Life / Filling Prescriptions at the Pharmacy [5]

Sometimes an "empty" is used in official documents in the form YYMMDD00000 where YY MM DD is your date of birth, but I'm not sure about prescriptions. In case of EU residents the ID from your E-111 patient's ID card (or similar) should be used instead. First try another pharmacies, if it doesn't help contact your doctor about the problem.

News / EU elections in Poland: excuses for not voting please [43]

I voted, but I didn't know if I should or not. Mostly because the amount of money each party gets is based on the number of people who voted (in total, then divided based on the number of winners from each party). I don't think any party deserves any money.

Life / Polish city streets - why do trucks go around spraying water on them ? [28]

It's a procedure used on dirt roads to keep them intact (tarmac doesn't need this). Nowadays it's only practiced in villages not out of necessity but mostly because they've always been doing it, so why stop?

Life / Poles in Poland: How did you learn your English? [60]

The ultimate answer: Cartoon Network
Back when it was in English only :) I've been watching Jetsons, Flintstones, Scooby Doo and other classics at least 3-4h a day when I was in the 5th and 6th grade (12-13yo). Not only did I watch cartoons but also played computer games (I still prefer English versions to Polish ones, due to unbelievably low quality of voice-overs and translations). My favourites were the Fallout and The Monkey Island series, mostly due to Player-NPC interaction.

That being said I have to say that English classes in public schools (and even universities) while being better than nothing (see Italy), are extremely bad. Teachers just going through the motions, repeating grammar and so called "proper" English using outdated articles from the 80s and even 70s (in an English book for teaching IT related English... from 30 years ago). As Nizzy said, the classes in schools are considered only as something that everyone has to pass (I suppose because there's no teacher grading programme) and not something that lets one learn useful things.

Work / I have a "zero" chance to succeed in Poland - I do not have a degree! [93]

It's not about elitism, at least not among normal people*. During high unemployment years (early 90's) most businesses chose to employ people with titles. That's why there was a lot of demand for getting one. Demand was met with supply when private univs started to pop up. First it was on a "buy-a-degree" basis. So of course degrees from private univs weren't regarded as "real education" in comparison to public univs. Later the level equalised mostly due to competition between private schools, employing more and more professors from public ones. The main difference between private and public schools today are the students. Most private school students were rejected by public ones. Public ones can't collect money for daytime studies, so most have entry exams while private ones try to maximize profits and use “matura” grades for recruitment requirements.

Since education in Poland was and is "free" for the best students (no semester based payments required) in comparison to commercialized US higher education, people with lots of skill never had much problems with getting MA (bachelor was introduced recently). That's why a person without a degree even in a private school is percieved as someone without ambitions.

* there are still people (I mostly encouter them among language and philology teachers) that feel offended when not addressed by their title, quote “Here in the Poznan University of Technology the proper way to address science staff is by their title, so please use 'pani magister' in the future”, which was quite funny... usually only the title “proffesor” is used when addressing a well known and respected prof.

Life / Do I need a license to use a scooter in Poland? [8]

You don't need a licence for a scooter with an engine smaller than 50ccm and a speed limiter (50km/h AFAIR). Ask in a scooter shop, they'll know.

USA, Canada / Polish American as US Republican vice-presidential candidate? [13]

As a PL national and non-polonian I'd like to ask a very important question: Why are Polonia members (not only in US) always looking at Pol-Am (Pol-whatever) politicians as if they were saviors of the nation, traditionalists or family people? Is it so important?

From my observations opinions about how a country should be ruled varies between Poles and other groups aswell (ok, maybe not so much in political parties).

UK, Ireland / polish pilots nearly crash plane in britain [13]

- Lufthansa (in German): Ground, what is our start clearance time?
- Ground (in English): If you want an answer you must speak in English.
- Lufthansa (in English): "I am a German, flying a German airplane, in Germany . Why must I speak English?
- Unknown voice from another plane (in a beautiful British accent): Because you lost the bloody war!

P.S.
As incubus said fluent English isn't required, only basic messages (usually used in a very repetitive manner).

USA, Canada / Who will be the best US President for Poland? [15]

None of the candidates spoke directly about Poland. From my point of view McCain is a religious-for-show type that does nothing and isn't veracious (vide his "fishing" photo), Obama at least knows what he is talking about and has done some real stuff in the past. Clinton is just a show woman with a good name, but IMO Madonna would make a better show.

Besides, the results are already leaked: theonion.com/content/video/diebold_accidentally_leaks

Travel / Is it safe to take a train in Poland? [35]

I'd just recommend using InterCity (TLK or IC trains) and not Przewozy Regionalne

"Pospieszne" and "Osobowe" are usually overcrowded or completely empty, since noone cares about passenger count in Przewozy Regionalne.

Other than that just use your brain, don't take candy from strangers etc.

Travel / Finally moving to poland (Poznan)! [28]

How could I miss this thread? Count me in on the meeting.

Life / Opening a savings accounts in a Polish bank [27]

You need one document confirming your identity (in PL only the "dowód osobisty" or your passport can confirm identity). So if you're a foreigner you need a passport. In most cases starting an account is as easy as leaving/sending them a photocopy of the page with your data and photo + signing an agreement (usually available on their webpages).

Travel / EasyJet suspends flights to Gdansk [9]

Yes, most internal flights go through Warsaw Okęcie and are to be avoided at all costs unless your hobby is aviation archeology. InterCity trains are usually much more reliable and time efficient.

Life / A question on PS2 Games Bought In Poland [5]

Don't ask us, ask SONY. From PC-game experience I can tell you that there are games with English sound +subtitles & menus, there are some fully Polonised ones, and there used to be English only games (not seen so often anymore). In some cases you can change the subtitles/menus but noone packages sounds for all languages unless it's a freely available game with language packs.

I wouldn't be surprised if PS2 games had regional lock-in. Just mail the manufacturer/official dealer of the game in question.

History / What Happened in the Danzig Corridor 1939? Poles Slaughtering Germans? [133]

@lesser:


Oh please don't call me a fanatic. And yes I'm an opponent fooling innocent people into giving their life's savings to some crazy radio. If you are looking for enemies everywhere feel free to place me on the Judogermanic members of the Russian Freemasonry list. Thanks for your voice but I don't want to feed the troll anymore.

@Harry:


That's interesting and I've never heard about RAF taking off and heading for Germany in the first days of war. It would be great if you could provide some details or sources.

@joep:


Let's assume for a moment that most history books are true and that gassings were done the way they are described, ie: after getting a full cargo carriage of victims and unloading them in a concentration camp German guards tell them to take a bath first (after being locked for a few days in a carriage without water and food that would seem quite welcome) so they go to baths, the door are shut, gas released and no additional guards required. Bodies are handled by prisoners. How many people can be killed that way in an hour in a room 30m x 6m with a decent ventilation system?

Life / Shopping for Polish brands/labels [8]

There's the

factory.pl

Factory Outlet

History / What Happened in the Danzig Corridor 1939? Poles Slaughtering Germans? [133]

The Bloody Sunday incident happened, the killing is confirmed by both sides. One thing we can't be sure of is why this happened. We don't know if German forces made it to Bydgoszcz and used the same provocative tactics as in Silesia or did the Polish soldiers panic, or maybe some civilians attacked Polish soldiers? I'm sure that whatever happened, it has been blown out of proportion by Goebbel's propaganda.

@Harry: I'm afraid I have to disagree. UK didn't fight for Poland, they did begin the "strange war" on the 3rd of Sept 1939. Refer to the Abbeville agreements (12 Sept 1939) between France and GB. There was no military action from GB until the Battle of Brittain (which begun in July/Aug 1940). So they actually sat where they were until attacked by Germans and fought until they secured most of France then agreed with the USA to sell us to the USSR after the war (in thanks for helping fight the Japs).

That said I'd like to remind you all that AFAIR UK didn't have an obligation to start an armed conflict with an invader (that part was to be signed but they never made it before the 1st of Sept 1939), but that would have to be reviewed by a historian as I don't have the legal text of the agreement with me.

Also the fact that GB claimed (until recently) to have found an algorithm to break the enigma (military plugboard version) code annoys many of us. But history taught in different countries just differs, many Russians still believe that USSR was in opposition to the Hitler-driven Germany from the beginning.

@joep: If you want to know what really happened why not view some interviews with people who lived through the war? Maybe some Germans who survived concentration camps in Germany (there were camps for people opposing Hitler). I've heard many of "your" theories from extreme nationalists and racists in Poland an among US polonia (driven by Radio Maryja + Nasz Dziennik and other "patriotic journalism"). Please review your theories twice before issuing statements about the truth. My grandpa survived Auschwitz and lots of corpses were burned there.

Have a nice day :)

Language / Which case for adjectives? [47]

free.of.pl/g/grzegorj/gram/liczeb02.html

The table on the right is self explanatory, isn't it?
And also it's how a native would decline dwa.

And Mr. Malinowski is not a reliable source, he disagrees on many things with the Rada Języka Polskiego and introduces many archaic forms which died out years ago.

Life / Polish Military Pay [10]

A fresh conscript after enrollment gets around 150-200PLN/month + uniform, food, bed. A pro soldier (lowest rank) gets around 500PLN/month. You get additional money for tours and a bonus if the tour is in a warzone.

Work / Moving to Poland with my work - which town should I choose? [25]


Poznań, however be prepared to get something far from the city centre...
I heard Wroclaw is great too, never spent much time there though.

Study / Polish University Exchange [6]

Also remember that Technical Universities in Poland are technically not Universities... (a separation influencing funding sources etc.). So google for "University of Technology" or "Politechnika".

Travel / Taking a Camper (Motor-home) to Poland [16]

I would suggest getting a map (a paper one or for GPS) with bridge/underpass heights, it shouldn't be a problem on the main roads. But it all depends on what you're planning to visit (some places might not be directly accessible for tall vehicles). If it's a vehicle above 7.5 metric tons I'd check if the "truckless sundays" apply.

Life / The strangest things in Poland [468]


you are allowed to wear thongs, however wearing nothing but shirt and thongs in the middle of the street would surely draw some attention (except near the seaside/lakeside in the summer).

Australia / Polish postal services - parcel delay sent from Australia [13]


What year? While it might be a silly question elsewhere it's not silly when it comes to Poczta Polska.

Life / Aster - how the hell does it work?? [4]

no prob

Life / How Long for a Pole to get a passport [10]

You can call the USA consulate in Poznań and ask if she can get a visa there (it's located near plac Wielkopolski). There's probably no need to go over Wisla just to get a visa.

USA Consular Agency
ul. Paderewskiego 8
61-770 Poznań
Tel: +61 851 8516
Fax: +61 851 8966

Life / Aster - how the hell does it work?? [4]

You've got internet (and the phone also) over the cable TV antenna wire. The easiest way to get both to work is to buy a splitter (a good one for around 10-15PLN). Now the wiring is a bit tricky due to the fact that there are so many plugs :).

The best splitters have F type sockets only also the most commonly used socket on the cable modems (screw on type). The TV's usually have an M or D socket (I don't really remember which one - D plug fits into an M plug and vice-versa).

So all you have to buy is:
-1 splitter (pl. spliter) with 1 input and 2 outputs (or 3 if you'd like to add a second TV)
-75Ohm antenna wire to connect stuff (ask for RTV antenna wire)
-enough plugs to put on the wire
Don't buy this stuff in a large store, avoid plastic casing of the plugs (metal ones are better, the plastic ones fall apart after a week). In a small, specialised store the staff will probably know how to properly put the plugs on the wires - for a small fee or for free).

Schematic attached - red is the way you used to connect the telly. Required plug types are in [bold in square brackets]

Also most cable TVs have a paragraph (in their Terms of Service) stating that they will add a free splitter free of charge - so bug them for it or ask someone that. Most cable TVs use a wall-mounted splitter with two F-type outputs.

If you've got any more questions just ask.

P.S.
The forum seems to cut the image... click to view whole.

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  Schematic