Language / The Longest Polish word?? [23]

It's piecdziesieciogroszowka, marki.

But the Constantinople girl is the longest known example. Known to everyone, almost famous :)

Study / Cost for a moderate student life in Poland? [29]

Hey, you Matthew-searcher!

Your case is rather hopeless, there are thousands of Matthews all over the place, it's like looking for a Matthew in London or Glasgow. As long as you have no more details, give yourself a break...

USA, Canada / Polish people view of the United States [54]

Spell check on this thing? I thought you wanted to raise educational standards?

Love / What is expected of a man who wishes to propose to a lady in Poland? [35]

Getting down on your knee? I know many Polish married women and none of them actually experienced such performance. All of them got married recently and for all of them the proposal happened between the two with announcing the happy news to the family.

About "holy day", only in very religious families, which are in extinction now (at least among those Poles I know, most of them from cities in western Poland).

Flowers, ring, romance - choose what matches your personality and the character of your relationship. If you come up with something original, she'll surely appreciate it.

Make her happy, that's all that really matters!

UK, Ireland / for polish people in uk-do u find it easy to live in this country? [19]

I guess the key to your feeling good is that Brits are not disrespectful towards foreigners, while Germans and Italians often are.

Also, there are numerous similarities in cuisine, city lifestyle, interests and music.

I cannot agree that all Poles go to UK and try to earn as much as they can before they decide to go back. We must not forget that if earnings are quadruple, the cost of living is at least triple so their actual profits are not so astonishing. Besides I met many who declare that they wish to stay forever, that they only came to learn the language properly or experience something new before they settle down back in Poland.

News / World-wide and famous brands from Poland [41]

If you live in the UK, or in London at least, you must know some Polish products. Myself, I've seen Polish beer, vodka, ham, bread, pierogis, sausages, carrot juice (mostly Kubus), and many other products.

I guess it's not only trademarks as such that count. There are several cars for example made on Poland only, Fiat seicento being just one of them.

Food / Poland's Summertime! Let's BBQ [79]

The most common meat barbecued in Poland is sausage, one of the medium thickness kind (aroung an inch in diameter) and not the "dry" type (lean meat gets dry, a bit of grease is essential for proper cooking) usually cut in some kind of pattern to allow fat drop as it melts. Often seasoned with herbs, pepper ect. (no salt though, agree). Served with fresh (or bbq toasted) crunchy Polish bread, mustard, ketchup, veg of some kind (cucumbers, tomatoes, mixed veg salad, anything) and often beer or wine.

Tired of the same old sausage, Poles now barbecue all sorts of meat, often pre-marinated in vinegar-seasoning mixture. Whatever is too soft (e.g. fish) is packed in aluminium foil. Polishness demonstrates itself in salads, spices used and serving customs, after all how many sorts of meat can there be? :)

Often instead of a typical grill or bbq (which have been popular only recently) Polish organize a fire. Then you can bury potatoes in hot ashes, roast a sausage held on a long stick (making sure it doesn't break and fall into the fire), or make quick toasts using hte same method. Unlike with the bbq, you can stay late into the night, warming up your hands and feet by the fire, playing the guitar and enjoying the atmosphere its light creates. I guess that's the most Polish thing of all.

News / English vs. Polish hostility [323]

According to the law, you can only claim benefit of any kind having worked in the UK continuously for 12 months. This means that anyone going there and claiming anything straight away is just impossible, regardless of nationality.

To be precise: comparing Poles to Mexicans has little reason as all Poles are perfectly legal in the UK, not only staying, but also working - and this being a decision of the government chosen by the British public.

About some moaners: there will always be someone unhappy about changes, claiming same old stuff about job taking and social system abuse. Obviously not everyone going to UK is well behaved and highly educated, but neither are the ones complaining. It is worth noting that actually the inflow of labour force has helped boost British economy.

Saying that English language is threatened by Polish is ridiculous, given its difficulty and the proportions of immigrants against English-speaking inhabitants.

I guess the British lady (#14) is quite right - I haven't ever heard women complain. Moreover, I know of many friendships between Poles and locals. Perhaps it hurts some single men to see happy Polish-English couples?

Internet gives opportunity for some cowards to waffle around, don't let them fool you - the reality is better than it may seem judging by some of these angry posts.

Life / Polish time zone question [9]

Actually whole continental Europe is in the same time zone, for practicality I suppose, from Poland to Portugal. Except for Great Britain & Ireland, which are different in many ways and where continental six o'clock is actually five.

Winter/summer time change is coordinated though throughout Europe.

Genealogy / TRACING the Zajac FAMILY [9]

I agree, both surnames you mention are very common. I wouldn'c count on aristocracy to be helpful either. Good luck anyway.

USA, Canada / Acquire a job in Poland being in the US? [6]

About Americans teaching English in Poland - according to the law you don't need a work permit if you yeach your mother tongue, in all other cases you do. So it's easier for them than it may be for you.

You may want to look for a job in multinationals, speaking a foreign language is a standard there so Polish becomes less important than your core skills.

Good luck!

b

Work / Thinking of spending time teaching in Poland! [38]

Andy,

if you're thinking of teaching seriously, take a course before coming to Poland. Perhaps ten or twenty years ago being a native speaker was enough to get a job, but now the employers are more picky (they have more choice, too, as more and more foreigners come over) so be careful.

Good luck anyway!

b

Life / Whats gay life in Poland? [140]

Janek,

if I may have a word - probably one of the first posts made most sense in this whole discussion. Tolerance is higher in cities than in small places, higher among younger people. If we exclude the criminal incidents (track-suiters, neo nazis ect.), you will be safe. City centres (except railway stations) are probably the best choice (look for other safety tips on this website).

As long as you're not exaggerated (female-gay), you'll probably draw little attention, hence few negative comments, looks ect. So for your own comfort (rather than safety as such) you may prefer not to demonstrate your preferences to the wide public. Most people still can't tell a gay from a straight guy just by the way he looks or dresses (unless it's very tight or colorful). Because coming out of the closet has begun relatively recently, the society is still not used to gays. It's human nature to be afraid or agressive with what you don't know, and you must forgive ignorance of many. Those who have gay friends are mostly understanding and nice. Those who don't (or don't know about it) will probably be more careful or perhaps hostile. By the way - if someone has gay friends, they're most likely to have met them abroad, myself for example.

When you come to Poland, go where you want to go, meet your relatives if you're planning that but to say "I'm gay" you'll probably need to be talking to friends. Visit gay pubs if you feel like but don't expect London-like or Amsterdam-like freedom. Enjoy yourself and go back home where you can be with your dad and feel more yourself than over here. Best wishes.

b

Work / Italian girl moving to Poland, where I can ask for a job? [60]

Wwa,

I see you know exactly what you want, or at least where to go. Go for it then! The more determination you have, the more chances to acheve your goals.

Decide what you want to do for living during your stay there, find some accommodation, even temporary, and go! Just make sure you won't need any silly permits to work ect.

Good luck!

b

Work / Italian girl moving to Poland, where I can ask for a job? [60]

Hey W-Wa,

if I were you, I'd make a quick teaching course in whatever school (even little) and apply for a teaching job. Get yourself a book on teaching, learn some classroom techniques and apply. You can get a well- or reasonably-paid job in private or language schools, at universities (native speakers are a necessity there) or you can try to give private classes, just advertise yourself on the internet.

It would be a good idea to make friends with some Polish, through internet or over there, in Italy (there are many). Then they'll give you advice on job search websites, cities you may go to (Warsaw is not the only option and remember that in other places there is less competition) ect.

The best of luck!