Language / How long to get fluent in Polish? [41]

It's just a question of priorities. It depends on the region you are in and what your job is. Having a partner definitely helps. Here in Silesia, Poles are happy if you speak Polish to them as their English may not be what it is in the bigger cities. It also depends on what you need to express. My general Polish is pretty decent but full fluency has to be like a project or passion

Love / Why Polish girls are awesome? [141]

I live and work in Poland and I can say that not all of them are like that but generally it's true. They were blessed with a good gene pool I guess, as is the case with most Slavic women. They are practically-minded and make good wives.

UK, Ireland / Poles in the UK sleeping in toilets [165]

In response to noimmigration's posting of Nov 18, what was he thinking, JUST a teacher? There are good teachers and bad teachers but the good ones can really make a big difference. I hold an LLM in International and European Law from a leading UK university (Aberdeen, great official rating) and have taught in Japan. Am I really so stupid cuz I'm just a teacher? There are many cases of professors or politicians putting forward weak arguments and making no difference in the real world. What's ur elevated status btw?

News / Will Poland become green? [122]

The problem lies in the enforcement of Regulations/Directives. I cast my mind back to when I was doing EU Environmental Law as part of my Masters. The enforcement apparatus basically had no teeth but a series of breaches by Italy necessitated a tougher stance. That was back in 1999/2000 so I assume that the position has changed somewhat from then. Poland joined in May 2004 and will definitely get help with the interpretation of Environmental Directives. I currently live in Silesia, the most polluted region of Poland, and u should need a protective mask to walk down Pszczynska street (Gliwice). The fumes are at a tragic level. Having said that, that is just an example and I can't see Poland faring much worse, if any, than its Western counterparts who have/have had more experience in handling environmental issues. Only time will tell

UK, Ireland / Poles in the UK sleeping in toilets [165]

School boy chav scum? hehehe I'm a Scot so we have our fair share of chavs. Back to the topic, sleeping in the toilets is probably more comfy than sleeping on cold streets. I was being sarcastic with my elevated status comment, I'm sure u got that BubbaWoo.

UK, Ireland / Poles in the UK sleeping in toilets [165]

Neds also, but when u r away from home u tend to use British slang and not only Scottish. Some strong Scots would only fox readers here. There are plenty merry men in Scotland, some a little too merry for their own good

History / Jews...and their Polish experience [520]

The problem is that, much like the case of EU Environmental Law, people talk a good game and propose all manner of resolutions and, all the while, people (or animals in the above case) are dying. The UN should acknowledge their lack of proactivity in dealing with this international issue. It was thanks to American intervention that people sat up and took notice. I am the owner of a leading treatise on the International Tribunals for Yugoslavia (and Rwanda incidentally) and this was largely from an evidential perspective, it was genocide. The EU is founded upon 'pillars' as laid out in the Amsterdam Treaty and it doesn't take a lawyer to realise the extent of their powers. From a strictly European perspective, it is all very well that many resolved never to allow genocide such as seen during WWII to happen again yet VERY disappointing that they did. I saw the notice in Oswięcim, or Auschwitz as it's more commonly known. History repeated itself and fingers were pointed and waggled but many died because there was not a strong enough interest in their survival. This is reality these days. Let's remember to get in there, establish that genocidal practices are taking place and use the Genocide Convention of 1948 to do what it was created to do.

News / Will Poland become green? [122]

I agree with Lesser when he talks about throwing Directives out there at bullet speed for trivial issues but slowly with matters that need urgent attention. I did my thesis on subsidiarity, in laymans terms it means what level of govt is the most appropriate for taking action, i.e Brussels, national govts or local govts. Depending on the area, Lesser has a good point in that regional/local govts often have better data on which to act on. I argued for a special inspectorate body as a conduit between the relevant players as the data was horribly out of date and inaccurately compiled in the old system. I studied the Wild Birds Directive, yeah I know, probably the wrong kind of chicks to be studying given that I was only 22 at the time but hey...! Seriously though, the whole notion of 'direct effect' of Directives threw up all manner of complications for national govts to wrangle with and stew over. Although I don't know specific environmental data/stats for Poland, I know that they acted quickly in snuffing out a potential disaster in Płock (Nov?) through eradicating a lethal strain of bird flu which is more than can be said for China back in 2003 when SARS started to take hold. Poland immediately informed the relevant authorities in Brussels and started taking preventative/prophylyactic measures, 2 of the core environmental principles as laid out in the Amsterdam Treaty (there are 6 in all). Rightfully so, they were applauded for doing so. Poles respect natural beauty so becoming green shouldn't pose too many problems

Life / Condoms and the Catholic church in Poland [83]

It's also MUCH cheaper to buy contraceptive pills in the UK for example, they were free at one point, could still be for all I know. Unfortunately, many Poles don't have the same standard of living as those in the UK and have less disposable income, therefore they are gonna look for the cheaper option, i.e condoms. If the church tells them not to use them then they are not in a good position. I don't know about Poland but in Scotland we start sex education at the age of 10/11. By the time we reach 16, we can have sex as of right. Who gives the church the right to intervene and dictate something that should be decided by the individual? Do they possess or have access to superior knowledge than your average person on the street? Not necessarily. They are just trying to give themselves a role but are rather overstepping their remit

Travel / Is Wroclaw the best city in Poland? [30]

I've been to Wrocław a couple of times and I would describe it as Poland's Prague. People tend to jump on the Krakow bandwagon, yeah, Krakow is beautiful around the rynek but Wrocław's general architecture is a cut above in my opinion. Something to marvel at

Life / Condoms and the Catholic church in Poland [83]

Why do you comment (on) issues that you have no idea about? Well Lesser, I'll interpret that as 'please reply, I'm lonely and I want a battle with sb' as u don't know me. Please admit that much!! The reality for me is that the church controls people like sheep here, who seemingly lack direction and need guidance. Whatsoever is wrong with reading up for yourself and making informed decisions FROM A NUMBER OF SOURCES and not just the church? Answer me that!! Trust me, people buy what the church says, not merely taking it into account. No idea about it, hehehe, considering my Polish girl and I have discussed contraception in both our countries to a death and that we are both well-educated, I think it's u who needs to reflect a bit

Life / Condoms and the Catholic church in Poland [83]

Given that Scotland and Ireland have large Catholic followings, u cannot assume I don't know about Catholicism but, hey, I don't profess to be a leading authority so let's turn this on its head and let this forum serve its educating function. U have just admitted that u r a Catholic so let me ask u what it means to be a Catholic. The world more and more sees divisions which has led to numerous conflicts rather than attempt to understand the other side. U have written good points on other threads so I'm willing to admit that I may have been wrong if u can give me a clear explanation of the tenets of ur faith as others have attacked u for being contradictory.

UK, Ireland / "Nostalgia" - Polish shop in Glasgow [25]

They are dumplings filled with mushrooms+cabbage, meat or cheese/potatoes mashed. U have z grzybami/kapustą, z mięsem or ruskie. Very soft and tasty, good winter food

Life / Condoms and the Catholic church in Poland [83]

I was talking about YOUR faith and why u r a Catholic, not some book account. I ask because there are too many people who just label themselves as something and don't understand exactly what they believe in. I'm not saying you but, for example, in Northern Ireland or Ireland where Protestants kill Catholics and vice-versa without understanding the other's position.

Life / Condoms and the Catholic church in Poland [83]

Backward? hehehe, I don't make the policies of my country but we'll probably never be as liberal as the Dutch or Scandinavians about sex education. Have you an ideal age for beginning sex education?

Life / Condoms and the Catholic church in Poland [83]

That's fair enough, maybe u should contribute to the 'why should we believe in God?' thread more to reveal the different facets of ur belief

Life / Condoms and the Catholic church in Poland [83]

I know that but there is a thread that is up and running and that u may have sth to say about it, that's all I wanted to say, nothing deeper

Life / BRITS Expats in Poland ARE YOU MISSING ENGLISH FOOD? [48]

Heinz is actually an American company so Heinz Baked Beans are American if anything. When I was younger, I always thought they were British.

News / Will Poland become green? [122]

I think that most of the gas and foul air comes from the mouth of the politicians here. They should be quarantined

Life / How many people really know English in Poland? [53]

You should be fine in Warsaw, the capital city and biggest one. Remember, many young Poles who spent a year or 2 in the UK have already returned or are in the process of returning to Poland so, unless they worked in Polish companies, they would have had to know English to some level to get on. Thank your lucky stars that you weren't assigned to a small town

Life / Condoms and the Catholic church in Poland [83]

Hehehe, they would be holey which wouldn't be good

Life / How many people really know English in Poland? [53]

Just use gestures if u r not sure, that's how I started here and in Japan until my confidence grew. Go in with a desire to learn some Polish and they may return in kind with some English. Remember, they are not French and will at least try and communicate with u, can't fault them for trying. Just no Cockney slang, aight?

Life / Brits moving to live in Poland [88]

Polish cuisine ranks amongst the best in the world. Personally, I prefer Asian food having spent 2 years there but I've really grown to like łazanki, bigos and gołabki as well as others. Even the much berated flaki can taste good when done correctly. It doesn't do it justice to call it tripe as the translation says

UK, Ireland / The Changing Face of Scotland - we need more immigrants! [178]

It's partly true that we need more immigrants. As a Scot, I think that part of the problem was the inability of Jack McConnell(ex), our First Minister in Scotland, to lure/entice Scots back to their homeland to and take up work there. We were in a position some years back where we had 21,000 graduates out of work. Rather than look harder, they upped sticks and headed for other shores. Having talked with Poles in Edinburgh (I am from Aberdeen), I know that they'd rather do 'worse' jobs in Scotland and live without excessive red tape. Also, Alex Salmond SNP, issued a warm welcome to Poles looking to set up shop in Scotland. Granted, there has been some conflict but very minimal overall. These immigrants add a positive new dimension for the most part and are well-educated. Besides, Scots and Poles are well-suited

News / Will Poland become green? [122]

Poland likes to protest about things, much like my fellow Scots, so I assume that Greenpeace will have a large support base here. All it takes is dialogue and investment between the relevant interest groups and government to bring about a positive situation. I should be more specific so I will talk about cars. Poland is a little behind, perhaps not due to intentions but more about financial deficiency, than its Western neighbours. Catalytic converters became increasingly used in Britain but Poland had to make do with Ladas and Maluchs which churned out masses of polluting gases like carbon monoxide. Even now, walking around the streets, u can receive a faceful of gas from exhausts. The blame for this cannot be pointed at ur average Pole as they are just buying what they can afford.

Guys, that's 3 of the 4 posting guidelines below broken, u both seem to be intelligent so do the intelligent thing. Well, 2 are very similar, hehehe. Show ur stuff

Love / Polish ladies seem to be in high demand at the moment. [105]

That's because many of them possess what ur average man wants. Having travelled a bit, I loved and had to do things by myself but my girl has changed all that (I'm not complaining). She has nominated herself as my document keeper, always makes good meals, cleans everything, is very practical, is beautiful, is HIGHLY artistic, need I go on? I don't wanna sound chauvinistic AT ALL, I'm just very grateful for what she does and how she has enhanced my life. I'm proud to have a Polish girl!!

Life / Brits moving to live in Poland [88]

łazanki is pasta squares mixed with chopped up pieces of kiełbasa (sausage), cabbage, piment and bay leaves. Some Poles throw in caramelised onions with a few choice seasonings. It's all about getting the right texture. The piment (ziele angielskie) should be removed after heating as they are frickin intense in flavour, like a HUGE blast of salt in ur mouth. I love this food with mushroom sauce. It was a revelation to me, I discovered this food relatively recently. AngelNC, what r u not sure about? I'd happily clarify

Life / Brits moving to live in Poland [88]

Trust me, it's mushy and delicious. My Polish girlfriend makes it without mushroom sauce but the bar near me pours it in. Cabbage is used extensively here in Poland, so noticeable. Bigos, gołabki, pierogi, u name it, cabbage finds its place. I am merely the grateful recipient of what my girl dishes up so I'm sure she'd be happy to give u a recipe. My view is, what's the harm in trying?

UK, Ireland / We welcome Polish people to Britain! [224]

Scotland more so than England. The mass exodus of Poles to England certainly brought the bigots and racists out from hibernation. Granted, the Poles have accepted low grade work but at least they have provided variety. One of the guiding principles of the EU Treaty was the freedom of workers to move, just look at the Van Binsbergen case in EU Law, so they are merely exercising a freedom bestowed upon them. Yeah, they don't always register with the relevant authorities but nor do other nationalities. I also should have registered here in Poland earlier than I did but that's the way the cookie crumbles. We are not homogeneous in Scotland like in Japan when I was there, which is why we entertain fresh blood. John Lennon said, "Give peace a chance", I say "Give Poles a chance".

Life / Brits moving to live in Poland [88]

There is special macaroni u can buy for łazanki, it's written on the packaging. Go to a delicatesen or butcher to find a decent sausage, e.g podwawelska or torunska should do the trick, and the other ingredients should be available from standard supermarkets. Fry the onions til they are brown, after that cut the cabbage (kiszoną). Then, add the cabbage to the onions in the pan and cover. Some people add mushrooms (which I know u like). U can add water as u wish. The cabbage can sometimes be prepared/cooked. About 15 mins later, check if the cabbage is soft. If so, discontinue heating. Meantime, u cook the łazanki (pasta). £azanki, u must remember, is a special kind of square pasta. Then u mix the cabbage into/with the pasta. Then, fry the sausage in cubes (finely diced) as u did with the onions/cabbage. This takes about 5 mins. If it's ready, put everything together and mix, especially with the fat from the sausage (this should negate the need for salt). Add pepper (ground) at the end and mix. I love it with a lot of pepper but add to ur own taste. Please ask if u r unsure of anything