Travel / How do i stay in poland longer than 90 days if im already in poland [37]


You could be deported. You would also risk being deported in any other schengen country. You can't apply for a temporary resident permit either to stay in the country since you are already past 45 days on your tourist visa. The only thing you can do is go back to the states and apply from there. If you overstay and get caught you risk being banned entry into the Schengen zone (most of Europe) for a few years.

USA, Canada / Info on moving to Krakow from USA [13]


The majority of Americans are most likely students here for study. Some for short term, some a little longer. There isn't a huge American population in Krakow. Pretty much everyone I've met here is staying for the short term. The American Embassy in Krakow doesn't seem to really know how many Americans live in Krakow or Poland. It's been fairly recent, Dec 2007, that Americans have needed any paperwork to stay here. So the statistics I'm assuming are pretty limited.

You can get a temporary visa for a year, if you take Polish classes for example. But you will need to renew that every year. After 2 years or 3, not sure, you can apply for a permanent residency. However you have to prove that you have money to live here and a reason to live here. You can't just decide today I want to live in Poland and move here. Polish lessons is the easiest, or family ties.

Life / "No sex before 18" in Poland? [25]

Well on Gazeta.pl a tabloid called this lady and acted as if they represented Radiu Maryja. They supposedly made her think her idea was wrong and essentially had her back off from her statement.

It took a phone call from a colleague o.Rydzyka to a spokeswoman for Children's Rights Eve Sowińska withdrew from the idea of ​​the ban on sex before eighteen . She did not know that the phone was a provocation " Super Express " and the role played by the Redemptorist newspaper reporter .

"Dyskurs - jego pełny zapis publikuje "Super Express" - przypomina rozmowę podwładnej z przełożonym. Oto krótki fragment:

- Publiczne mówienie o seksie w okresie tuż po świętach jest nieładne.

- No tak, proszę ojca. Tak, racja.

- Zróbmy tak... na antenie odtworzymy to, co pani powiedziała na wykładzie i powiemy, że z tego się wycofujemy. Żeby taki przekazbył, ale że wycofujemy się z tego karania.(...)

- Co ja mam ojcu dyrektorowi przekazać?

- No że w następnym tygodniu.

- Ale co teraz mam przekazać? Wycofuje się pani rzecznik ze swojego pomysłu?

- No teraz to na pewno"."

News / Poland adopting the Euro, but when? [65]


That's the American Health Care System in a nutshell.

Hopefully by the time Poland adopts the Euro the Dollar will have gained some ground back. Otherwise it's just more pain for me. From the rhetoric it seems somewhere around 2012, but I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.

Australia / Polish postal services - parcel delay sent from Australia [13]

Yea that could be the issue. If you actually listed the Ipod it could be stuck at customs at the airport. I had used clothes I shipped from the states to Poland get slapped with a custom duty. Yes my old raggy clothes. For future shipments best to send it through DHL or UPS. That will at least keep it in one system, and not the wonderful Poczta Polska. They are a wonderful service let me tell ya. It took them 2 weeks to get a letter from one side of Krakow to the other.

Life / Are there many atheists and agnostics in Poland? [47]


I'm 29. Not really old, but lived long enough to get a lot of hate for the beliefs I lack. I have no issue with faith. I have issues with faith and politics mixing. This is a reality in Poland and to be honest many countries in the world. I can say a similar thing about countries like the U.S., Iran and Japan. The point I'm trying to put across is that tolerance is not common in this country or many others when it comes to religion. But me speaking out about it normally gets responses that I am not tolerant because I do not agree with politics mixed with religion. Anyways this thread has gone long enough for me. Personally I really like Poland, it's really only this part of life in this country that bothers me.

Life / Are there many atheists and agnostics in Poland? [47]

You are correct, the law covers national holidays. Your also most likely not reading the posts because I already stated the loophole.

* 1 stycznia - Nowy Rok, New Years
* pierwszy dzień Wielkiej Nocy, First day of Easter
* drugi dzień Wielkiej Nocy,Holy Monday
* 1 maja - Święto Państwowe,Constitution Day
* 3 maja - Święto Narodowe Trzeciego Maja, Labor Day
* pierwszy dzień Zielonych Świątek,Longest Day and Shortest Night of Year, The holy spirit coming down to earth. Originally a Pagan tradition that was adapted to include the "holy spirit"

* dzień Bożego Ciała,God's Body
* 15 sierpnia - Wniebowzięcie Najświętszej Maryi Panny, Assumption of Virgin Mary
* 1 listopada - Wszystkich Świętych,All Saints Day
* 11 listopada - Narodowe Święto Niepodległości,National Independence Day
* 25 grudnia - pierwszy dzień Bożego Narodzenia, Christmas
* 26 grudnia - drugi dzień Bożego Narodzenia, Christmas

Only 4 of these days do not include the Christian religion. The fact the unions help pushed this law doesn't change the fact that many Polish feel like you do. Anyone against the belief that Jesus is our savior is wrong and should as you so nicely put it, "get out". Last time I checked there aren't many places on this earth for me to go to. We are not a well liked reality of people on this planet. So phobia of all religion in my case is pretty warranted.

Life / Are there many atheists and agnostics in Poland? [47]


Thank you for your insight here. I'm sure you a great asset to whoever listens to you.

Life / Are there many atheists and agnostics in Poland? [47]


No but the choice should be theirs shouldn't it? But since the church wants everyone to follow their way of life, LAWS were passed to ENFORCE this. Not everyone is Catholic, whether they are immigrants of Poland or actually Polish. There is a big difference between allowing people to live their life they choose and having religious doctrine influence politics and dictate a certain lifestyle.


Hmmm lets see, I go to all the family events that are related to the Catholic traditions because I actually do have tolerance for their beliefs and customs. I don't have tolerance for beliefs being imposed on me by politics.

Life / Are there many atheists and agnostics in Poland? [47]


Well let's see, yesterday and today I have to deal with the complete inconvenience of not being able to buy eggs for breakfast because of a Catholic holiday.


You just proved my point with this comment. I'm different so I should just get the hell out. I never said you had to change. I even stated there is not much I can do about it since that is the way of the land. But obviously you missed that point.

Food / National Beverages (napoje?) of Poland [12]

Tea is a Polish love affair too, from what I can tell.

Law / Does having Temperory Resident Permit would allow us to travel over EU? [6]

There was a situation likes this last year with some Turkish Students right when Poland entered the Schengen Zone. They were told it was ok to travel to Germany, but that proved to be false. They also needed to have a visa from Germany as their permit was just for Poland. They were deported from Germany and not allowed to return to Poland.

If your American you can travel freely in the Schengen Area for 90 days. If anything I'd call your embassy and ask them.

Travel / Autokary from London (Heathrow) to Krakow or Rzeszow [12]

eurolines.com

nationalexpress.com/eurolines/home/hp.cfm

They travel to Krakow and to other cities in Poland.

Life / Are there many atheists and agnostics in Poland? [47]


I am an athiest from birth, just like most are Christian by birth. Most do not choose to be one faith or another, their parents usually made that decision for them. My mother was Buddhist, my father Episcopalian. I went to an Episcopalian high school and was taught both Buddhist and Christian ideals at home. However I was never baptised and I never followed either religion. So that would make me an athiest. Normally I just say I don't believe in any religion, saying your an athiest is as bad as saying your a devil worshiper in most countries.

Not sure why this would matter, but apparently it does. I don't have a problem with faith, I do have a problem with the institutions of faiths trying to impose their beliefs on my life however. In my opinion this is very much what is happening in Poland. In conversations with Catholics in Poland I hear this same sentiment as well. Luckily I've met a lot of open minded people here, but not many are over the age of 30.

Life / Are there many atheists and agnostics in Poland? [47]

Well a law was passed prior to the election last November. It states that on all Catholic holidays every business must close. They even included gas stations, but someone figured out that was completely ridiculous since so many people travel on those days. They found a loophole that allowed some places to be open if only the owner worked, none of the employed workers are allowed to work on those days. I wouldn't be surprised if their next move is to make it a law that all businesses must be closed on Sundays. Many churches this Saturday where pushing this sin as being very important.

For those that can't read polish, "Shopping on Sunday"

The mandatory religion course, which really only covers Catholicism is also in all schools. You can opt of out it and they are supposed to have an ethics class as a substitute, but the majority of schools don't offer that, so the student will just sit in an empty classroom for that time period.

The church has a lot of influence in shaping policy.

Life / Are there many atheists and agnostics in Poland? [47]

This may be true, however the Church in Poland has a lot of political power. Separation of Church and State does not exist here. For an athiest or anyone of a different religion this is pretty insulting, but that is the law of the land. Not much you can do about it since for the most part it's supported.

I have a friend doing a study about this in Poland. The majority of atheists or agnostics in Poland can't really tell their families they don't believe in god. Their family will pretty much insult and degrade them for it. Very few polish families would accept someone divorcing their faith in Poland. It's changing on some scale, mostly youth, but overall it's not that drastic of a shift.

Life / Are there many atheists and agnostics in Poland? [47]


I agree the history of Poland's tolerance is good, however I do not think modern day Poland is very tolerant at all in regards to religion. Some have an open mind, but I think the Church has way to much influence in people's perspectives in this country.

Life / Are there many atheists and agnostics in Poland? [47]

Sadly religious tolerance is not a virtue expressed by many in Poland these days.

News / The polish Zloty getting stronger versus British pound? [15]

3,50pln/$1 was 2 1/2 years ago. It is now 2.25pln/$1. Dollar has lost a third of it's value.

Looks pretty much the same against the Pound and Euro as well.

Life / The strangest things in Poland [468]


Haha well that wouldn't be false would it. Now how to get the glider in the bathroom is the problem.

Life / The strangest things in Poland [468]



I've rented apartments with both of these arrangements in Poland. The one in the kitchen is way more out of place than one in the bathroom.


Hang drying saves electricity.

News / More countries sign visa free travel agreement with the U.S. Still no Poland? [16]

Yea well the last government set Poland back a few years that is true. Tusk however has said he is allowing the EU to do what they are supposed to. So you can point the finger at him for trusting the organization or burn him at the stake because he isn't going at it alone. Personally it sucks that he doesn't go it alone for personal reasons, but like you said, him putting his trust in the group the country joined is better overall for Poland. But if these countries are just bypassing the EU, what does that say about the EU's own foreign policies.

News / More countries sign visa free travel agreement with the U.S. Still no Poland? [16]


Yes they do, was more pointing out the ones in this topic. I'm like you really, I would love to just travel back to my home with my gf. But can't without absurd amount of fees to travel for a few weeks.

News / More countries sign visa free travel agreement with the U.S. Still no Poland? [16]


Well see that's the thing really. The comment was from an EU official. The EU believe these deals are against the EU mandate. So it seems the EU is failing the new entrants.

News / More countries sign visa free travel agreement with the U.S. Still no Poland? [16]

Just to add, the main reason why the U.S. doesn't allow Poland is not because of the amount who overstay, it's the rejection rate of visa applicants. Granted the rate is high in Poland, however if you actually read the article countries such as Hungary, Lithuania and Slovakia are expected to sign a similar document on Friday. The rate is supposed to be under 10%.

VISA REJECTIONS

Select refusal rates in Europe (in percent, U.S. fiscal year 2006)
Czech Republic 9.4
Poland 26.2
Slovakia 16.0
Albania 54.5
Bulgaria 17.5
Estonia 7.1
Hungary 12.7
Latvia 21.6
Lithuania 27.7
Romania 34.1
Russia 15.3

Source: U.S. State Department

Estonia seems to be the only ones who qualify.

News / More countries sign visa free travel agreement with the U.S. Still no Poland? [16]

Yes it has, still doesn't change the fact that there is something to debate. You honestly believe the countries listed don't have the same problem?

Life / I'm an American who lived in Poland for 6 years. I'm not welcome anymore. [169]

On the contrary, I seemed to be treated really well even being an American.I don't seem to have many issues with even speaking English to many Polish. However they would rather I speak Polish, which is always a humorous event.

Life / Poland High school curriculum [48]

Well high school and collegiate sports are pretty much non existent. They don't have the kind of system we have back home in the states. Most of the athletes are members of sporting clubs, which I assume is pretty much like most European countries. These sporting schools do exist, but not on a large scale. Sports are pretty much expected in the U.S.

Life / Contact details for hospitals in Lodz. [18]

OK well first off do you speak polish? If not, your going to have a hard time even asking the question to the person on the other side of the phone.