Life / How do you Poles feel about the fact that so many Poles work abroad? [145]

Hi all,

Mexicans in the USA are targeted mainly because they cross the border illegally, contrary to the Poles that cross the UK borders legally, correct? There is a whole anti-Mexican campaign in the States because of that.

As far as abusing the health care system by immigrants (e.g. Poles), I'm sure it happens, nobody denies that. Just like some individuals abuse social benefits as well. And it's not just the immigrants. I am not in favor of that, actually quite the opposite.

Now, I NEVER said that England colonized Poland. I just made a simple observation about how hypocritical (conveniently) certain countries can be :) England's economy would not be where it is now had it not been for hundreds of years of exploitation of foreign soil and people.

Also, what's with all the cursing? Can't you handle a simple debate? Be civil, please.

I am open for any debate, I find it quite stimulating in fact. Every country has some issues, that's just how things are. NO country is perfect. And there is nothing wrong with people wanting to look for a better life elswhere. It's perfectly justifiable and natural.

Final point: costs of living are astronomical not only in England, my friend. I've lived in Poland, in England and now I'm in the USA. People are struggling in many places. What makes it worst is when the cost of living is astronomical and you can't find work. I have no problem working hard, which I am, and paying for my lifestyle which, by the way, is I think quite standard. Even with a good salary in Poland I would never be able to afford things that I can afford here ( a nice car, a nice apartment, dining out in nice places etc. ). And these are considered standard in the US.

The only thing that is killing me in the US is medical expenses, which I have mentioned in some other thread. But for that I go to Poland. Not to England. LOL And I pay out of pocket.

Have a wonderful weekend :)

Life / How do you Poles feel about the fact that so many Poles work abroad? [145]

Hi,

I totally see your point on the senior citizens argument. It's like this in many countries and it is undeniably unfair. But how do you think the government should solve this situation?

Nobody should "feel bad" for the Poles. Such sentiments are uncalled for. In fact, they don't mean a thing. I don't feel bad for the Poles and I am one. I think that the economy is a mess and everything that goes with it, too. But I don't feel "bad". I approach this matter with a clear mind, logic and reason. I FEEL BAD for the people from 3rd world countries. I'm lucky not to be in their shoes.

I am a little unclear on your point about legals vs. illegals in the States. I certainly don't compete with them when it comes to jobs. And vice versa, they don't compete with me, either. Like I want to make minimum wages and cut the lawns, wash cars or clean houses or work at some dirty warehouse or whatever. I would take a job like that if the circumstances forced me to. They have no choice, I do. They will take literally any job that will allow them to support their families and live somewhat decently. I actually give them a lot of credit for doing that.

As far as education, I don't know about the United Kingdom, but I know about Poland and the US. And in the USA the government has financial aid programs for everybody, illegal aliens included. I think it is unfair, well, they are illegal, but at the same time I don't think anybody should be denied the access to obtain education. And that's a dilemma.

I will skip responding to your comment about your language. Freedom of speech. LOL

Life / How do you Poles feel about the fact that so many Poles work abroad? [145]

Hello again,

That's a good question. I don't really know. Maybe they can come to the US? Just kidding :)

I'm sure you know far more about your country then I do, but I've been reading about unemployment benefits and some social benefits per kid in a family and my impression was that some people do not seem to mind accepting them for whatever reason, convenience maybe? And I'm not talking a few months, I'm talking a long time. I've seen it happen in the States, too. Especially amongst minorities, you know, welfare checks.

So, you're saying locals can't obtain work at all? Or in some sectors only? Big cities or in suburban areas?

I completely see your point on many aspects of immigration. But you have to admit that there has been almost a campaign targeting the Polish. It's like there is a campaign against Mexicans in the USA. The issues are a little different, but there is a resemblance in the approach to that.

We all agreed to be a part of the EU, for better or for worse. LOL Now we have to bear the consequences of this union, contractually I mean. The problems will always be there. It's a complex matter.

G.

Life / How do you Poles feel about the fact that so many Poles work abroad? [145]

Puzzy,

It's Gab, not Gaby. And Gab is a "she", not a "he".

Now, let's clarify another thing: Polish economy is getting better, but it is still a mess. If somebody refuses to see it, it's a whole different issue. I'm not going to embellish Poland's economical situations. I'm talking details, my friend. It's actually funny you should say Polish economy is so great. Last time I checked, it wasn't.

No, I don't feel bad for the Poles. I might feel angry, but I don't feel bad. Things upset me, that's all. Do you think sentiments are going to change anything? Hell no. I changed my attitude and became proactive. And I suggest that other people do the same. If they continue to feel bad for themselves, if they wait for the government to do something for them, oh well, I wish them luck. But it won't get them anywhere. That's actually my advice.

And one last thing. I love Poland and I love my family. Poland will always be my home. No matter how screwed up things might be over there. I wish I didn't have to leave. I am proud of my heritage, so please don't try to call me a sellout or whatever it is that you called me. And I respect people's decisions. Some decided to stay, some decided to leave. I know both sides of the story, my friend. I' living it every day of my life! Being a Pole I have all the rights to point things out about my own country, whether they are good or bad. And I'm not afraid to do so. Neither am I ashamed.

Love / My polish g/f can be a nightmare,is it always like this [262]

Smiffer,

Good decision, my friend. We are all proud of you here!!! Best of luck to you :)

G.

Life / How do you Poles feel about the fact that so many Poles work abroad? [145]

Isthatu,

Thank you for such an elaborate answer :) Like you said, it all comes down to one thing: regular people face the repercussions of this. How can we find a happy medium? Can we?

I knew we would be friends again :) LOL

I will be gone for a little over than a month, but when I get back, I'll catch up on things here.

So long :)

Language / Capitalization of Cie, Ciebie, and others [17]

Hi acrimon,

All these forms, i.e. Cie/Ciebie/Ty/Twoj/Twoja/Twoi/Twoje/Wasz/Wasze/Wasi should be capitalized according to a capitalization rule of Polish (see Polish grammar/punctuation/capitalization). It's actually considered a grammatical mistake if you don't.

We do not capitalize adjectives like polski/hiszpanski/amerykanski/niemiecki etc. which in are capitalized in English. That would be Polish/Spanish/American/German respectively.

Now, the language is evolving and certain linguistic rules/trends might be modified. Plus, formal vs. informal writing should be considered as well.

I even capitalize the words "Mamo" and "Tato" (mom and dad) in letters or on postcards as an expression of the utmost respect for my parents. But I also know some people who don't do that.

G.

:)

Language / Pronunciation difference between Ź and Ż / RZ [83]

HI,

Does anybody know a phonetic transcription system of Polish for non-Polish speakers?
Maybe we should ask prof. Miodek? Maybe he wrote a book about it or something?

It's actually "W Szczebrzeszynie chrząszcz brzmi w trzcinie" LOL Not that it makes it any easier :)

Language / Pronunciation difference between Ź and Ż / RZ [83]

HI Switezianka,

I was looking for some pointers for the forum members learning Polish. Polish is my mother tongue. But thanx, anyways.

G.

USA, Canada / Fun places in Greenpoint, NY? [9]

Hi,

Check out EXIT club. Their website isn't all that great, but the club itself is really cool :)

USA, Canada / Fun places in Greenpoint, NY? [9]

Hi,

The two times I went there was with an international group, but yes, we heard Polish all around us. And then English. The club looks like some of the places I had seen in London :) I really liked it.

USA, Canada / Fun places in Greenpoint, NY? [9]

Hi,

No idea. I just know this EXIT club :)

Language / How to say that you dont speak polish in polish? [23]

I don't speak Polish. = Nie mowie po polsku.
Do you speak English? = Mowisz po angielsku?

I'd say you will be safe in Poznan with your English only. A lot of people speak English these days. Even if it's only some English. But it's nice you want to learn some Polish :)

"Nie znam język polski" (I do not know the polish language) - incorrect.

Nie znam jezyka polskiego = I don't know Polish
Short: Nie znam polskiego

Language / How to say that you dont speak polish in polish? [23]

Hi all,

I've seen many times foreigners with Polish phrases and expressions written down on sheets of paper, you know, survival Polish, and I think it's a great idea!

Also, cities like Poznan, Warsaw, Wroclaw, Krakow, they all have tourist info centers. If you ever get lost or confused or whatever, just contact them. If you need a hotel or a room to rent, or if you have any questions, they will help you out :) And they are normally located in the heart of the city, usually old town square etc. Don't forget about emergency numbers! Better to be safe that sorry :)

Travel / WE ARE BACK FROM POLAND AND HERE IS OUR REPORT [96]

Hi all,

Whoever is traveling to Poland next, please don't forget to add Wroclaw to your itinerary. Parts of Wroclaw are absolutely stunning!

Travel / WE ARE BACK FROM POLAND AND HERE IS OUR REPORT [96]

Hi all,

From now on let's share our experiences from our trips, wherever we travel. I'm quite impressed by this great report, lots of helpful pointers for those of you who have never visited Poland :) I excluded myself from this group because I go to Poland quite frequently considering the distance and the costs :)

I wish we (Polish folks) could smile more. When a friend visited me in Poland once before I moved to the States permanently, he noticed the same exact thing. "Did someone die?" was his question LOL Oh well, I didn't know how to explain it to him. And that was long before Poland joined the EU. My experience even here and now is that we don't smile in the USA either. So I guess it is our thing :) I mean not everybody at least.

Anyways, gotta go :)
G.

USA, Canada / Fun places in Greenpoint, NY? [9]

Sure :)

Language / Polish v Russian - similarity [17]

Hi,

What funny tense thing?

Language / Polish v Russian - similarity [17]

Hi :)

I'd say if you want to learn some Polish, just do Polish. Otherwise you might get even more confused. Maybe in the future you can try Russian, but not as a "crossover" into Polish.

I am a native speaker of Polish and do speak some Russian, too. I actually understand more Russian than I can produce on my own. I get easily confused when using Russian, which is kind of funny actually considering many similarities between these two languages. On the other hand, there are many differences, too.

So good luck to you :)
Let me know how it goes

Work / What is a good salary in Warsaw (office job)? [10]

Hi,

Warsaw, Ernst & Young... A lot :)

Work / What is a good salary in Warsaw (office job)? [10]

Do some research on Ernst & Young. Their compensation is really good and I would negotiate. 6000PLN for your position in this company in Warsaw is peanuts. I'd say double of this, if not more.

Language / How to say that you dont speak polish in polish? [23]

Hi,

I've tried to teach a few of my American friends SOME Polish.... Ain't gonna happen :)
They were unable to understand both the use of cases in Polish and the reason why we even have that.

In Polish certain things are interrelated like 3 genders, cases, plural/singular, moods and inflectional endings that go with it, unfortunately. We have a declination of nouns, pronouns, numerals. We conjugate every single verb depending on singular/plural, tense, mood.

Hence the complexity of verb endings, noun endings and so on.

We do not use definite/indefinite articles though, so that's a relief I guess :)

Bottom line, Polish is a very challenging language to acquire, but some people do it! I actually give them a lot of credit for that.

When I had to take 2 years of Latin in college, I just couldn't do it. And all the things that I mentioned above were so extremely difficult for me in Latin. I guess in Polish I use it without even thinking about, in Latin not so much. Isn't it kind of funny? I passed my exams, but not with flying colors :) In Latin, that is.

G.

Work / What is a good salary in Warsaw (office job)? [10]

You're very welcome :)

Travel / Touring Poland by Car & stay B&B: Pre-book or "wing-it"? [9]

Yes, they do. Every major Polish city has tourist centers, just google them.

inyourpocket.com/country/poland.html - might be of some help

If not, just google the city you're interested in. Major Polish cities have their own websites, e.g. Krakow, Wroclaw and many more.

Good luck

Travel / Touring Poland by Car & stay B&B: Pre-book or "wing-it"? [9]

Warsaw, Cracow, Wroclaw (=Breslau), Torun, Gdansk, Kazimierz Dolny, Malbork, Zakopane would be my favorites. Maybe not in that order because they are all over Poland :)

I'm originally from Wroclaw, so if you need any pointers about Wroclaw (the capital city of Lower Silesia region), just let me know.

Travel / CentralWings - are there any positive views? [10]

No. Cancel your flight with Centralwings, you'll be better off.

Travel / CentralWings - are there any positive views? [10]

That's a good idea. They canceled my flight the day before. They notified me via email. And I was flying from Wroclaw to Shannon I think. Take care :)

Life / advice on mafia??? and business in Poland? [10]

Where in Wroclaw are you planning to open a restaurant? I might drop in in December :)

As far as your question goes...I'm not quite sure how it all works. But I've heard it happens.

Life / advice on mafia??? and business in Poland? [10]

I wouldn't quite go by that. Connections are always good to have. Even the dirty ones.

Work / Access to Live in Poland to raise my son [13]

Real smooth on your part... Using a child to gain access to the EU. I feel bad for the wife and the baby.