Life / Places to watch football and chill out in Warsaw [5]

Zig
Mentioned this to someone else last week, the best bars in Warsaw are the small bars just behind Nowy Swiat. Just go through any archway opposite Empik on Nowy Swiat and start exploring! They are all former little shops which look shut down but just try the doors, great bars behind each one. Just follow any group of people in that little enclave. A really nice friendly crowd, good music and not a telly in sight!. Excellent, cheap Chinese place there as well once hunger kicks in. Just chill and enjoy.

I suppose the footy/rugby thing is best served by Bradleys Irish Bar in the office block on Sienna called Warsaw Towers behind the Intercontinental Hotel.

Law / Be careful where you buy building materials in Poland! [12]

Admin. I didn't say you 'prohibited' me from naming and I absolutely accept your reservations about difficulties arising from such discussions so decided to be low key about it! So I apologise if that wasn't clear. I only mentioned that you were 'not too keen'. A few folk have PM'ed me for the info so I'm glad I could help and I really hope they don't get in the mess we did!

On a more personal note, I don't recommend Barlinek floors and I certainly would not buy them from 'Parkiet Plus' in Warsaw/Katowice but if you are really intent on doing that then all I can say is "Good Luck!" ;-)

Just to update this thread, after months of trying to get satisfaction the 'Biuro Praw Konsumenta' final say on the matter is "we can take it to court if we like but it's 50/50 and will take about a year". It sounds like far too much hassle now but after being at a business meeting where it was mentioned that companies have to be VERY NICE to customers as the internet and forums can ruin their reputations, I urge everyone on this forum not to buy from those c@nts at 'Parkiet Plus' Katowice,Warsaw,Krakow or buy from Barlinek flooring. Perhaps one day they will learn to have some kind of respect for the silly people (me included) who buy their sh!t products and try to support Polish companies! (note: I'm still f@cking angry and our flat is still not finished!)

Genealogy / Last name "Klinko" [7]

Since your name ends in 'ko' it is very likely that it is of Ukrainian origin.

Law / Making proper sausages (ex-pat expers in Poland)? [32]


Just looked that up on wikipedia and it offers the really boring origin of the name deriving from..... 'resembling a little toads head poking out of a hole'..... well, well, who would have thought it!!!!! ;)

News / Have the European media lost interest in Poland? [17]


Yep. I mainly read the quality press. I did read an interesting articles about Poles who have become very successful in business in the UK but nothing aout what was happening in Poland itself.

Seanus makes a good point about 'the shield' story getting little (or no?) coverage. Are the British press scared to comment on Americas plan for Europe?

Law / Making proper sausages (ex-pat expers in Poland)? [32]


Yep I'm familiar with his sausages and am afraid they are the type I really don't rate much. I'm thinking of something a bit more 'rustic', interesting, more meaty and with various seasonings. No offence, I mean they are good for what they are but would rather try to crack into a different market

Law / Making proper sausages (ex-pat expers in Poland)? [32]


Wise words and very true. Polska Kielbasa is truly superb in most of its incarnations but there just is no UK 'banger' equivalent. If we are to believe that there are curretly 40,000 ex-pats in Poland if even 10% of them salivated at the thought of buying bangers then that's a good start. I was quite keen on meeting someone who knows the food industry regulations etc. I have also checked a lot of websites on the subject but nothing beats actually communicating directly with someone who knows!

Thanks to everyone who has written back

News / Have the European media lost interest in Poland? [17]


Never thought I would say anything good about the media but, yep, I think you might be right on that one!.

Law / Want to start Indian cafe in Poland.. [71]


I know of four personally and I believe that there is a fifth that I ain't been in yet. Is that not enough for you?

Life / Polish Terrestrial TV [15]


Yep that's a real bummer! Apparently it is being relaunched as four new channels but with the dreaded 'Polski Lektor' (a monotone ass who reads the entire script in Polish over the original version while eating a bowl of bigos!). I wrote to the BBC about this and they claim that 80% of people they asked in Poland wanted the subtitles replaced by old 'Hannibal Lektor'. I find that pretty unbelievable as I know that many of my friends were using BBC Prime as an aid to learning English (listening to the spoken English and reading the Polski subtitles) It is also untrue that if you have Polsat you will be able to switch off the 'Lektor'. For some reason that would have cost them more money!

May I suggest logging onto the BBC Prime website and writing to complain. I've done that and so have many of my friends

Life / Do Amish exist in Poland [23]

Actually I saw an Amish Polish family on a morning chat show here in Warsaw a while ago. So yes they do exist here!

Language / Know the name of this Polish movie? - Quotes from Polish movies. [13]

Nope, I just Googled that one and it's a made for television movie directed by Agnieszka Holland. I may be wrong about the word 'Postcard' in the title though

Language / Know the name of this Polish movie? - Quotes from Polish movies. [13]

Merged: Anyone know the name of this Polish movie?

I've just been looking at the 'Must see movies' thread and remembered a Polish movie I saw in the early 80's about a jewish guy in the Warsaw ghetto just waiting for the Germans to come and take him away. The film was very cleverly made as not one German is seen in the movie, they are only heard marching, talking, shouting and the sounds of military vehicles going by outside the guy's window while he sits around waiting and contemplating what is going to happen. Doesn't sound too exciting but it really was an amazing, atmospheric film! I'm sure the word 'postcard' was in the title. Does anyone know what it was called and who made it. I reckon it was made in the mid-late 70's. Thanks.

Life / A club like Tygmont, in Warsaw? [9]


Yep, know the feeling. I been here six years and it can be difficult! I recommend all the strange little bars just off Nowy Swiat. Opposite the Empik store and up any alleyway and you will find a paradise of small bars where all the interesting folk go! Many of the bars look like closed down shops but open the door and they are an alternative hive of activity!

Life / A club like Tygmont, in Warsaw? [9]

There's a club next door to 'Apetyt Architektow' where they have a reggae night. It is good but I have to mention that everyone there was white with dreadlocks.

Tygmont has the best music and good mix of people. Hope you're settling in well to life in Warsaw Besitos?

Life / Local Poles taking advantage of foreigners living in Poland [235]

Isn't it funny that driving schools in Poland have names like. 'Indy 500' and 'Formula 1'. When I was trying to learn to drive here I gave up after the teacher told me that 'I lack the guts and hell for leather attitude of an 18 year old and therefore will never learn to drive'. Don't 18 year olds cause the most accidents?

UK, Ireland / Many British have inferiority complex [131]


I was kind of thinking a bit more up to date. That Oxbridge lot are very 70's-80's. Never found them very funny anyway. I'm probably the only person who will openly admit Monty Python were sh*t and I do 't care much for Atkinson either. Now, things like Little Britain, League of Gentlemen, Mighty Boosh, Shameless, Royale Family etc. very on the ball and if you check, NO Oxbridge connections (at least no instantly recognisable ones!)

UK, Ireland / Many British have inferiority complex [131]


Bubba, word of advice, don't mention that! I suggested it in a thread about the behaviour of SOME Poles in the UK a while back and received numerous swift cyber kicks to the solar plexus! nuff said

I don't think Brits have an inferiority complex, you just have to look at British comedy to see that they are pretty unique and have the most surprising ability to laugh at themselves across the whole spectrum of Britishness. I think they are just pretty accepting of who they are as opposed to constanty worrying about who they are and how they are perceived. Actually I think you can tell a lot about a country from it's comedy shows and what makes them laugh.

OK, some Brits are arrogant know it all t@ssers but then again so are some Poles! Very difficult to generalise really.

Life / Local Poles taking advantage of foreigners living in Poland [235]

In all seriousness I think you make quite a few valid points in your postings but don't you think you are sometimes a bit over the top? The words 'blown-out-of-all-proportion' could well be directed at some of your stuff.

I'm not very sure if I'm right or not but I think one difference is that, generally, when the UK is criticised, Brits don't take it personally and don't go on whacked out rants. Also, I have to say that I have read a lot of positive stuff about Poland on these Forums. I'm sure you'll agree?

I am still curious as to why you don't live in Poland as you are such a staunch defender of your country? You would probably make a great populist politician!

Life / Local Poles taking advantage of foreigners living in Poland [235]

Poland is the best. Everything is splendid and it's like a real life version of 'The Big Rock Candy Mountain'. Thank you God for creating this 'Raj na ziemie'.

...............unlike..........

The UK, land of Satan, dark even in the daytime. A Hogarthian nightmare. Evil lurks round every corner. The 'Ripper' gliding through an East End pea souper, Malcolm McDowell and his posse, resplendent in Bowler hats, boots and tights loitering around in the underpasses, just waiting. Where the children of JPII are ritually humiliated, forced into a life of cleaning and prostitution and occasionally roasted on open fires.

Right, we seem to have cleared all that up.....

Everyone happy now! Where are the Sunday papers :0)

Life / Local Poles taking advantage of foreigners living in Poland [235]

I'm afraid that Wroclaw Boy is right. Rudeness, pushing, treating people like sh*t is, I think, one of the most basic probs here! It is also very important as it hits you from the most basic level, all you have to do is go outside,try to be served in a shop, ask for something or just wait in a queue! The fact that that mentality whacks you in these most basic of situations is unfortunate as it blinkers how one views everything here. The same mentality is seen in everyday encounters and , for example, the way supposedly intelligent Polish politicians treat each other on TV or radio, the whole freaky spectrum maaannn!

Maybe Poles don't see it as they are so used to it or just don't want to see it.
Nobody is denying that the UK has probs but at least the regular folks admit to them. Hopefully that's how things eventually change!

UK, Ireland / TRUTH AND DELUSION ABOUT POLES IN UK [65]


Apologies graciously accepted! Have a nice weekend!

Work / Relocating to Krakow, Poland from England. How easy to find a job? [94]


At the mo it's 4.3* unless of course my very cheap Praktiker thermometer is telling porkies! Almost everyone has flu and/or colds, just like in the UK!

UK, Ireland / TRUTH AND DELUSION ABOUT POLES IN UK [65]

Jeez can you not detect sarcasm? I was just pissed at Franks reply!

Life / Do Polish people tend to stick together? [49]



Actually, Russian kids, trying to do the same as the Poles, make some cash! Only difference being that the Russians have slightly worse haircuts and their sweaters attract more static!

UK, Ireland / TRUTH AND DELUSION ABOUT POLES IN UK [65]


and AGAIN?
Maybe there is so little to say about Poles and Poland that the same topics just keep re-appearing! :)

UK, Ireland / TRUTH AND DELUSION ABOUT POLES IN UK [65]


I believe the Republic of Ireland was the first English speaking place to start reporting the 'backlash' against Poles and the rise of unprovoked attacks on Polish people living there.

Also, if you think Poles are so discriminated against why do so many carry on living in the UK? I'm just back from Edinburgh and part of Leith Walk really is like 'Little Poland'. Loads of Polish Delis, a Polish bar called 'Krakow', a cafe/restaurant called 'Bigos' (must have took them years to think up those names), many shops with just the word 'Fryzjer' painted on the outside and large groups of Poles just loitering about. Obviously people find the UK a viable place to work in and to invest money in businesses that appear to be long term prospects. Rents in Edinburgh are not cheap but it must still make sense. I would assume that Poland is not offering their own people similar opportunities to better themselves so whatever the problems faced by Poles in the UK are, and I agree with you that there are probs, Poland itself does not currently seem ready to offer them anywhere near a similar support system or standard of living. I'm sure Poles who have bothered to officially register in the UK find themselves in a better position than those who don't. Actually I know this to be true as I have personally helped translate for friends at the Jobcentre/DSS in order to clarify their status in UK. Having been present at their interviews I can tell you that they were always treated nicely and in that relaxed Scottish manner, unlike ANY of the 'paperwork sorting' interviews I have had in Poland! OK, it means they get a nat. ins. no. and will have to start paying tax at some point but in the long term it makes sense and their position is clear.

On another point, you must admit there is also that element of Poles in the UK who are intent on f*****g things up for others, there own people included and they are the people who give rise to the 'bad press' stories. Unfortunately they are the ones who stand out. Won't dwell on that though as I don't want to raise your hackles so early in the morn'