Trevek
3 May 2009
UK, Ireland / POLES SUPERIOR TO BRITS? [260]
cartoons and animated films about plasticine men being chased by skyscrapers etc.
Weird animation?
cartoons and animated films about plasticine men being chased by skyscrapers etc.
Trevek
3 May 2009
History / Poland and Ukraine [240]
Well, the Polish had Russian cookers, why shouldn't the Ukrainians have Polish pans?
So would a Russian pan be a Peter Pan?
After all, what would an Ukrainian be without his Polish Pan. ;)
Well, the Polish had Russian cookers, why shouldn't the Ukrainians have Polish pans?
Russia was invented by Peter
So would a Russian pan be a Peter Pan?
Trevek
3 May 2009
Life / Is drinking water in Poland good? [96]
No, I have drunk. Present perfect. drink, drank, drunk
Then why do half of the city have to go to special water points outside their homes?
In Warmia-Mazury the water is sometimes declared unfit to drink, I believe due to algae (or I could be being wound up).
"i have drank" not "i have drunk"
No, I have drunk. Present perfect. drink, drank, drunk
The tap water in Warsaw is perfectly acceptable as drinking water. Go and visit the filtration plant on Filtrowa and check it for yourself.
Then why do half of the city have to go to special water points outside their homes?
In Warmia-Mazury the water is sometimes declared unfit to drink, I believe due to algae (or I could be being wound up).
Trevek
3 May 2009
Law / Documentation required to get married in Poland [13]
I remember having to sign a letter saying I was free to marry (for the church) and then get my mother and sister to go and sign such a letter as well. Obviously cos I'm not catholic so I'm not trustworthy enough!
My wife had to attend marriage classes (on her own, as I was out of the country).
I'd suggest contacting Irish embassy in Poland and see if they can help you with the paperwork.
I remember having to sign a letter saying I was free to marry (for the church) and then get my mother and sister to go and sign such a letter as well. Obviously cos I'm not catholic so I'm not trustworthy enough!
My wife had to attend marriage classes (on her own, as I was out of the country).
I'd suggest contacting Irish embassy in Poland and see if they can help you with the paperwork.
Trevek
4 May 2009
History / Poland and Ukraine [240]
If such a thing happened, one might assume in the same way Poles oppressed Poles (by working for someone else).
At the German war cemetery in Cannock Chase, England, there is a special section "in memory of our Ukrainian comrades".
How can Ukrainians oppress Ukrainians?
If such a thing happened, one might assume in the same way Poles oppressed Poles (by working for someone else).
At the German war cemetery in Cannock Chase, England, there is a special section "in memory of our Ukrainian comrades".
Trevek
4 May 2009
Law / Documentation required to get married in Poland [13]
My own experience in UK was a nightmare, because I was living in Scotland but born in England, so my documents had to go between two sets of admin (Scottish and English) and also 2 Polish embassies/consulates.
When I mentioned it to British Embassy in Warsaw they said if I'd gone to them then they'd have been able to do it all and by-pass the hassle.
My own experience in UK was a nightmare, because I was living in Scotland but born in England, so my documents had to go between two sets of admin (Scottish and English) and also 2 Polish embassies/consulates.
When I mentioned it to British Embassy in Warsaw they said if I'd gone to them then they'd have been able to do it all and by-pass the hassle.
Trevek
5 May 2009
History / Territories of eastern Germany should rightfully belong to Poland? [161]
Why not? They've already joined up with Croatia!
S
And then it'll turn up Germans want to join with Serbia and Crows brain goes *POP*
Why not? They've already joined up with Croatia!
S
Trevek
5 May 2009
Life / What should be done to make life in Poland better and more enjoyable? [94]
It used to be that if you walked into a shop a member of the old-fat-ugly security service followed you around watching to make sure you felt uncomfortable. Now the young assistant shows you the top of her head, whilst talking to her friend behind her, totally ignoring you and just stretching her hand out for the money.
It used to be that if you walked into a shop a member of the old-fat-ugly security service followed you around watching to make sure you felt uncomfortable. Now the young assistant shows you the top of her head, whilst talking to her friend behind her, totally ignoring you and just stretching her hand out for the money.
Trevek
10 May 2009
UK, Ireland / What is in Poland that England doesn't have? [142]
We have them in Britain too.
Out door privvies. It was funny when I visited a heritage museum in Shropshire and people were laughing at the privvy saying, "I bet Grandma remembers them". I'd been using one a week before in Suwalki.
Having seen the summer adverts...
Ticks and Rabies
and the road signs warning them not to go on motorways......
We have them in Britain too.
Out door privvies. It was funny when I visited a heritage museum in Shropshire and people were laughing at the privvy saying, "I bet Grandma remembers them". I'd been using one a week before in Suwalki.
Having seen the summer adverts...
Ticks and Rabies
Trevek
11 May 2009
Life / How to behave in Poland? General etiquette questions. [30]
Isn't that the mother-in-law?
Every Pole has a brown bear tethered up in their back garden for wrestling purposes, it is a well known fact.
Isn't that the mother-in-law?
Trevek
12 May 2009
UK, Ireland / What is in Poland that England doesn't have? [142]
Maybe my memory is playing tricks on me and we don't have them anymore.
Ive never seen a road sign warning Horse Carts not to go on motorways in Britain,and Ive traveled a hell of a lot :)
Maybe my memory is playing tricks on me and we don't have them anymore.
Trevek
12 May 2009
UK, Ireland / Poles flee N. Irleand homes after World Cup riots [70]
Good point. It's worth considering neither NI or RoI had a significant immigrant population until recently.
As for them being catholic, a (catholic) friend from Newry suggested, "They'd be let off a bit because they're foreigners and don't know any better!"
The fact that the Polish are catholic is secondary to them being foreigners
Good point. It's worth considering neither NI or RoI had a significant immigrant population until recently.
As for them being catholic, a (catholic) friend from Newry suggested, "They'd be let off a bit because they're foreigners and don't know any better!"
Trevek
12 May 2009
UK, Ireland / What is in Poland that England doesn't have? [142]
It has been a while since I drove on a UK motorway (maybe it is just written) and I might be thinking of autobahns in Germany.
1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmvrO1fAeuc/SMJpisg60kI/AAAAAAAAAew/fHm4xPPY 7B0/s640/P1010571.JPG[/url]
drivinglessonscork.com/images/m2.gif
It has been a while since I drove on a UK motorway (maybe it is just written) and I might be thinking of autobahns in Germany.
1.bp.blogspot.com/_fmvrO1fAeuc/SMJpisg60kI/AAAAAAAAAew/fHm4xPPY 7B0/s640/P1010571.JPG[/url]
drivinglessonscork.com/images/m2.gif
Trevek
12 May 2009
Life / Polish city streets - why do trucks go around spraying water on them ? [28]
Might be to do with pollen too. Have you ever noticed how much yellow dust there can be after a rainfall?
Might be to do with pollen too. Have you ever noticed how much yellow dust there can be after a rainfall?
Trevek
14 May 2009
Life / LAST JEW IN POLAND - comedy play [5]
I don't know. LPR people seemed to mention it a fair bit!
I do get your point tho'. Interestingly I was in Oswiecim (where Auschwitz/Birkenu museum is for anyone who doesn't know) and saw the grave of the last Jew in Oswiecim who died in 2002 (I think). There is also a working synagogue and Jewish cultural centre. Interesting to wonder how such an allegedly anti-semitic nation allowed that to be founded, isn't it?
One rarely if ever hears the terms Jewish anti-Polonism or Jewish Polonophobia.
I don't know. LPR people seemed to mention it a fair bit!
I do get your point tho'. Interestingly I was in Oswiecim (where Auschwitz/Birkenu museum is for anyone who doesn't know) and saw the grave of the last Jew in Oswiecim who died in 2002 (I think). There is also a working synagogue and Jewish cultural centre. Interesting to wonder how such an allegedly anti-semitic nation allowed that to be founded, isn't it?
Trevek
15 May 2009
Life / How much do you HATE POLISH PEOPLE and POLAND [1260]
lol, like Brits and Irish in Krakow...
morons being the particularly accurate part.
white aryan:
But it angers me when get tanked up on vodka and act the bollox in a country that they are a guest in.
But it angers me when get tanked up on vodka and act the bollox in a country that they are a guest in.
lol, like Brits and Irish in Krakow...
What a fuc#ing oxymoron
morons being the particularly accurate part.
Trevek
15 May 2009
Life / How much do you HATE POLISH PEOPLE and POLAND [1260]
It reduces the non-harmony of idiots who stand wondering and getting in the way of everyone else. Could do with a few in Poland at bus-stops and such!
Pushing people into trains is hardly the model of harmony.
It reduces the non-harmony of idiots who stand wondering and getting in the way of everyone else. Could do with a few in Poland at bus-stops and such!
Trevek
19 May 2009
Life / So it's hit me too, isolation in Poland [46]
I joined a gym and enjoyed nodding to people who also nodded to me, however, I also joined a martial arts club for a while and enjoyed the banter and cameradier (I know, not spelt correctly). Have you thought about joining something like a walking club (Nordic walking seems the in thing) or something like a reading group (bet they'd love to have a native speaker).
When I was in Macedonia I found it hard to do things if I didn't instigate them as there was a process of thought, "We wondered if you'd like to join us on a hill walk but we didn't ask in case you didn't!" Poland's nowhere near that bad but I have found it helps if you approach and join, then folk will come up and make themselves known to you.
So, gym, Polish classes and getting out there is the plan.
I joined a gym and enjoyed nodding to people who also nodded to me, however, I also joined a martial arts club for a while and enjoyed the banter and cameradier (I know, not spelt correctly). Have you thought about joining something like a walking club (Nordic walking seems the in thing) or something like a reading group (bet they'd love to have a native speaker).
When I was in Macedonia I found it hard to do things if I didn't instigate them as there was a process of thought, "We wondered if you'd like to join us on a hill walk but we didn't ask in case you didn't!" Poland's nowhere near that bad but I have found it helps if you approach and join, then folk will come up and make themselves known to you.
Trevek
19 May 2009
Life / So it's hit me too, isolation in Poland [46]
That's the thing... I never actually made 'friends' as such, but did get to know folk by sight. It felt like I was part of something, even if I rarely spoke to them. Since the gym put up it's fees again I didn't bother.
I'm not a nordic walker, and we have loads of forests around Olsztyn, but your own life must be a bit lacking if they provoke such a reaction in you... maybe you secretly yearn to get two sticks and...
Personally Ive never made a friend at the gym
That's the thing... I never actually made 'friends' as such, but did get to know folk by sight. It felt like I was part of something, even if I rarely spoke to them. Since the gym put up it's fees again I didn't bother.
Oh yes. Especially the idiots who enjoy Nordic Walking around your average commie Osiedle.
I'm not a nordic walker, and we have loads of forests around Olsztyn, but your own life must be a bit lacking if they provoke such a reaction in you... maybe you secretly yearn to get two sticks and...
Trevek
20 May 2009
Life / Would you intervene in a mugging on a street in Poland? [16]
A friend of mine was attacked whilst standing in the queue of a fast food kiosk. He was attacked by a gang for no apparent reason (later it was suggested that they'd heard his British accent), kicked to the ground and used as a dance floor.
The cops just stood and watched. They didn't even come down to ask if he was OK after the thugs had moved on.
Be very careful about intervening in a fight in the street. Call the police before you lift a finger.
A friend of mine was attacked whilst standing in the queue of a fast food kiosk. He was attacked by a gang for no apparent reason (later it was suggested that they'd heard his British accent), kicked to the ground and used as a dance floor.
The cops just stood and watched. They didn't even come down to ask if he was OK after the thugs had moved on.
Trevek
20 May 2009
History / World War II - a tragic story for Poland and the World [489]
Haha, never heard that one before!
Problem was, that by 1939 Germany had been allowed to rearm and had been given substantial industrial regions and factories (Skoda factory in Czech, for one) and had also been practising a bit in Spain during the civil war.
They did indeed, inclusing a number of Scottish knights (one of whom, Sir Douglas, was killed in a duel with English knights). By 17th C about 30% of Gdansk was of Scottish heritage.
1939 was a point where you could bend Germany over like a red headed stepchild,
Haha, never heard that one before!
Problem was, that by 1939 Germany had been allowed to rearm and had been given substantial industrial regions and factories (Skoda factory in Czech, for one) and had also been practising a bit in Spain during the civil war.
Wasnt Danzig one of the old Teutonic strongholds? Im sure I read somewhere of british knights heading there as part of a papal approved crusade in the 12th C....
They did indeed, inclusing a number of Scottish knights (one of whom, Sir Douglas, was killed in a duel with English knights). By 17th C about 30% of Gdansk was of Scottish heritage.
Trevek
20 May 2009
History / Heretics Asylum - The First Republic of Poland [50]
It developed after the carving up of Poland. Protestantism and Eastern Orthodoxy were the faiths most connected with Germany and Russia. The Polish identity during the non-Poland years was kept alive and shaped by predominantly RC writers and philosophers. Catholicism itself could be seen as a form of resistance in "Russian" Poland.
Following WW2 Protestantism was equated with German/Nazi/Plebiscite traitors, hence the largely Protestant population of Mazury felt it a good idea to move, and many ethnic germans (protestants) were shipped out too. Orthodox groups like the Ukranians, Lemko etc were shifted about (some to Ukraine) while Catholic Poles were shipped in.
So how did Poland go from accepting all these Calvinists and Quakers, Muslims and Menonites to being almost entirely Roman Catholic?
It developed after the carving up of Poland. Protestantism and Eastern Orthodoxy were the faiths most connected with Germany and Russia. The Polish identity during the non-Poland years was kept alive and shaped by predominantly RC writers and philosophers. Catholicism itself could be seen as a form of resistance in "Russian" Poland.
Following WW2 Protestantism was equated with German/Nazi/Plebiscite traitors, hence the largely Protestant population of Mazury felt it a good idea to move, and many ethnic germans (protestants) were shipped out too. Orthodox groups like the Ukranians, Lemko etc were shifted about (some to Ukraine) while Catholic Poles were shipped in.
Trevek
20 May 2009
History / Heretics Asylum - The First Republic of Poland [50]
Probably why so many Scots travelled there.
Calvinsm was more popular in Poland than Lutheranism because Polish protestants didn't want to take examples from Germany.
Probably why so many Scots travelled there.
Trevek
20 May 2009
History / Heretics Asylum - The First Republic of Poland [50]
Probably, although interestingly enough, a number of Catholic Scots emigrated to Prussia because of religious problems back home.
Probably, although interestingly enough, a number of Catholic Scots emigrated to Prussia because of religious problems back home.
Trevek
20 May 2009
History / World War II - a tragic story for Poland and the World [489]
Something which still rang true until recently when they refused to include the Armenians in the Genocide day in case it offended the Turks.
"Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?"
Something which still rang true until recently when they refused to include the Armenians in the Genocide day in case it offended the Turks.
Trevek
20 May 2009
History / Heretics Asylum - The First Republic of Poland [50]
It was around the late 16th Century. The Jesuit college in Braniewo was co-founded by a Scottish Jesuit. There is a small chapel in the village of Lubomino which was built by a Scot who had had to flee his homeland because of religious troubles. Of course, just because he was Scottish doesn't mean he lived in Scotland, he might have been living in a Scottish community south of the border.
It was around the late 16th Century. The Jesuit college in Braniewo was co-founded by a Scottish Jesuit. There is a small chapel in the village of Lubomino which was built by a Scot who had had to flee his homeland because of religious troubles. Of course, just because he was Scottish doesn't mean he lived in Scotland, he might have been living in a Scottish community south of the border.
Trevek
20 May 2009
Trevek
20 May 2009
History / World War II - a tragic story for Poland and the World [489]
Ah, I see. Would that include the Ancient Prussians too?
Ah, I see. Would that include the Ancient Prussians too?
Trevek
20 May 2009
History / Poland: dont blame us its the Germans. [174]
It is interesting that between the wars Polish ethnologists spent a great deal of time and effort 'proving' that groups like the Lemko and Hutsul were polish and spoke Polish dialects. Come 1947 and Akcja Wisła these groups were redefined 'Ukrainian'.
The Polish 1931 census (from Wiki seems) to indicate that the Ukranians were a larger ethnic minority than Jews in Poland?
It is interesting that between the wars Polish ethnologists spent a great deal of time and effort 'proving' that groups like the Lemko and Hutsul were polish and spoke Polish dialects. Come 1947 and Akcja Wisła these groups were redefined 'Ukrainian'.
Trevek
20 May 2009
Life / So it's hit me too, isolation in Poland [46]
The thing is, what is 'normal' homesickness? In these cases you were amongst people who were roughly the same culture 9can I use the words 'culture' and 'Birmingham' in the same sentence?) and probably operated on the same wavelength a lot.
I've lived abroad, in varying levels of isolation, and one of the tings I miss isn't food, people, TV etc... it's the chance to talk rubbish. Many of my Polish friends think I always have wonderful, intelligent conversation (or at least that's what they tell me) but what I really want to do is talk utter rubbish and stupid, pointless conversation.
Hard to do in another language or with folk who don't necessarily get it in a second language. Some jokes or comments just don't work.
Also, there is the point that you can't always find someone to off-load on (ah, the joy of the internet!) and if you try it with your local colleagues they might think something is wrong, that they've done something, when it is not necessarily anything big.
I don't think normal homesickness is a mental condition (I know you don't mean that but it made me smile).
The thing is, what is 'normal' homesickness? In these cases you were amongst people who were roughly the same culture 9can I use the words 'culture' and 'Birmingham' in the same sentence?) and probably operated on the same wavelength a lot.
I've lived abroad, in varying levels of isolation, and one of the tings I miss isn't food, people, TV etc... it's the chance to talk rubbish. Many of my Polish friends think I always have wonderful, intelligent conversation (or at least that's what they tell me) but what I really want to do is talk utter rubbish and stupid, pointless conversation.
Hard to do in another language or with folk who don't necessarily get it in a second language. Some jokes or comments just don't work.
Also, there is the point that you can't always find someone to off-load on (ah, the joy of the internet!) and if you try it with your local colleagues they might think something is wrong, that they've done something, when it is not necessarily anything big.