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

That's why I am generally opposed to standard abortions. The Church of England really gets it right IMHO. However, it is up to authorities to stop such profiteering. Why should women suffer from their greed? Unfortunately, we all do.

My original position remains, too many get abortions too cheaply. Like an easy answer to a fatal mistake. Still, we have to leave the option open and let doctors exercise their judgement with the utmost caution.

Law / Marriage Procedure in Poland [56]

They are floating about somewhere. If not, I can get a copy quite easily. Aren't you past that game, Jan? ;) ;)

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

Which is why I used the word 'can', Justy ;) There are so many complicating factors but where there's a will, there's a way. Hope is a good thing!

Law / Marriage Procedure in Poland [56]

In almost all ways I'd say. Otherwise, it'd be like a contract with no value.

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

I think it's harder than people make out. Too many men here are into the battle of life and don't look so happy. Unhappy men means lowered sex drive. It's unfortunate that so many need alcohol in order to draw out their otherwise repressed desires.

The BJ's were likely only short-term gratification and torny is right, there needs to be sth deeper and more fulfilling.

He sounds like he needs to get in touch with himself again. If the spark was there before, it can be rekindled. Just recreate some of the old vibe (not BJ's, LOL).

Travel / Katowice airport travel to Kedzierzyn Kozle [5]

KK is a place near Gliwice, due west. I'm guessing that you are flying with WizzAir. In which case, there is a shuttlebus to the centre of Katowice, near EMPIK. From there, you can find ul Stawowa (Stawowa Street). It's right opposite and is the main street with McDonalds etc. It connects the bus station to the train station. The timetables are generally valid but check anyway.

If you have any specific questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Law / Marriage Procedure in Poland [56]

It is a nice thing but be mindful of the need to show an understanding of those words. I spent the night before my wedding saying them with English foremost in my mind, i.e using Polish but feeling the sense in English.

UK, Ireland / I'm turning nationalistic. Want to change my views. [14]

Many Poles themselves will tell you that a lot of undesirables went over so I can imagine hordes of tracksuit wearing individuals. They like the hooded look here. Unfaithful and untrustworthy? Well, employers can always give them the heave-ho if they don't shape up in the workplace.

As for the money side of things, McCoy said it well. Many Poles don't hide the fact that they are there for cash but they may find themselves stuck. Quite a few have this romantic vision of returning to Poland loaded and ready to set up a business. It often doesn't work that way.

Self-loving pricks? Tbh, that was one of my first impressions when I came here proper in 2004. There was a cocky swagger about some people that got on my wick. Quite a few actually. However, I don't see it that much these days. Maybe I've switched myself off to it and started looking for better things a long time ago.

It's the same old conclusion. Some are like that and some aren't. It just depends if you see the glass as half full or half empty.

News / European Quality Of Life Index: Poland in the middle [29]

LOL, nothing like a bit of humour to take away the mind-numbing nature of stats :)

News / European Quality Of Life Index: Poland in the middle [29]

From Jun-Sep (inc) 2009, it rose by 0.1% each month so, according to that logic, it should be 11.1% at the end of this month. Exactly, McCoy, the sources are misleading. We cannot pretend to know either as neither of us have conducted any empirical research.

News / European Quality Of Life Index: Poland in the middle [29]

GUS put the figure at 10.9% as of Sep 2009 and that had been the case for the previous 3 months. Labour market experts say that it's likely to rise to 12% by the end of the year. In all likelihood, around 11.5%.

News / European Quality Of Life Index: Poland in the middle [29]

Standard of living is better, BB. Quality of life, for me personally, is every bit as much a spiritual thing as a material thing. If I have enough to live plus a nest egg, that'll do. My quality of life will be in ensuring that I'm never spiritually bankrupt as so many people are these days.

News / European Quality Of Life Index: Poland in the middle [29]

It was hardly that hard to catch up with Hungary as they made a hash of the transition from communism to capitalism. It was an unmitigated disaster!

Estonia? Well, they are rich in, um, almonds. 'In almonds we trust' is written on a bag I bought in Tallinn. Amber is more to be found in Lithuania and also Latvia.

Poland's unemployment rate ranges between 11-14%.

UK, Ireland / English tossers give Brits a bad name in Poland [139]

True enough, BE. Well, they have the Whip system so they have to 'artificially' tow the line :) Ah well, he's not a true Scot in the eyes of many Scots anyway.

There are always hateful cores in society, sledz. You might be right with that one.

UK, Ireland / English people attitude towards Poles? [761]

Well yeah, we called it the paki shop too without any desire to be racist so I take your point. I'm just saying that a lot of people see it as offensive.

It's like when I say Polak, I don't mean any offence. Jestem Polak(iem) is Polish after all. However, nig*er is sth that I let only Blacks say.

UK, Ireland / English tossers give Brits a bad name in Poland [139]

He is still primus inter pares, though. He makes the key decisions for GB so England is naturally affected.

UK, Ireland / English people attitude towards Poles? [761]

Ah well, have it your way then. You know the connotation as well as I do.

It's the intent behind it, just like pommie.

UK, Ireland / English tossers give Brits a bad name in Poland [139]

I meant physically in England and you know it, the main one :)

I'm not going to hype them up as they don't have tax-raising powers and are largely without teeth, unlike Westminster :)

Who is we?

UK, Ireland / English people attitude towards Poles? [761]

Yes but many see Paki as racist and that's the point. No, it doesn't mean jack as I know the meaning of the word.

UK, Ireland / English tossers give Brits a bad name in Poland [139]

The Parliament of the United Kingdom. See, there is more than one. Stormont was formed in 1926, we have had our own devolved Parliament since 1999 and there is the Welsh Assembly. Brown occupies the top position of the one in England :)

I've read the quote, what behaviour? Sorry, I don't see what you mean at all.

UK, Ireland / English people attitude towards Poles? [761]

It's Pakistani and doesn't involve much extra effort, does it? Polaks can be pejorative, not Poles.

UK, Ireland / English tossers give Brits a bad name in Poland [139]

Part of the Parliament? The highest positions in government more like.

Brits are all the same? Care to elaborate? Let me guess, your logic is gonna tell me that all Europeans are the same!? Or all world citizens are identical, LOL.

UK, Ireland / English tossers give Brits a bad name in Poland [139]

It's just a difference in focus. Many British people pride themselves on their accent. There really is so much variation, even 20 miles can make a difference. I find Polish accents to be standardised and rather stale.

UK, Ireland / English tossers give Brits a bad name in Poland [139]

Well, as long as you accept that you guys have a headstart. I had a guy tell me last night that my Polish was pretty bad for having lived here for 5 years. Strange given that everyone else I come across says its pretty advanced. I have meetings in Polish and meet my wife's parents so I have to understand it.

You guys have schooling in English and it's big business here now. You could have more linguistic awareness though.

UK, Ireland / English tossers give Brits a bad name in Poland [139]

And that shows their complete lack of knowledge. I can trace where somebody is from quite easily. If you are talking Kiwi Vs Aussie then it is harder sometimes but certain words give them away.

Poles are bad with accents right enough. I usually wind up some people by saying they have a Russian accent, that gets them every time ;) ;)

UK, Ireland / English tossers give Brits a bad name in Poland [139]

True enough but I'm guessing that the Dons Casuals provoked them. Still, we didn't turn it into Leeds Vs Galatasaray right enough.

Be careful what you say about the Hibees, Polska Doll is a fan (Moderator) ;) ;)

Language / Polish websites for a beginner reader [5]

Maybe this one too? Start from scratch. Before I came to Poland, I used a Berlitz phrase book to learn a few things. It also depends on how you learn. My co-teacher is doing a class on this soon, learning methods and best way.

UK, Ireland / English tossers give Brits a bad name in Poland [139]

I think I already have mentioned them :)

Well, you have to poinpoint them. There is something to be said for Britishness but we do have a different interpretation of culture, I can agree there.

I think racism may have been reduced in England. Statements like 'I'd rather be a Paki than a Turk' are downright inflammatory. Those days are fizzling out though. We had it too in Scotland. Remember the monkey noises and throwing of bananas when Mark Walters made his debut for Rangers?

UK, Ireland / English tossers give Brits a bad name in Poland [139]

Again, I'm basing my knowledge of Nottingham on a couple of documentaries I have seen and word of mouth from Englishmen.

Glasgow is a cool place to drink but can get rough in parts towards the end of the night.

UK, Ireland / English tossers give Brits a bad name in Poland [139]

Much ado about a few idiots, found anywhere, performing their drunken antics.

It's like the stories of the Jews that come here. So maybe it happens but let law enforcement do their job. We have to leave some things to trust these days.

As for Scotland Vs England, we can see that they are generally more laddish than Polish guys. Go to Nottingham or Glasgow for evidence of that. I feel safer here than there.