benszymanski
15 Aug 2009
benszymanski
1 Aug 2009
Law / Selling on Allegro from UK [19]
No, not exactly the same. The letters are the same but not the symbols and symbol locations.
In fact I have a keyboard bought in Poland, and one from the UK. There are some differences such as having a dollar sign and not pound sign above the number 4 and the ampersand sign and double quotes are inverted. Also my Polish keyboard is missing the squiggly dash ~. Apart from that and a few more symbols in different places they are the same.
Whether these differences are significant or not is a different matter though.
We use the same ones as you in UK/US - English qwerty.
No, not exactly the same. The letters are the same but not the symbols and symbol locations.
In fact I have a keyboard bought in Poland, and one from the UK. There are some differences such as having a dollar sign and not pound sign above the number 4 and the ampersand sign and double quotes are inverted. Also my Polish keyboard is missing the squiggly dash ~. Apart from that and a few more symbols in different places they are the same.
Whether these differences are significant or not is a different matter though.
benszymanski
31 Jul 2009
Law / Selling on Allegro from UK [19]
yes, if I buy a computer in Polish I would expect the O/S to be in Polish. I would expect the average Pole too also.
to prove that you provided a valid address as a security check. Poland is much more bureaucratic than the UK.
a website for what? I have a couple of Polish websites (I run a website company too) so feel free to bounce your ideas around.
will that be a major issue?
yes, if I buy a computer in Polish I would expect the O/S to be in Polish. I would expect the average Pole too also.
any reason for that
to prove that you provided a valid address as a security check. Poland is much more bureaucratic than the UK.
creating a website instead
a website for what? I have a couple of Polish websites (I run a website company too) so feel free to bounce your ideas around.
benszymanski
31 Jul 2009
Law / Selling on Allegro from UK [19]
Hi
I am doing a similar thing the other way around - I sell to the UK and ship from Poland. In my experience:
1. Recorded express delivery takes 4 to 5 working days. I have more problems with Royal Mail than I do with Poczta Polska. However the tracking is very poor - if something gets lost I have to wait 28 days before they will investigate. Once a parcel got lost and they managed to find it but it took weeks. There is no online tracking or anything like that.
Alternatively you could use couriers to ship from the UK but I suspect that that will be prohibitively expensive unless you ship in large volume.
2. You get the payment straight away pretty much and seems to work well. COD seems to be a very popular option in Poland.
3. Of the computers? Or of the software that I presume is bundled with the computers? I would expect most buyers would want a Polish keyboard etc...
Good luck with your new venture.
Hi
I am doing a similar thing the other way around - I sell to the UK and ship from Poland. In my experience:
1. Recorded express delivery takes 4 to 5 working days. I have more problems with Royal Mail than I do with Poczta Polska. However the tracking is very poor - if something gets lost I have to wait 28 days before they will investigate. Once a parcel got lost and they managed to find it but it took weeks. There is no online tracking or anything like that.
Alternatively you could use couriers to ship from the UK but I suspect that that will be prohibitively expensive unless you ship in large volume.
2. You get the payment straight away pretty much and seems to work well. COD seems to be a very popular option in Poland.
3. Of the computers? Or of the software that I presume is bundled with the computers? I would expect most buyers would want a Polish keyboard etc...
Good luck with your new venture.
benszymanski
28 Jul 2009
Study / Aviation for non-Polish in Poland [11]
is that just at international airports or at all airfields, even the little ones?
Because a Polish friend of mine flies and he says that when he goes to/from Krakow he has to speak English to them, but when he is at the tiny local airfield (not even an airport) that nobody seems to speak English.
Air Traffic Control is required by international law to speak English
is that just at international airports or at all airfields, even the little ones?
Because a Polish friend of mine flies and he says that when he goes to/from Krakow he has to speak English to them, but when he is at the tiny local airfield (not even an airport) that nobody seems to speak English.
benszymanski
23 Jul 2009
Life / Car Documents - what to do if you lose them? [17]
Yes - they are very small - I think they are paper size A6. They come in a little plastic holder so they don't get damaged. The insurance certificate is the same size so just tucks in with the ownership document. The MOT is just a stamp on the ownership doc if I remember correctly (too lazy to go and check).
Are they small enough?
Yes - they are very small - I think they are paper size A6. They come in a little plastic holder so they don't get damaged. The insurance certificate is the same size so just tucks in with the ownership document. The MOT is just a stamp on the ownership doc if I remember correctly (too lazy to go and check).
benszymanski
23 Jul 2009
Life / Car Documents - what to do if you lose them? [17]
I just leave the documents in my wallet so I always have them.
Before I knew about this I got stopped on the A4 by customs and didn't have my documents. They confiscated my licence until the police arrived (a couple of hours later) and they just wrote me out a ticket and left.
I just leave the documents in my wallet so I always have them.
Before I knew about this I got stopped on the A4 by customs and didn't have my documents. They confiscated my licence until the police arrived (a couple of hours later) and they just wrote me out a ticket and left.
benszymanski
23 Jul 2009
Life / Car Documents - what to do if you lose them? [17]
OK in which case he has a major headache. He will need to not only report it to the Police but also sort it out at the vehicle office where you do your car registration.
Apologies - I referred to 'she' earlier not 'he' because when I read 'magdalena' in the nickname I straight away presumed the poster was female. I see now that is wrong.
OK in which case he has a major headache. He will need to not only report it to the Police but also sort it out at the vehicle office where you do your car registration.
Apologies - I referred to 'she' earlier not 'he' because when I read 'magdalena' in the nickname I straight away presumed the poster was female. I see now that is wrong.
benszymanski
23 Jul 2009
Life / Car Documents - what to do if you lose them? [17]
Hang on a sec - which country are we talking about here?
Has she lost her Polish or UK documents?
As far as the UK DNZ is right - there is no requirement to carry your car documents on you if you are in the UK. The police can easily check your insurance, tax and MOT at the roadside via their computer/radio.
If they suspect something is wrong or you don't show up on their database they usually issue you with a "producer" that requires you to produce your documents at a police station of your choice within 7 days.
If you have UK documents but are driving in Europe then you have to carry your documents with you at all times. Likewise for foreign vehicles in the UK.
I find that hard to believe, as in if you get stopped by a police person, that they won't insist on some paper.
Hang on a sec - which country are we talking about here?
Has she lost her Polish or UK documents?
As far as the UK DNZ is right - there is no requirement to carry your car documents on you if you are in the UK. The police can easily check your insurance, tax and MOT at the roadside via their computer/radio.
If they suspect something is wrong or you don't show up on their database they usually issue you with a "producer" that requires you to produce your documents at a police station of your choice within 7 days.
If you have UK documents but are driving in Europe then you have to carry your documents with you at all times. Likewise for foreign vehicles in the UK.
benszymanski
21 Jul 2009
Work / Mechanical design engineer, no Polish, will company like GE hire me? [59]
I may well do so in future, but for the first year or two of running my company I want to do everything myself just to make sure I know what to do and how to do it all. Currently I go to an accountant periodically to check I am not messing up too much along the way.
Why not just pay an accountant to do it for you?
I may well do so in future, but for the first year or two of running my company I want to do everything myself just to make sure I know what to do and how to do it all. Currently I go to an accountant periodically to check I am not messing up too much along the way.
benszymanski
21 Jul 2009
Work / Mechanical design engineer, no Polish, will company like GE hire me? [59]
It's not, it's great that you can go and see someone if you want to. I just don't like being forced to go to the Urząd Skarbowy in person between 0800 and 1500 because I can't deal with simple things via post or the web. I hope that in time this will change....
Yes you're right. My wife waited over 18 months to get her tax returned to her from the Inland Revenue. Months of calling offices in Scotland with people who had no idea what was going on and nobody taking responsibility. But then that reminds me of the time I tried to get a telephone line from TP....
why is it such a bad thing that you can do all your business in person
It's not, it's great that you can go and see someone if you want to. I just don't like being forced to go to the Urząd Skarbowy in person between 0800 and 1500 because I can't deal with simple things via post or the web. I hope that in time this will change....
The UK is rapidly becoming a complete nightmare to actually deal with people who make decisions
Yes you're right. My wife waited over 18 months to get her tax returned to her from the Inland Revenue. Months of calling offices in Scotland with people who had no idea what was going on and nobody taking responsibility. But then that reminds me of the time I tried to get a telephone line from TP....
benszymanski
21 Jul 2009
Work / Mechanical design engineer, no Polish, will company like GE hire me? [59]
Tell me you're joking? The UK has no urząd skarbowy in every town, there is no USC, there is no zameldowanie, there is no having to queue up and personally go to some office to simply register a car...
In the UK I applied for my passport via the internet and received it by post. Can I do that in Poland? Of course not! I can't even do a VAT return online in Poland...
Ha ha ha. Tell me another one... :-)
Try doing that in the UK - it's next to impossible
Tell me you're joking? The UK has no urząd skarbowy in every town, there is no USC, there is no zameldowanie, there is no having to queue up and personally go to some office to simply register a car...
In the UK I applied for my passport via the internet and received it by post. Can I do that in Poland? Of course not! I can't even do a VAT return online in Poland...
I can register for residence painlessly and easily at my local Voivode office.
Ha ha ha. Tell me another one... :-)
benszymanski
19 Jul 2009
USA, Canada / Born in Poland came to Canada as Child -- Polish Passport questions [9]
You don't have to worry about that nowadays - now that Poland has open borders I can't see how they can prevent you from leaving Poland.
eing prevented from leaving or entering the country
You don't have to worry about that nowadays - now that Poland has open borders I can't see how they can prevent you from leaving Poland.
benszymanski
11 Jul 2009
Life / Parking on the sidewalks in Poland - why is it allowed? [8]
v10.pl/prawo/Parkowanie,na,chodniku,316.html
according to this website you are allowed to park on the pavement if the vehicle is less than 2.5 tonnes subject to there being no "no parking" or "no stopping" signs. You have to leave at least 1.5 metres of space for pedestrians and not obstruct the flow of traffic.
I think that in reality in most towns the parking rules are simply not enforced. As a driver, for me personally, this is great :-) However when I am pushing the buggy around and have to circumnavigate blocked pavements it's annoying :-(
v10.pl/prawo/Parkowanie,na,chodniku,316.html
according to this website you are allowed to park on the pavement if the vehicle is less than 2.5 tonnes subject to there being no "no parking" or "no stopping" signs. You have to leave at least 1.5 metres of space for pedestrians and not obstruct the flow of traffic.
I think that in reality in most towns the parking rules are simply not enforced. As a driver, for me personally, this is great :-) However when I am pushing the buggy around and have to circumnavigate blocked pavements it's annoying :-(
benszymanski
9 Jul 2009
Language / wysłać SMS-a / SMS-y [15]
Is it not just because Polish people think of gol as being animate? i.e. a gol has some type of animate quality?
I'm just wondering how to explain "strzelić gola" ("gola" - the accusative of a non-animate noun) as it is not correct to say "strzelić gol", so the theory of modern versus historic usage cannot be applied here
Is it not just because Polish people think of gol as being animate? i.e. a gol has some type of animate quality?
benszymanski
9 Jul 2009
Language / Polish websites for a beginner reader [5]
are you based in Poland? If so I recommend going to the local library and getting childrens' books. My first book was called "Iwonka bez ogonka" and I was very pleased with myself when I cracked it!
are you based in Poland? If so I recommend going to the local library and getting childrens' books. My first book was called "Iwonka bez ogonka" and I was very pleased with myself when I cracked it!
benszymanski
9 Jul 2009
UK, Ireland / Car Shipment from Poland to the UK [19]
actually I have done that route about 5 times now (return journeys) and sometimes I change the route a little bit but basically there are 2 main routes.
There is the one that goes through Germany via Berlin as per ViaMichelin.com or you can do a similar route but go via Dresden instead.
actually I have done that route about 5 times now (return journeys) and sometimes I change the route a little bit but basically there are 2 main routes.
There is the one that goes through Germany via Berlin as per ViaMichelin.com or you can do a similar route but go via Dresden instead.
benszymanski
9 Jul 2009
UK, Ireland / Car Shipment from Poland to the UK [19]
Took me about 26 hours doing Krakow to London in an old van that wouldn't do more than 60mph and with regular breaks to rest. I recommend the Dover-Dunkirk crossing with NorfolkLine ferries - much cheaper than the Dover-Calais route in my experience.
If I had been doing that run in a car I reckon I could have done it in about 18 hours.
Took me about 26 hours doing Krakow to London in an old van that wouldn't do more than 60mph and with regular breaks to rest. I recommend the Dover-Dunkirk crossing with NorfolkLine ferries - much cheaper than the Dover-Calais route in my experience.
If I had been doing that run in a car I reckon I could have done it in about 18 hours.
benszymanski
9 Jul 2009
Life / Can you keep a right hand drive car in Poland? [57]
have a read through this thread - consensus seems to be that you can't.
insure and get an MOT for a right hand drive car in Poland?
have a read through this thread - consensus seems to be that you can't.
benszymanski
7 Jul 2009
Language / Example sentences for different cases. [42]
If you are using it to mean "that" then yes:
ta kobieta - that woman
But "to jest..." is a fixed phrase which doesn't change:
To jest kobieta - "this" is a woman
Does that make sense?
Does the ten, ta, to not have to agree with the noun it refers to?
If you are using it to mean "that" then yes:
ta kobieta - that woman
But "to jest..." is a fixed phrase which doesn't change:
To jest kobieta - "this" is a woman
Does that make sense?
benszymanski
4 Jul 2009
USA, Canada / Dual Citizenship: American and Polish? [53]
probably not because your great great grandfather most likely left Poland before modern Poland existed. I think the cut off year was around 1918. If you do some searching on this site and google you will find this has been asked many many times before.
Great great grandfather
probably not because your great great grandfather most likely left Poland before modern Poland existed. I think the cut off year was around 1918. If you do some searching on this site and google you will find this has been asked many many times before.
benszymanski
3 Jul 2009
Real Estate / How to locate records of land owned75 years ago in Poland? [16]
I am sure he meant to type "plain robbery"
What is 'plane' robbery?
I am sure he meant to type "plain robbery"
benszymanski
24 Jun 2009
Language / Formal "you" and Informal "you" : which is which? [46]
if you are talking about using the plural form when talking to 1 person then yes absolutely - "we are not amused!" is a famous example.
I was referring more to the use of the 3rd person singular form when talking to 1 person.
when referring to the Royal Family:
if you are talking about using the plural form when talking to 1 person then yes absolutely - "we are not amused!" is a famous example.
I was referring more to the use of the 3rd person singular form when talking to 1 person.
benszymanski
24 Jun 2009
Language / Formal "you" and Informal "you" : which is which? [46]
Yes. This style of using a 3rd person construction as a substitute for the 2nd person takes a bit of getting used to.
It's similar to the way Pan/Pani is used to avoid talking informally using the 2nd person form of "ty".
This is possible too in English (albeit very rarely) - e.g. in a super-posh restaurant the waiter might say "would sir care for some wine?" instead of "would you care for some wine?" even though he is talking to you and not about somebody else.
"Mummy! Is mummy cross?"
Yes. This style of using a 3rd person construction as a substitute for the 2nd person takes a bit of getting used to.
It's similar to the way Pan/Pani is used to avoid talking informally using the 2nd person form of "ty".
This is possible too in English (albeit very rarely) - e.g. in a super-posh restaurant the waiter might say "would sir care for some wine?" instead of "would you care for some wine?" even though he is talking to you and not about somebody else.
benszymanski
21 Jun 2009
Life / Driving License - B1 that allows 16 year old to drive light vehicles? [27]
Yes I believe you're right.
I'm not completely certain on this, but I think local driving ages override the licence - so you have to be 18 to drive in Poland irrespective of being licenced in the UK
Yes I believe you're right.
benszymanski
21 Jun 2009
Life / Driving License - B1 that allows 16 year old to drive light vehicles? [27]
I don't think there is an engine size restriction. According to https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prawo_jazdy category B1 is just a "...3 or 4 wheeled vehicle with a mass not exceeding 550 kilos...". It does not mention anything about an engine size restriction such as on category A1 (small motorcycles). I had a quick look on some other websites and didn't see anything there about engine size restrictions either.
your understanding seems correct to me - 16 years old and less than 550kg. You need to have done 30 hours of theory training and 30 hours of practical training according to that wikipedia link.
No, motorcycles are a different category (category A) so you can't mix and match them.
I have a suzuki gsf 1200 bandit which is not a small bike and that weighs about 220 kilos. Surely even a Harley wouldn't top more than 300 kilos?
edit - response to wildrover
anyway, are you sure about the 125cc engine restriction?
I don't think there is an engine size restriction. According to https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prawo_jazdy category B1 is just a "...3 or 4 wheeled vehicle with a mass not exceeding 550 kilos...". It does not mention anything about an engine size restriction such as on category A1 (small motorcycles). I had a quick look on some other websites and didn't see anything there about engine size restrictions either.
do you know anything about the driving license?
your understanding seems correct to me - 16 years old and less than 550kg. You need to have done 30 hours of theory training and 30 hours of practical training according to that wikipedia link.
i could take it anyway for a motorcycle
No, motorcycles are a different category (category A) so you can't mix and match them.
motorcycle weighs more than that
I have a suzuki gsf 1200 bandit which is not a small bike and that weighs about 220 kilos. Surely even a Harley wouldn't top more than 300 kilos?
edit - response to wildrover
benszymanski
10 Jun 2009
Law / Questions about gaining a Polish citizenship and the process of getting one. [29]
so they probably left Poland before 1918, in which case you can't inherit Polish citizenship from them as Harry says.
I have Polish great grandparents who are from Poland
so they probably left Poland before 1918, in which case you can't inherit Polish citizenship from them as Harry says.
benszymanski
9 Jun 2009
Language / misleading differences between Polish and English languages [92]
I don't understand what you are talking about or what point you are trying to make.
It's an example of English, used in America, Britain, everywhere, so I don't understand what point you are trying to make to Mafketis, apart from that it looks to be an attempt at sarcasm.
I don't understand what you are talking about or what point you are trying to make.
This is example of America English
It's an example of English, used in America, Britain, everywhere, so I don't understand what point you are trying to make to Mafketis, apart from that it looks to be an attempt at sarcasm.
benszymanski
8 Jun 2009
Language / misleading differences between Polish and English languages [92]
as opposed to what? I'm Britsh and we happen to use "I'm" in the UK too... ????
This is example of America English.
as opposed to what? I'm Britsh and we happen to use "I'm" in the UK too... ????
benszymanski
5 Jun 2009
Language / Verbs and vocabulary around squatting [5]
Are you talking about squat in the sense of staying overnight somewhere or in the sense of squatting as a physical position (i.e. like kneeling, sitting etc..)?
squatting in Polish..
Are you talking about squat in the sense of staying overnight somewhere or in the sense of squatting as a physical position (i.e. like kneeling, sitting etc..)?