UK, Ireland / Integrating Polish people into the British society [150]

Integration operates on different levels, that is the key. It's a very full process. Speaking for Scotland, we have many skills-based industries which could use a fresh infusion of new ideas. I fear that many Poles may fall by the wayside as today's job market seems to be about finding the best candidate for any position. The lack of fluency in English may act against them. Even advanced students make mistakes which wouldn't impress other companies in formal letters.

At the housing level, certain steps have been taken to ensure that they are suitably housed, or not so suitably sometimes.

At the community level, there are free English courses offered by kind individuals and groups. Also, religious needs are catered for by including willing participants in church events.

Finally, the establishment of various Polish outlets has provided a home from home kinda feeling. They have access to their much cherished bread and other culinary delights.

I just hope that my countrymen behave themselves and don't become needlessly hostile. The Scots are an accommodating bunch for the most part.

Food / Food you would not want to try [7]

U have a good argument. I eat duck (rarely of course), cow and pig. Never had one as a pet tho. I'd probably change my tune if so. However, I told myself long ago that I, as an individual, have next to no influence on the killing of these animals. I console myself with the fact that I didn't kill them.

I try to minimise my intake of meat.

Food / Food you would not want to try [7]

I wouldn't like to try dog. I didn't actually see it in my time in Seoul, thankfully really. I love dogs and I think the whole idea of eating them is repulsive. Horse too, it's a delicacy in parts of Kyushu, Japan. I dare say it'd taste ok but...

News / Poland has an old ambition to become a regional power [37]

A regional power, LOL. Platitudes abound in these times

History / Polish - Soviet Brotherhood in Arms. [35]

Yeah, years of oppression cannot be ignored. The only justification could be that it represents a symbol of hope. However, pie-in-the-sky notions are not worthy of statue status

News / POLAND'S CREDIT CRAZE [34]

Many Poles have had to learn how to manage with less. However, much more conservative? More maybe. There are still many lavish types here. Money is splashed out quite a bit.

Food / Food you would not want to try [7]

Yeah, it's weird to think that the Poles would drink it, thinking it would bring them luck. How did it come to be that fart means luck?

News / Abkhazia and South Ossetia are independent states now! Poland reaction? [236]

Ukraine was actually against what Russia did. That further complicates things. Cooler heads prevail, true enough, but Russia may force a different approach. Only time will tell

News / Donald Tusk - the worst PM of 3rd RP. [79]

What did u expect him to do Greg? What was in his party manifesto?

Life / Are Polish traditions dissapearing [93]

George Bush Senior maybe didn't coin the term but he is known for introducing it to the American public

Travel / Irish/Brits banned from hotels in Warsaw [43]

U ban people who commit illegal acts, irrespective of nationality. It is discrimination otherwise

News / Polish Banks suck yes or no ? [16]

Randompal often has good advice, it'll be interesting to see his response. Millenium have a lot of surcharges and little fees. Millenium have been ok to me, I have 2 accounts like u ukpolska, but they do have high handling fees. Yeah, they have to make their cut but they charge more than other banks.

UK, Ireland / Sad or stupid - a Polish teacher killed whilst urinating on live rail [88]

Sad AND stupid

Life / Is Poland cold? [40]

I think people feel it because it was quite sudden. It was pretty warm not too long ago. However, it has been much colder. As a Scottish guy, I wouldn't describe it as that cold at the moment.

News / Should we change the rules to let Poles join the British Army? [119]

I think Shelley means that Poland is pretty rebellious in Europe and that they don't thank us for our efforts over the years. That'd be my guess. Churchill once he didn't want to help the Poles because they were so selfish and ungrateful.

That's just one position, the other is that the Allies sold Poland down the river. They concluded Yalta, a reiteration of Tehran, and let Poland descend into communism and the world of deadly secret agents. America, through Roosevelt, was complicit too. That surprises me as, not long later, America waged war with communism.

Poland shouldn't feel that they owe anybody anything. They have been pushed around once too often. They are good fighters.

News / Should we change the rules to let Poles join the British Army? [119]

I'm not a citizen of Poland, no. I'm resident here but not a resident in the fullest sense.

When they are being trained, they should understand the instructions being given to them. It could set back the training process otherwise.

News / Should we change the rules to let Poles join the British Army? [119]

Now that depends on how long they have stayed legally within the UK. I cannot vote in Poland yet I contribute to their society, and have done so for the last 4 years.

I think it's healthy to be a bit sceptical/cynical Celinski. As I said, I believe they should have the right in today's current of globalisation but it shouldn't be an across-the-board sweeping right. They should be thoroughly tested b4 any admission is granted. Linguistic skills should also be checked.

I agree, we should make them feel at home but that doesn't include giving them certain priveleges. Some might see joining the army as one such privelege.

News / Should we change the rules to let Poles join the British Army? [119]

Actually, some say we owe the Poles over 10% of our RAF successes in WWII. They have changed the law on conscription here, moving towards a position of giving people the right to choose. I'm still sceptical about giving them the right to join the British Army but, in today's global climate, they have a case. If they feel that they want to fight in order to represent British national interests, then why deny them that? After all, variety is the spice of life

News / What Poland has with USA global schemes? [32]

Yeah, precisely. If Russia upped the ante, there would be precious few left to raise legal actions

News / Abkhazia and South Ossetia are independent states now! Poland reaction? [236]

Oh, they should have the right to choose friends, they just must bear the consequences.

News / Abkhazia and South Ossetia are independent states now! Poland reaction? [236]

Once again, spot on randompal. U've summed it up in a nutshell

News / Main Polish newspapers in English popular in Poland [13]

Come on, press is press. Show me a national press that projects only the truth and I'll show u the cave where Bin Ladin is playing the latest PS2 game

News / Missiles in Poland: reasons and reactions [13]

And what do u propose that NATO be, Crow?

Interests is a very broad term, encapsulating all manner of things.

And, guess what? Some Slavic interests are covered

News / What Poland has with USA global schemes? [32]

I see what u r saying Crow. Slavic solidarity has already been dealt several blows tho. Nobody in power has a Slav eradication regime, relax

News / What Poland has with USA global schemes? [32]

Cite me treaty provisions showing such obligations Crow.

I don't claim to understand the functioning of the Slavic world, Crow. It doesn't matter, I know that Tusk signed a deal which raised more than eyebrows and has pledged to cooperate with the US on certain matters.

All power 2 ya for advancing ur Pan-Slavic Alliance. So, Serbia would beef up the security of Poland? They'd divert Russia off course?

Come on man, some concrete proposals rather than slogans and verbiage.

News / Missiles in Poland: reasons and reactions [13]

To Iran of course (chokes). Come on Crow, weren't u informed? Miss the meeting? ;)

News / What Poland has with USA global schemes? [32]

It doesn't detract from the fact they still have an obligation to come to Poland's aid, Crow.

They are out to exploit, I agree in part. I meant intervention, as agreed in the missile shield deal.

Obama has no such agenda. Poles are not under the misapprehension that they could harm Russia.

News / Abkhazia and South Ossetia are independent states now! Poland reaction? [236]

Masks deserves to be commended for what he is doing. No offence Masks, but New Yorkers seem to be pretty jumped up and patriotic. That has been my experience with them. Pro-American regardless.

U, on the other hand, have shown that u can take a different position and throw out some critical thinking. Everyone seems to don their colours and defend that which they are conditioned to defend.

I have been siding against the Brits in some of the things they say on this forum. I am fairly proud to be British and very proud of being Scottish but still I look for what I see to be the truth. If that means going against conventional lines that I am expected to follow (i.e being pro-British), then so be it. I tip my hat 2 u dude, keep it up.

News / What Poland has with USA global schemes? [32]

Exactly Franek, as I said above, the damage will already have been done. The decisions of the few jeopardise the safety of the many. It's a tragic irony that this issue is about safety.

News / What Poland has with USA global schemes? [32]

Now we are getting there, exactly what I was driving at from the outset. Deals can be struck but u have to look at history. Sorry Celinski, I don't want to attack America, but it has a poor track record of abiding by international law. I could cite numerous examples but I won't. We all know them.

BB and dcchris are right on the money here.

Oh, I don't recall getting my referendum papers to decide on this issue. Nobody has. An issue of this magnitude demands one, at the very least a national poll to ascertain public opinion.

To think that the signatures of a couple of buffoons decides our fate is mindblowing for me. Russia say they will attack, USA promise to defend, don't you see a picture emerging? Maybe we should change the paint a little? Or will black and white suffice?