Posts by SeanBM

SeanBM

18 Nov 2008

Life / Must See Movies in Polish? [65]

My favorite Polish film is Sexmisja, pure genious.
I had the privlage of a friend translating it (including the in between the lines)

My description:

Sex mission is a science fiction parody based in the future.
After the battle of the sexes and when women win. The earth was destroyed, uninhabitable. Two kriogenically frozen men are woken. Women are the only people left and they live underground.....

I am going to stop there, there are many jokes, political views, action, adventure and boobs.

SeanBM

18 Nov 2008

Language / The best way for me to learn Polish [89]

But it seems most people want to start with learning typical adult words/phrases and building the rest of their language around that.

I am guilty of this.

When I first came to Poland I started learning by swapping Polish for English lessons with a friend.
I learned everyday Polish words and phrases, with no focus on grammar.

I got polish baby's books, bright colourful ones, to learn from.
Children's books are too compicated, each word is made up of 142300048992 letters on average :)

I learned poems (Limericks) in Polish and jokes.

I remember there was a book that had 3000 words in English and Polish that were very similar.

The grammar I do by sound now. I am very very bad at spelling and grammar (even in polish) :)
I must improve my Polish more.

I speak three other languages to varying degrees.
I did not have a "school were the best years of your life" time, far from it, I rather learned these languages from living in the countries.

I would like to go to a direct method of learning polish but I have never heard of one.

SeanBM

18 Nov 2008

News / British food exports to Poland up 53% [43]

Heinz beans, Heinz beans and Heinz beans.
I was surprised that the shop nearest to me has them.
I buy them some times just so they stock them.
They are the only canned food I buy.

Why don't the other people who make beans just rob Heinz beans' recipe?

SeanBM

18 Nov 2008

Real Estate / Construction (Poland Vrs where you are from) [66]

Well, they couldn't figure out the measuring tape

By "they" do you mean all Polish builders or these particular men who worked with your brother once?. I presume they worked for your brother once because nobody would continue work with such cowboys.

A difference should be made clear.
I cringe every time i hear the word "THEY" or "THEM".

I have worked on many jobsites where we had to go back and correct mistakes.

I have worked with unskilled men from many countries who pretended they were trades men ha ha ha.

I would just like to point out one horrible thing that happens to many immigrants.
Forced immigration due to financial reasons need to work as soon as possible and do lie about their abilities.
Outside Victoria station in London there are gangs of Polish people waiting each morning for the chance to obtain work.
A van will pull up and ask "who here is a plumber, carpenter, painter etc.?" everyone will raise their hand because they are desperate.

This is an illegal practise.
I am led to believe something similar in the U.S happens with Mexicans.

There are many horror stories connected to these people who have fallen on hard times or perhaps have never known a good time.

I speak from an Irish perspective, it was very similar for us in London.
In some ways better because of the language and in other ways worse because of the war.

It would break your heart what goes on.

I think I am a bit serious on here these days, hmmm.

SeanBM

18 Nov 2008

Real Estate / Construction (Poland Vrs where you are from) [66]

some Poles who claimed they know everything.

It sounds like they were cowboys to be honest.
It would take a special kind of egit, not be able to read a measuring tape, it is clearly marked.
I would not blame all Poles for this incompetence.

I personally know some professionals builders here who have worked in America and I am very satisfied with his work.
Actually he is the easiest person to work with here for me because he can see things in Polish (concrete) terms and American (Wooden) terms, so we can discuss the best material for job.

SeanBM

17 Nov 2008

Real Estate / Construction (Poland Vrs where you are from) [66]

I think the only units of measurement that I know that is completly wacky is Fahrenheit to centigrade. I only ever use centigrade but I have spoken to people who use Fahrenheit and it is loopy.

SeanBM

17 Nov 2008

Real Estate / Construction (Poland Vrs where you are from) [66]

They always know everything and tell you that its better their way and they are right.

Is this men in general or specifically Poles? ;)

You know if you measure something in Inches or centimetres, you get a bigger number using centimetres, this i think is their main problem.

SeanBM

17 Nov 2008

Real Estate / Construction (Poland Vrs where you are from) [66]

I think you used linear units instead area units to convert to metric.

Yep, i did that exactly. Doh! my bad.

Big places. at 3000 sq/ft.

So I see they have you converted to the old, out of date feet system for rooms?

If you want to know something really messed up, I grew up in Ireland mostly and I am the generation that everything changed for.
I do rooms in metres but people in feet.
I do potatoes in Kilos, sugar in pounds and people in stone.
I still do miles even though everything around me has changed.
And I am happy to use centimetres or inches but it is better to stick to one.

SeanBM

17 Nov 2008

Real Estate / Construction (Poland Vrs where you are from) [66]

There are something wrong with these numbers z_darius

1000 sq/ft is 304.8 metres? perhaps 100 sq/ft? that's 30 metres/sq, a studio flat? My first flat was this size.

3000feet is 914 metres? Perhaps 300? 91 metres/sq is a big three bed flat.

SeanBM

17 Nov 2008

Work / Little Help finding out right to leave 1 yr contract. [15]

Hello Bobabacca
And welcome to the Polish Forum.
I used to teach Callan years ago ha ha ha,
Where is master Brown?
Where is master Brown?
Master Brow....is ....be...hind...the...house.
ha ha ha
It is a great method for book one and to a relativly good conversation level.

Sorry to hear about your boss being a gobshite.

I don't know about any schools.
Perhaps private lessons? there is loads of free material on the net.

Best of luck

SeanBM

17 Nov 2008

Real Estate / Construction (Poland Vrs where you are from) [66]

Over 60% of the country was destroyed by WW2.

But it is still the standard, I know we all just "get used to things the way they are, is that still the case?

require a thick book of plans and calculations or material strengths etc. In N.America the same is reduced to just a couple of sheets of blueprints and a drawing of a detail or two.

I am neck high in these at the moment.
Some of them are plane ridiculous.
Although some will save you a load of problems down the road, a geological survey is something I always do with new builds.

I know this really depends on where exactly you are but how big (in metres square) are the average houses/flats over there z_darius?

SeanBM

17 Nov 2008

Real Estate / Construction (Poland Vrs where you are from) [66]

You have them at home, don't you? do you have a bed pan too? ;)
Have you tried a tap with a thermostat mixer? sheer bliss.

SeanBM

17 Nov 2008

Real Estate / Construction (Poland Vrs where you are from) [66]

Makes it feel warmer in the winter when it is snowing outside:)

It is a breathing ground for all the horrible nasties, it is completely unhygienic, really quite disgusting.
Get slippers, you can stick them in the wash :)

yep good idea,

How it is a good idea if you can't use it, you wash your hands in the hot till it's scolding hot and the cold is ffffrrrrreeeeezzzing when it is snowing outside :)

they feel degraded, comes from the belief that basements are for storing crap.

Ha ha ha,
This reminds me of the difference between A penthouse apartment and the top floor on the block of flats.
I have seen flat on the top floor of a block advertised as penthouse but never visa versa :)

SeanBM

17 Nov 2008

Real Estate / Construction (Poland Vrs where you are from) [66]

Well I think we have just about got it right?

have you ever seen carpet in the bathroom?
Or two taps one hot and one cold for washing?
There are ALWAYS problems, we just get used to them, no?
The building regs here are fine, I am just explaining the differences.

Do they build houses with basements in Poland?

Of course depending on the ground and water level but yes, mostly for a stove that heats the house.
I am not going to put in Basements as it is too costly

SeanBM

17 Nov 2008

Real Estate / Construction (Poland Vrs where you are from) [66]

post some photos of some new builds.

Ok, i will try.
Sure i am going to be building a load of houses soon :)

Tell us something about what is wrong with what is built in your country.

SeanBM

17 Nov 2008

Real Estate / Construction (Poland Vrs where you are from) [66]

When you say no floors what do you mean?

Concrete, nothing else, same on the walls and ceiling.

Are you saying that if you buy a new one in Poland there will not be a floor at the top of the stairs?

I am not only saying that, i am saying there is no tiles in the bathroom or kitchen, no paint or primer on the walls or ceiling, no Kitchen, nothing at all, a few rough looking light bulbs hanging out of the ceiling if you are lucky. Seriously.

The construction is different, I have never seen or heard of floor boards being used at all here, it is usually poured concrete.

SeanBM

17 Nov 2008

Real Estate / Construction (Poland Vrs where you are from) [66]

Does it cost x amount per sq mtr?

Everything in Poland is per metre square.

Here in the UK we would say it has 3 bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, lounge etc.

Also in Ireland, e.g. it is a small two bed or a big onebed etc.

My theory is this:
Because it is not just Poland who sell new builds as a grey shell but all Ex-communist countries in Europe as far as I know.

I would have to say it is because of communism.
My theory (it is one of my weaker ones)
That during communism everybody got the same, now that is gone you may design and furnish your house/flat to your own tastes, revel in your individuality and express yourself.

So a Pole buys a house, then he has to finish it either by himself, with friends and family.
He does this bit by bit over the next 150 years because he thinks it will work out cheaper.
Now all men are guilty of this on some level but you must remember that the house/flat is uninhabitable, no floors toilets nothing...
The Poles are used to this and think it is cheaper.
The logic behind this is not very sound, it is of course cheaper for a developer to buy a batch of 200 toilets and fit them in because he is buying in bulk.

But of course some people just do not have the money.

This thread was meant to go both ways, a kind of balance.
Now what constructive/destructive criticisms can I say about where i am originally from (Ireland) about the property market??? ha ha ha,
Where do i start?
HHHmmmm this would take more time than i have ha ha ha

SeanBM

17 Nov 2008

Real Estate / Construction (Poland Vrs where you are from) [66]

Even so, it don't seem very thick to me for a first defense against the weather. Does it get any cracks in it and what do they do to stop any damp that might get through?

If you knock on it like a door it sounds hollow and that to me sounds terrible.

Also plaster board is not usually used on walls here unless it is a partition wall, so it is very cold to the touch and gives much more of an Echo.

(like my neighbour)

Like everyone's neighbour and half of my own house ha ha ha.

Actually one of the biggest visible changes in Poland in recent years is people finishing the rendering of their houses.

This adds to the grey dreariness at this time of year.

That time of the year? The changing of the season getting to you?
What I think adds to the grey and dreariness is when you buy a new build flat or house the grey box finish. They could at least use white primer on the walls and that is at very least!

Just to explain it more clearly when you buy a new build here in Poland the norm is that the doors, electrics and plumbing are in but there are no floors, nothing is painted, no furniture, no kitchen, you have to finish yourself.

I have a theory why this is but I would be very happy to hear anyone else's explanation?

SeanBM

17 Nov 2008

Life / Holiday's in Poland! Not allowed thanksgiving off. [30]

Completly normal to request off Good Friday, or St. Pat's

Yep, i did mention that in my original post.

My contract states that I need to confirm my lessons on the Friday before! ie. if he says on Friday, I need to work at 8 am on Monday and I can't I just tell him! Thanks for the advice!

EUREKA! Result

work for a english company in poland and get both sets of holidays! :)

Do you still get paid for them?

Ericlipis

Does your boss not like Americans? or you? or is he just normally grumpy? or did he have a good reason?
I know when you teach it is vital you, the teacher are there, perhaps this was his concern. Perhaps you misinterpreted his response?

SeanBM

17 Nov 2008

Real Estate / Construction (Poland Vrs where you are from) [66]

Many differences are environmental.
Poland has more extreme temperatures whilst in Ireland (I am Irish) there is a lot more rain.
Of course there are many technologies and different styles of building but here are things I have noticed in both countries.

In Ireland we can put pipes going straight out of the house. And we have a tiny bit of insulation on the inside (temperate climate). Also putting pipes and wires under the floor boards is easy.

Vrs
In Poland you have to chase out conrete for laying pipes and wires. Poland's 15-25 centimetres of insulation is stuck on the out side of the house to fight off the possibility of minus 30

Poland's socket back boxes are rarely screwed to the wall and fall out.
Vrs
Ireland one tap for hot water and the other for cold water in a lot of sinks (toooo hot or toooo cold)

Poland front doors built like Fort Nox, big metal things that bolt into the ceiling floor and both sides of the wall.
Vrs
Irish front doors having tiny little locks that you can easily open with such found objects as your foot.

In Ireland you shouldn't drink water from sinks other than the kitchen due to the possible dead pigeon or rat in the water tank in the attic.

Vrs
Poland has no such tank (I still go to the Kitchen for drinking water, my programming)

Ireland tank in the attic is in case of drought! in Ireland? it happens and often, surprising if you think about how much it rains.

Vrs
Poland getting hot water for showers/bath etc being pumped to the place by the state in some places. (Just a waste)

Irish houses have emursion-heaters in the houses.
Vrs
Poland heating being pumped to some places by the state, (where the snow is melts in a straight line is a dead give away and a waste)

Ireland has carpet in some bathrooms (disgusting) this is the worst thing in my opinion.
Vrs
Polish people take thier shoes off on entry in to a house (very clean)

I hope i have offended both countries equally:)

I did not have to make this a "Vrs" but I find that people on here prefer a bit of an argument :)

SeanBM

16 Nov 2008

Life / Holiday's in Poland! Not allowed thanksgiving off. [30]

Ericlipis

Can an Irish man have his Holiday from work in the USA?
Can a Mexican or an Egyptian, what about the Thai water festival?
There are hundreds of holidays in hundreds of cultures.
Why do you expect to get out of work? because your from the USA?
I hope you get what I mean and I am even sure that there are some not exactly north American holidays in the US (St. Patricks day ;).

SeanBM

15 Nov 2008

USA, Canada / Polish Canadians [117]

Hello Zosia,
And welcome to the polish Forum.
What is it like where you live?
I am from Dublin, Ireland and Live near Krakow, Poland.

SeanBM

15 Nov 2008

Language / Expressing "happiness" in Polish [29]

The last time I was szczęśliwy was on a Saturday morning in early August when I had just finished some DIY.

Well that is what i ferment of course, read between the lines.

I am only ever wesoły kiedy jestem goła or after a few drinks, which ever comes first ;)

Two words i would like to add are fart and snot, both for any particular, just cause in the eyes of the law, which is 90% of property.

SeanBM

15 Nov 2008

Language / Expressing "happiness" in Polish [29]

This word is a young cool trendy city word.

I said that

My brain has been updated.

Hhhhhmmmm.... see above

I answered you as I understood it, just out of curiosity how far away was I from what you meant?

SeanBM

15 Nov 2008

Travel / Backpacking/Camping in Poland [29]

I have ample supply of Heinz baked beans in the super market, I know, I know, it was shockin for me too but there you go, I evern buy a few cans more than I need sometimes, so they don't get rid of them.

wildrover

There was something about bikes and farms that made me think of you today, I can't remember what. I will have to get back to you on that

I remembered what i forgot last night about you osiol and posted in your threads accordingly.

SeanBM

15 Nov 2008

Travel / Walks up the Beskids mountains [44]

The 20-year old man also had a fractured finger and other minor injuries as a result of the attack in the Bieszczady Mountains, the agency said, without explaining what he was doing up the tree in the first place.

Ha ha ha, running away from the bear, at a guess ha ha ha.
A fractured finger and other minor injuries as a result of the attack and boy Oh boy, one great story! :)

SeanBM

15 Nov 2008

Travel / Walks up the Beskids mountains [44]

America has many flaws,

I like America very much, I am Irish.

The issue is with people's opinion on what constitutes quality of life.

Have you ever read "Zen and the art of motor bike maintenance"?
The question on quality.
Life is what you make it and to hell with the begrudgers!
Have you been here in Poland before?

SeanBM

15 Nov 2008

Travel / Walks up the Beskids mountains [44]

Hey BB630 come on and become a member.
I would love to argue that America is not the beginning and end of everything.
Come on, you could tell us all sorts of great stories, I am sure :)
Where does your interest in Poland come from?

SeanBM

15 Nov 2008

Travel / Walks up the Beskids mountains [44]

There are no truly terrifying species of bear outside of the United States/Canada

Come over here and wrestle one then :)

SeanBM

15 Nov 2008

Real Estate / Accommodation - Legal advice request [15]

As she points out, she is listed on the contract as living here, but is not a signatury to this contract

Just a few questions,
Is she pregnant or does she have a child?
And is she legally registered in the apartment?
People in Poland have to be registered at an address, if she is with child and registered in the flat, it can be very difficult to legally throw her out.

In England

Forget English law.

any advice will be greatly appreciated

Rip up the contract, throw her stuff out on the street and change the locks.

As you might have guessed I am not a lawyer and I do not know polish law that well.