UK, Ireland / Poles returning to the UK [33]

Let's just hope they aren't seeking out benefits as my Scottish friend told me that they are overly generous on that front these days.

Flitting between countries hardly shows clear career progression/direction. I know the type that does it too. Using England as a bailout option is not that nice. Folks like WB, myself and others don't hop around. We stick it out through good times and bad, we ride the waves. We may have other future plans but we stay loyal to our contracts and short-term game plan. It really looks back jumping to and fro.

That's because the figures warrant commentary, Bart. There'd be a hissyfit in the Sejm were so many Brits to come across in a oner.

UK, Ireland / Poles returning to the UK [33]

There are waves on both sides. Some return from the UK and some return to the UK. Look no deeper!

History / The Poms who stood by the Poles in WW2 [156]

Let's see how zee Germans are getting on, almost 70 years after WWII,
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8380226.stm

Quite a story that!

There were plenty people who stuck by the Poles and were impressed by their flying prowess.

Language / A word about a dialect. [20]

The level of dialectal use obviously depends on your precise location. I heard more use of Germanic words in Ożimek. However, I also noticed speech difference. I needed a translation as the guy asked me Chces? It turns out he was asking me 'chcesz?'. He also spoke quickly which made it that bit harder.

Gwara is more noticeable in cities like Chorzów. Even my wife doesn't understand them completely and she is Silesian.

History / The Poms who stood by the Poles in WW2 [156]

Hehehe, he seems to have. America has continued with their golden tradition of blue-on-blue, friendly fire. Many Scots stood by the Poles in WWII. They had a large contingent in Glasgow and my grandad can remember talking with them with their broken English.

News / A THOUSAND PEOPLE WITH SWINE FLU....just over the Polish border.. [43]

I know that some returned to Poland from Cyprus with swine flu. They stayed in hospital there but were released. They seemed to place wine drinking as a higher priority than getting themselves checked out. I did the responsible thing and told my school that I will go for checks if my wife is proven to have it. She is feeling fine now so I doubt it.

UK, Ireland / Exploiting Polish Workers by the UK businesses [90]

I don't really care tbh!! 2 Scottish PM's to carry on from the delusional old hag they called Thatcher. That woman was becoming so out of touch with reality. All the senior guys knew it, Clarke, Portillo and Howard etc etc.

Besides, this is about Polish workers in the UK. I heard about an exploitation case where a cleaner tried to sue her prospective employers because she couldn't understand English. The thing is, she would have had a case had she requested them to furnish her with a Polish copy and they refused. However, all she wanted to do was lock horns and that was her mistake, she didn't explore her options.

UK, Ireland / Exploiting Polish Workers by the UK businesses [90]

Then we have had 2 PM's, the last two :) :) I never saw him as a Scot, nor Brown for that matter. Balfour was likely Scottish too.

News / Does Poland count in Europe or is it ignored? [427]

I agree, jonni. Culture rests with the people and their passion, NOT with some punkass so-called Dept of Culture. They just fritter away cash to the chagrin of many.

Life / Getting married in Poland - Marriage of no impediment [11]

It's a neat little earner for sure. I was lucky enough to get driven there by my wife's bro. They lowered the price but not by that much. It's a ballache getting into Warsaw so we set off early morning.

Law / Marriage Procedure in Poland [56]

Nah, she downloaded a copy of the standard text from the net. Tekst przysięgi I think it was called.

Love / Why are Polish girls constantly ill? [166]

It was a joke, Magdalena. I imagine that she would enter 'that time' into her diary so that she can regulate her frequency.

I am quite angry with the attitude of some Polish people who didn't cancel their holiday to Cyprus through swine flu. They went and had a gay old time, being fully hedonistic and drinking wine most of the time.

The thing is, they may have infected my wife. She will have to go and get checked out as she is showing a couple of the symptoms. Much ado about nothing maybe but we shall see.

Generally, the attitude of the Polish people and government is top-notch and responsible but there are always a few idiots who spoil it.

Life / Getting married in Poland - Marriage of no impediment [11]

The CNI must be obtained in person from your national consulate in Warsaw. It costs just over 600PLN (668?) and is valid for only 3 months so you have to time it well.

It's all in the name. I guess it would say that his former marriage is dissolved to be classed as no impediment. You have to get it anyway whether divorced or not.

Any more specific questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Food / Pescaterian food in Poland? [16]

Buses have replaced trams on the main routes. Taxis are reasonably priced if you know how to negotiate.

It's more of a stream than a river :)

Food / Pescaterian food in Poland? [16]

Zywiec is a classic wee town with some cracking lakes, yes. Hairball is the local PF resident there. I was there 3 years ago and loved it. There is a pensjonat called MEGA which overlooks the lake with mountains as a backdrop. You can eat good fish there and wash it down with Zywiec beer.

The Kłodnica river is still there, as is the train station.

Trams, funny you mention that as they were taken out of commission earlier this year. Rumour has it that the mayor's son didn't like the constant dirling vibrations and they did away with them. They had a 'vote' and decided to abolish them. My guess is that they had already decided and they rigged the votes. Standard politics really! I liked the trams, they were convenient.

A-Dong might have seafood, just like the place Kim Lan on the rynek. However, they are quite expensive.

UK, Ireland / Exploiting Polish Workers by the UK businesses [90]

Yes, Labour under Blair at the time. A bumbling buffoon of a man. A liar and wicked cheat! Sorry, he's not Scottish so let's get that straight. No, the decision was made by the Poles to join in May 2004, they acceded.

Do you know anything about those cases, btw? You can't just avoid them. Did Blair impose caps? Did he do as they did in Holland etc? No. So stop barking on about Brown.

Food / Pescaterian food in Poland? [16]

The lake area could be Pławniowice. Does that ring a bell? Zywiec is a little further away than 30 mins but not that far.

The forests are out in Twórog Mały, Sierakowice and Rachowice. The park is likely Mickiewicz park on Wieczorka/Korfantego streets.

The cinemas are different now. They have Cinema City in Forum, quite a modern option. Bajka closed but I think it's open again. Amok and X may still be open.

Oh, can you eat scrambled eggs? The Poles love their jajecznica. They have plenty of pickles and gherkins. It's popular with bacon but you'd probably opt for a butter base.

Work / Maybe moving to Poland - Help and Advice [7]

When you land a job, other things take care of themselves quite nicely. I'd advise against doing an online course. There's no substitute for real class time.

Ukpolska knows the scene in and around Lublin the best.

UK, Ireland / Exploiting Polish Workers by the UK businesses [90]

Labour as we know. Did they create Dassonville or Van Binsbergen? Eh, no!

UK, Ireland / Exploiting Polish Workers by the UK businesses [90]

That's what I thought in my 14:12 post, wildrover. A disgruntled old fart who has had his hopes dashed over and over.

Food / Pescaterian food in Poland? [16]

Bad news for you as Pizza Hut went under here a couple of years back. There are plenty of other pizza places though.

You are right about the soups but still, zupa ogórkowa (gherkin/pickle soup) or kapuśniak (cabbage soup) are without meat. You should be ok with barszcz but it's worth asking just to be sure.

Pierogi can be with mushrooms and cabbage or the ruskie type which is a special kind of cheese with potato. Kłuski (dumplings) are just flour-based products and contain no meat.

Seafood can be bought from the supermarkets but there aren't really restaurants that specialise in it in Gliwice.

What can you remember from your childhood here?

You should try Bar Teatralny which is right beside where I live. Also, Sierakowidzski is another one, near the ZUS building and Peter/Paul cathedral. Great pierogi in both.

Food / Pescaterian food in Poland? [16]

What do you have in mind? My wife and I live in Gliwice and she is a vegetarian. What do you eat in South Africa? I can help you if you give me an idea as I have lived here for over 5 years and, as you know, it's not that big of a city.

UK, Ireland / Exploiting Polish Workers by the UK businesses [90]

Maybe he was talking about Lithuanians as they are Eastern Europeans?

Free movement was established A LONG time ago and it wasn't Gordon Brown that just thought it up.

UK, Ireland / Exploiting Polish Workers by the UK businesses [90]

Poles don't look out for one another that much abroad. How much first-hand experience do you have, scotay? We all read stories but...

UK, Ireland / Exploiting Polish Workers by the UK businesses [90]

And here's Tom with the weather, LOL

The tragic irony is, the guy has probably been chasing Polish tail for some time now.

Work / Maybe moving to Poland - Help and Advice [7]

I'd recommend doing the CELTA to increase your chances. It will be seen as a change in direction, that you are prepared to invest in teaching. The man you wanna ask here is ukpolska as he mixed business and teaching for some time, maybe still does. He lives near or in Lublin. I'll let him say more specific things.

Are you sure you wanna give up your job, though? If I had a job like yours, I'd likely keep it but Poland can be an interesting new experience.

Feedback / National Admin appreciation day! [18]

Was this a sarcastic post or a genuine one? It's good to state why rather than just making a blanket statement without elaborating.

Love / Help-my polish bf doesn't fancy me! [94]

Smaller boobs can actually be attractive but a fine pair to caress also works nicely.

I often give massages, it really sets the mood so to speak :)

There, massage your guy Kasia and see how that works. It works most times for most people.

Love / Help-my polish bf doesn't fancy me! [94]

It reminds me of the old Bottom joke, 'Are you a leg or a breast man?' (chicken). Rick Mayall was an educated guy but played the idiot very well.

I'm glad the level of discussion is above the playground HBI suggestion ;)

Law / Marriage Procedure in Poland [56]

OK, it takes some time as you will no doubt be aware. I have even memorised the lines so, when the right time comes around, I'll be ready to pass them on.