History / Poland: 1918 - Present Day. (Timeline). [4]

Silesia really took shape after WWI. The League of Nations granted much territory to Poland around 1921 after 3 consecutive uprisings. The German contingent agreed to the deal initially but, upon its expiry in 1925, made a play for sth better. This something was elusive and never came their way. They were resigned to the fact that they had lost a vital area of coal production and were fuming over Versailles. Enter Hitler :(

Work / Teaching English in Gliwice. Schools? Can I start after September? [28]

What part of Gliwice, btw? PM me if you want.

Food / Is it just me, or is the Polish diet rather unhealthy? [119]

I eat tuna 3 times a week on average. I put a tiny dash of mayo on it, just to moisten it but sometimes the brine is enough.

I prefer this to standard Polish food which, although tasty, has more calories than I'd like. It's more stodgy winter food.

Language / Osram - Misnomer that means, "to poop" in Polish? [17]

Aha, thanks gumishu. Awkward stuff, this Polish grammar lark ;)

News / Twelve coal miners dead. [23]

Thanks for that news, Wrocław. I think one of my students works there so I'll have to make sure that he is ok.

Food / Is it just me, or is the Polish diet rather unhealthy? [119]

Yeah, we need calories to live but 2000 is rather a lot if you are not highly active. I wouldn't class myself as highly active though I am reasonably so.

PP, I put a little margerine on but not always. The company that produces them is called Sonko and they taste great.

Food / Is it just me, or is the Polish diet rather unhealthy? [119]

PP, please go to Subway and check out the number of calories a tuna sarnie has.

I'm eating Polish rice crackers/biscuits now, only 35kcal per cracker. That's what I need. Very healthy.

Work / Teaching English in Gliwice. Schools? Can I start after September? [28]

Well, if you want to pursue a management position, be prepared for accepting fewer teaching hours and more administrative hogwash. Yes, the hourly rate is more but these guys end up with less pay and more stress due to a lack of class contact time. You can trust me on this as I've seen it time and again. More often than not, they resign within their contract expiry date.

Even in higher education, a PGCE is preferred in Britain. Teaching abroad is just not high-profile enough to merit a DELTA or MSc. It's pure indulgence and I harbour no aspirations of being the very thing I revile, a pompous academic type. I was the type they disliked, who scored very well but wasn't snooty and in a closed circle.

Callan is used beyond Speed but it is petering out here. It places heavy reliance on a nonsense promise of four times faster.

Work / Teaching English in Gliwice. Schools? Can I start after September? [28]

I have found that to be the case. When applying for my last job, I had 4 years exp in Poland and 2 years exp in Japan, coupled with 2 degrees (for which I got more money in Japan and not here, humph ;)) and a CELTA. She barely even checked the references.

I think a degree is fairly standard these days. It's hard to open doors without one. This is more of a logistical requirement and the CELTA gives some polish to the credentials. It shows some commitment to and investment in the teaching process.

Delph, the CELTA may not hold much sway amongst some but ask yourself this:

Would you really be in a much better position with a DELTA or MSc? I've found that the pay increments in many countries is not worth the extra ulcers. I've scouted around and it rings true in many places. Sorry, I'm gonna continue paying the bills and having a constant income, rather than rolling the dice and indulging in a course of questionable value. Just my take but I know the system.

Love / Are all Polish women the same..... [81]

Wow, you'll be a hit with the purists who castigate intermingling ;) The homogeniety is slowly slipping out ;)

Food / Is it just me, or is the Polish diet rather unhealthy? [119]

They have 6 main varieties. I first fell in love with Subway sandwiches in a lovely place on Namiki Dori, Hiroshima. It was a really hip street in the centre. I cycled off the calories easily.

Food / Is it just me, or is the Polish diet rather unhealthy? [119]

It's there ana? A didnae ken :)

Food / Is it just me, or is the Polish diet rather unhealthy? [119]

True enough, PP. They have proper bread rolls which is good. I just object to a tuna sandwich having all those calories but they are mightily tasty and I always have the option of making my own at home, so no big deal.

Subway is only in Warsaw but I'd love to have the option of having one here. It'd be a move with the times.

Food / Is it just me, or is the Polish diet rather unhealthy? [119]

PP, you are missing the point. I've been to Subway in different countries and they all have highly calorific options. In my view, they are not healthy. The Polish place, however, had proper tomato and lettuce sarnies. They didn't have all the dressings, cheeses and roast chicken like so many have.

I liked a good Subway in my time tho :)

Love / Are all Polish women the same..... [81]

Well, if Polish women like this then I am impressed. Some clips from the Fintray Hillclimb, an event I went to quite a few times as a teen.

youtube.com/watch?v=O5NiaRDhKto there are many others like this. Manly stuff!

Life / How often do you think Poles smile :) [58]

OK, compromises are good :] ;)

Love / Are all Polish women the same..... [81]

I didn't say it was this thread. Ask her about it.

Love / Are all Polish women the same..... [81]

Ach, tam :)

FM indeed :)

It was a comment by Shelley that Polish women are like Amazon women. I see what she means, some are (yes, and some aren't).

Life / How often do you think Poles smile :) [58]

Fine, have it your way :( :( :( Happy? ;) ;)

Life / How often do you think Poles smile :) [58]

Drink certainly helps but I hate the fake 'I like you know when sozzled' approach. There are teetotallers here, yes. Don't forget that some see it as moral not to drink. Even Ozzy espoused the virtues of being clean.

UK, Ireland / England, Dirty, Expensive and a dangerous place to live? [205]

How much is it for a pack of ciggies in England (in a standard shop)? I'll never forget the story of an Englishman who went to America and asked, 'do you have any fags?'. Rumour has it that the bar regulars were in stitches.

Life / How often do you think Poles smile :) [58]

You're very into this fake thing, PP. I steer well clear. I'm talking about raising people through a soulful smile. Ach, let's not go round in circles :)

The Poles smile under the right circumstances for sure. They just need more of an incentive than most. They smile much more than the Japanese.

Love / Are all Polish women the same..... [81]

Hmm....(scratches head). Um, ok, I hope we are on the same wavelength here. Have you perfected the art of making those Amazonki? ;)

Life / How often do you think Poles smile :) [58]

I think you can bring out smiles in Poles with relative ease, the ones that are receptive to it, I mean.

I have no problems in doing this. I'm not trying to be funny either ;)

Food / Is it just me, or is the Polish diet rather unhealthy? [119]

Good point. I recently saw a sandwich joint go under due to a lack of interest. There's a newish KFC here now, just junk. The Poles are also fond of ice-cream

Life / How often do you think Poles smile :) [58]

Not really, I was just making points sternly. Sincere smiles serve as an indicator that all is well. It's not hard to do.

Life / How often do you think Poles smile :) [58]

I wasn't worked up about it, where did I say that? ;) ;)

Do you like positive vibrations deep in your as*, Justy? ;0 :)

Life / How often do you think Poles smile :) [58]

Smiling doesn't break your concentration, PP, that was a lame comeback. You may be able to live with negative energy, but I can't. I'm not saying you need to smile all the time, just put out some positive vibes. I dunno about you but I smile sincerely. I don't bow down to anyone or think I have to be sweet/false to anyone.

I'm also not saying that I should impose my beliefs on anyone. If they don't want to smile, that's their gig. Let them frown, I can ignore it.

Work / Teaching English in Gliwice. Schools? Can I start after September? [28]

Gliwice is where I work. I know most of the schools here, having lived here for 5 years. With limited qualifications, Speed Callan is your best bet. However, you may need to pull a fast one to get ahead. You could start into the school year there if a teacher drops out as they often do.

Any specific questions, please PM me. Thanks

Life / How often do you think Poles smile :) [58]

It wasn't a shot, no. It was a truism, said by almost every American I have met, that they smile falsely. I roll with that as I've never been to the States. I have no reason to doubt them as natives.