Life / WHY POLISH PEOPLE DON'T USE THEIR NATIVE FIRST NAME WHEN ABROAD? [136]

As most people have said a lot of the time it's a matter of convenience. This is especially true with new introductions or with people whose relationship will most likely only be temporary (customers etc), it's simpler just to give an easy name as a point of reference and move onto the purpose of the introduction / meeting.

In school I used the Polish version of my name, after school I started using the English equivalent. My friends from school, and as my circle of friends grew larger, prefer to use the Polish version. Some work colleagues as they become friends, eventually switch to the Polish version, either after asking me what it is or doing the research themselves.

A lot of people find the Polish version more unique and interesting and some insist on using it. I don't mind either way. When other people give me an English version of their native name (be they Polish, or another nationality), I use the name they offered me and only change if in the future we become friends and they inform me they prefer their native name. I don't feel the need to bring up their heritage and question them on it. They gave me a name they want me to use and I respect that.

What hasn't been mentioned yet is the fact that if that it might actually be appropriate to use the Foreign equivalent (if available) when speaking another language, after all it's a straight forward translation. I never understood why certain people throw in their native words into a foreign conversation other than to sound exotic or cute. Personally I've never felt the need to show off I'm Polish by greeting people in Polish, yet I've seen it done in Spanish, French and a few other languages quite frequently. If I'm speaking in English, I use English words where available.

On the other hand my Dad's name was uniquely Polish and had no translation, people just gave him a nickname, the same with my mum. It is sometimes also quite common to use nicknames instead of a first name, yet no one would ever suggest that a person using a nickname is ashamed of their name, especially if it is a nickname that was earned.

I think the purpose of first names is nothing more than to differentiate individuals within a family, and hence they are not an issue. Surnames however are different and in my opinion should not be changed. Since my surname is difficult I would rather let people pronounce it incorrectly than to allow them to compromise on the spelling, somehow it would feel disrespectful.

Life / WHY POLISH PEOPLE DON'T USE THEIR NATIVE FIRST NAME WHEN ABROAD? [136]


The point is, that using the translation of my name in the appropriate language in which I am speaking, is using my own / real name.

A good comparison is place names. I come from Warsaw, when asked in an English conversation where I was born, I reply "Warsaw" not "Warszawa".

News / 'The Shrine' movie - set in Poland [9]

From the very limited teaser trailer . . .

Looks like a B grade horror. The setting, be it Poland or anywhere else seems unimportant.


Unable to see in the trailer if the village looks like a Polish village, however the traditions don't appear like any ancient Polish traditions that I know of, nor do the costumes.

I wouldn't mind seeing more movies set in various places around the world, drawing on the local myths and traditions for ideas and flavour, however this doesn't look like it's going to be one of those movies. In any case it won't put Poland on the map.

Life / WHY POLISH PEOPLE DON'T USE THEIR NATIVE FIRST NAME WHEN ABROAD? [136]

I think most people are just lazy. My surname is actually quite easy to pronounce, yet most people don't take the time to actually read it. They see a foreign name and they butcher it assuming it's hard to pronounce.

It's very simple, three syllables *** *** ski. If they read it in English they will get it pretty much right except for the first letter which is pronounced differently in Polish. The first two syllables actually make up English words, and most English speakers know how to pronounce ski, so where is the problem?

If they take the time to read my last name, and if they're interested I can teach them how to pronounce the first letter. However nearly every time they screw it up and add two extra syllables that don't exist. I'm then forced to point out that the name is actually quite simple and break it down for them into three syllables of three letters each to prove my point. My conclusion is that they are lazy and it makes them look ignorant and rude.

So my only gripe with English speakers is when my name becomes *** **** *** *** ski, insted of *** *** ski because the reader didn't give me the courtesy of actually reading my name.

Life / IS POLISH PATRIOTISM OBSOLETE? [34]

The Assyrians, Persians, Romans, Ottoman's all multicultural.

It worked for them, all peaceful empires, still around today to show multiculturalism at work. Right? I'm sure there are historical examples for any argument.

Trying to preserve your culture, your family does not have to lead to nationalism. Nationalism seems to only grow when the people feel there is an external threat. Sometimes it's justified, sometimes it's not.

The argument that glorifying one's accidental place of birth is the same as the argument that I should feel no loyalty to my accidental biological family. I can feel empathy for the neighbor or foreigner, but it does not mean that I give up my responsibility for my family, that I help the neighbor at the expense of my family. This is especially so when the neighbor has values that are opposed to mine, values that are a threat to my kin. My family will always come first.

It's noble to help others, but when those others become a negative influence, or disruptive to the safety of the team, family, tribe, nation, than my family will always come first, not the outsider.

I treat my guests well and give them shelter and safety, but the guest must live by my rules. When I am a guest, I must observe and respect the rules and traditions of my host. If I want to join their household, then I must fit in and adjust, not the other way around.

Do we really all want to be multicultural? Is New Orleans another good example of what happens when disaster strikes a people who have no common values and no sense of loyalty?

People will be people, and anyone who thinks that multicultarism will solve the world's problems is mistaken.

Patriotism is not obsolete, it's natural for humans and animals. It's the loyalty for one's tribe or pack, it's the need to preserve your family. It does not equate to hate for other tribes, but it does mean that if another tribe threatens mine, I will protect it. When all ties are cut to you land, culture and values, will you be able to say the same of your neighbour?

Of course, this is just an opinion.