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

I think one explanation of why Poles may visit the family doctor for a common cold or other similarly mild illness is because of the L4/sick leave. Although the common cold is minor, you still would probably like to stay at home under your kołderka for a day or two. If you have a job and want to get sick leave for that, you need to go to the doctor. I recall my first visit to a Polish doctor. We had some communication problems but he asked me "How many days?" and I replied that I had been ill for about 5 days. He asked me again, "How many days will you be ill?" I replied that I didn't know and couldn't really say as I had no idea what was wrong with me (that being his job to tell me). We went around in circles for awhile until I finally got it. I got a week off from work and a prescription for a lot of useless herbal remedies.

Real Estate / I'm not Polish - can I buy a house in Poland ? [49]

I bought a flat a couple of years ago and it is registered in my name and my Polish spouse's name. It wasn't a problem at all.

When we bought a house later we had a different problem. It is on agricultural land (not a lot, less than a hectare) and the dept of agricultural did not give me permission to be co-owner (I'm not from the EU). We bought it anyhow and the lawyer wrote the documents in such a way that we are co-owners of the house, my husband is the official owner of the land and I have the right to half of the value of the land. It is kind of strange 'cause I am co-owner of a house but not the land it stands on. The lawyer agreed to this set-up because we are married. She said that she has seen some people cheated by such business agreements.

I know a Dutch farmer who had a 99 year lease on his farm land. Has anyone heard of that?

BTW-Change the locks as soon as you take ownership. I mean the same day if possible. We learned the hard way.

Good luck!

USA, Canada / Raising children in the US [25]

I understood that is was about raising kids in the US probably by people who had a Polish upbringing. I offered my opinion as an American who was raised in the US and my experience raising my children in Poland. I thought that it might be of interest but I guess I was wrong.

USA, Canada / My Polish husband is having trouble finding a sponsor for his green card [8]

I had the same problem that my income as a teacher in the US (and my husband's income from Poland) was not enough so my parents co-sponsored my husband. Another friend of ours in the US was co-sponsored by his employer. If no family members can help out (it just requires them filling out the form and providing the tax papers as proof) then maybe your church as suggested above is the way to go.

Good luck,
Chris

USA, Canada / Raising children in the US [25]

Hi-
I'm American and bringing up my kids in Poland. Our kids are still little but we have worked hard to establish a friendly relationship with them but still with the authority of parents. I guess we'll know if we are doing the right thing in about 10-15 years. Now on a lighter note, why do many Polish parents/grandparents/babysitters dress kids so warmly? And why do grandmas insist on asking me if my kids are too cold? Hmm, it's summer and they are sweating so no I don't think that they are too cold.

Chris