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Posts by Mali  

Joined: 3 Mar 2008 / Female ♀
Last Post: 1 Jun 2008
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Posts: Total: 300 / In This Archive: 200

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Mali   
3 Mar 2008
USA, Canada / Polish Canadians [117]

I'm a polish canadian! I was born in poland but immigrated with my family in 1989 when I was 4. I now live in a suburb in Toronto and love it here!

Also, there are plenty of Polish people in Mississauga, one of Toronto's neighbouring cities.
Mali   
3 Mar 2008
Love / I got married to a Polish wife; Polish family advice needed [45]

First of all, you're in a really difficult position and there is no easy answer. Do what you think is best for you and your wife. You should also think about your future (ie are they going to suddenly need more money down the road?). I know that 200zl isn't that much money to give in a month but at the same time, you're a newlywed with a single income and may need that money down the future when you have kids.

In my honest opinion, I wouldn't help them, for a while at least until you get to know them better. Then you'll know if they're plights are real or they're trying to manipulate you. You shouldn't have to feel responsible for the debts that other people acquired. Also, your wife should have told you the situation. Even if she was embarrassed about it, she should have told you. If she's comfortable enough to marry you, she should be comfortable to tell you that her parents are dependent on the children.

My parents moved from Poland to Canada in the late 1980s, one of the reasons being that my fathers parents also expected my parents to hand over their income. Their demands became ridiculous and even now when we go visit them, they expect loads of presents and cash. They're constantly calling us and complaining about their poverty (never mind that we've been there and have seen that they live pretty comfortably!!). Eventually my parents learned how much they could give them and how much to refuse to help them.

And no, I'm not saying that all old Polish people are users (I know tons of generous Polaks!) but that there are people out there that will try to use others for every last penny.

Good luck!
Mali   
3 Mar 2008
Genealogy / strange Polish mixes [116]

I'm Polish, my parents are Polish and so are their parents and their parents also! lol
I have a German last name though.
Mali   
3 Mar 2008
Love / Polish men are more sexy.... [64]

I find a lot of Polish guys to be quite egotistical, even if they have no reason to be. But then, that sounds like just about any guy of any nationality...
Mali   
3 Mar 2008
Language / Terms for greetings in Polish [10]

I don't know, I think it depends on the person and the importance of what they're doing. Some people will get annoyed, some won't be bothered at all. Probably the same as any other European culture. We're not that different!
Mali   
5 Mar 2008
UK, Ireland / POLISH ADMIRATION FOR THE IRISH GENIUS JAMES JOYCE [63]

I had to resurrect this thread to say that I love James Joyce!
I've read Dubliners (LOVED) and Portrait (didn't love) and am now reading Ulysses and am fully fascinated by his different techniques. There's so much going on beneath the surface, not to mention his humour (he's a master at parody).

I'm definitely admiring the 'Irish Genius James Joyce'

Do not expect so much participation from the antiintellectual West.

You mean the 'anti-intellectual West' that produced so much of the work that we're admiring?

ETA: I'm actually really excited because my convocation day is June 16th...Bloomsday! Too bad its on a Monday instead of Thursday. Either way, its a pretty cool way to end my undergraduate studies
Mali   
6 Mar 2008
Love / I got married to a Polish wife; Polish family advice needed [45]

Also, I wanted to add, aren't they getting 'renta'? My grandmother has been getting her retirement money for ages now (she worked on a farm so I think they retire a little earlier than the city folks). She lives on her own off of 400zl a month and still manages to save money. Poland may not be the riches country or a 'land of opportunity' but that doesn't mean that its impossible to live off of a small income.

My wife is not an open type, talking about private things is very difficult for her and still i knew about her family problems long time before we got married... So if your wife didn't tell you earlier it's like "he won't have a choice later". And I think that in fact this is why you should have free choice now, because you hadn't one before and your wife should understand this. She just wasn't honest with you and that's not a good way to start marriage.

Excellent post.
Mali   
9 Mar 2008
Love / I have met a wonderful Polish woman, but she has a 9 yrs old daughter [66]

The daughter will do all in her power to try and push you two apart by stealing all your things and money. Poles do this a lot and are very successful at stealing other people's property. Stay way and look elsewhere is my advice. Mind you. as they say, love is always blind.

Wow, that is quite the accomplishment. Nine year olds are especially good at stealing property. Now my post is almost as ridiculous as Michal's.

Please note the identical words that i had written earlier...'in my mind I had only me and my mother, nobody else...' enough said as I had written earlier. True or false?

Ok, you did say that the little girl will be attached to her mother. One point for you.

However, one person admitting to doing something she's ashamed of and all Poles stealing property is a logical leap, which makes your conclusion not only incorrect but completely absurd.
Mali   
10 Mar 2008
News / Should Polish citizens living abroad have the right to vote in elections [69]

What if they made an active effort to keep up with the politics and current affairs of Poland? It's easy to do now, especially with the use of the Internet.

I'm a little skeptical that enough people given the chance would actually educate themselves properly before voting in elections in regions where they do not live. Besides, why should people that left the country to live elsewhere have a right to help shape the future of people that are actually living there?
Mali   
11 Mar 2008
Travel / Things a first-time foreigner to Poland would be surpised most [11]

Visit Kielce too if you can. Its a pretty city that gets overlooked too often.

What will surprise you? Probably how bad the roads really are...I know people say this all the time but it shocked the hell out of me and I'm from there, and visit pretty often. Don't drive on foggy nights in the summer. Just don't do it.
Mali   
11 Mar 2008
Love / I have met a wonderful Polish woman, but she has a 9 yrs old daughter [66]

lol now thats a remark sure to cause a few replies, i have found though that the 'polish villagers' have led very small lives consisting of homework, school, homework, school and then sleep. They miss out on so many other things and then when they come to the uk their people skills are just awful, lol, however that is only a few i have met.

I have to disagree with this one here. Usually the villagers are less educated, except when 'brainwashed' by the Church ( I actually kind of almost agree with Michal there). They're also more skilled in the actual job market than many of the ones that are from the cities. It seems kind of counter-logical but I know A LOT more successful villagers from Poland than the city slickers. In Toronto, we have tons of them opening up construction businesses and doing amazingly well (My dad can vouch for that!) because they're used to the physical exertion. The city people tend to end up working in bakeries and butcher shops (Starsky lol).

Regarding the Church....I'm Catholic and don't intend to give up on my religion but yeah, it can definitly brainwash people into becoming overly religious and this does happen a lot in villages.
Mali   
11 Mar 2008
Language / Most commonly used letters in Polish [37]

Even more shocking (although probably easier) would be trying to write without using the much-loved letter 'z'.

LOL! Lives would end. No 'z'? how can that be?

A YEAR'S SUPPLY OF CARROTS FOR THE WINNER!

I hope they're organic at least....What with such a monstrous task.
Mali   
11 Mar 2008
Life / Why are Polish people cheap? [126]

That is why it is better to pay your money for better quality. Go somewhere that has good quality clothes but good sales

Thats what Banana Republic is good for. The original price is usually pretty expensive (way more expansive in Canada than the US) but the clothes go on sale within weeks. Why pay $110 for a silk cami that will cost $49.99 or less in about 2-3 weeks? I've gotten some amazing bargains at BR and people always tell me I look expensive. :)

Last year I worked at Mexx and got 50% off, which was awesome.

I'm trying to teach my brother bargain shopping because that idiot will pay full price for anything (including an ugly red sporty hoody for $120).
Mali   
11 Mar 2008
Language / Most commonly used letters in Polish [37]

I did not see that. How about w instead na

Yeah, that'll work

Tak nawiasem mówiąc to istnieje konkretny materiał dowodowy na ten fakt.

Impressive!!
Mali   
11 Mar 2008
News / I love Poland because... (in 10 words or less) [182]

About the canadian thing thats a very broad generalization about the difficulty level of classes in the US compared to canada. My high school was one of the best in cali with many of its grads going to HBYS schools. I lived in a pretty international part of town and went to school with a few Canadians. They went from being top students in their Ontario high school to being B and C students at my high school. It really depends on wat school you are in.

I know, I meant to say many. I was actually surprised at some of them (ie Columbia).

I don't know about your school (I don't even know where you went) but I do know that this is a common practice for many law schools. The reason I started to look into it was because I know so many people that went to the US for those reasons. I'm thinking about a few schools in Miami, for obvious reasons :)

grade point average at Uni - school smart doen's mean life smart, or does it?

I think it depends a lot on the person. I know some people that have very high GPAs in school but are pretty much retarded in life. But then, there are many that had high GPAs and are successful in many aspects of life. Its the same thing as saying that all people that do poorly in school are successful in life or 'life smart' - possibly true, but not necessarily .

I love Poland because....of the beautiful sunsets and shooting stars! (at least in the country)

ETA:

Plus, if your girlfriend only does things on YOUR impulses (cook, clean,...the other thing) than she can't be that smart.

Thats true EandB! Obviously the girl lost her own brain along the way somewhere!
Mali   
12 Mar 2008
Life / Worried Mother in Law about her Polish son-in-law (army issue) [12]

Besides If he left when he was 16 then that must have been before "registration of pre-conscripts" (which happens when a guy is 18 years old) so the army probably doesn't even know that he exists

Thats what I was thinking too. The wojsko thing starts when they're 18, and this guy will be 25 now. I doubt he'll be snatched up as soon as he gets there, especially if he's considered a visiting American-Polish person.
Mali   
12 Mar 2008
Life / I'm an American who lived in Poland for 6 years. I'm not welcome anymore. [169]

Didn't you just say that you're illegal? WTF do you expect? Why should you expect to be venerated over others just because you're American?

If you are an EU citizen are are sent by a bank or a major company, you, of course have it all laid out before you.

Well, it is a 'Union'...
Mali   
12 Mar 2008
UK, Ireland / Will Polish names eventually become popular in the UK? [53]

This must be an uncommon name in Poland, I don't think I know of anyone with that name. At least he won't be referred to as 'Symche H.' (or whatever letter). He'll definitely stand out.
Mali   
14 Mar 2008
Life / Poland High school curriculum [48]

Good point out! I played 2 sports in HS rugby and football.

Holy F*ck I actually agree with you.

***feeling slightly unpleasant...

First of all I would like to thank Panienka for her insight into the system of polish schools.

In Ontario it was pretty much the same where most children used to finish high school at age 19. Then they got rid of the 5th year of high school in order to save some moolah and 18 is the average age when kids finish school (unless their bday is later in the year, then they're 17). I was in the first class where they got rid of the extra grade, and I have to say that I wasn't too happy about it. I wasn't ready for anything at 18 and wouldn't have minded the extra year in high school. Now that I'm finishing Uni, I can't wait for law school because once again, I'm not ready to throw myself into the job market.

In grade 10, they introduced this new course called "Career Studies" where they made you do a bunch of useless tests and little projects to help you decide what you want to do with your life. Most 15/16 year olds don't know what they'll be doing next week, never mind 'when they grow up'. It wasn't very surprising that most students didn't take this course seriously.
Mali   
14 Mar 2008
Life / How do Polish people view themselves? [92]

Every country/ethnic groups thinks it's superior to other groups! It's called nationalism.

Its kind of ridiculous actually, but that's definitely true! This is especially true of European nations that pride themselves on their ancestor's historical achievements.

Find me an Italian that doesn't think Italy is the best place, has the best women, best food, best culture etc....
Same thing with a French person, or a Dutch person, or a Polish person.
I mean you'll find some people that aren't very nationalistic, but I doubt that would be the norm.

America is pretty notorious for this also.

My Polish friends call it 'British Arrogance' for example when i tell them how much i like england and how England provides a good place fo people to come and get educated they say that i'm being arrogant and thats not true at all. then five minutes later i here them talking about the muslims and russians like their apes compared to the Polish, how confusing!!

I think that notions of 'British Snobbery' or 'British Arrogance' are associated with the nation's history of colonization. The very concept of colonization is based on the concept that X nation is better than Y nation, therefore we have a right to take over. However, colonialism officially ended in the 1960s and other nations have been slowly recovering from this idea of Britain as an 'evil colonizer'. These days, its more about America's imperial policies and notions of supremacy that has a lot of nations in the world p*ssed off.
Mali   
14 Mar 2008
Food / A Polish Soup-What is the name? [16]

My grandmother made a soup that contained cabbage, tomatoes and sour cream (and I don't know what else)? Would anyone know what soup that would be and any other ingredients that went in it. There was no meat.

Possibly its a form of Kapuśniak, which is cabbage soup. My mom has made it with tomatoe paste before, so it could be the one you're talking about. I'd love to be of more help to you but I have no clue what else goes in there or how its made.
Mali   
16 Mar 2008
Life / Culture & Women [80]

calling it an 'Eastern European' thing is still lumping it together, IMO. You don't have to specifically say Polish, Lith, etc... but when you claim that this is an aspect of "Eastern European" culture, thats more or less the same thing.

i.e if you found a post that was lumping all UK people together and saying, oh I don't mean England, Scotland or Wales specifically, I just mean that its a 'UK' thing, I'm sure you wouldn't be too happy about that either.

In parts of India widows are burnt to death because they're husbands have died and their existence no longer has any purpose. Patriarchy exists everywhere.
Mali   
16 Mar 2008
UK, Ireland / Gang attack Polish man with knife [87]

Its horrible that a person has been stabbed to death, period.

Excellent post. Its the individuals, not 'Britain' that attacked this person. Its very dramatic here sometimes.