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Posts by z_darius  

Joined: 18 Oct 2007 / Male ♂
Last Post: 27 Jun 2011
Threads: Total: 14 / In This Archive: 11
Posts: Total: 3960 / In This Archive: 2351
From: Niagara, Ontario
Speaks Polish?: Somewhat

Displayed posts: 2362 / page 39 of 79
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z_darius   
26 May 2008
Travel / Polish visa - Nightmare! [40]

more Brits moaning about life in Poland.

Actually, they KatieK didn't moan about life in Poland. She wanted to go there. When in Poland she received the good news that the process is much simpler than she had been previously told.

She moaned about visa process that took place outside of Poland.
z_darius   
26 May 2008
Genealogy / siedlecki family [11]

John Shedleski

There would be no such spelling in Polish.
The possibilities I'm aware of are:
Jan Siedlewski
Jan Siedleski
z_darius   
26 May 2008
Genealogy / Rogaklski [27]

Oooh wonder if we're related z_darius! lol

ya just never know, cousin ;)
z_darius   
26 May 2008
Genealogy / Rogaklski [27]

If i was polonophobe i wouldn't be visiting the country a few times a year

Don't take puzzy's comments seriously. He appears to be a mix of a Polish version of a nazi and a schizophrenic. Nothing you can do about it really. There are people like that in all countries and you will meet a few here. If they only remembered to take their meds as prescribed.

Other than that welcome to PF.

Oh, and there was a Rogalski who married someone in my extended family. A pretty popular name in Poland.
z_darius   
26 May 2008
Life / Experiences of Polish Hospitals [29]

Seriously, there are some differences I noticed between Polish and American/Canadian hospitals. Things may have changed since I left Poland but from what I remember this is the gist of it:

- Poland had far cheaper advanced medical equipment.

- Neither US nor Poland differ in terms of admissions to emergency rooms. In fact I found American and Canadian ones lagging behind Poland. Patients waiting for hours, sometimes days on stretchers in hallways. Older folks sent by retirement homes for emergency treatments in hospitals most of the time return in terrible condition. Bed sores, zero help in regards to the patients personal hygiene.

I took a friend with broken ribs and punctured lung to emenrgency in NYC. We waited 8 hours, and when I complained I was told that the American medical care is the best in the world.

- Somehow the US and Canadian medical personnel lost their focus on the basics. You should not put your feet on the desk or the chair in a hospital! It's not OK just because the sneakers are white and look clean, They are not. And it doesn't help that they hang those antibacterial soaps all over the place - MRSA cases are sky rocketing.

- In Poland a doctor actually took time to examine you. Here only some do. At a predefined rate of $$$ a pop it's mostly conveyor type of system. In Canada I was seen by a surgeon in a reputable hospital. I was one of 85 patients he saw that day. He works 5 hours a day. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, 97 patients in 6 hours. That's 3 minutes and 9 seconds per patient.

- In North America you are assumed healthy, unless your vital signs are spotty.

- In North America you are considered sick if there is a new medication a pharmaceutical company paid a doctor to push it to patients.

I have enough experience with Polish hospitals to say the care is solid and based on sound medical practice. I never went to a hospital to party so I didn't care about the nice, or not nice approach of some nurses. Both nasty and pleasant nurses are also abundant in North America, and a lot depends on the patient. As.sholes get minimal care required by the law. Nice people will get and extra touch and a smile. Not different from just about any other environment where people interact.
z_darius   
25 May 2008
Life / Experiences of Polish Hospitals [29]

my polish friend, kasia, told me that if you wanna have a baby in poland, you will have to set a side a good amount of money to get a really good hospital service

Nah, a bedroom will do. Just make sure you... ahem... attempt it somewhere between the 12 and 16 day ;)
z_darius   
25 May 2008
Life / Experiences of Polish Hospitals [29]

Removal of tonsils is somewhere in the category of extracting wisdom teeth, so in essence, it is not a major surgery. Back in the day they would remove tonsils by definition if a person go tonsillitis more than a couple times.

The only issue that you may have, and which has nothing to do with where the procedure takes place, is that you don't appear to be a kid anymore. The post surgery period in adults is be very tough for a couple weeks after the fact.
z_darius   
23 May 2008
Life / Well You visited and/or lived in Poland, tell us what its like. [41]

I have always maintained that ppl in NYC are super friendly and open, I made great friends that I will cherish forever. Its a melting pot of cultures and everyone feels welcomed because of it.

If by NYC you mean Manhattan+The Bronx then I'd have doubts about the friendliness. Wall Street, after all, is one of the least friendly places on this planet. Dog eat dog. The Bronx... it changed a bit, most of the unfriendly people have been pushed north, towards Yonkers and such. Still, The Bronx is not what comes to mind when one thinks about "friendly".

If you look at other boroughs then the friendliness varies too. From Russian mob in Brighton beach, to Astoria where it was hard to rent a place if you weren't Greek or Italian.

A melting pot it is though, but I could never decide whether that in fact was good or bad.
z_darius   
23 May 2008
Law / Where would be best to set up an office in Poland? [13]

Krakow is the bast place and dont lisin to people that tells You Wroclaw.

Actually, Google established their offices in Wroclaw for a number of reasons. One was a steady supply of highly qualified staff and unfavorable conditions set forth by Krakow officials.

A quote from Time Magazine:

Nowadays, the elegant old market square in the city center, once the site of a few scruffy museums, is lined with designer shops, sushi bars and restaurants. Companies from LG Philips (LCD screens) to Google (service support) have poured $5 billion into the local economy in the past five years, creating 200,000 jobs in a city of just 650,000. The mayor's office reviewed 560 investment projects last year alone. Since 2002, unemployment dropped from 14% to under 5%. Mayor Rafal Dutkiewicz credits low production costs, a good location near the autobahns to Western Europe and a deep pool of educated young workers: local universities graduate 24,000 students each year.

time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1729145-1,00.html
z_darius   
23 May 2008
Love / Wedding ceremony in Poland - is it done in church only? [7]

I know I've asked my grandmother and her respond: "yes only in the church" (I don't know - maybe she's just really traditional and believe it is the only way)...so I am asking away here...is it possible to have the priest done outside the church? (I don't mind in church; just asking away).

That is what the tradition is but the law does not specify the actual location. If you can get the priest to wear a diver's suit, the wedding may take place under water. Of course you will pay for this kind of service through the nose (for the glory of Our Lord, of course).

If you want a scaled down ceremony there are no problems. The lay wedding takes a few minutes and costs peanuts. You can do it 7 days a week. Likewise, a wedding in Church can take place any time, although it will usually costs more.

Some people opt for smaller churches/chapels, and on week days, or Saturdays when services are not held except for the early morning and late afternoon/evening.

A Catholic marriage ceremony outside a church building is a possibility too. There is nothing in either civil, or cannonical law to prevent that.

During communist times a lot of career commies would get married secretly in Churches or in their homes (so that the commie party officials wouldn't know), so Polish priests can be pretty flexible in this regard.

But always remember, in the minds of many Polish Catholic priests they are not here to serve you. You are there to serve the Lord. Indirectly of course. The more you pay the better the seat in the heavenly jet you get. With an extra $ or two, you may be even seated in the same row as St. Paul.
z_darius   
22 May 2008
Love / Stalker Friend of my Polish GF? [40]

If things look seriously uncomfortable to her then letting the police know seems like the right thing to do. But then, wtf is she doing txting him back if she really wants to stay away from him?
z_darius   
22 May 2008
Travel / I miss Kraków... What do You miss...? [95]

It may even beat St. Petersbourg as my favorite city to visit!

A very impressive city, but also somewhat artificial and created at a huge loss of lives of slave labor.
z_darius   
21 May 2008
Language / Does anyone knows about a quick course to learn the basics? [8]

Other than some simple common phrases (which will be of no use if you get response in a language you don't understand) I think a month is just about what it takes to be ready to start learning basics of Polish. The language ain't easy. The grammar makes it so demanding on the learner that "sorta" knowing Polish can in practice mean that, unlike in English, you would not be able to communicate in the language at all.

My $0.02 (CDN)
z_darius   
20 May 2008
Language / czy../trzy.. - Full assimilation in Polish [22]

When I visited Częstochowa, many years ago

Yeah, in Czestochowa weird things can happen. It's a city known for a miracle or two.
z_darius   
20 May 2008
Food / COFFEE BRANDS IN POLAND & ELSEWHERE? [17]

What brands of coffee for home brewing do you prefer

Only Gala von Eduscho, Nr. 1, ground.

Know of any decent-tasting decaffeinated brand?

I always thought decaffeinated coffee the same way as one would think about dehydrated water.
z_darius   
16 May 2008
USA, Canada / New York trip suggestions [56]

Yellow taxis. The best, especially the SUV version, equippped with a TV screen and GPS. I loved it.

Miranda!!!
So you went some 600km to watch TV? And who needs a GPS in a cab in Manhattan, of all places? :))
z_darius   
15 May 2008
Life / Gay scene good in Poland? [66]

I have heard in the national press that Polish are very homophobic.

Some Poles may be prejudiced but I don't think Poles have any phobias in regards to homosexuals. The reverse, it seems, is true.

My 2 best friends are lesbians and would love a holiday in Poland. Best to know before they book up I guess.

Best to know what? If they can grope each other in public? Unless they do that, or carry some banners, then they do not need to feel any phobias.
z_darius   
15 May 2008
Life / Cool Polish names [133]

Mikołajek?

yes

I also heard Mikuś
z_darius   
15 May 2008
USA, Canada / Zubrowka vodka in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver? Mazowiecka Zytnia? [15]

Zubrowka in Toronto area

City Address and Intersection Telephone Inventory
Date Quantity On Hand
1. MISSISSAUGA 1125 BLOOR STREET EAST
BLOOR & DIXIE APPLEWOOD HILLS (905)
279-2041 May 14, 2008 81
2. TORONTO-CENTRAL 2 COOPER STREET
QUEENS QUAY & YONGE (416)
864-6777 May 14, 2008 48
3. TORONTO-CENTRAL 11 BROCK AVENUE
QUEEN & DUFFERIN (416)
532-7283 May 14, 2008 47
4. MISSISSAUGA 1077 NORTH SERVICE ROAD
N SERVICE & DIXIE (APPLEWOOD VILLAGE) (905)
897-1092 May 14, 2008 42
5. TORONTO-NORTH YORK 2625D WESTON ROAD
HWY 401 & WESTON (CROSSROADS) (416)
243-3320 May 14, 2008 35
6. MISSISSAUGA 3020 ELMCREEK RD.
DUNDAS & MAVIS (905)
949-6100 May 14, 2008 32
7. TORONTO-NORTH YORK 5995 YONGE STREET
YONGE & WEDGEWOOD (NORTH OF FINCH) (416)
221-0858 May 14, 2008 30
8. TORONTO-ETOBICOKE 2762 LAKESHORE BOULEVARD WEST
LAKESHORE & ISLINGTON (416)
251-2021 May 14, 2008 30
9. TORONTO-NORTH YORK 675 WILSON AVENUE
WILSON & DUFFERIN (416)
636-5349 May 14, 2008 27
10. RICHMOND HILL 8783 YONGE STREET
YONGE & HWY 7 (905)
886-3511 May 14, 2008 27
11. TORONTO-CENTRAL 10 SCRIVENER SQUARE
YONGE & SUMMERHILL (416)
922-0403 May 14, 2008 27
12. TORONTO-ETOBICOKE 666 BURNHAMTHORPE ROAD
BURNHAMTHORPE & HWY 427 (416)
621-0954 May 14, 2008 25
13. HAMILTON 971 FENNELL AVENUE EAST
UPPER GAGE & FENNELL (FENNELL SQUARE) (905)
385-5383 May 14, 2008 25
14. TORONTO-CENTRAL 2180 BLOOR STREET WEST
BLOOR & RUNNYMEDE (BLOOR WEST VILLAGE) (416)
767-8931 May 14, 2008 24
15. OTTAWA-WEST 222 RICHMOND ROAD
RICHMOND & KIRKWOOD (613)
729-1735 May 14, 2008 24
16. MISSISSAUGA 2458 DUNDAS STREET WEST
DUNDAS & WINSTON CHURCHILL (WOODCHESTER) (905)
822-1776 May 14, 2008 23
17. MISSISSAUGA 9 - 5035 HURONTARIO ST.
HWY 10 & EGLINTON (905)
501-9784 May 14, 2008 22
18. MISSISSAUGA 25 HILLCREST AVENUE
HURONTARIO & DUNDAS (HWYS 10 & 5) (905)
279-6837 May 14, 2008 22
19. HAWKESBURY 56 MAIN STREET EAST
HWY 34 & HWY 17 (613)
632-2121 May 14, 2008 22
20. BARRIE 461 BIG BAY POINT ROAD
YONGE & MINETS PT RD (705)
739-0162 May 14, 2008 22
21. OTTAWA-CENTRAL 22 ISABELLA STREET
METCALFE & ISABELLA (613)
232-9689 May 14, 2008 21
22. LONDON 1073 WELLINGTON ROAD
WELLINGTON & BRADLEY (519)
681-4242 May 14, 2008 21
23. TORONTO-NORTH YORK 2901 BAYVIEW AVENUE
BAYVIEW & SHEPPARD (BAYVIEW VILLAGE) (416)
222-7658 May 14, 2008 20
24. BRAMPTON 100 CLEMENTINE DR.
MAVIS & STEELES (905)
456-2101 May 14, 2008 20
25. BRADFORD 484 HOLLAND STREET WEST
HOLLAND WEST OF BARRIE (905)
775-3481 May 14, 2008 20
26. LONDON 900 OXFORD STREET EAST
OXFORD EAST OF ADELAIDE (519)
451-7143 May 14, 2008 20
27. TORONTO-ETOBICOKE 1530 ALBION ROAD
ALBION & KIPLING (ALBION MALL) (416)
740-1857 May 14, 2008 19
z_darius   
13 May 2008
Food / What's is in this Polish can? [29]

He not trick me and its dog food or something?

Other than the fact that dogs will eat pretty much anything edible this is not dog food. Still, a very peculiar item for a present from a trip to Poland :)

(I see they make them now with that little thingie to open the can without a can opener. Now I see that Poland changed since I left ;) )