Language / Translations of Gadu-Gadu [158]

I'll guesse (until advised otherwise) that gadu is of the Polish gadać, to talk or prattle. it seems logical that gadu-gadu means talk-talk. ..?? Co ty na to?

is gadu-gadu an acceptable and used (slang?) term in everyday use in the Polish language,...anyone know?

Language / x=a kiss sign. What's a kiss sign for the Polish? [48]

History lesson time for X as a kiss.
Way back in the days of snail mail, teenagers would put a X across the envelope seal of a love letter to discourage the courier (usually a friend) from opening the envelope to take a peek. (There was no guarantee that the envelope could be re-sealed with the X accurately realigned). This was known and still is, as 'sealed with a loving kiss' hence the S.W.A.L.K. sometimes also used. Thus, the origin of the X. But we are talking 50's and 60's teenagers here. ;)

News / Should we change the rules to let Poles join the British Army? [119]

It didn't need a change in law in 1939 to 1945 when (for example) the majority of fighter pilots killed in the battle of Britain were Polish. I believe that we ought to accept gratefully into the military, any Pole who would want to serve.

News / Should we change the rules to let Poles join the British Army? [119]

I really do appreciate the corrections to information I took from a television history programme. I believe the same info. is given in the credits of the film 'Battle of Britain'.

However, I'm pleased that the spirit of my comment seems to be acceptable.

News / Should we change the rules to let Poles join the British Army? [119]


I hadn't realised that my webcam was live.......;)

News / Should we change the rules to let Poles join the British Army? [119]

could I guess at wiśnówka? :)

News / Should we change the rules to let Poles join the British Army? [119]

wspaniałe, szkotja, bardzo fajna.

UK, Ireland / Are the Poles in England hated? [450]


Don't worry about the moron element in the UK, we who were born here don't worry too much about them. They complain about foreighn workers taking their jobs, yet some of these people prefer to live on benefits money.

Remember, Every country has a percentage of people who are bigotted and incapable of a moderate level of reason.
If you make your bed in England, you must lie in it just as the bed you make in Poland. Try to create some support in the early days by knowing fellow Poles in the area of your choice, you will feel less nervous.

Please remember that most British people like Polish people. Also remember that we are predominately a mixed blood people, so why should you feel different? Many 'Brits' are 50% and 25% Polish blood from the influx of polaks after WW2.(children and grandchildren of post war marriages).

I see that many Polish immigrants seem shy or reluctant to mix. I don't understand why this is, but integration should be easy with two similar peoples. ? ?

please comment on this thought

UK, Ireland / Are the Poles in England hated? [450]


you could try digesting my statement again, to see it's true content. This may help if you can accept that 'many' is a very flexible word.

UK, Ireland / Are the Poles in England hated? [450]


I,m both surprised and dissapointed about this, but can understand that some Brits may be suspicious of immigrants from wherever. As we know, people (and animals) usually and naturally have a healthy fear of situations that are different, the fear of the unknown.

Forums like this are usefull tools in promoting communication, and communication is a catalyst toward integration.
A further comment, and this is my personal opinion from being involved with Poles from my wife's paternal roots, is that we are not so much different. Major difference being the lingo.

Open question now...Could/Should our Governments help, and if so, how?

UK, Ireland / Are the Poles in England hated? [450]


it does warm up in here occasionally...
enjoy :)

UK, Ireland / Invisible influx - Brits not easy to mix with Poles? [30]


That makes sound sense to me Miranda, as whenever I'm out walking in Kraków, Wadowice etc., people speak quite easily.

UK, Ireland / Do Polish immigrants wish to stay in UK - long term? [92]


I believe that you are so right in that statement, and naturally you would be dissapointed.

We are in a situation where the melting pot of humanity is bubbling on and on. Cultures and colours have been blending together steadily for a lo-o-o-ng time. We have to accept the inevitable problems and discomforts. Looking toward the benefits of unity and integration through helping each other to work through our ignorance of some aspects is, I believe, the way forward for all of us.

chin up and smile eh?

UK, Ireland / Are the Poles in England hated? [450]


Are you really surprised? Did you really think that the Brit. Govt. was Santa Clause?
Stop and think for a moment, why the Brit. Govt. would invite seemingly uncontrolled immigration. Will it boost economic growth? Will it reduce, as a percentage, the number of persons who opt NOT to work? Will it boost, through more workers paying tax, funding for the ailing pensions crisis etc.? Will it overburden the National Health Service to the point where it would collapse, thus ridding the Govt. of funding problems? Answers on a post card please...etc., etc.

Also, looking back to what were called 'The Ten Pound Poms', when, in the 1960's Brits were getting heavilly subsidised travel to emigrate to Australia. Many were disillusioned and found that Australia was not all it had been portrayed as, (I personally know such people). What do you think they did about it? They CAME HOME. No shame in admitting a mistake if it's not 'for you', at least they tried it.

I do however feel a great sense of shame when hearing of people being disrespected by my fellow Brits. to the point that I hereby wish to sincerely apologise to you for your suffering.

This poor attitude toward immigrants doesn't seem to be shown in my area. Have you tried changing your location? Move around some, give it your best shot. If all else fails, move on or return home rather than suffer.

UK, Ireland / Are the Poles in England hated? [450]

And if such an ass kicking as that one doesn't wake you up, all hope for you is truly lost.

UK, Ireland / Are the Poles in England hated? [450]


Oh Zeus, Zeus, Zeus. We've been over this ad nauseum. You really do need to realise that there are people 'for', 'against' and 'indifferent' concerning just about any issue you would care to discuss. Now how about playing a new tune. And don't get your finger too close to the sun eh? It's damned hot.

UK, Ireland / Are the Poles in England hated? [450]


Easy there fella, don't go galloping off on a Zeusism.
Scots are generally well respected south of the border. A beautiful country with a fascinating history and people, (though still clannish by nature) are as friendly as you could wish to meet. I'm just not accepting that Scots are generally disliked in England. After all, it's not as if you were Welsh is it?

UK, Ireland / Are the Poles in England hated? [450]

Hadrian wasn't English, and I think that that's just about the only remnant of segregation twixt the historic foes?

UK, Ireland / Are the Poles in England hated? [450]

The biggest backstab in the history of ours was the more recent theft/rape of the northern oilfields by the govt. And it was done without any invasion/strife of any kind. How did local communities benefit up there? not a lot I'll wager. sorry about this small rant, but it bugged me for a while

UK, Ireland / Are the Poles in England hated? [450]

This entire wind-up debate is so amuseming that I just need to dip my oar in there.
But in all truth, in my long years of plodding around Europe(from time to time) and the Med. sunshine hol countries, one cannot fail to note that the UK has a LOT of mingers (most of my own sisters included) even though my mother was a truly beautiful lady.

I really do believe that the UK is following the lard-ass gobshite lazy trailertrash trend of the USA in some regions.
Now, having married an anglo-polish girl, (way back when) our issue and the issues of our daughters (biase aside) have proven to be stunners, which seems to support Bladerunner's theory.

Yes I'm aware that national pride will blind some people into irrational outbursts over this posting, but my skin is quite thick. ;)

UK, Ireland / Are the Poles in England hated? [450]


I'm not witnessing the downhill trend from my own union with an Anglo-Polish woman, so possibly , the Polish 'beauty' gene may have evolved to the point whereby my 'lesser' ugly genes are fitered out.


The truly beautiful of all nationalities will not be offended. No names mentioned, they know who they are.

Travel / Warsaw or Wroclaw / Poznan travel [20]


billy for breakfast and a lightweight bicycle ;)