Life / God parents (chrzestni) in Poland [8]



Maybe your attitude has something to do with it?

Love / How to date Polish girl/boy ?!!? [13]


Actually, I've found that Poles sometimes exclude foreigners as possible dates, on purpose. They dont want the drama with 2 languages and situations of misunderstandings. One friend of mine said she wont date a non-Pole, because she doesn't want to translate everything he would say at a family gathering. She would want her parents to understand her mate, and this topped her list of criteria.

Life / Thrift Stores in Warsaw [9]


Their website says "TOWAR MOŻNA OBEJRZEĆ PRZED ZAKUPEM". Wow, how nice of them to actually let you SEE what you are buying! A revelation!

USA, Canada / OBTAINING POLISH CITIZENSHIP (living in the USA). Petition documents? [28]


If she has her permanent resident status and 10yr green card, then she is set, and no "taking it back" based on the claims you stated.

She didnt have to stay with you this long, as soon as she had her green card, she herself could "sponsor" her family, without you, so if this is your main reason for this fraud thought, its without basis.

Perhaps this relationship, is like others regardless of immigration status, someone cheated, someone fell out of love and decided to split. Its sad to hear she would just leave her kids like that.

Here's a forum for immigration, they might be able to help. visajourney.com

Real Estate / People who bought in Katowice Oak teraces phase I and phase II [102]


What exactly does the "fit out" include?

Real Estate / People who bought in Katowice Oak teraces phase I and phase II [102]

Thanks Wroclawboy for the detailed listing :)

Based on everything you've listed, the 32K pln that SusanC mentioned, doesnt seem that expensive. My mom purchased a new condo and had to do the finishings herself and came out at just that amount, and she did this about 5 years ago, when labor & materials were presumably cheaper.

I wonder if these "fit out" companies offer the same finishings for homes in "surowy stan". Do they?

USA, Canada / No US Visa Waiver for Poles - 8/9/07 [96]


Why bother even asking a dealer this type of question. Has anyone ever met an honest dealer? If they were, they wouldn't be turning back the miles.

Other nationalities tend to favor business with their own, but Poles in Chicago try to rip you off more if you're Polish... then complain that there is no solidarity.

Genealogy / My grandpa was from Poland - Gresom Jopfa [44]


You know, a lot of people changed their names when they arrived in the US. He could have one name, then entered the US as Gresom Jopfa, then americanized and changed to Harry Juva. Either way, they don't sound very Polish.

Did you do google searches for the names? Do you have any Jewish links in your family? The name Gersom is an old Jewish name... it was one of the sons of Moses.

USA, Canada / Question about Polish Social life in Chicago [22]

Samantha's on Belmont & Central is a nice cougar club! lol I think if you dont have a "sygnet", you can't enter.

Genealogy / My grandpa was from Poland - Gresom Jopfa [44]

If he is Jewish, the early 1930s was a period when many Jews sought exile in other countries, feeling the unrest towards Jews, some sought visa's to the US (few due to immigration restriction act of 1924) and some to Palestine.

Genealogy / My grandpa was from Poland - Gresom Jopfa [44]


Gregrory in Polish is Grzegorz, not Gersom.

Even though he wasn't Jewish, maybe his family was, hence how he got that name.

Either way, you should try and chat with that aunt, or first verify what his real name is, because if you are saying Sopfa, Topfa, you will have a hard time trying to figure out history without a correct name.

Also, as Wroclaw stated, lots of names were written last name, then first name. You should find out the real name.

Love / Little advice please - another guy called my Polish fiance beautiful. [47]


I second that. If he's not fluent in the language, it seems he sure tried to get that "piekna" in there, and has made you paranoid. Did you guys ever hang out with him, or with him & his gf? Maybe if you did, you could see how he acted towards your fiance.

I'd say leave it be for now, and see if she mentions him in conversation later.

Genealogy / My grandpa was from Poland - Gresom Jopfa [44]

Wroclaw gave some excellent advice to follow!


I'm not talking from convential wisdom, I'm telling you that Grzegorz is the official name in Polish for Gregory, no other variation is that name. Hence why your grandfathers name seems foreign. Like Wroclaw stated, he had a Jewish name in a Catholic country, it stood out, that's why he likely compared it to Grzegorz. This also leads to another point that I didnt want to get started on, to get flamed. A man with a jewish name, leaving Poland during the 1930s when most Jews fled, living in eastern PL where most Jews lived. Lots of items in common for you to research to be sure you know your family for real.


One of these secrets may be your grandfathers family. It was quite common to change your name for fear of being labeled Jewish. While you are pressing that he isn't. He may have been, and decided that secret will stay with him, or he is the first in his family to announce being atheist... doesn't mean the family line was. Keep an open mind when doing your research. If you press that on items you are unsure about, you wont get far in finding the truth.

When Poles came to the US, few came during the 1930 period, that's why this is setting off a flag. Also, Poles upon arrival would shorten their names, from Kowalski they could have changed to Kowal, or Koval, or possibly changed to the american word for their last name's translation. Transitions from Gersom to Gregory more likely, than to Harry. Harry is totally different, kind of what Jews did to hide the fact they were of Jewish descent.


Are you serious? All jews do not reside in Israel, there was no Israel at the time your grandfather left Poland. Jews were dispersed all around Europe. They typically chose old names from the first testament. Gersom is not a polish name, very rare actually. A catholic polish mother in the early 1900s would not just pick a name like this, hence getting back to the topic to have an open mind in your research. Take the advice Wroclaw provided on checking out various sites & records. Do you know the names of Gersom's parents?

Love / Polish Girlfriend gone missing [154]

I'd go back to the flat, and ask the landlord what happened. If she suddenly moved out, I'm sure she would have to give an explanation.

Does she have a nasza-klasa.pl account? You could see her list of friends/family, maybe try emailing to see if you hear anything back about what's going on.

I think its very caring of you to go to her home town to see what happened. Even if her father wasn't approving (be prepared for whatever reaction he may have), at least you'd know the truth and can come to closure.

Sorry about your situation :(

Love / Polish Girlfriend gone missing [154]

I may be able to help you out in Tarnow, let me know via PM.

Love / Polish Girlfriend gone missing [154]


Not sure if this is a far stretch, but first check out the Uni in Krakow, take Cardno up on his offer help ask around. Then go to the Tarnow train station, its quite small, you wouldn't be able to miss her if she were heading early Monday morning for her 8 am classes.

But if you do end up going to Krakow, Tarnow is a 1.5 hr train ride away. I say try your best on this trip, because I'd advice against going after this try.

Love / Polish girlfriend and birth control! [62]

You can't get free milk without buying the cow, its a law in Poland.

But in all seriousness, M_26 you are pretty stupid to talk about your girl the way you do, and also to bring this to a forum versus talking to her. She must also be a stupid 19yr old to be letting you get away with it.

Life / Moving back to Poland after 20 unhappy years in Canada and USA [70]


I dont know how the 8 year old could be so thrilled. That child started their education here, transfering to Poland would be kinda tough at this age. No friends no nothing. The others had something to return to.

Love / Polish Girlfriend gone missing [154]


Dropping out of school & moving seem a bit extreme just to end a relationship, wouldnt you say?

Life / Moving back to Poland after 20 unhappy years in Canada and USA [70]


Your opinion doesnt have to be shared!


and gee what are you doing, giving the US a positive spin?

USA, Canada / How to stay in USA without getting married? [125]


That is by far not the easiest way. How many employers do you think want to play with this mess? Very few! The process takes up to 5 years just to get a green card, depending of course how fast your employer plans to act. Employers take their sweeeeet time with this process, due to legal fees, and keeping you as an employee at cheaper rate longer. After you get a green card, they'll make you sign a contract for 5 years that you'll stay with the company (during which time they give you no pay raises, and if you leave, you have a hefty $sum to pay back).

You must be a permanent resident for minimum 5 years to apply for citizenship. So taking this route, you are looking at approx 10yrs.

If you are Indian, your chances of an employer following through with this are 1% at best. So many temp outsourcing companies in US/India working together, that they dont need to go through the process to have an Indian.


Not entirely true. The amount of years for the ban depends on how long you have overstayed. Some short overstays are forgiven, some 3 yrs, some 5.


Very not true. Marrying a USC forgives ALL overstays. You will not be deported. You have to prove to USCIS that the marriage is true & genuine, and based on love, not the ability to gain legal residency. The part you mention "damaging effect on others" is really used for other cases, not marriage to USC.


You can, and should remain in the US until you are granted "advanced parole" document. This document gives you the right to re-enter the US during the time your AOS application is being evaluated. If you have previous illegal overstays, you CAN NOT LEAVE until you have a greencard in hand. Leaving earlier will destroy the whole process.


Fraud if I ever heard of it. Do you think he's being even honest with you? Chances are, he's giving you this line to get you to feel bad, and marry him. He hasnt worked all this time on charming you for no green card. He'll get it, and take off... while you have the legal liability for him for the next 10yrs.

Life / Moving back to Poland after 20 unhappy years in Canada and USA [70]


you need to take your medication in the morning, and maybe it will help eliminate this crap you post.

Life / Moving back to Poland after 20 unhappy years in Canada and USA [70]

you come on here with YOUR ignorant posts, talking smack about Poles, attacking members. maybe you should find yourself another more exciting activity.

Life / Moving back to Poland after 20 unhappy years in Canada and USA [70]


I agree with what Krysia wrote, that's exactly how it is. I dont agree with you talking smack about Poles. Perhaps if you would read what I wrote, you'd comprehend... guess not.

USA, Canada / Double Polish-American citizenship? [16]

You can have both Polish & US citizenship. The only caveat is that, while you are in the US you are under US laws regarding say extradition, then while in Poland (or travelling on a PL passport) extradition laws would apply based on those in Poland.


I agree 100%. The PL emabassy in the US is horrible, slow, gives out inaccurate info.

News / What is the penalty in Poland for exercising foreign citizenship? [12]


US citizens are not required to have visa's for stays under 90days. So if I only stay under that time, given entry & departure with a US passport, should that be fine?

I pose this question as I remember on my previous trip, that once they heard me speak fluent polish, they questioned where my PL passport was. At that time I didnt have one, and they called in another guy who took another look at the US passport, and said it was ok.

My question is, that now given that I do have both passports, must I be "required" to show them the PL one, even if I'm a born US citizen and dont wish to travel on PL passport?

USA, Canada / How to stay in USA without getting married? [125]


They must have been smuggled in through Mexico, or jump some high fences. Once you have been deported, you are banned.

What is the use of living in the US undocumented. You can no longer open a bank account, cant have a drivers license, cant register a car. So unless you like living in someone's moldy basement and driving the bus everywhere, and remaining poor, US is not your best bet.

This is the reason so many have left the US. With EU borders open, they can live legally in the UK, Ireland, etc, and be able to drive, bank & even visit family in PL whenever they please.

News / What is the penalty in Poland for exercising foreign citizenship? [12]

Like i stated, I dont want to take the PL passport, hence why I'm asking these questions. I need & want all my entry stamps in the US passport.

USA, Canada / How to stay in USA without getting married? [125]

Is that how you got in?


True indeed. The chances of a deportee being allowed back in are 0.0001% maybe not even that. They have to file waivers, and those sit at USCIS for years and years.

you break the rules, you pay the price.