Life / Ceilidhs in Krakow [19]

How far from Krakow is Olsztyn? If I have one then I will certainly let you know, even if it's not that big.

Life / Ceilidhs in Krakow [19]

I think it's a good idea Dave. We can put our heads together once I am settled and arrange ourselves one. I have a friend who plays in a Ceilidh band so I might see if I can convince him and the boys to come on holiday...

Life / Ceilidhs in Krakow [19]

Is that the guy that sometimes plays in the Main Square? If I see him while I am there I will ask him.

Life / Ceilidhs in Krakow [19]

Each to their own :P

Life / Ceilidhs in Krakow [19]


It's great fun, i guess it may look funny if you are not brought up with it. Brilliant after a few drinks. And it means plenty of Kilts in Krakow!

History / any thoughts about Norman Davies ability to present accurate history of Poland?? [12]

He was a bit dissapointing at the crucible last time I saw him, but a great man on the beize in his time...

...oh, so you're not talking about Steve Davis?

USA, Canada / Work ethics in Poland vs US [66]

I still am doing 50-60 hour weeks here. I have done it for so long that it doesn't bother me so much. Starting to get too much now though...getting too old for it! Methinks a lighter load will suit me for the next wee while. But keep on bar stuff part time for a laugh!

USA, Canada / Work ethics in Poland vs US [66]

My friend just finished her PhD, is in a pile of debt and is now working full time as a waitress on minimum wage and she can't find a job using her degree for love nor money.

Not saying that is always the case, just a one off example where someone has spent 5 years working away at Uni and me, after leaving 2 years into a degree is in a much more stable position.

But everyone is different, I'm sure loads of people leave uni and get great jobs and pay off their student loans and overdrafts in no time. But I am glad I never did it. I can't imagine sitting in a lab these days...would probably be up a tower with a hunting rifle by now!

USA, Canada / Work ethics in Poland vs US [66]


Just because you had a good experience at University level doesn't mean everyone should be forced to go. I went because I was pushed by my school and family to go because I was bright. I hated every second of it, ended up walking out 2 years into it. It wasn't the course (I still find physics and mathematics very interesting). I just found that University was not suited to me and vice versa.

Yes, you can say that bar work is pretty dead end stuff. However I was managing a very successful cocktail bar both in the UK and New Zealand, and working in Poland. I have skills that I can transfer to any country in the world now (not just bar, but kitchens as well). Plus, as most of my friends (who finished university) will tell you, it's not like I am a retard because I don't have a degree. Plus I am in the middle of changing from bar work to something more fruitful and with much better pay, all without a bit of paper saying I am dead clever.

USA, Canada / Work ethics in Poland vs US [66]


I found that working with a lot of Polish people here that they do have a decent work ethic. But I have met some that don't. My own work ethic improved when I was over there, because I was earning so little it meant that I had to work twice as long and hard to scrape a living.

USA, Canada / Work ethics in Poland vs US [66]

Again with the generalisations. I could name you loads of Scottish People in Glasgow who work their bottoms off more than Polish people in Glasgow and vice versa. When I was in Poland I was working 80 hour weeks (minimum) with no breaks and no food, there were plenty of Polish people doing the same as me, and plenty that would just coast by and do nothing.

Life / Decently priced gym or health club in Warsaw? [17]


Just not in Kraków. Ach well, I'll find one when I'm there no doubt.

Life / Decently priced gym or health club in Warsaw? [17]

Does anyone know the answer to the same question in Krakow?

Food / is" kaszanka" a Polish speciality? [54]

As the restaurant I work in now is connected to a chippy, I can answer that for you. At the moment we have (all battered): Fish, Special Fish, King Rib, Scampi, Sausage, Black Pudding, Haggis, White Pudding, Hamburger, 1/2 Pizza, Full Pizza, Mars Bar, Scotch Pie, Steak Pie, Smoked Sausage and there's probably more, I will check when i get out of bed

Food / is" kaszanka" a Polish speciality? [54]


As much as I do love a scampi supper, I find that there is never enough and I always end up going hungry with Scampi...maybe it's just me.

As for spicy Kaszanka, I am sure there are different ones out there, just like black pudding here, I have to go to glasgow for decent black pudding because the butcher and the co-op here both have bland rubbish.

Law / Banking in Poland, as a foreigner. [26]

I didn't need anything when I opened with WBK. Just used my UK adress.

Work / 4000 zloty Wroclaw - what kind of life can I expect for that? [20]

I lived in Krakow on between 1800-2000pln pcm. It wasn't easy but it was manageable.

Law / Insuring a UK Citizen on a Polish registered car... [18]

Does challenge not mean that it is possible?

Food / Poland and the Juice [35]

I am with jojospacemunkey, cherry-apple is a beast.

Life / How to behave in Poland? General etiquette questions. [30]

Tough one, totally depends the situation. There is no round system (like in the UK) but it's not a big "buy your own" thing. Just talk with your friends and decide amongst yourselves.

Law / Do non-eu residents residing in Poland require Polish driving license? [20]


That is true in most countries, however I am pretty sure (feel free to reign me on this one) that in the EU, any EU driving liscence is valid for the time it is valid for in it's home country.

News / Poland..wake up to a multicultural world [1059]


Not to be facetious, but is that not what he meant. The US went in to rid them of Communism, but it didn't work...ie. The US failed.

That's what I inferred anyways.


I totally agree here, it is a worrying state of affairs...infact that whole big chunk of the world is like a powderkeg at the moment.

Travel / Places to go in Krakow [10]

Not 100% sure mate, just checking flights now. Once I have a date I will let you know. Only coming for a few days so I can load up my 15kg with cheddar (Isle Of Mull stuff is lovely) and Irn Bru...

Not totally a budget, but I'd rather keep most of my cash for the move in Sept/Oct time.

Travel / Places to go in Krakow [10]

Merged: Booking A Short Trip To Krakow

I am returning for good at the end of the season here. However I fancy popping over for a few days just to visit some friends and get a few Żywiec down me (as well as a kebab down my shirt no doubt). Anyone able to reccommend companies that do good deals on flight and hotels together so I don't the hassle of organising flights and all that cockanany.

Law / Do non-eu residents residing in Poland require Polish driving license? [20]

It's an EU licence so it only isn't suitable in Poland once it has expired. Or so I thought. Why did you need a residence card though. I thought all the EU stuff had wiped that out for us?

Genealogy / Average height of Polish women [107]

I have never felt height to be an issue. But I have only ever dated one girl taller than me. Maybe it's just a personal taste issue.

Travel / Poland: What should I look forward to or avoid? Is it fun to visit? [34]


I was only naked once...give us a break!

Food / Price of food and drink in Krakow (zubrowka, krupnik, lager) [5]

Beer will be between 6 and 9 PLN per half litre, 40ml of Wódka is about 7-9 PLN as with Krupnik. In the city centre it will be round about 6-8 PLN and in Kazimierz about 8-9pln

Food / is" kaszanka" a Polish speciality? [54]


Well I prefer the black pudding from stornoway even to the Polish stuff. I found Kaszanka to be bland, I like a good spice to my black pudding.