Life / Poles that have lived or live abroad are they different? [68]

They are reassimiliated back into the Borg collective after some time ;) Only the very resistant carve out a new path for themselves.

Life / Poles that have lived or live abroad are they different? [68]

I fully agree. It really broadens your horizons and there are many new situations to test you out.

Life / Poles that have lived or live abroad are they different? [68]

It depends but the West is more permissive and open for the most part. I remember a Japanese girl who was amazingly shy and she came back a different person after one year in America. The Poles I've met who had a stint abroad are a little different, yeah. They talk about a wider range of things and seem to be more aware of products, world issues and what have you.

Another good thread, btw. Putting mine to shame :)

Life / Poland's westernization [44]

Well, I meant it to be a future consideration if and when Poland becomes more than just Catholic. When people of other religious denominations come here then that'll necessitate change. For example, the welfare of the child is paramount in custody/access cases. The religious aspect is an important consideration in the overall evaluation of welfare. We'll see if the RCC is insipid then when justice has to be served.

Life / Poland's westernization [44]

What's wrong with the Polish justice system, mvefa? America had/has a model system of justice but it went awry/haywire. Justice is a changing concept through the years and I don't see Poland as lagging behind. The only potential danger is too much intervention by the RCC.

Life / Poland's westernization [44]

Who didn't have dubious connections back then, Ironside? I think even the Kaczyński's had some skeletons in the closet.

You have to embrace the spirit of the times, Ironside. I agree that more preparation time was needed but the time was nigh and he struck while the iron was hot.

Hmm...freedom is often limited. Conscription was a WWII idea but Poland maintained it through the decades, only ditching it last Nov. I don't think many young Polish men felt free and I've talked to quite a few about it. You created a very studious nation because of it though :)

Life / Poland's westernization [44]

Exactly. His reforms were too radical but he needed to get the process underway as quickly as possible so I'd've been more forgiving. We still see the remnants of communism now so implementing such measures at the very start of the 90's was always going to be fraught with pitfalls. Creating a free market doesn't happen overnight. His reforms differed from Thatcher's in that he was seen to be penalising high earners by imposing a stiff tax rate. He introduced interest and revamped the status of the Złoty, making it freely convertible.

Another thing I liked about his reforms was that he opened Poland's borders to imports. 1989 was a monumental year and he had to follow through and act in kind. I think he did remarkably well but was earmarked for harsh treatment and ousted. He was a scapegoat for doing what others may not have dared to do. A black time in Polish politics when that happens.

An area where Poland hadn't reached the status of the West was openness and transparency. Too many things under Kwaśniewski were hush-hush and the infamous lustracja was never passed. Dubious allegiances/coalitions followed, the hallmark of Polish politics.

Still, democracy has been steadily evolving and the anchoring process is in full flight.

Life / Poland's westernization [44]

I dunno, is it? Asides from the EU, I mean

Life / Poland's westernization [44]

What makes you say that, Ironside? I'm not saying you are wrong, just wondering :)

Life / Poland's westernization [44]

Well, I wouldn't say it's the western culture, Ironside. It's becoming more of a western country though.

News / Ostrowiec NFZ hospital refuses to take any new patients [6]

Well, she is German, yes. However, it has more to do with the death of her husband.

Life / Poland's westernization [44]

Well done, Ziemowit. I was just checking to see that my post was read :) He indeed stopped hyperinflation but unemployment grew and a general malaise set in.

Life / Poland's westernization [44]

And there's Norway. Their conception of high taxes to pay for advanced social services didn't square with Thatcher's low income tax policy. There are so many differences.

Let's look at how Poland has transformed itself from its communism days. The first steps were taken by Balcerowicz but the country was soon plunged into hyperinflation and his reforms were criticised.

Things picked up a little but it was the accession to the EU in May 2004 that really revolutionised things. The change to democracy being a notable one. Fully-stocked shops is another one at ground level. The advent of international chains etc etc. These are more areas of discussion as Europe and the West pride themselves on diversity and thus it's hard to put your finger on 'Western' ideas.

Life / Poland's westernization [44]

The capital letter system is the same. It's England ;) ;)

Well, the EU has undoubtedly changed things. Is Poland a signatory to the ECHR? What rights did women not have in communist Poland?

Life / Poland's westernization [44]

And how does the West think, mvefa? Did Conservative Britain think the same way as liberal Holland? Did the socialists think the same as the capitalists?

Does an Englishman act in the same way as a Spaniard? If so, in what ways?

Does a German dress like a Scotsman?

Perform has multiple meanings, what do you mean here?

Are the habits, gestures and demeanours of the West the same? Does an American gesticulate like an Italian? Does a Frenchman have the same habits as a Welshman?

Life / Poland's westernization [44]

They looked West to look out for Germany's drang nach osten.

Mvefa, please define your conception of westernization. That'll get the discussion properly started.

Life / Are Polish traditions dissapearing [93]

I've seen that tradition too, the first one. That one stands out the most.

Life / Are Polish traditions dissapearing [93]

What other Polish traditions do you know, Trevek?

News / Ostrowiec NFZ hospital refuses to take any new patients [6]

It's like coming up against a brick wall sometimes. I just raised that point the other day how much your future is in the hands of others. I hit the roof in anger at that state of affairs. Here's Tusk, the buffoon who did business with America to get a high-tech shield that Iran can't even reach, never mind wants to hit, and they can't even take care of a matter of paramount importance. Literally, life or death. Pathetic!

That doesn't surprise me, WB. I've heard equally horrific stories about ZUS upon the death of regular payers of it. Sth like, you to your coffin and us to our coffers. My fiancee's mum is in the same position. She gets a meagre pittance as a pension having worked all her life in telecommunications but her mother worked 1 year of her life and gets 3 or 4 times the amount. Go figure! That's just weird.

For such a pro-life nation like Poland (see abortion debates), it is a sad day when the above happens :( (Respect your elders who have forever contributed and need your help now)

News / Ostrowiec NFZ hospital refuses to take any new patients [6]

I'm curious to know what ZUS zdrowotne (health) payments he has been making. WB, you've heard the horror stories of those in the UK who have been making NI contributions and other insurance payments (health related lets say), only to be shafted later.

You can't really put a price on health, that's why Obama is right to play down the private dimension a little and Thatcher was wrong to price people out and let people with money skip the queue.

Isn't there another centre close by?

Life / Are Polish traditions dissapearing [93]

I wonder if Poland has fireballs at New Year, like in Stonehaven. They surely don't have first footing although, given their impressive record on hospitality, they could take it on.

UK, Ireland / Why do Poles come to England? [514]

Well, part of the problem is at this end. Students are told that FCE is enough to go abroad and work in an office. Even some CAE students aren't really up to scratch when it comes to meeting the required proficiency level.

Life / Are Polish traditions dissapearing [93]

You should read up on traditions in Orkney and Shetland, they make for interesting reading. As for Poland, ask the Poles.

Life / Are Polish traditions dissapearing [93]

Define the West :) Name some traditions and let's discuss them.

News / ARE POLISH PEOPLE TAKING OUR JOBS OR DOING OUR JOBS??!! DISCUSS. [126]

It makes perfect sense to me, Joe.

News / ARE POLISH PEOPLE TAKING OUR JOBS OR DOING OUR JOBS??!! DISCUSS. [126]

No, he is saying that British bosses are accustomed to running things their way. Some don't take kindly to foreigners butting in.

Australia / Accommodation in Melbourne [22]

Bogans are like dumbas*es, people of low intelligence that you don't like. It's a standard word in OZ.

Life / Communion, why do only half of church-goers in Poland take it? [41]

Shelley, it doesn't bother me as they can do as they wish. I'm a liberal guy. I just feel that the symbolic importance of the ceremony almost demands participation. Ah well, live and let live.

Life / Communion, why do only half of church-goers in Poland take it? [41]

For example, Ireland32?

Marriage is a social construct, not strictly a biblical construct. Also, see Catechism n1651. It calls for sensitivity and the continued effort to do good deeds in order to maintain the spirit of the individual. Still, it is against Catholicism generally.

Life / Communion, why do only half of church-goers in Poland take it? [41]

Besides, I believe that there is a clear biblical basis for imputation and not infusion. For proof, see Rom 4.3 - 25, Rom 3.10, Phil 3.9 and Rom 10.3.

Christ died for the very reason of imputing righteousness. To say otherwise is to add sth that was never really there. I can quote numerous biblical sources to support this contention.

Anyway, we need the Mods nod of approval as we shouldn't be discussing religious stuff.