for the certainty that communism provided.

UK, Ireland / List of goods taken from living in the UK [64]

Many foreign men believe that but I know the Poles to be a resourceful bunch. The Poles are just victims of their own temperaments at times. Otherwise, they are a super lot.

I'm not easily upset these days.

You can get half loaves which should be enough for a couple of days.

News / Poland will take half a century to catch up with the West [240]

It will take some time for sure but let's not lay the blame solely at the feet of others. There were many fans of communism in successive Polish governments, let's not kid ourselves.

UK, Ireland / List of goods taken from living in the UK [64]

Everyone has different means. I was always told that slower was better, Justy. Lacking their own initiative? Poles are blamed left, right and centre by foreigners for that here. Carry in if you wish.

Switch to British bread, it lasts longer. Polish bread tasted better but, by the time you buy it, it's already past its best.

Buy 3/4's ;)

UK, Ireland / List of goods taken from living in the UK [64]

That's what I do, PD. It's thrown into the toaster and it tastes superb. Breadcrumbs? They are for the birds :)

UK, Ireland / List of goods taken from living in the UK [64]

Small loaves of it still go off very quickly. Trust me, this stuff is about as durable as a fat sweathog on a diet of crisps and guacamole cheese, pigging out on pizza too.

UK, Ireland / List of goods taken from living in the UK [64]

I'd rather have durable bread than stuff that can't even last 24 hours before it turns crap. Sorry, I live in Poland, I get what's on offer.

UK, Ireland / List of goods taken from living in the UK [64]

Many are laid back I guess, in their own way.

UK, Ireland / List of goods taken from living in the UK [64]

Yeah, Polish bread that lasts about 1 day before it begins to go off. What's with that? This is nothing to be proud of. The taste is damn good but the lasting freshness is far from ideal. Better off with US Tost or Schulstad in my book.

Love / Are Polish men generally possessive? [51]

The more I read about national supposed traits, the more I smell BS. The Poles are a possessive bunch but who isn't? The women are reputedly far more possessive.

UK, Ireland / Supermarkets in Poland: differences and similarities to the UK. [62]

Wonders will never cease. Maybe it's just perceived distrust? Poland is not as much in the stone-ages as we may think.

News / Poland will take half a century to catch up with the West [240]

I wouldn't diss Poland too much. I was with an older Polish guy tonight, exchanging ideas. He is happy that communism is behind him but saw the merits in it. The sharing and the overriding ethos appealed to him in a way. It is not about catching up, it's about making an adjustment between 2 fundamentally different ideologies. Even in my drunken haze, I can see this clear as day.

Westerners, comment at your peril. You guys really understand little as to how communism works in an operational sense. If communism was always such a scourge, then the Russians are the most retrograde sons of bitches in the world.

UK, Ireland / List of goods taken from living in the UK [64]

Poles feel no pain right, all is well?

UK, Ireland / List of goods taken from living in the UK [64]

I'll issue a caveat, romanticise your home country at your peril.