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Posts by Cardno85  

Joined: 11 Jul 2008 / Male ♂ 		Last Post: 12 Oct 2017
Threads: Total: 31 / In This Archive: 22
Posts: Total: 973 / In This Archive: 430 		From: Kraków, Poland
Speaks Polish?: Rozumiem ale nie mówic dobrze.
Interests: Cocktails, Cooking, Rugby, Shinty, Reading, Watching Movies

Displayed posts: 452 / page 5 of 16
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Cardno85   
10 Dec 2008
Love / Polish Girlfriend gone missing [154]

In contacting student rep or coordinator or whoever at the university. The point is not to ask for information but if they can deliver a message if they see her. The point is not seem like a stalker or obsessed creep. Acting as an intermediary isn't anything unusual IME. "Please, tell her I'm concerned, here's my contact info in case she's lost it".

That's actually really good, I like that idea a lot. It does put the ball in her court and, although the waiting will be hard, it means that after a while he knows that she has the means of getting in touch and hasn't and the chance is gone.

As for the hypochondriac issue...I am going to start another thread.
Cardno85   
10 Dec 2008
Life / Are Polish People Hypochondriacs? [50]

I am just curious here because I know most of my friends and family will rarely go to the hospital or the doctor unless it's for mandatory shots (going abroad for work, etc), major cuts/broken bones or if they are so ill that they have no option but to go.

Now on monday evening I had a pizza from a certain supermarket chain which I may have undercooked a bit. I got food poisoning. The proper bad boy food poisoning with full on gut wrenching pain and all that. I made it to work and almost passed out before...well we won't go into details...so they sent me home. When I got home I asked my flatmate if she had any painkillers (cos that is all I needed) but oh no...nothing doing but she had to drag me to the doctors (all this time in extreme pain) and then off to the hospital (a further half hour away, me still walking doubled over in pain). Only to be told I have food poisoning and I need to rest and to take some painkillers for the pain. Now not having a go at my flatmate, I know she meant well. However it was a waste of time for the doctors and a waste of recovery time for me.

Plus I hear about people just going to the doctor for all sorts of stupid things. Even just check ups (I haven't been for a check up as long as i can remember, neither has anyone I know) seem commonplace. Is it just me or are people much happier to go to the doctors here than back home? And if so, why?
Cardno85   
10 Dec 2008
Life / Are Polish People Hypochondriacs? [50]

you made a show and don't blame flatmate;)

I was quietly lying about in pain listening to the radio and i heard her up and about so decided to ask her for some painkillers. She asked why and I said I had food poisoning and stomach cramps. Next thing you know she is telling me I have to go to hospital. I say that I don't need to, I just need some painkillers and asked again if she had any. But no, there was no stopping her. I now realise this is quite normal and in future to not mention anything.
Cardno85   
11 Dec 2008
Life / Are Polish People Hypochondriacs? [50]

if we are hypochondriacs , we are very smart ones.. your flatmate prob knows more then you on the subject.. some people tend to dismiss until they are in a situation that puts then in danger.. we at least are smart and dont let it get that far.

To be honest I would say your links were paranoia inducing. It depends what sort of food you have been eating and on a lot of the symptoms.

And how does she probably know more than me on the subject? Has she done her food hygene courses up to a high level which involves knowing all bacteria, symptoms, foods that cause them, etc. I doubt it.

Keeping me in overnight for a bout of food poisoning?!? Fair enough if I had told them I had eaten raw meat or dodgy shellfish...but I hadn't, I had eaten a pizza. Yes it was sore and not pleasant...but drink plenty of water and take some painkillers and you are fine.
Cardno85   
11 Dec 2008
Life / Are Polish People Hypochondriacs? [50]

Basically, medical care is free in Poland if you work legally (insured by your employee or yourself). Why not use it when we think there is a problem? Your taxes go for it.....

It's the same in the UK and not as many people use the doctors or hospitals. Just old people and hypochondriacs on a regular basis.

As for the what if she's right factor. I always would wait at least 48 hours with no change in symptoms before seeing a doctor. I had a headache for a week before I even thought about going to a doctor...then the next day it was gone.

Regards
Dead Next Week
Cardno85   
11 Dec 2008
Love / Polish Girlfriend gone missing [154]

But surely eliminating the father from the equation would solve that problem and he wouln't need to find a nice british lady. Sure the fact you killed her dad might cause an argument or two...but that will be put down to friendly banter in a few years.
Cardno85   
11 Dec 2008
Love / Polish Girlfriend gone missing [154]

It does seem that there is a lot more to this situation than meets the eye. From my personal experience I know I was totally blind to the signs and ignored them and came to Krakow anyway which ended 2 weeks later but looking back I really should have known it was coming.

I can see why this is so troubling for you because, above all else, you are concerned over her safety. How long exactly has she been out of contact for? If it's a chest infection surely 2 weeks would be maximum recouperation time?

I definately wouldn't give up. I would pass on your contact details to the Uni Rep people and make sure she always has a way of contacting you.

Just keep your head up and hope this is just a wee hiccup.
Cardno85   
11 Dec 2008
Love / Polish Girlfriend gone missing [154]

To be honest mate I was just stupid. I ignored too many signs and didn't see that it was obvious that it wasn't gonna last. Things that should have been obvious like her friend telling me before I left that my ex didn't want me to go to Krakow, the fact that before I arrived she only viewed one flat in Krakow, the fact that when I found somewhere that we could stay for a month while we found something else she snapped that up and got me a ticket home "incase" things didn't work out. Looking at it now it was really obvious and I should never have come. But hey, love blinds you at times.

2 weeks after going home from the hospital is a long time for a recovery. But you need to keep in mind, as people have said, the issue that people like to take a long recouperation period here. What we might see as a chest infection that would mean a week in bed tops would probably warrant pnumonia like treatment here.

Also keep in mind that the parents now have her phone. That automatically cuts off a major line of communication they are probably also not letting her use the internet...and if she is they will be watching closely. I think it would be important to make sure the Uni people have contact details to pass on. It would be nice to think people could still remember phone numbers off by heart but it really doesn't happen any more...so if she got your phone number from uni she would be in touch.

Obviously I know your priorities. You would rather know it was over and she was ok than just not knowing...it's the not knowing that kills you. Trust me, I know the feeling.

As I say though, don't lose hope, send another e-mail with your phone number and all contact details (even postal adress so she can send a letter if that's the only way) and tell her how worried you are (you have probably done this already). Then take the uni rep advice, if you can find her class rep or someone she knows at uni that would be really good...someone that could tell you what the script is a bit better.

I'm sure it will work out buddy, don't get too beat up just yet. Stay positive. Hopefully, I will catch up with you and the missus in Krakow for a wee Zywiec around Christmas time!
Cardno85   
1 Jan 2009
Love / Polish Girlfriend gone missing [154]

That's a shame to hear mate. Just goes to show that women are all a bit mental. This is not a dig at the polish...I am not going to open that can of worms...so all women, regardless of age or nationaliy = mental!
Cardno85   
2 Jan 2009
Life / Home In 20 Days - My thoughts on Poland... [36]

So I am heading home in 20 days. I thought I would share my views on life in Poland and any advice I can give to fellow Scots heading over here in the long term.

I have loved my time here. The people are so friendly and so helpful. The highlight being my trip to Rabka for Christmas. My friend knew I was going to be alone and so invited me off to the mountains where I was welcomed into the family and made to feel right at home. Even though I was struggling with the language and the customs were so different to me (not only being non-Polish, but non-catholic as well) I was helped and offered all sorts of delicious items. If anyone gets the chance of attending a good family Christmas then I would reccommend it!

Another highlight (although also low point) has been my work. A place where I met all sorts of people who were so friendly and eager to help me when things didn't go quite right, or if I needed advice about anything.

I found Krakow to be a great city for a foreigner as it is very tourist prepared. It means that when I run out of Polish I can apologise and people can speak english to me. Also the beauty of the city is incredible. I love just walking when it gets dark through the ancient city just looking at all the buildings. Couple that with a great transport system. Coming from the UK it's very strange that when my tram says it will leave at 1452 that it will...near enough to the second every day. Which is handy when planning days and nights.

All in all I will definately come back to this city to work and live, I have really felt at home here. However in future I will keep in mind a few things that I have learned that will be mistakes not to be repeated. For example I will be more organised on arrival. Instead of making sure I had permanent accommodation and all my paperwork (NIP, Bank Account, etc) fully sorted within the first few days. I decided to treat it like a holiday and spend time with some girl. Meaning that when I got down to work and she dissapeared I had the struggle of doing it all myself with no help from this girl and with limited time due to work commitments. I would also make more of an effort before I leave to get my TEFL course and stuff in order to get something a bit better paid. Instead of taking a risk and changing career I stuck with what I knew and ended up with something which has inevitably been my downfall. Struggling to pay rent, going out after work meaning not being able to eat until your next set of decent tips. So go out there, don't be worried about being out of place, go for the best you can and don't just settle for what you know.

So, basically I just wanted to say to all the people who spout abuse about Poland and it's people that they have obviously just had a bad experience or have not been open. I have had 3 really good months, sure it was a struggle for money, I sometimes had language troubles and sometimes wasn't all that happy. But all in all I am glad I came. I have learned a lot and, when I return, I will no doubt be in a position to stay a lot longer.
Cardno85   
2 Jan 2009
Life / Home In 20 Days - My thoughts on Poland... [36]

Thats very true about the people. I have met some great people in my time here that, if I was more organised I would not have. I reckon I could probably stick it out for another couple of months, put out feelers for jobs that pay more and flats that charge less. But, to be honest, I can do all that within 20 minutes of being back home in Glasgow and there I can save some money and come back here more organised, meet up with my friends and spend more time enjoying myself and less time working/lying in bed cos i can't afford to go out.

As for pints tomorrow, I will check out how tips go tonight to see if I can make it.

Leaving is purely a financial reason, home then Norway, make some money and save some up. Then come back and set up with a bit more grounding.
Cardno85   
2 Jan 2009
Life / Home In 20 Days - My thoughts on Poland... [36]

care to elaborate?

Well my friends work in Norway vaccinating fish. It's hard work, but accommodation is paid for, as is food and you earn 800pound a week after tax which is all in your pocket. Plus they go hunting and fishing at weekends so pub trips are rare so it's easy to save money. I can do that for 6 months or so, save up well and either go back to Glasgow and put down a deposit on a flat or come to Krakow and find a job but have savings this time that mean there isn't the same financial pressure. I could spend a few weeks trying to find a well paid job and a flat that is inexpensive but relatively nice. But I can do all of that in Glasgow in a few hours with the amount of people I have befriended in my 6 years behind bars there. Or head back to Inveraray where I have a flat, job and friends waiting. Basically life back home is a lot easier because I have lots of fall back on. Even if everything goes tits up I can head back home to Mum's for a few days until I find something. Here I really don't have much.
Cardno85   
2 Jan 2009
Life / Home In 20 Days - My thoughts on Poland... [36]

All over travelling from fish farm to fish farm in our beast of a jeep. More like no going out because the stuff we vaccinate with is ridiculously toxic and so you need to be fully alert. Plus being on fish farms takes us quite a bit out the way of cities so access to pubs is limited.

I am only 23 so I have plenty of time to make more mistakes and move to other places and fall for other foreign girls!

I hope so too. Hopefully tips should be not bad tonight so I should make it out for one at least.
Cardno85   
2 Jan 2009
Life / Home In 20 Days - My thoughts on Poland... [36]

That's called experience ;)

Yup, a valuable thing too. I have learned a lot so far in my life, but every day is a school day (my dad's mate used to say that all the feckin time).
Cardno85   
3 Jan 2009
Life / HATPINS & KEY-RINGS V MUGGERS? [12]

A totally ridiculous idea. For a start you would be liable to prosecution for assault with a weapon which would likely end in conviction as you used unreasonable force (a weapon) against the attacker. Not worth it to be honest. Coming from a city that has the highest fatal stabbing rate in Europe I hae found the easiest protection from muggers is not to make yourself a victim. Stick to busy areas, always keep your wits about you, perhaps make a phone call to a friend so it is obvious you are in contact with someone. I got mugged twice, both times because I got drunk, got lost in an area i should never have been in very late at night with no people about. I made myself into a victim. It was at fault. If you appear confident in where you are going and what you are doing then you are a less likely target because it gives the impression of strength. Why would you mug someone who is confidently walking towards a certain place knowing what s/he is doing when you can mug some drunk, lost guy who can hardly string a sentence?
Cardno85   
6 Jan 2009
Life / Home In 20 Days - My thoughts on Poland... [36]

Few things I have learned on my trip as well.
-Bring warm clothes
-If trying to get a Sanepid Book or NIP number, bring a Polish speaker with you!
-If you are in DTaylor's house and you see a bath full of water, try not to fall in it.
-Don't try and keep up with SeanBM with the drinks...he's a demon.
-When heading from Dworzec Głowny to the underpass and it's snowing...you are safer and better just sliding down the slope...try and walk and you will end on your arse.

And lots more besides!
Cardno85   
6 Jan 2009
Life / Home In 20 Days - My thoughts on Poland... [36]

I am not too bad at all. I have my clothes back and a nice bruise on my lower back. Gonna have to see that photo...it could become a new PF Logo!
Cardno85   
6 Jan 2009
Life / Home In 20 Days - My thoughts on Poland... [36]

I seem to often fall asleep in baths. I have been found asleep in 18 in total. However they are normally empty at that point.

Seanus...I have no idea what I was doing...I went to the toilet...next thing I knew there was a splash and I was in the bath.
Cardno85   
6 Jan 2009
Life / Home In 20 Days - My thoughts on Poland... [36]

And to add insult to injury, when I went to pick up my wet stuff the next day...it was still full of water!

Blimey - I thought I had a good track record. That's Olympic standard;)

Well I have a habit of falling asleep at parties, then waking up and carrying on...people notice if you go into their bedroom, but if you sleep in the bath and pull the curtain over then no-one notices!
Cardno85   
6 Jan 2009
Life / Home In 20 Days - My thoughts on Poland... [36]

No, I don't even like going swimming that much. Maybe I have aspirations to be eaten by People at Christmas (and you can read that any way you like :P).
Cardno85   
6 Jan 2009
Life / Home In 20 Days - My thoughts on Poland... [36]

It's a really nice place to live, great people, great sights, great beer, great women. Just be organised if you come here...there's a lot of beurocracy and so make sure you have someone with you to help you with forms and questions the office may have. Other than that, come on over and have a ball!