Life / Etiquette at Polish weddings [15]

I have the same question about wedding etiquette. I am attending a wedding of a girl I met in 2002. She is marrying a German guy.

I have a suit and will look great. The wedding invitaion specified donation to charity instead of flowers.

What about a gift? I am from the USA, but traveling in the Near East right now. What can I pick up in Poland or should I just give cash? If so how much?

I have also been asked to say a prayer. Is a Protestant wedding service.

Life / Etiquette at Polish weddings [15]

Thanks for the tip about the flower comment. My friend wrote me a note in English, though of course the hand made invitation is all in Polish. :)

Ill just role with it on game day. I have read more on weddings and sounds like the dinner afterwards is fun! Some suggested mixing in some water shots so can hang later into the night... thought was good idea.

Love / Polish Engagement and Wedding Traditions [42]


If I ever fall in love in Poland and have to propose I will always remember this post advice... made me laugh :)

I have also read here that divorce rate is very high in P-land so maybe many guys should have took the watermelon and ran.

Gossia ~

thanks for the tip on gift giving. I have been trying to figure out what is a typical polish wedding gift.

As an (poor) American I will have to consider how generous to be and what is appropriate for the level of friendship.

News / Weak US dollar in Poland and other countries... [180]

Here is an interesting article on the dollar vs the rest of the world.


iht.com/articles/2007/09/13/news/econ.php

What I got and have seen from all your posts (when on topic) is a gradual down trend.

I am looking at Poland as a place to spend about 6 months as a home bases of sorts. So looking at costs compared to the rest of Europe. How is cost of living in Poland compared to the rest of Europe? I see Poland as being a good deal if you are willing to live conservatively.

Life / Expats in Poland: Are you going to live in Poland long or short term? [65]

I guess this is my first thread…
At the moment I am fact finding. Currently I am an American living in Beirut so coming to Poland, if I do, is a step up.

For the short term what is rent like for an apartment in central Poland say Kutno for example. Utilities costs and food?
How do you like the people ( I assume you like them since you are there)? How about one positive and one negative? For example Lebanese are known for their hospitality.

If a guy was coming to spend 6 months what advice would you give?
As far as long term, if I do meet the next (first) Mrs. Lonman in Poland, that would be fine. But not the main reason visiting.

I also see the value of the dollar keeps going lower, how is that effecting life for people living off the dollar? I see a post that all the important stuff, beer is cheep but how about the rest like Nutella (yes addicted now)?


from Encarta dictionary:
a citizen who has left his or her own country to live in another, usually for a prolonged period

Life / Expats in Poland: Are you going to live in Poland long or short term? [65]


one of te reasons I am thinking Poland because I am not retired and don't have a lot of cash by US standards... but compared to the rest of the world I'm rich.

Travel / train Berlin to Warsaw [9]


This is perfect advice. I am planning to travel from Warsaw to Berlin in October. Last time I was in Berlin was 1988 and has changed a tad since then. Going to spend a day running around and back on the train heading west...

I also found the German interail page bahn.de very good too.

Life / Expats in Poland: Are you going to live in Poland long or short term? [65]

Joda thanks for the comments and the blog... I took a look and bookmaked it for further reading.

Mobs
yes understand bureaucracy as I have been in the Middle East for 5 months now...

So maybe poland will be sort of Same same but different. as they say...

I could be probably find this out but how long can u stay on a tourist visa?

UK, Ireland / Cheap Flights on WizzAir.....is it a con ? [27]

I am flying into Katowice late friday night flight and am staying in Krakow. I see you can book a bus thru Wizz. I wont book that part for another week.

Can anyone comment on the bus service? I see I wont get in until almost 0200.

Travel / train Berlin to Warsaw [9]


If I take the Warsaw to Berlin in Oct I hope I don't need the AC!

thanks for the tip.

UK, Ireland / Cheap Flights on WizzAir.....is it a con ? [27]


Thanks for the tip... will get it done soonest.

Frank thanks for the tips on low fare UK sites... I was using a US Kayak with little joy until a Polish friend put me on to Wizz....

Just sucks getting in late but guess can stay up when I get in and see the town late late at night...

Cheers

Just to follow up. I took a late wizzair flight on a friday night out of Luton, near London. Though the flight was delayed 6 hours due to plane problems I think the staff handled well. I was worried that the transfer shuttle would not be there when we got in at 530am to Katowice but it was and drove us safely to Krakow.

Return was from Warsaw the early 0600 flight. No problems nice flight. Though no need to get there any earlier than 430 as the security is not open until then. So expect a line if much after that.

On both flights the flight crews appeared professional and were helpful.

Life / Expats in Poland: Are you going to live in Poland long or short term? [65]

I'm in Krakow the 29th and part of the 30th. Ill drop you a PM with my hotel phone if you will be in Krakow then. Will be solo until the 30th when I meet my local friends.

Life / Etiquette at Polish weddings [15]


A excellent blog.... Interesting comments on many levels and did leave me smiling. Also I will be in London next week and plan to hit a pub or two so will no doubt be able to validate your comments, which I am pretty sure are near right on.

Now I am not sure if I should be scared by the idea of going to the wedding... As an honerd guest (from USA) Im sure I will be a focus and offered many toasts. My friend who is the bride and marrying a German talked about a lot of drinking with friends when they got there license in Germany in August. So who know if we have a room full of Pols and Germans what will happen!

Also I will be in Krakow on the 29th solo until I meet my Polish friend on the 30th and get taken south for the week. Let me know if you are game for a pint with an American who is thinking about staying in Poland for awhile. Currently in Lebanon where being a politcian is a ticket to a car bomb. So Poland and its quirks sound nice. I'll drop you a PM but not sure if that is working right.

Once again great post Island1 and look forward to reading some more.

Life / Etiquette at Polish weddings [15]


I really like #9.... though I hope there wasn't any order to this list. ALL is a must read list. Yup looking forward to London... and with my USD will be a very expense beer and jacket potato...

See you in Krak(ow).

Related:

Any insights Polish Weddings?


I'm sure you'll all get along ok (especially with a little help from vodka :D). I've seen weddings between foreigners and once the liquor flows good times follow. Everyone will dance because it's fun. I wouldn't sweat the minor things. Gratulacje!!

Travel / What are Your Best Poland Travel Tips? [64]

my only tip from my trip last week was in learn to read the train schedules. I missed two trains because I had the wrong track number or what I thought was the track number. It appears there is no standard in schedules. Also a train I thought would come on a sunder morning never came... though was on the list.

Also if you are outgoing take a chance and talk to the pretty girl next to you, you might find she speaks English and yourself have a pretty good time on a long trip.

Life / Wroclaw KFC their shafting us [27]


you know the home office for AmRest who runs KFC is right there in Wroclaw... you might just take your complaint straight to them.... then maybe ask for a job sorting wings...

Law / UN or NGO's organizations in Poland [7]

Both of you thank you for taking the time to share these sites.

The first one un.org.pl is in Polish so did not get much information (none). :)

the 2nd set of links are good. but need to figure out how to get a list of ngo's and who is working where.

thanks for the help.

USA, Canada / No US Visa Waiver for Poles - 8/9/07 [96]


Greece is not a good example... until they agree on the use of the name Macedonia by their neighbor to the north of them they wont get the VWP... this was as of 2 weeks ago.

I would assume that in the next year or so Poland would be in with the VWP.

Life / WHAT WILL $1 and $100 BUY IN POLAND? [20]

Well looks like the USD will buy a lot more this week.... just over 3.0 on Friday... is it time for a visit?

uk.reuters.com/article/ukPoundRpt/idUKLO49023820081024

reuters.com/article/forexNews/idUSTRE49M8V520081023

Life / WHAT WILL $1 and $100 BUY IN POLAND? [20]


Thanks for taking the time... the info helps when planning a long trip... what is rent?

nytimes.com/2008/10/27/business/worldbusiness/27poland.html

more fun news for you all.

Life / WHAT WILL $1 and $100 BUY IN POLAND? [20]

you keyed in on the most important economic factor.... the price of a local beer (not imports). AND is the beer good and worth the price, low or high you pay.

Anyone want to list beer prices in the major cities in P-land vs the countryside?

Life / WHAT WILL $1 and $100 BUY IN POLAND? [20]

I know what rent is.. :) how much is rent these days is the question I was trying to say.

3.0 today.

Travel / Warsaw To Krakow Travel Questions [5]

I have also found these travel guides helpful... I had the same question yesterday, how long Warsaw to K-town. 3 hours+/- 15 min on the ICC.

beta.inyourpocket.com/country/poland.html

Travel / Reaching Warsaw airport from Warsaw Central Train Station? WIFI? [20]

If this helps.... In Dec I flew into Warsaw a/p arriving in the morning. Took a taxi to central train station and caught one of the many trains running to Krakow. This was on a Saturday. Easy. Did the reverse on the way back. When a tad confused I found the Poles very helpful.

Life / Expats in Poland: Are you going to live in Poland long or short term? [65]

Jonni
You said you set up a business.... do you know anything about setting up a non-profit?

Life / Expats in Poland: Are you going to live in Poland long or short term? [65]

But do you enjoy your stay in Poland? How is your Polish? Big city or small?

I thought this was an interesting BBC article. news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8066680.stm

Law / UN or NGO's organizations in Poland [7]

sapphire

Thanks for the advice. Pretty much what I figured after looking around a bit... Anyway I have an international NGO job right now working in Africa... not my favorite place... looking to get back to lovely Europe... The UN ahhgrrr not as long as I can help it will I work for them. Cheers.

Life / 3 Things I LOVED about Poland [58]

From my recent trip this August - September.

1) I find the people friendly and helpful (despite what people write about rude Poles) and of course the girls have great sense of style.
2) The foods... I really enjoyed a potato pancake and goulash lunch I had outside the Krakow Bus / train station (so much I took a picture). I love a meat and potato country.

3) The countryside. I think Poland is beautiful and can not wait to plan a long hike in the mountains. Summer or Winter the place is great to look at.

• 
  Lunch