UK, Ireland / Polish brands in England [12]

I seem to have seen them in the UK, but maybe I'm confused ;-)

UK, Ireland / Polish brands in England [12]

Isn't that British though? It always makes me smile when I pass one of those ;-)

Life / polish-indian couple looking for baby names [28]

Maja wouldn't sound bad - even though the connotations of "Maya's veil" might not be what you're after.
;-)

Life / Polish Names day traditions? Presents? Food? [39]


thanks for the compliment. I'm not THAT young, but I sure never celebrate my nameday, and never did - there was no such custom in my family. we always went for birthdays. Poland is not as homogeneous as some would like to believe.

Language / CIZIA & KOCIAK? [17]


Aren't you confusing registers here? We're not talking gentlemen and ladies! BTW, words like "stomach" and "legs" were considered horribly un-gentlemanly and un-ladylike in English not long ago - about 150 years or so ;-)

Kociak carries about the same connotations in Polish as chick or babe in English.
There's some admiration in it and lots of appreciation, as in: "Ale kociak!"
Quite honestly, have you never called a particularly interesting specimen of the male persuasion names such as "ciacho", "towarek" or similar? Never ever cross your heart?

(Cizia, on the other hand, sounds just a bit sleazy and cheap).

Language / CIZIA & KOCIAK? [17]

...or you're overreacting...
I wouldn't mind being called "kociak" :-)

Life / Is it expensive to give birth in Poland? [26]


Funnily enough, yes. And I passed, too. How very strange.
It is my humble opinion that those who believe they must bribe certain groups of people in order to get from them what those same people are paid to do in the first place, create the bribery scenario themselves.

In hospital, almost every new mother around me bent over backwards to kiss a** and generally make herself agreeable to the staff, yet somehow we all got exactly the same treatment.

If no one bribed anybody, there would be no expectation of same.

Life / Is it expensive to give birth in Poland? [26]


I had two "state" births in Poland and there was absolutely nothing shocking about either, and I did not offer anyone a penny for anything. So it's not so black and white, you know. And this way waaay back in the old days, early nineties, when supposedly Polish obstetrics were primitive and steeped in the evil communist ways of the previous era.

Life / Poland Miracles [7]

...Virgin Radio? ;-P (but that's in the UK)

Life / 'The Pianist' - the movie. What's your opinion? Polanski [59]

I don't think, as far as thinking goes, that you have understood my post in the slightest. Probably my fault. Time to go.

Life / 'The Pianist' - the movie. What's your opinion? Polanski [59]

I got a bit sidetracked in my last posts, but if you don't mind I'd like to get back to discussing the film. Let's forget about what true courage is and whether or not honour is important enough to die for. Let's concentrate on the film instead; or rather on its presentation of events. But first, let me digress some more.

It really surprises me that nobody is interested in the people who helped Szpilman survive. Some of you said that they are not important, that they are just a bunch of nameless individuals who served the purpose of saving a great musician. I tried googling for them, using phrases such as "who saved Szpilman", and kept getting the unfortunate Wilm Hosenfeld time and time again. I only found ONE site which actually gives the names of some of these people: do you know who they are? There is at least one name you should recognize.

I quote from the site: "(...) looked after by Czeslaw and Helena Lewicki and Andrzej and Janina Bogucki and helped by Eugenia Uminska, Witold Lutoslawski, Edmund Rudnicki, Piotr Perkowski and many other, anonymous people.After the Warsaw Uprising he stayed in hiding, in the ruins of a burnt-out house, cut off from any help from his Polish friends. He was discovered by Wilm Hosenfeld, a Wehrmacht captain who provided him with food."

Witold Lutosławski... you know, the great Polish musician and composer? Even he didn't deserve a single sentence of recognition in the closing credits. Interesting, isn't it? A truly great composer risks his life to help a rather average (in professional terms) musician and composer of popular songs - because they are friends, or maybe simply out of good old-fashioned decency. This would have added some dimension to the film, but has been omitted completely. And if Lutosławski didn't make it, it's no surprise that lesser mortals who were only Szpilman's friends did not stand a chance either.

Wilm Hosenfeld... I feel sorry for him. He really hoped saving Szpilman would save his life in turn: but he wrote down Spielman instead of Szpilman and nobody was ready to believe his story. He must have been a decent enough guy, but kowtowing to him as Szpilman's "saviour" is surely a misunderstanding.

After the Warsaw Uprising the city was deserted. Szpilman could have pretty much gone anywhere, into any house, and taken any food (if any was left), books, pillows, eiderdowns, or whole pieces of furniture, without the intervention or permission of anybody, least of all a German soldier. Of course, Szpilman could have simply walked out of the city with the millions of people who were evacuated after the Uprising - even many Armia Krajowa soldiers managed to escape this way, though the Germans were on the lookout for military-looking youths. But he preferred to stay - so automatically became an outlaw again, as nobody was allowed to stay on (the punishment being death on sight). So yes, Wilm Hosenfeld did save Szpilman - by not killing him. Great. The thing is, many other German soldiers refrained from killing many other people in Warsaw at that time, as they were sick and tired of all the violence and destruction around them.

What am I driving at with all this?

There are many ways of telling a story, and The Pianist is Polański's way. By changing the name from Death of a City (Szpilman's original title) to The Pianist, Polański changed the whole perspective: where Szpilman saw himself as part of a dying community, as one of the many doomed inhabitants of his beloved city, Polański focuses solely on the individual, who is shown as fighting a losing battle against the whole world; even those who help him cannot be fully trusted; they take away Szpilman's watch (as if it was to be expected that they pay for his food and probably rent out of their own pockets); there is a hysterical anti-Semite on the landing (not completely surprising once you know that people from the whole building would be summarily executed if the Germans found out); there is not enough food (as if other Varsovians feasted daily on pheasants and champagne).

The Warsaw Uprising is shown as just another annoying nuisance to our poor hero, who loses contact with his useful Polish minions and thus is left to his own devices, the poor thing... And then comes the glorious day of meeting the angelic Wilm Hosenfeld, who DOES NOT KILL HIM! Oh, the wonderful, merciful German, how we are all supposed to adore him... Well, I don't, for that matter. I agree he behaved like a gentleman, but that's about it. If he were a Polish or Russian soldier, nobody would think twice about this "generous" gesture. But because he was German, and was supposed to kill, the contrast brings out a gratitude he does not really deserve (not to such a crazy extent, at any rate). So the overall impression we have is that Szpilman somehow miraculously survived on the Aryan side and then was saved by a good German soldier. To me, this is pure, thoroughbred propaganda.

Somehow I doubt Szpilman saw his story exactly this way; it is interesting that work on the film went ahead only after his death. You know?

One more grievance I have against this film is that it does not show any real glimpse of daily life in occupied Warsaw; we are not supposed to know that people disappeared from the streets every day (łapanki), that food was smuggled into the city from the surrounding villages by people brave enough (and admittedly capitalist-minded enough) to face death every day, that the punishment for harbouring a Jew was death for the whole family or household, that, in short, the whole city, on both the Jewish and Aryan side of the ghetto wall, was desperately short of food, exhausted by hard labour, and clutching at straws. "Death of a City" - a very apt title, too bad Polański did not respect even that.

Of course, it's a "good film" - but it's not a decent film. It leaves an aftertaste I do not like at all.

Life / 'The Pianist' - the movie. What's your opinion? Polanski [59]


This is not a satisfactory reply. I am not convinced that this particular person played the most important role in Szpilman's survival. Wikipedia says that he was helped by "his friends from Polskie radio and partly by Wilm Hosenfeld" - then why omit his friends' names and lives from the film?


Unfortunately, on his own, as one person, he would never have survived to tell the tale. And there would have been no story at all.


No. It's a sign of courage. Compassion without courage is just empty blather. And honour is not a dirty word.

UK, Ireland / "Angry swan eater" - The British media view of Polish immigrants? [63]


Examples? Pretty please?

I hope you know that the new EU state members are only entitled to benefits if they can prove 12 month's continuous employment (Workers' Registration Scheme - £90.00) prior to applying, plus they are supposed to remain employed throughout. So Child Benefit, Housing Benefit, WTC and CTC, and council housing (in appropriate cases) are only accessible if you have worked and continue working. If you are very ill, disabled, or cannot find work for a long period of time, social services will inevitably ask you whether you would not prefer to go home, i.e. to your country of origin. And they withdraw funding as well, so no assistance with housing or rehabilitation is forthcoming. Which I am fine with, as it makes absolute sense. It's a pity though that this sensible approach only applies to this particular group of migrants.

I recently interpreted for a young Polish Roma couple at the housing dept. of one of the London boroughs - they live with their in-laws, the girl only recently arrived in the UK, the boy is unemployed, and they want a place of their own because the house is crowded. So they apply for council housing. The officer tells them they are not entitled to any support because they are not working and cannot prove 12 months' worth of WRS registered employment in the past. So far, so good. Then suddenly it turns out that the boy comes from a family which was granted Indefinite Leave to Remain before 1st May 04. So they are entitled to council housing, no problem at all! :-O

Other people may have serious housing problems, experience conflicts with a dishonest landlord, or whatever. But this adorable young couple who have never worked a single day of their lives only need come in and say that they want a place of their own, and shall get what they want - for free. Because Mum and Dad knew what to tell the immigration officers way back in 1999. :-/

The system is totally f***ed. I really feel sorry for the UK. But you have your nicey-nice politicians to blame, I'm afraid...

News / POLAND'S CREDIT CRAZE [34]

I know that this is a dangerous path to tread, but on the other hand... I bought my flat, car, washing machine, and computer on credit and paid them all back on time (not all at the same time, of course!) ;-)

It is somehow much easier to buy something and then pay back your loan than save-save-save for ages and then find out that the item you were saving for is not longer available or its price has gone up...

I guess as long as people remember what credit is - a loan, someone else's money - they will be fine.

UK, Ireland / "Angry swan eater" - The British media view of Polish immigrants? [63]

When you come to live Poland long-term, you naturally expect the same, and should get it. This is what the EU is all about. But never mind... The funny thing is that most Poles would really not mind if they were asked to pay a small fee for NHS services etc. But the system is set up for exploitation from the outside, which unfortunately cannot be blamed on migrants. They simply take what is offered to them - wouldn't you? Also, several years of paying NI should buy me some basic medical help anyway. I have actually seen my GP twice in three years, so I don't think I'm that expensive.

The most unfair part of the deal is that illegal immigrants, or those waiting for a final decision on their status, do not have to pay anything at all into the system, but use it nevertheless. Why aren't asylum seekers allowed to work? I guess it is so that they won't get too used to being in the UK in case they are to be deported. But if they are to be deported, they simply abscond and get to stay in the UK and milk the system anyway...

Work / praca magisterska (master's degree) - any impact on career in Poland [13]


Not true.
Also kindly consider the possibility that the person in question is actually living in Poland.

Life / 'The Pianist' - the movie. What's your opinion? Polanski [59]


I would not say my taste is the most unsophisticated out there, and yet I feel what I feel. OK, I can understand that Szpilman did not really know himself what the heck was going on, and that was reflected in his memoirs and later in the film. Then why the touching "post-war" story of the noble German in the end credits? Why was this the only person the director, or maybe Szpilman himself, or his son, found worthy of memory and investigation?


I am seriously into reading WW2 memoirs and witness accounts. And I disagree with you saying that most people hid in holes. Most Jews, admittedly, did and had to (if I were hiding a Jew I would definitely want them to be as inconspicuous as possible). But - most people did their thing for the crap honour and fatherland thing, if it only meant collecting coats for Pawiak prisoners being shipped to concentration camps, or making food packets for prisoners. Normal, run-of-the-mill housewives organized stuff like that. They were not heroes, they did not belong to any underground army. People just felt this was the right thing to do. This crap honour stuff made people take Jews into their homes and so sign a death warrant on themselves and their families.

Work / praca magisterska (master's degree) - any impact on career in Poland [13]

If you study to get your degree, and then don't get it, chances are you will have some problems getting a good job in your field, but you can usually - not always - overcome those with hard work and dedication. E.g. as far as I know all teachers are now required to either hold at least a B.A. or study for it. On the other hand I had a wonderful teacher at University who had no degree at all and taught translation - but he was a very good practising translator at the time. So it really does depend on the circs. What exactly would the person in question want to do with her life? And can't she make the effort to write her thesis after all? Because if she has her "absolutorium" - all exams passed, all credits obtained, no master thesis - she can do the thesis part later, she just needs to let the Uni know.

UK, Ireland / "Angry swan eater" - The British media view of Polish immigrants? [63]

But the daily fail is such fun to read! The things they come up with! ;-) I especially enjoy the Thursday edition with its Femail special - articles such as Can I pull off the Posh look? featuring an adult female journalist dressing in skintight leather trousers and walking around London to find out how it feels... Lots of fun, I tell you! :-)

And really, they have the wildest imagination when it comes to Poles, for some reason. I don't think they have ever gone as far as to interview a Pole, or even talk to someone who has seen one of these strange creatures, they just sit in their offices and make things up as they go along! I don't hold it against them, bless their hearts. I tend to get addicted to the DM and buy it almost every day if I don't watch what I'm doing... So they must be doing SOMETHING right... ;-)

Life / 'The Pianist' - the movie. What's your opinion? Polanski [59]


I don't think you understood what enkindu was trying to say. Szpilman did not survive in a vacuum. I, as the viewer, would have liked to know at least something about the people who saved him - hid him in someone's apartment, brought him food, and finally died for him (and did not betray his whereabouts!). There is a scene in the film when Szpilman casually asks something along the lines of "and where is so-and-so" and gets the answer "she got arrested (or killed)" - and that's it. Who were these people? Why did they help Szpilman? Why did they not betray him to the Germans? How did they die/what was their life like after the war?

The film did not give any answers. You know why, in my humble opinion? Because to the director, they were not important at all. They were no more than servants whose duty was to serve the great Szpilman. What they did does not deserve any credit, because they were not supposed to act otherwise. Do you praise servants for cleaning your home and cooking your food?

If Szpilman was a nice guy, which I am ready to believe, the film did not do anything for him either - I finished watching with the impression that he was an egotistical, cowardly little twat. So even if viewed as


the film still does its main character a major disservice.
Thank you Mr Polański ;-/

Life / Doing laundry in Poland [66]

I've got a front-loading washing machine and never had a mold problem. I leave the door slightly ajar when the machine is not in use, and I do wipe the door/seal dry after a washing cycle. That's about it.

USA, Canada / Polish stuff vs. American stuff [107]


You can have your teeth whitened in Poland any way you like it, and buy all the whitening crap at a pharmacy - no problem. Except all this stuff damages your teeth in the long run anyway.

The part about Poles having yellow teeth because of drinking tea? Disagree, I'm afraid. It's more or less a genetic thing. I brush my teeth like crazy but they're never gonna be snow-white. And I know people who don't and have perfect gnashers. So there.


Not true for a long time now. The shops are full of Pedigree Pal and Chappy, and someone's sure buying all that stuff.

But to add my 2 pence:
In America you drive everywhere. In Poland they think you're crazy ;-)

Life / Customer Service in Poland, what are your experiences? [106]

Why? I find it quite handy. I don't have to wait for the shop assistant to have a free hand to accept money from me, or keep a free hand for the forthcoming change. The dish thingy is not restricted to Poland, either. I'm sure I've seen it elsewhere in Europe.

Life / Customer Service in Poland, what are your experiences? [106]


Well, go to a village post office in the UK (if it still exists) and address your mail to Poland as RP (Reczpospolita Polska) and see what happens ;-p

UK as an abbreviation is not used in Polish, the correct abbr. is Wlk. Bryt. - sorry ;-)


My experience of British post offices exactly. ;-p

Life / How well is English spoken in Poland? [27]

I haven't kept copies, unfortunately...

Life / How well is English spoken in Poland? [27]


To be fair, it's not "utter nonsense", I am sure you understand what they are trying to say. Of course it's very bad English, and someone should be flogged for taking money for the translation, but believe me - I have seen much worse. ;-)

Travel / Specific question about large baggage on a train from Poznan to Torun [7]

There is always something called "przesyłki konduktorskie". Check whether they are accepted at the front or the back of train, and for a fee you can leave whatever it is with them - I moved a whole load of ungainly packages with books and stuff from Ełk to Toruń that way. You pay the fee and get a receipt, and in Toruń just hop off and collect. On the other hand, you just might be able to fit the suitcase onto the rack anyway. I did - I moved in stages, with huge amounts of luggage, and all by train, and managed the weirdest and trickiest situations somehow ;-) Good luck! You might actually also consider repacking your stuff by buying some extra (inexpensive) bags in Poznań - would that be a stupid idea?

Language / Girls names in Polish - why do they end in "a"? [10]

kolega, dentysta, specjalista are all non-Polish in origin.
Mężczyzna, on the other hand, is rather strange in this respect, as it is a Slavonic word, and its meaning is 100% masculine, yet it ends in -a... Weird. Hadn't thought of it earlier. ;-)

Language / Girls names in Polish - why do they end in "a"? [10]


any consonant they want, I'd add. There are some masculine nouns ending in vowels, like "poeta" for example, but these are of obviously foreign origin, or meant to be funny - like "wierszokleta" for example ;-)

News / The past and future of Poland. Poland is lost. [113]


Ojczyzna literally means Fatherland (from "ojciec"), but it is grammatically in the feminine gender. Notwithstanding, it still means the land of the fathers...