Travel / Kraków Restaurants [19]

I have met many a nice Polish girl, but sadly the large bald fellows next to them don't seem to like me too much.

Although possibly a date on the cards tomorrow night now, so will find somewhere nice to eat.

I am not a big "dinner to celebrate" kind of person. More of a "dinner to fill the stomach before going out to celebrate" kind of person...so the milk bars could be an ideal shout.

Travel / Kraków Restaurants [19]

It was a joke...

Life / Thanksgiving Dinner in Krakow... [6]

I am very sorry for plugging my own place of work here. But Manzana on Ul. Miodowa in Kazimierz and Metropolitan just off the Main Square are doing Thanksgiving Dinner tonight. You are advised to give them a phone and book up in advance though. For contact information: manzana.com.pl

Life / Thanksgiving Dinner in Krakow... [6]

I thought that. Basically the owner of Metro and Manzana is American and so he does the Thanksgiving thing. Roast Turkey and Pumpkin Pie tonight in both establishments. I had a taste of the Pie last night, it's bloody lovely!

Life / Thrift Stores in Warsaw [9]

I was looking for the same sort of thing in Krakow, my friends told me there are second hand/vintage shops in Kazimierz but I can't find any. Any ideas?

Life / Celebrating Christmas in Poland [52]

I have been invited by a friend from work to spend Christmas in the Mountains with his family. Obviously I accepted this gracious offer. Now is there anything that I would be expected to bring, say, etc. And is there anything that I might do as a Scotsman, without thinking, that would cause great offence to his family...I understand that this country is a lot more religious, and there are huge cultural differences especially in small towns. After being so nice as to invite me to a family Christmas as I am away from my family, I would hate to do something really offensive by accident.

Life / Celebrating Christmas in Poland [52]


I have been told there will be minimal drinking...

So get a wee present for everyone, something a bit more for any kids and my friend.

Make sure I eat everything (even force things down i don't like) and don't eat too much and appear greedy.

Stick on my suit (or kilt if my mum has it cleaned, pressed and couriered in time).

Follow that and I should be fine?

Work / Living on the certain income in Poland [30]

I live on about 2000pln a month quite happily...

Life / Celebrating Christmas in Poland [52]

Not more home-made vodka? I had that in Scotland with my friends from Białystok...nightmare...although I became fluent in Polish after 3 shots!

Sounds like fun, supposedly his family are not particularly religious which is a relief...although with it being a very small town I reckon they will probably be rather traditional.

I can't imagine anything going seriously wrong. I like food, I like drink...families seem to like me.

I just hope he doesn't have a really hot sister...

Life / Celebrating Christmas in Poland [52]


Haha, I guessed that. I don't even know if he has a sister to be honest. Although that would definately be a Christmas to remember, being stoned to death in the Polish mountains.

So just write who it's for. I will talk to my mate and ask who is all going and rough ages. Get paid next week so will make sure and get gifts in advance...hate doing last minute Christmas stuff. What are normal gifts...is it the same as back home (ie.drink, sweets, books, etc) or are there traditional things that hosts would expect?

And I will need to get in touch with mum to get my Kilt out in time. My birthday presents arrived within about a week and a half...so hopefully get the kilt posted in a couple of days. Christmas wouldn't be the same without it!

Life / Celebrating Christmas in Poland [52]

Cool, this is going to be a doddle. Bring whisky, drink vodka, wear kilt, eat food, don't touch sisters...easy meat!

Now I need to get to work on presents. I never really give whisky as a Christmas present as it's a New Year thing...but I will bring a bottle regardless.

Life / Celebrating Christmas in Poland [52]

No-one makes Tablet as good as my gran! I heard Krówki is nothing special. I could make a big huge haggis. I would need a day or two off work to sort it out though, and find myself someone to find me a good butcher that can get me ingredients.

That's an idea, if I can't get home to Scotland, then bring Scotland to the Tatras!

Now where can I get them some Irn Bru?

Life / Celebrating Christmas in Poland [52]

If it's not Barrs then it will not pass my lips!

I reckon I will ask some folk in work as well for some present tips. Normally if visiting a family back home of my mates I would just bring a bunch of food and drink in a hamper. But if it is individual presents here I am actually gonna have to think about it!

As for the kilt issue, I can deal with being laughed at. As I've always said, the best accessory to a kilt is confidence! Plus I've worn it all round the world and been the butt of jokes for it, no big deal!

I honestly can't wait. Add that onto the traditional Scottish New Year I am having after work with my mates and it should be a good festive season.

Life / Celebrating Christmas in Poland [52]

Sadly I don't have my own. Although I can wear my mum's Nicolson tartan I am not a fan of Red Tartans so, with my one call up to Scotland's U-18 rugby team I decided that I have every right to wear the SRU tartan.

Should be looking good, if I get some pictures I will get them posted!

Life / Celebrating Christmas in Poland [52]

Right, so eating not too much is a matter of necessity not vanity. Cool.

I have e-mailed my mum and it looks like the kilt is on the way. Pictures will follow after Christmas for those interested.

And I have discovered that it is Rabka Zdrój that I will be off to. So does that make any difference to customs (I know throughout Scotland people do different things so it would be naive to think different in Poland) that I should be aware of? Plus, anything I should make a point of seeing if I have any time while I am there?

I cannot wait for this, although it will be odd to not be doing the usual Christmas thing: me slaving away in the kitchen from morning til night (ever since I trained as a chef 3 and a bit years ago my mum has made the most of it), dad drunk by noon, whole family fallen out by 4, me in the pub by 9...oh how I will miss it.

Genealogy / Average height of Polish women [107]

I prefer smaller women, but I think that's more down to my celtic genes and scottish upbringing leading me to be a bit of a midget. If they can wear heels and still be at my height then they are an ideal height for me.

Life / Rudeness of polish people when they are drunk [43]

I know when I get drunk I start buying people drinks and telling them I love them.

Never been much of a drunken fighty type.

Genealogy / Average height of Polish women [107]

Tom Cruise does alright...

Genealogy / Average height of Polish women [107]

Fair point, I guess I will have to rely on my charm and wit then...oh dear...

Life / A trip to a Polish supermarket [136]

On the other side of the coin (pardon the pun). Why not go in and do all your shopping in 20gr and 10gr coins...they seem to like the change so much.

Life / A trip to a Polish supermarket [136]

I did it yesterday in tesco to the girl that always gives me a very angry look when i don't have change. 17pln in coins...50gr max value.

I brightened up her day i am sure.

Food / Food On A Budget [11]

That's what I thought...i reckon if i walk the extra 5 minutes to Tesco I can grab some tesco value stuff and have a feast :)

Food / Food On A Budget [11]

For 20pln you can eat quite a bit in a bar Mleczny...but i don't know where my nearest one is.

So I went to Tesco, got some bread, TVL light spread, TVL Cheese, some meat selection that was cheap and a 1kg TVL pizza...all for the modest 16pln. Oh, and some fish fingers.

Not the best in quality or health...but it will keep me fed for the next 9 hours or so before i fall asleep.

Life / bed sheets in Poland...are them shorter ? [19]

I thought it was just me that thought this. Everywhere I go the sheets to be the exact size of the matress without any space to tuck them under and keep them secure. Seemed odd to me...but it was rather minor compared to the amount of other things over here which seem a bit strange.

Love / do polish girls consider a english man a good catch ? [126]

Personally I think they should really be looking at Scottish bartenders...we are a great catch!

Love / How Many Dates Before Sex in Poland? [86]


Excuse me...but I would be all over the Ladies Hervey and that mad princess that does equestrian in the olympics like a rash!

Love / How Many Dates Before Sex in Poland? [86]

I think it depends the scenario. Over here, like the UK, you can meet a girl in a club and end up doing the no pants dance that night. But, again, like home, that's not always the best basis for a relationship (don't get me wrong, i have friends who are married now that met in a club). I would reckon the average around the world would be around about 4-5 dates. Obviously not if they are mega religious or are from a culture that prohibits sex before marriage. But for the normal, not-so-religious person I would reckon between 3 and 5 dates.

Life / bed sheets in Poland...are them shorter ? [19]

Or if you are sleeping at my grans house:
0/Pillowcase
1/Matress Cover
2/Electric Blanket
3/Fitted Sheet
4/Flat Sheet
5/Comforter
6/Woolen Blanket
7/Patwork Quilt
8/Topsheet

Always a snug night!

Life / When in Poland, should I be British or Scottish? [104]

I have always said I am Scottish in conversation. However I write British as my nationality on official documents as I have a British Passport.

I think in conversation it's best to say Scottish. After all if you meet an English person they would say England, Welsh folk would say Wales, etc

And if you want to wear tartan skirts I am sure it will go down a treat. I know I can't wait to get my Kilt in 4 or 5 days :D