News / POLES STILL NEED VISAS TO THE U.S.A!! [84]

The EU cares about Poland just like the USA does...as much as it serves them. People act like it is some personal attack on Poland when the fact is all nations are self serving.

You know what the West of the EU sees Poland as? A buffer between Russia and a source of cheaper labor. And that fact really irritates Poles...rightly so. But instead of acknowledging that Poles are no different and would be exactly the same if they were in the West and say UK was up against the Bear most Poles act superior and egotistical about it...as if their sh!t doesn't stink.

Most people are selfish...it is a fact. Nations are bigger gatherings of selfishness. It is life and yeah it sucks but it is not a conspiracy against Poland.

USA, Canada / Canadian Driver License into Polish [6]

No you cannot exchange it. If you want a Polish license you have to take the classes and the tests.

You can drive temporarily in PL on it however...I think 3 months by the law but not 100% sure. I have heard mixed answers as to if you need the International Driver's p Permit along with it (not a license but a paid translation of your home license and ai money making scam really)

News / POLES STILL NEED VISAS TO THE U.S.A!! [84]

So I should stand by while people lie and make things up because they are feeling shunned? Not hypocritical at all. I still would like the racist "f@#k the USA" type stuff deleted. Anything critical said about Poland is met with a barrage of insults...yet people can slag off the USA all day and they get cheered on. THAT is hypocrisy.

An yeah I have had plenty enough of smarmy comments from people like you. Thankfully there are some decent folks here with real info.

After a bunch of nonsense and outright misinformation Harry gave me valid help. Too bad more people can't follow his lead.

News / POLES STILL NEED VISAS TO THE U.S.A!! [84]

Criticize all you want. Just don't be a baby when you get it back.

And there is a clear difference between criticism and "f@#k the USA"

I didn't have a problem with anyone here until I started getting blamed for Poland's inadequacies and hypocrisies by people with nothing better to do than be arses.

No I think my profile is fine...it still applies to people like you. But thanks for asking.

News / POLES STILL NEED VISAS TO THE U.S.A!! [84]


But do they have as many ILLEGALS proportionately? I don't have figures but I bet no.

And the standard of living comment is subjective and yet another attempt to get your digs in at the USA. You have your mind made up and refuse to acknowledge the cause. It is much easier to blame the USA.

News / POLES STILL NEED VISAS TO THE U.S.A!! [84]

Hypocrite...he insults you and you insult him. Just because you do it in a different way doesn't make you better.

Have a good day.

News / POLES STILL NEED VISAS TO THE U.S.A!! [84]

Your opinion doesn't equal fact ukpolska....but keep trying for the high ground.

The difference between me and the majority of posters here is that when asked for information I don't make things up or post sarcastic responses because I am bored. It seems to be 'cool' to insult people and screw with them as a first contact.

I would have not had a problem at all had I not been given a bunch of nonsensical info that made things more difficult and then had to endure being blamed for the problems rather than the real cause. Just like the visa waiver thing...it is so much easier to blame others than those responsible for the problem.

That is the hypocrisy.

Life / 90-DAY VISA-FREE STAYS IN POLAND? [19]

Probably...maybe...I heard...none of that matters.

The new way is as a few people have said.

Countries that are allowed visa free travel to Poland get 90 days maximum in a 180 day period. Crossing a border does not get you another 90 days following the first as it used to before Schengen. There are always people going out and coming back without being checked or with the border guard not paying attention but you can't depend on this and I have seen people stopped and taken off the train. Any time you interact with police or border guards you are risking deportation from the entire Schengen if you are not legal.

If you intend to apply for a Karta Pobytu (residency card) you must apply a minimum of 45 days before your current permission (visa free stamp...last year's karta pobytu whatever) expires. If you do this at least 45 days in advance the immigration office will extend your permission to be in Poland until your application is decided either way should it take longer than that 45 days (and it will). If you apply when you have LESS than 45 days to legally be in Poland you will be required to leave Schengen once your current permission is up and wait for your decision elsewhere. If you are approved in that case you will be allowed in to collect your card and get on with your life.

Speaking for Americans specifically there isn't really any "visa" available. You are either here on visa free travel for 90 days or you have to apply for temporary residency that is issued for a year at a time normally and it is NOT a simple or fast process.

The above is the legal and official way. That isn't to say someone hasn't scammed or bribed themselves into an easier way but do not listen to people that say you can just pop out and back in or it's "no big deal" and you just need a letter. That is all nonsense and will get you in a bind. Things are much different than they used to be and most people have dated and second hand info.

News / POLES STILL NEED VISAS TO THE U.S.A!! [84]

Stop saying nonsensical things and consider it buried. I didn't jump out of my pan because nobody could help me. I jumped out of my pan because people were making things up(yes people do that often rather than say they don't know), relaying things they heard from a guy from a guy, and rather than admitting the system is a mess they blamed me.

If you aren't positive about things like this you shouldn't say anything as you can cause people real problems if they rely on it. These myths about what you can and can't do are perpetuated because of rumor shilling gobbymouths (is that a word?) that spew this junk. That may seem rude of me to you but I get incredibly sick of not being able to get valid information on important things because of this. It's not just in this forum...hell even people in official office here do this. They don't know the rules and they tell you what they "heard" or they make something up.

Case in point...I was told repeatedly (different people different visits) in the labor office I could not set up a one man business here without 50,000pln in capital and a various other stupid requirements depending on who I was talking to. They INSISTED I was lying or wrong when I mentioned loads of other foreigners have done it so there must be a way. Nope...I was wrong they said and would not help me on their end. So...I go to the Gmina where you register a company and they said "sure no problem" and it took all of 5 minutes to apply...not saying I will get approved but despite what they work office insisted it IS possible and you do NOT need to meet those requirements. But no matter who I spoke with in that office they insisted otherwise despite reality being the opposite...but if someone didn't KNOW they were wrong they would be at a dead end.

None of that is my issue...it is theirs...but it does cause me a problem. Once people stop messing about and making things more difficult by spreading false information I will stop flying out of my pan. It chaps my arse when people blame me for their or their country's shortcomings as if I am the one doing something wrong...and you get plenty of that here. I would NEVER blame a Pole for being irritated by the US immigration paperwork debacle...it's not their fault and it is not always straightforward. Now the visa free things caused by illegals is a different issue.

And I will say the only reason I knew to go to the Gmina was due to Harry (British expat) from this board who explained what I should do. He was spot on and to the T correct in what to do.

Criticizing an aspect of a country or a culture is not the same as saying that country or culture is evil or sucks. There are lots of things about the USA that aren't great and I will nod in agreement. But Poles seem to be often unwilling to do the same and rather make excuses or blame you.

Travel / My 3 weeks in Poland.... I didn't want to leave. [33]

Every country can seem great for a short trip especially if you meet some girl/guy who rings your bell. Both that country and that girl/guy are not going to be the same after you live there for a while.

The grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side. People will never learn.

Travel / My 3 weeks in Poland.... I didn't want to leave. [33]

Actually yeah. You can go to some really bad places for a short time and you don't see or deal with the same things people living there do. I have been to many third world places where life is very tough on residents or immigrants but as a tourist experiencing something new they were very cool and interesting.

You just have to remember nothing stays as 'cool and interesting' as during the 'honeymoon' phase...people included. The work starts later. I just cringe when I hear or read someone say how wonderful some girl they met in some foreign country for a few weeks was as we all know that does not usually end up like the fantasy.

News / POLES STILL NEED VISAS TO THE U.S.A!! [84]


Jesus...you just have to come out on top don't you. "if you had just done as I said".

Separate me finding the info from people giving it poorly if you can...it's like blaming the girl in the short skirt for her own rape.

In the future I will take note that Harry is the only one here that knows what the hell he is talking about. That ok with you?

History / Where did the stereotype of Polish people being stupid come from? [131]

Ok. Since Polonius botched it I will pick up the slack.

And first let me say LOT has been one of the best and most pleasant airlines I have ever dealt with (not their call center but the pilots and staff are great).

So a Polish airliner is coming in for a landing...when the pilot touches down he slams on the brakes but quickly sees he isn't going to make it before then end of the runway so he pushes the throttles forward and takes off again JUST before the end.

Three times he goes around and repeats this. On the fourth try he gets the plane stopped right before it runs off into the grass. Sweating and shaking he looks at the copilot and says "My GOD this is the SHORTEST runway I have ever landed on"...the copilot answers "Yeah but look how WIDE it is!!"

News / POLES STILL NEED VISAS TO THE U.S.A!! [84]

Your "facts" are incredibly subjective. And yeah it is very childish.

History / Where did the stereotype of Polish people being stupid come from? [131]

Agreed...it's a Cuban joke.

One from childhood below (and yeah it's stupid and can be a template for a lot of jokes) but you can't help but laugh when tiny innocent kids tell these things. Then of course you have to correct them as to why it's not nice or proper ;)

"What's invisible and smells like cabbage?"

"Polish farts."

And to show I am equal opportunity.

"What do you call someone who speaks three languages? Trilingual."

"What do you call someone who speaks TWO languages? Bilingual"

"What do you call someone who speaks only one language?"

"American"

Travel / My 3 weeks in Poland.... I didn't want to leave. [33]

Hey man I am happy you are enjoying it.

Just saying people you talk to on MSN or the phone once in a while are not "friends" and girls what treat you like you always wanted to be treated stop doing it when you LIVE together. Most people are much less reliable or loyal than you think. Its really easy to put on a good face for short interactions.

Don't set yourself up for disappointment is all.

I am a firm believer there is a 'one year' threshold. Live with someone or in some place for a year and you will see what is real and what was honeymoon phase. Then decide how wonderful Polish women or Warsaw or whatever is. Your view will usually be much different. Nothing comes without a cost. Polish women are on average better looking than many places sure...but there are trade offs...just as I am sure there are with us guys to them. They are not perfect, goddesses or faultless...just different than what you are used to.

Should you be lucky and live the dream (and yeah it does happen rarely) I will be happy for you ;)

History / Where did the stereotype of Polish people being stupid come from? [131]

But it makes no sense...and I am American so I am hearing you on the context...because Polish girls were NEVER known as ugly...ever...anywhere. Stupid is a common stereotype...but ugly? No way.

I have heard that joke with Cuban used as it fits the context.

Travel / My 3 weeks in Poland.... I didn't want to leave. [33]

Polish girls in general (and relax ladies I know some of you are decent) will put your experience with Thai women to shame on the jealousy and manipulative front. The exception being I have never heard of a Polish girl chopping off a guy's willy when she gets mad and Asian girls tend to flip out like that regularly enough to make the news.

And don't be to hard on us as guys...women cheat and mess up relationships just as much as men. It takes work...and respect...and NOT being psycho. Unfortunately you don;t find out the psycho part until it is too late.

Life / 90-DAY VISA-FREE STAYS IN POLAND? [19]

Well that is my point...leaving for a "day or two" does nothing if you are already past your 45 days minimum time to apply for temporary residency. You would have to leave for 90 days. So as to get another 90. The rule is no more than 90 in a 180 day period. If you have been here 60 going out doesn't get you another 90...just the 30 you have left in that 6 months starting when you come back in.

They are probably assuming nobody will notice and think the new entry starts the clock over but when you apply for residency you have to show your whole passport, prove your legal right to be there while you are waiting, and list every place you have been for the last 5 years so when they are processing the application they will see it.

And yeah...they do NOT follow or know their own rules most of the time.

It can go easy and you can get away with a lot of you are lucky...but the one time it doesn't you are screwed. And there are a ton of points at which it can go wrong.

Life / 90-DAY VISA-FREE STAYS IN POLAND? [19]

Good luck. You never know here. They may not notice you were here for 70 or so days before. They may take it as you just got here and you will slip by.

What have you got to lose trying?

Life / 90-DAY VISA-FREE STAYS IN POLAND? [19]

You might have to "REALLY" make sure you get that stamp...like beg or even go to another car to find a guy and insist he stamps it. Several times when they even stamped more regularly I didn't even see a border guard while crossing and I had to spend a lot of time explaining in the airport once how I had been in Germany a couple times and not Poland for 9 months straight (in the old days when you could just cross every 3 months) since the train guys didn't stamp my passport. Luckily they believed me because on paper it looked as if I had overstayed.

Now with Schengen fully open it is not uncommon for them to pay even less attention on the trains, not come in the car at all, or wave you off when you try to show them your passport. I had a Czech guy just refuse recently and I think he was trying to tell me he didn't even have a stamp, and there was not a Polish guard with him. At least in my experience and that of other expats I talk to often this is common.

Just pay attention at the border and don't sleep through it ;)

Life / UNSHAVEN BUM LOOK - STILL POPULAR in POLAND? [15]

I bet that guy is more decent than most of the gelled mohawk, tiny rectangular glasses wearing, too cool for school morons that populate Warsaw.

Life / 90-DAY VISA-FREE STAYS IN POLAND? [19]

Yeah the whole thing is stupid, disorganized and maddening.

History / Where did the stereotype of Polish people being stupid come from? [131]

The most easily offended culture on the planet is clearly going to be a target.

I swear you can compliment a Pole and they will say "what do you mean by that?!?!"

Love / Why english men like polish women ? [126]


Rubbish. They are no better or worse overall than any other woman. Some thing are good and some are miserable.

The only men who would say they are perfect have never lived with them, spent time with their families, or had one scream at him out of the blue about how it is his fault her jeans are tighter and it is somehow his fault.

Love / Why english men like polish women ? [126]

Sure it is...and I am saying I can't believe you are basing that opinion on anything substantial. As you said there are none around you. Live with one for a few years and see how perfect they are...

Love / Why english men like polish women ? [126]

I am not saying the guy can't believe it. I am saying I 'bet' he likely hasn't lived with one for any time or done anything other than spend short periods with them as the fantasy ideals people have are never the reality.

I would wager real money that he would not feel the same after living with a Polish girl for a few years...doesn't mean he wouldn't like her but I am sure the 'near perfect label would wear off.

It's like these guys who post "Oh I was in Poland for one week and met the most perfect girl and I would do anything, sell my flat, give her all my money,,,yadda yadda because she is so perfect"...it's a very eye rolling thing to read.

Clear enough?

History / Where did the stereotype of Polish people being stupid come from? [131]

Yeah I would agree not stupid...but no smarter than other developed countries.

I have also never met a culture so insistent on telling you how smart they are. I know this is another manifestation of the complex they have but it drives me batty having to listen to all these 'studies' about how intelligent they are or how Doda has a genius IQ (sure.....)

Why do they feel the need to be 'better' at everything?

Love / Why english men like polish women ? [126]

Nah its very clear to me but thanks for telling me what I understand.

I get what he was saying and all I am saying is that I think he will think differently after experience. That's all.

Life / 90-DAY VISA-FREE STAYS IN POLAND? [19]

I have always been curious if when they scan your passport with the hand held scanners on trains etc if that just reads the encoded info on the passport to verify it isn't fake or if it actually is linked to a database that tells them of your status. I can't imagine they are so connected in real time...but maybe they are.