Language / Polish v Russian - similarity [17]

Hi :)

I'd say if you want to learn some Polish, just do Polish. Otherwise you might get even more confused. Maybe in the future you can try Russian, but not as a "crossover" into Polish.

I am a native speaker of Polish and do speak some Russian, too. I actually understand more Russian than I can produce on my own. I get easily confused when using Russian, which is kind of funny actually considering many similarities between these two languages. On the other hand, there are many differences, too.

So good luck to you :)
Let me know how it goes

Language / Polish v Russian - similarity [17]

Hi,

What funny tense thing?

USA, Canada / Fun places in Greenpoint, NY? [9]

Sure :)

Travel / WE ARE BACK FROM POLAND AND HERE IS OUR REPORT [96]

Hi all,

From now on let's share our experiences from our trips, wherever we travel. I'm quite impressed by this great report, lots of helpful pointers for those of you who have never visited Poland :) I excluded myself from this group because I go to Poland quite frequently considering the distance and the costs :)

I wish we (Polish folks) could smile more. When a friend visited me in Poland once before I moved to the States permanently, he noticed the same exact thing. "Did someone die?" was his question LOL Oh well, I didn't know how to explain it to him. And that was long before Poland joined the EU. My experience even here and now is that we don't smile in the USA either. So I guess it is our thing :) I mean not everybody at least.

Anyways, gotta go :)
G.

Travel / WE ARE BACK FROM POLAND AND HERE IS OUR REPORT [96]

Hi all,

Whoever is traveling to Poland next, please don't forget to add Wroclaw to your itinerary. Parts of Wroclaw are absolutely stunning!

Language / How to say that you dont speak polish in polish? [23]

Hi all,

I've seen many times foreigners with Polish phrases and expressions written down on sheets of paper, you know, survival Polish, and I think it's a great idea!

Also, cities like Poznan, Warsaw, Wroclaw, Krakow, they all have tourist info centers. If you ever get lost or confused or whatever, just contact them. If you need a hotel or a room to rent, or if you have any questions, they will help you out :) And they are normally located in the heart of the city, usually old town square etc. Don't forget about emergency numbers! Better to be safe that sorry :)

Language / How to say that you dont speak polish in polish? [23]

I don't speak Polish. = Nie mowie po polsku.
Do you speak English? = Mowisz po angielsku?

I'd say you will be safe in Poznan with your English only. A lot of people speak English these days. Even if it's only some English. But it's nice you want to learn some Polish :)

"Nie znam język polski" (I do not know the polish language) - incorrect.

Nie znam jezyka polskiego = I don't know Polish
Short: Nie znam polskiego

USA, Canada / Fun places in Greenpoint, NY? [9]

Hi,

No idea. I just know this EXIT club :)

USA, Canada / Fun places in Greenpoint, NY? [9]

Hi,

The two times I went there was with an international group, but yes, we heard Polish all around us. And then English. The club looks like some of the places I had seen in London :) I really liked it.

USA, Canada / Fun places in Greenpoint, NY? [9]

Hi,

Check out EXIT club. Their website isn't all that great, but the club itself is really cool :)

Language / Pronunciation difference between Ź and Ż / RZ [83]

HI Switezianka,

I was looking for some pointers for the forum members learning Polish. Polish is my mother tongue. But thanx, anyways.

G.

Language / Pronunciation difference between Ź and Ż / RZ [83]

HI,

Does anybody know a phonetic transcription system of Polish for non-Polish speakers?
Maybe we should ask prof. Miodek? Maybe he wrote a book about it or something?

It's actually "W Szczebrzeszynie chrząszcz brzmi w trzcinie" LOL Not that it makes it any easier :)

Language / Capitalization of Cie, Ciebie, and others [17]

Hi acrimon,

All these forms, i.e. Cie/Ciebie/Ty/Twoj/Twoja/Twoi/Twoje/Wasz/Wasze/Wasi should be capitalized according to a capitalization rule of Polish (see Polish grammar/punctuation/capitalization). It's actually considered a grammatical mistake if you don't.

We do not capitalize adjectives like polski/hiszpanski/amerykanski/niemiecki etc. which in are capitalized in English. That would be Polish/Spanish/American/German respectively.

Now, the language is evolving and certain linguistic rules/trends might be modified. Plus, formal vs. informal writing should be considered as well.

I even capitalize the words "Mamo" and "Tato" (mom and dad) in letters or on postcards as an expression of the utmost respect for my parents. But I also know some people who don't do that.

G.

:)

Life / How do you Poles feel about the fact that so many Poles work abroad? [145]

Isthatu,

Thank you for such an elaborate answer :) Like you said, it all comes down to one thing: regular people face the repercussions of this. How can we find a happy medium? Can we?

I knew we would be friends again :) LOL

I will be gone for a little over than a month, but when I get back, I'll catch up on things here.

So long :)

Love / My polish g/f can be a nightmare,is it always like this [262]

Smiffer,

Good decision, my friend. We are all proud of you here!!! Best of luck to you :)

G.

Life / How do you Poles feel about the fact that so many Poles work abroad? [145]

Puzzy,

It's Gab, not Gaby. And Gab is a "she", not a "he".

Now, let's clarify another thing: Polish economy is getting better, but it is still a mess. If somebody refuses to see it, it's a whole different issue. I'm not going to embellish Poland's economical situations. I'm talking details, my friend. It's actually funny you should say Polish economy is so great. Last time I checked, it wasn't.

No, I don't feel bad for the Poles. I might feel angry, but I don't feel bad. Things upset me, that's all. Do you think sentiments are going to change anything? Hell no. I changed my attitude and became proactive. And I suggest that other people do the same. If they continue to feel bad for themselves, if they wait for the government to do something for them, oh well, I wish them luck. But it won't get them anywhere. That's actually my advice.

And one last thing. I love Poland and I love my family. Poland will always be my home. No matter how screwed up things might be over there. I wish I didn't have to leave. I am proud of my heritage, so please don't try to call me a sellout or whatever it is that you called me. And I respect people's decisions. Some decided to stay, some decided to leave. I know both sides of the story, my friend. I' living it every day of my life! Being a Pole I have all the rights to point things out about my own country, whether they are good or bad. And I'm not afraid to do so. Neither am I ashamed.

Life / How do you Poles feel about the fact that so many Poles work abroad? [145]

Hello again,

That's a good question. I don't really know. Maybe they can come to the US? Just kidding :)

I'm sure you know far more about your country then I do, but I've been reading about unemployment benefits and some social benefits per kid in a family and my impression was that some people do not seem to mind accepting them for whatever reason, convenience maybe? And I'm not talking a few months, I'm talking a long time. I've seen it happen in the States, too. Especially amongst minorities, you know, welfare checks.

So, you're saying locals can't obtain work at all? Or in some sectors only? Big cities or in suburban areas?

I completely see your point on many aspects of immigration. But you have to admit that there has been almost a campaign targeting the Polish. It's like there is a campaign against Mexicans in the USA. The issues are a little different, but there is a resemblance in the approach to that.

We all agreed to be a part of the EU, for better or for worse. LOL Now we have to bear the consequences of this union, contractually I mean. The problems will always be there. It's a complex matter.

G.

Life / How do you Poles feel about the fact that so many Poles work abroad? [145]

Hi,

I totally see your point on the senior citizens argument. It's like this in many countries and it is undeniably unfair. But how do you think the government should solve this situation?

Nobody should "feel bad" for the Poles. Such sentiments are uncalled for. In fact, they don't mean a thing. I don't feel bad for the Poles and I am one. I think that the economy is a mess and everything that goes with it, too. But I don't feel "bad". I approach this matter with a clear mind, logic and reason. I FEEL BAD for the people from 3rd world countries. I'm lucky not to be in their shoes.

I am a little unclear on your point about legals vs. illegals in the States. I certainly don't compete with them when it comes to jobs. And vice versa, they don't compete with me, either. Like I want to make minimum wages and cut the lawns, wash cars or clean houses or work at some dirty warehouse or whatever. I would take a job like that if the circumstances forced me to. They have no choice, I do. They will take literally any job that will allow them to support their families and live somewhat decently. I actually give them a lot of credit for doing that.

As far as education, I don't know about the United Kingdom, but I know about Poland and the US. And in the USA the government has financial aid programs for everybody, illegal aliens included. I think it is unfair, well, they are illegal, but at the same time I don't think anybody should be denied the access to obtain education. And that's a dilemma.

I will skip responding to your comment about your language. Freedom of speech. LOL

Life / How do you Poles feel about the fact that so many Poles work abroad? [145]

Hi all,

Mexicans in the USA are targeted mainly because they cross the border illegally, contrary to the Poles that cross the UK borders legally, correct? There is a whole anti-Mexican campaign in the States because of that.

As far as abusing the health care system by immigrants (e.g. Poles), I'm sure it happens, nobody denies that. Just like some individuals abuse social benefits as well. And it's not just the immigrants. I am not in favor of that, actually quite the opposite.

Now, I NEVER said that England colonized Poland. I just made a simple observation about how hypocritical (conveniently) certain countries can be :) England's economy would not be where it is now had it not been for hundreds of years of exploitation of foreign soil and people.

Also, what's with all the cursing? Can't you handle a simple debate? Be civil, please.

I am open for any debate, I find it quite stimulating in fact. Every country has some issues, that's just how things are. NO country is perfect. And there is nothing wrong with people wanting to look for a better life elswhere. It's perfectly justifiable and natural.

Final point: costs of living are astronomical not only in England, my friend. I've lived in Poland, in England and now I'm in the USA. People are struggling in many places. What makes it worst is when the cost of living is astronomical and you can't find work. I have no problem working hard, which I am, and paying for my lifestyle which, by the way, is I think quite standard. Even with a good salary in Poland I would never be able to afford things that I can afford here ( a nice car, a nice apartment, dining out in nice places etc. ). And these are considered standard in the US.

The only thing that is killing me in the US is medical expenses, which I have mentioned in some other thread. But for that I go to Poland. Not to England. LOL And I pay out of pocket.

Have a wonderful weekend :)

Life / How do you Poles feel about the fact that so many Poles work abroad? [145]

Hi all,

The word "racism" has evolved a great deal and nowadays it connotes not just one's race, but turns out, one's nationality as well, especially in the USA.

I know of my fellow Poles' experiences in all of the UK, but form what I've been hearing, the situation is not that "favorable" for them mainly in England.

If England has a problem with Polish immigrants or any Eastern Europeans for that matter, maybe they should introduce some quota system? Follow the example of the US from 1800/1900s. That's how they regulated the amount of immigrants coming from e.g. Asia.

I know, I know, the USA is a little different, but they still balance the number of immigrants. At least they try to. Illegal immigration is a whole different story.

There are both pros and cons of any immigration, but in the global world of today I would expect people to be a little more progressive.

And another thing, the world knows of England's colonial resume from the past, so I guess it was ok then, for hundreds of years to exploit other countries and their people to grow into a superpower, but now that times have changed and people can travel freely and decide on their own where they want to settle down (EU mainly), it's not ok. Quite frankly, it's rather hypocritical. But it's just how I feel.

Life / Things to be afraid of in Poland? [109]

Hi there Eurola,

I don't know what it depends on, but I do get charged 3% of every purchase, 3% of an ATM withdrawal plus $6 per each amount I am withdrawing. I am a former Bank of New York customer and a lot of BNY branches were bought by Chase. They converted all those accounts to Chase accounts with some restrictions. I know my friend's account that had been opened years before mine gets charged if the average balance drops below a certain amount. They have so many strange rules. My account if free for life because they were running some special at the time when I opened it, but my international transactions are no so "fee". Actually I am going to contact them and ask why the hell it's the case with my account. I'm getting ripped off, that's for sure. I thought every Chase customer had the same problem.

As far as the cell phone, I was talking about a Polish ERA provider, not an American service. I am with At&T, but I didn't add the roaming service to my account. I kept my dad's old Polish ERA service and he had roaming on it. You get charged for it (not for the service itself), but the the local provider's fees when traveling. I guess it depends on maybe the type of plan you one signed up for? I'm not sure.

Travel / Do people get charged receiving SMS when traveling to other EU countries? [7]

I'm not sure about that. One should contact their service provider.

Travel / Do people get charged receiving SMS when traveling to other EU countries? [7]

Hi,

Yes, the roaming service is quite costly no matter where you are traveling. Sending a text message is going to be cheaper than making a phone call. I'm with ERA when in Poland or traveling in Europe. Depending on the destination country, you'll get different rates per minute and a text message. I went to Egypt last year and my phone bill was astronomical after I got back although I used my phone only a few times.

What about a calling card? I would think they are available in France. Maybe your friend can get one of those?

History / Are Germans going to pay for WW2? [180]

noimmigration,

An arrogant prick is what you are. But you are still a student, so you wouldn't know any better.

Times have changed and we are living in a global world these days. Or maybe you haven't noticed? Globalism equals immigration, sweetheart. I believe UK is an EU member, which means they have accepted the entire package that comes with it. Whether a baby like you likes it or not. So, get used to it. A few friends of mine who happen to be your country fellows were freaking embarrassed by what you are saying here. I copied you in an email. And quite frankly, I don't blame them. Good luck with your attitude. I'm sure it's gonna get you far.

Love / My polish g/f can be a nightmare,is it always like this [262]

Ok, then. Sorry, I'm a little slow 2day :)

Love / My polish g/f can be a nightmare,is it always like this [262]

Don't do what?

Love / My polish g/f can be a nightmare,is it always like this [262]

Smiffer,

C'mon, give us a break here! I feel like we all are your shrinks :) Free of charge! For you, I mean. LOL Not much progress on your part, though.

Love / My polish g/f can be a nightmare,is it always like this [262]

Smiffer,

What more do you need to know about your psycho woman? She is the devil in disguise. Move on with your life, my friend. And please, for once, do something for yourself. Go on a nice vacation!!! :)

Love / My polish g/f can be a nightmare,is it always like this [262]

Ok, then :) Didn't check :)

Wroclaw,

I'm from Wroclaw :)

Life / Things to be afraid of in Poland? [109]

I was thinking Chase and The Bank of New York.