Law / Law relating to taking finger prints in poland [8]

It all seems very excessive...i was thinking about photo id as well. Going to keep an eye on it to see what happens.

Life / why do People in Poland speak so quietly? [23]

Polish speaking quietly???!!! Where are they??? :-)
In the polish office where i work, it is very common to just shout into the phone. Also, another trick is to put the caller on conference call, even though it is only a 2 way conversation, and then they are shouting at the phone to be heard and you can also hear the other side of the call.

And dont get me started on when polish are 'discussing', as this normally ends in a shouting match with people talking over each other.

Work / Adobe package course in Warsaw [12]

Hi there, 2 things.
Hi. I am trying to train myself up on the adobe products. I use this website for the training: totaltraining.com
You can buy a yearly membership and that gives you access to training for all the adobe design products. You can get a free trial to try it out.

Also, if you are a graphic designer, would you mind dropping me your email as i may be looking for some graphic work to be done on a free lance basis.

Regards,
Vincent

Work / A list of English Schools in Poland run by a UK citizen? [24]

Hi. I know the university of warsaw has classes in english. However, i am not sure of the subjects which are covered. Here is the website for the english version. uw.edu.pl/en

Work / Questions regarding visa (a bit specific situation) [13]

Hi. following on from harry's mail, if you do need to set up a one man company in wroclaw, i can give you name of my translator. She helped me set up a one man company in wroclaw and knows all the offices to go to. though i appreciate that your girl friend will probably be able to assist you as well.

Study / How to get a degree in Polish Language and/or Culture? [4]

Hi. Try the university of warsaw. this is the english version of their website. They might have something that meets your needs.

uw.edu.pl/en/

Regards,
vincent

Life / So it's hit me too, isolation in Poland [46]

Thats a shame revorisimo...any chance you can reverse the decision and come back..

Life / Taking action against landlords / landladies [10]

James, I would also advise the landlord.lady that you are going to report them to the tax office becasue of the way that they treated you. See what reaction that provokes.

While i have not yet been in that situation , i fully undrstand your frustration at being messed around.
Best of Luck,
Vincent

Life / Filling Prescriptions at the Pharmacy [5]

HI. I assume it is from a polish doctor? I have gone to pharmacies with doctors prescriptions and they have dealt with them no problem, without any PESEL number. I would try another pharmacy/pharmacies. Maybe bring along you passport just in case. (But i have never been asked for it)

Best of luck,
Vincent

Life / Irish man wanna move to Poland [60]

Jedrula, would you like to know anything specific about everyday life?
Vincent

Work / Adobe package course in Warsaw [12]

Thanks John A.
Will keep a note of it.
Regards,
vincent

Law / Taxes - Have not paid taxes yet for 2008 [6]

HI. dont get me started on the Tax office. I purposely went into the tax office to ask if my Tax for 2008 was in order. The woman had my file and said that everything was in order and that they owed me about 700pln... A few weeks later my accountant got an URGENT letter from the tax office saying that i owed the about 50% of the taxes due for 2008. I was able to provide proof and it is all sorted now.

To your question, I would pay up if you can. You are probably not at the top of their most wanted list but it it really better to get things sorted. I have heard, and i dont know how true it is, that if a non-national does not pay a fine e.g. jay walking, parking etc, and they have your passport number, that they put a flag on your passport so that next time you try to get in to the coutnry, they nab you. As i said, i am not sure if this is true or just an urban legend.

Real Estate / Polish Mortgage for a Foreigner [16]

Hi Griff, I think the question should probably be...who has had the least hassle with a bank!!!
That being said, BZWBK do have a section that deal with non-poles if they want mortgages. The office is located in their branch in Marszawlska St.(probably spelt wrong) in Warsaw. If you need any more details, let me know.

Here is a link to the english version of their site. You can find information on mortgage there.

english.bzwbk.pl/11591

Real Estate / How Much for an apartment to buy in poland? [10]

Hi NvMySi, Yes, i would be inclined to believe that you would not get an apartment for 32,000... this is one estate agents website which has properties in the area you are looking for. Have a look to compare prices.

Regards,
vincen

Work / Advice for Job hunting in Poznan [7]

Hi Valio. Welcome to Poznan. Not exactly work related but there are a few of us getting together Friday week 18th for a few drinks. it is a group of Expats with a few polish. check out the EVENTS forum fo details.

Regards,
Vncent

Work / English pre-schools in Warsaw Poland? [10]

Hi Kizo, i am no expert on this, but i have seen advertisements for pre-shools which seem to be done in english so maybe that might be something that she could look into. It probably depends on where you are going i.e. what city. I expect warsw would have more opportunities in this area.

vincent

Work / English pre-schools in Warsaw Poland? [10]

I live in poznan but do be up that direction a bit. I will see if i can dig out some info or some contacts.

vincent

Real Estate / How Much for an apartment to buy in poland? [10]

sorry, I just realised i never included the web address. ober-haus.com. They have an english version.

Life / Are there any expat Neighbourhoods in Poznan? [16]

Hi Alena...Check out the Event forum. A group of expats are meeting up next friday for a drink. You are more than welcome.
vincent

Life / Are there any expat Neighbourhoods in Poznan? [16]

I think there are about 3 irish bars in poznan. Clientele seems to be more on the Student side. (Nothing against students). Not really like the Guinees bar in wroclaw where you would get a lot of EXPats.

Life / Expensive brand retail outlets in Poland - how do they survive? [19]

This subject has always amazed me as well from the very first time i came to poland 2 years ago. In poznan, its the same, expecially in Browar shopping centre. Most of the shops in there cater for the upper end of the market and as you say, they are always empty. I know there is a monied class in poland but it does not strike me as being sufficiently large enough to keep all the shops going.

Of course, there is a cynical side to me that thinks a lot of them are used for cash laundering but that is based on no material facts whatsoever.

Life / Expensive brand retail outlets in Poland - how do they survive? [19]

The leather goods shops always has me wondering how they survive. A new shopping centre has opened near me in poznan and there are about 3 of those shops....is there really that much of a demand for leather goos and suitcases!!??

Yeah, can well understand the biatch fest..!!

Life / Expensive brand retail outlets in Poland - how do they survive? [19]


Yeah. I was down in wroclaw once with a friend. A friend of hers joined us after buying 3 pairs of shoes which came to a total of about 1200 EUR (about 5000 pln...) so there does seem to be people out there that can do the big purchases and as pointed out, the margin is probably very nice.

(As an aside....The woman who bought the shoes, then proceeded to tell us how she could not afford to bring her children away on holidays...but that is a totally different subject...)

Work / Do I Need To Speak Polish To Get Around for 5 Weeks in Krakow [23]

Krakow is probably the most touristy place in poland so they cater well for the english speaker. You will be fine. I have live in poland for 3 years and still cant speak polish..and i have made it from the airport and have not starved.

Travel / Polish Zoos and their animals [27]

I have never been to it, even though it is very near, but i hear that the Poznan new zoo is suppose to be very nice and modern. That is whre they ahve the famous elephant.

Law / iTunes in Poland [11]

I live in poznan but have an irish credit card so i can download from iturnes in ireland. dont have any problem accessing it from here. Not a MAC user.

By the way, why wont they sell to the polish market?

Travel / Polish Zoos and their animals [27]


Yeah. I think he is there.

Law / iTunes in Poland [11]

There are also 'ispot' shops opening up all over the place.

Life / Pre Paid Visa cards [27]

I got a prepaid Visa Card from BZWBK some time back. I dont know if they still do them but i think they do.

Life / Allergies in Poland [7]

Hi BLS, I developed a bit of an allergy since moving to Poland. Nothing serious, but it does involve a bit of sneezing, running nose etc. it normally happens when it is sunny, which leads me to assume it has something to do with the pollen levels. I never suffered from it before, but then again, i am from ireland, and we never had the sun that much. Not sure where you are from, but the differneces in climat might affect it.