Love / POLISH GUY AND BLACK GIRL! [52]

To the OP,
in truth, it could be 50/50, it could really go either way.
The only place I ever saw a dark skinned woman in Poland was at the airport.

You could go through the whole of Warsaw, without seeing a non-white person.
In the rural regions, this would be normal, but I thought this was strange in the big cities.
I've heard its changed a bit nowadays tho.

Even tho I'm Irish, I look like I am from Spain/Turkey and I am big because I enjoy bodybuilding.
There were many people who nearly tripped over themselves staring at me. Not just women, but lots of older men too.
You would think they were homosexual, they stared that much.
So all I can say is to be prepared for lots of staring.

But in truth, despite the staring, everybody was really friendly.
I think I was one of the first Irish people they had ever met and I was half decent at Polish so they were probably excited/proud. Many of them were really happy that I could identify with them, like talking about Pudzianowski, they thought this was brilliant that foreigners had heard about a contemporary Pole.

Sometimes when I am in Lithuania, I try to keep my voice lowered or speak only Russian if there are young guys around, its the safest option at times. In the summer, you can tell I am not Eastern European from the first glance, although many people think I am Russian when my skin returns to a lighter colour.

I don't know why, but I feel like Polish people are more accepting from the outset than Lithuanians for example. Lithuanian people really shocked me at how rude they were and how suspicious they are. They are far nicer when you know them personally, but when the people don't know you on the street, they simply see you as competition. Its normal to stand on people to get to the bus first.

Polish manners and customs are a lot closer to us in reality.

As for family, well, my ex-girlfriends family couldn't have been nicer.
Her grandparents may aswell have been Irish only for the fact that they spoke Polish.
Her whole family were really nice people, but I got on the best with her mother.
Even today, sometimes I still miss speaking with her mom, lol.

So anyway, some people will probably admire your black beauty, and others will be scared of you, but most people should be ok. Just expect a little staring.

And make sure that he tells his mother in advance that you are black.
I made sure for my GF to tell her mother in advance I was Irish.

My mother has no problems with any of my girlfriends and gets on great with all of them, but she still secretly wishes I had an Irish girlfriend, even tho thats not what I want.

Same for Polish parents.
Probably the same for your parents too I guess.

Love / Where did you meet your Polish other half? [33]

There was a burning building.
I heard a young child crying out, but no one was there to help just a bunch of panicing women and some girly-men.

I knew only I could fix this situation.
I ripped off my t-shirt and selflessy ran into the burning building.
There was a big metal door, which I tore down with my bare hands. Then there was a backdraft.
Flames belched forth and licked my eyebrows clean off.
I put my own safety last and ran to the baby.
A pillar collapsed behind me and my exit was blocked, so I grabbed the baby and hurled it forth from the window, into a deep pond. The baby was saved.

My exit was blocked and with nowhere to run, I collapsed from all the Carbon Monoxide and nearly died from smoke inhalation.

She was the paramedic in the ambulance that treated me.
She was the first sight I saw when I came back to consciousness.
I thought she must be an Angel!

(Caveat Emptor: Nobody told me about the part where Angels try to rob large quantities of money from your bank account)

USA, Canada / Polish stuff vs. American stuff [107]

You cannot really compare.
The USA is not just a country, but virtually a continent.

You will find more diversity in two American states e.g. Texas, NY, California, New England, than you will find in the entire country of Poland.

Indeed, you will find more diversity in either California or NY than you will find in a large chunk of Eastern Europe.

Equally, as larger European countries go, Poland is rather uniform.

Love / POLISH GUY AND BLACK GIRL! [52]

Are you a Polish national or ethnic Polish?

I think you should go bro, I don't think you'll have any problems.

Love / POLISH GUY AND BLACK GIRL! [52]

To be fair, I've not been to Poland in a few years, so perhaps the other person is right.
A lot of the truth on this forum happens off the board, not on it.

Ethnic Pole is someone of Polish lineage, A Polish national would be like someone who grew up in the country.
I just wasn't clear on your perspective.

Your an ethnic-Polish American, so it shows you probably don't know what to expect, as opposed to a Polish National who grew up there, knows the country and is wondering what peoples opinions are.

(Like a Pole asking you about Florida - if you understand me)

News / Kaliningrad. Problem, Threat or Opportunity for Poland? [185]


You still missed my point, but anyway............

Dutch is Low Franconian as opposed to Modern German.
Same Family, different Branch.
Same situation as Western Slavic Polish & Eastern Slavic Russian.
Same Family, different Branch.

I speak German (not very well anymore) and I cannot understand Dutch .
My brother in law is a German native, lives in Germany with my sister.
They do not understand Dutch, although he can understand some Dutch text, despite the many false cognates.

On the other hand, when I spoke Polish reasonablly well, I could understand and communicate to a limited degree with Russians, before I actually learned Russian.

Linguistically, Polish and Russian are closer than German and Dutch, and share more cognates.

Germans can understand some Dutch text, but not Dutch speech.
Poles can understand some Russian speech (choose/pretend not to tho), but not Russian text (unless they can read cyrillic, in which case, they could decipher a lot)

You are incorrect about the other points. Historically & Democratically, Holland is closer to England than Germany.
The Dutch founded New Amsterdam (A.K.A New York).
The Dutch had an empire, a strong navy, William of Orange etc.
Most of the German Empire was in Africa and European conquest.
Germany didn't even exist until very recently anyway.

In terms of democratic values and social system and ideology, they share some traits with Germany, but share equally many with France and England.


This is textbook propaganda and a very blind study.
It would be foolish to assert that Orthodoxy has not influenced Russia, of course it has, but don't forget religion was illegal in Russia for 3 generations.

There are many known problems between Vladivostock and Moscow, or Moscow and other cities, who feel they shouldn't be compelled to listen to Moscow for direction.

Same is true of New York, Los Angeles & Washington.
Or London, Paris, Berlin, Rome & Brussels


This is complete nonsense.
Russia is the largest country on Earth, across 2 continents, among the most diverse nations and has over 150 million people.

Many of the Poles here are law abiding, some liberal, some authoritarian.
Many young poles are far from individualist, they are very trendy and up to date with the latest fashions and subscribe to all the MTV non-individualist things that Russians subscribe to.


This is true of some people, equally untrue of many other people.
I can say the exact same of some Republicans and some Unionists in Ireland.
Nothing is so black and white.


You must offer some facts with evidence, or share some specific experiences.
Otherwise, you are just repeating the same Polish propaganda I learned to ignore a long time ago, broad sweeping generalisations.


I don't even understand this sentence.
What does it mean?


I don't believe you are stone age creatures, I am trying to kill this myth..........of both Russia and Poland.
If you want to see stone age creatures, visit Somalia or Sudan.

Love / POLISH GUY AND BLACK GIRL! [52]


I guess we differ here Shelly girl, I would say he was American and not Polish.

Part of my family came to Ireland from Somerset 400 years ago during the Munster plantations, but I am Irish, of Anglo-Irish extraction.

My GF would be Russo-Lithuanian, ethnic Russian.

If you grew up in America, you are American.
If you grew up in America, and are of Irish/Polish/African ethnicity, then you are Irish-American, Polish-American, African-American.

News / Kaliningrad. Problem, Threat or Opportunity for Poland? [185]


Quite correct, I don't understand you at all.

You said originally,


You focused on a range of topics of similarity between the Dutch and Germans.

and now:



The linguistic issues, while still being equally relevant, were merely an aside.
You were originally focusing on the mentalities, not languages.


Do you understand the definition of the word arrogant?

You have suggested that I am arrogant for giving my opinion?
You should also research the word "irony".

While not expert, I also have knowledge of German, Polish, and Russian (and French and Irish).


Yet you don't share their skill in debate or logical reasoning??
A tragedy.


I disagree.
You made a broad, sweeping, innacurate, stereotypical generalisation. A.K.A Nonsense.


I have qualified all of my statements with reasoning or experience.
You have yet to qualify any.
If you need clarification on any point I have raised or opinion I have offered, I am more than willing.

This is the nature of debate.
If you can't handle a debate without throwing your toys out of the pram, you shouldn't make baseless assertions.

Love / POLISH GUY AND BLACK GIRL! [52]


He has lived in America during his formative years, been educated in America, practises American customs, experienced American culture (probably has an America accent) and probably calls Florida home.

I don't see how he cannot be considered American.


In that scenario, you would be Anglo-Irish.
I should have known you had Irish heritage, you're too logical to be anything else unlike the rest of these maniacs ;)

P.S. Do you remember what Wellington said? ;-)

Love / POLISH GUY AND BLACK GIRL! [52]


en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Wellesley,_1st_Duke_of_Wellington

Wellington said "Being born in a stable, doesn't make you a horse".
Referring to Jesus Christ.

Wellington was born in Ireland, but claimed to be British (English I think).
This was before the Act of Union in 1801.

News / Kaliningrad. Problem, Threat or Opportunity for Poland? [185]


You have just reiterated my last point.
I think we have a communication problem before we even reach a difference of opinion.
Either that or you are a few sandwiches short of a picnic.


LOL, well, luckily for me and unluckily for you, we have democracy and freedom of speech.

Can you really not see the irony in all these things you are saying?
Its like the pot calling the kettle black.
i.e. there is one rule for you and a different rule for the Russians.


If someone says "Irish are a kind of Englishmen" - thats fine by me.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
All I would ask of a person who said that is:

1. how is this so?
2. why do you believe this to be true?
Do you understand me?

You're entitled to your opinion, but unless you qualify it with proof or experience i.e. unless you give some type of reasoning, they it remains just an opinion, and a worthless one in my view because its no different to the standard Polish dogma.


If you cannot see the connection, then why are you tackling a much larger issue i.e. Polish/Russian relations

You should learn to crawl before you try to run Borrka.


I could equally say, if you don't know how to use English adequately, you should hardly attempt to write it/speak it - but I haven't said that to you.

I tolerate your grammatical and syntax errors because I can read between the lines and guess where necessary.

The same cannot be said of your opinion. Unless you justify it, it simply sounds like mindless, bigoted propaganda.
As for my knowledge on this subject, lol, I have already demonstrated my knowledge in depth and specifically, whereas your last two posts have been simply a facade about how knowledgeable you are, yet the most direct and conclusive statement you have offered is "Russians tend to live in collectives driven by herd instinct".

All fluff & no substance.

What is it that makes your opinion of Russia so valid?
As far as I understand, you speak Russian............and thats it.
I met a Chineseman once who spoke Irish, but had never visited Ireland.

I honestly doubt I could learn anything from you, because you mindless recite your brainwashed propaganda like a zombiefied North Korean, and when I ask you to qualify the propaganda, you give a spiel about how qualified you are. LOL.

However, I would love to have a discussion on the subject, rather than the emperor's lack of clothes.

News / Kaliningrad. Problem, Threat or Opportunity for Poland? [185]



Sweet Lord, give me patience.
Borrka, you have a brain like a sieve.
You still continue to contradict yourself at every given opportunity.
I would rather not repeat your bigoted spiel, but view posts #36, #38, #40, #103

A lecture on eristics would be wasted on you, first you would need to comprehend logic.


Yet you again fail to explain why.
Yawn.........

Have you considered a career in international espionage?
Trying to extract a coherent answer from you from you is as futile as attempting to draw blood from a rock.


Your message is clear as crystal:
1) You cannot answer a question directly
2) Your comprehensive skills in written English need work
3) You are bigoted against Russia and the Russian people but you cannot explain why.
4) You are afraid to elaborate on the simplistic generalisations which you have offered.
5) You cannot hold a debate.

Continue, please.
If Germans had understood the mindset of Hitler, who hated without reason, perhaps there would have been no War.
If non-Russians understand the mentality of those who hate Russians without reason, the world will ultimately be a safe place.

Perhaps, in your own manic method, you are doing a great service to humanity?


I suspect you've never asked anyone a question in your life.

You were born both omnipotent and omniscient, correct?
The chip on your shoulder was not innate however, that was acquired.


Amazingly enough, I'm Irish and don't drink any alcohol at all.
I can't remember the last time I was in a pub other than to work in a 2nd job.
I am interested in bodybuilding and far prefer it to alcohol.
You can click on my profile and check my 2nd picture if you don't believe me.

As for my expert certification, my field is Software, not tinpot dictatorship.
I don't claim to have any expert or correct opinion on anyone or anything.
I do however, consider myself an open minded individual and am more than willing to give anybody the benefit of the doubt until they prove otherwise.


How nice of you giving me the chance to express my opinion?
Oh wait, you didn't, I'm arrogant for doing so of course.
And I don't expect any revenge in Irish.


As a matter of fact, your English is not bad.
Its your comprehensive skills which are poor and your inability to make coherent points.
You don't seem to understand how to interpret any of the points I am making.

I recongise your style of reasoning very well, as I was in a relationship with a Polish woman for 3 years. The Emperor has no clothes.

I make a point, then you disagree with me by reiterating the same point.(??lol)
Or else I make a point, and you disagree with a different point which I have not even made(lol).
In either case, you don't explain why you are disagreeing, simply that you are disagreeing and throw in a few weak quips, an attack on Russians and a feather in your cap about what an expert you are.


You answered a question!!!!!
If you could do this for all the other questions, we may actually get a discussion going.

In conclusion, I plead with you, enlighten me.
Elaborate on your earlier comments about the herd mentality etc.

Love / POLISH GUY AND BLACK GIRL! [52]

LOL, Jay, you're correct mate, I had also forgotten about Daniel O'Connells reply.

Cheers for that :)

News / Kaliningrad. Problem, Threat or Opportunity for Poland? [185]


Borrka, have you ever spoken to a psychiatrist?
There are people who can help you.
I've just forwarded the url of this thread to a colleague, and he thinks you are psychologically ill.

I wonder, have you ever had an argument with a wall?

Its now rather apparent why the Russians dislike you, no doubt you lambasted them for being Chinese.


Quite simple indeed.
You're all fluff and no substance.
And you wildly jump from point to point without ever making a conclusive statement on anything.


Please don't be so foolish, condescending or arrogant as to assume you can determine what is and what is not relevant to a debate. Even if you had the intellectual capacity, you do not have any authority.

Q. If one were to exclude personal experience from this debate - what is left to offer ?
A. Propaganda & rehashed biased historical accounts.

Borrka, I am actually laughing out loud now, HAHAHA :)


Didn't you just say personal experiences & commentary are off the discussion table?
Gasp! Again contradicting yourself.


No, I don't speak Gaelic, as you said. Gaelic is from Scotland.
I speak Gaeilge (Irish).


Did you think it was a ridiculous statement? Why?
(Sweet Jesus, its feels as though I've encountered the PolishForums AI simulator)

Do you know how to contradict a statement Borrka?
Are you capable of giving anything other than a binary answer?


Hello Borrka, my name is Dan.
Hello Borrka, my name is Dan.
Hello Borrka, my name is Dan.

Honest question, do you have alzheimer's?
Refer to your previous comment about how I have an expert certification in Eastern European studies among my peers in Irish Pubs.


So Software is the field which I have studied, academically.
I'm never claimed to be an expert on Eastern Europe, and I didn't study EE politics or history in University, my degree is in Computer Science, not EE Studies.


Lol, diffuse lectures.
Do you suffer from Attention Deficit disorder?.

Since you have cherry picked statements from my accounts, it is you who has determined the discussion here, you simpleton.


HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

HAHAHA!
Let me get this straight.
You have just asked me to prove..............that YOU do NOT hate Russians?

This is the most moronic thing I have ever heard in my life.

Borrka, go back to sleep.


I fear you are correct about this.
Even if God blessed me with temporary insanity in order to try and understand you, it still wouldn't be sufficient.

You are like a black hole of insanity - you suck in all common sense and logic and exterminate it.

News / Kaliningrad. Problem, Threat or Opportunity for Poland? [185]


Shea, Is ea e Gaeilge, ana mhaith ar fad.
An dtuigeann tu Gaeilge freisin?

Very good Borrka, enjoy your trip.
While you are away, you should think about these statements and then we will have a proper discussion when you return instead of bickering.

News / Kaliningrad. Problem, Threat or Opportunity for Poland? [185]

Nathan,
If you have read my previous posts, you would understand that this is precisely what my accounts are based on.
I have been to Lithuania numerous times, I have many Lithuanian and Latvian friends and a few Estonian ones. I have friends from Belarus, from Ukraine & used to be friendly with many Georgians, although I find them hard work.

I work with Slovakians, Hungarians, Romanians.

My partner is Russian, her family are from Smolensk, however she grew up in Lithuania.
Russia is too vast to understand the country, however, I understand Poland and Lithuania and I understand the mentality of the people.
Last summer, I rented a car in Kaunas and drove across the whole of Lithuania and into other countries. It was an excellent experience.
I have been to Russian nightclubs in Lithuania such as "Metelica", I never saw anything like this in Poland (although I did see a few Irish pubs)

Kaunas is the most Lithuanian city, with the smallest percentage of Russian people.
Its also probably the most hostile city in Lithuania.
People from other cities are far more friendly.
In my house, we have Russian Satellite Television, which also carries Polish and Lithuanian channels.
I'm not sure how many Eastern European citizens you have in Canada, but I can assure you, we have many different cultures and nationalities here in Ireland.

Of course, it was a big shock for me to see the truth about Lithuania, as I had heard such wild lies from the Polish. They Polish seem to think they are 'untermensch'.

Later, I learned that the Poles seem to think everyone is 'untermensch', LOL.

In truth, my Irish friends are those I know from childhood.
Otherwise, all of the people I met on a daily basis are immigrants, including my partner and my best friends (1 from Warsaw, 1 from Klaipeda).

I imagine its very difficult to understand if you've never been to this country, but I guess you could equate it to New York........a melting pot.

Its not as easy for other Irish people as it is for me, this is because I love to learn languages, so I speak some Russian and some Polish, and small bits of other languages.

The only languages you actually need to know are Russian and English.
I wouldn't have wasted my time learning Polish in the past if I had understood the importance and usefulness of Russian.
But it is also useful to know what Poles are saying about you and you get better service from Polish women when they hear you speak Polish (not so true with the men, who sometimes find it intimidating, as they have lost their advantage, however, the men always appreciate my size and my strength and ask me what do I think of Mariusz Pudzianowski, and some of the men find it amusing to hear an Irishman speak Polish - most usually ask what city I am from in Poland, HAHAHA)

The picture is something like this - the citizens of former soviet countries stick together, Russians, Latvians, Lithuanians, Estonians, Ukranians and even the Georgians (many have Lithuanian passports) because many can speak Russian, frequently, many of them have a Russian grandfather or grandmother. They also mix with Irish. Hungarians and Romanians also mix with these groups.

The Western European nations like Spain, France, Italy stick together. And of course they mix with Irish. Sometimes they mix with other groups, but much less so.

The Poles mix with nobody except the Irish.
The Russians don't like to mix with them, the Lithuanians don't like to mix with them.........generally it is only the Irish who mix with them.

Its not the rule in all cases, but it is the rule in the majority of cases.

The Poles are like the outsiders in this society in a sense. The difference is that there are so many Poles here, it doesn't really matter, because a Pole can go through a whole day here not needing to speak English.

e.g. Go to a polish shop, go to the gym with Polish friends, speak Polish with friends at work, girl in shopping centre and Petrol station will be Polish, we even have a few Polish Police now.

I do my best to change this, I am friends with both Poles and former Soviets, so I always introduce them to each other at the gym and we train together.

Once people sweat and experience pain together, they are less suspicious of each other.
Both sides have they pre-conceptions about the other, but they always throw them in the bin quickly once they met people and speak with them.

Most people are good if you give them a chance.


Not holdng a certificate, nor have an expert qualification does not exclude one from participating in a subject.
Otherwise,.............. how would would one become an expert? ;-)

I'm more than comfortable to share my opinions and experiences, regardless of what you say, as I believe I have far more realistic impression of the reality of the situation than you have.

I have been free to form impressions and understand the truth, without any emotional or nationalist attachment.

News / Kaliningrad. Problem, Threat or Opportunity for Poland? [185]

First, it seems bizzare that Poles should be making decisions as to the fate of Kaliningrad and its people.
Is it not a bit like Stalin & Churchill giving Lwow to Ukraine?
What authority does Poland have to do this?

Second, I don't understand why they should let Poland own the area. It makes the least possible sense.
The Poles are hostile toward Russia and pro-American/pro-Nato.
President Kennedy wasn't too pleased about Kruschev have missiles in Cuba, if you recall, lol.

Poland have absolutely zero rights and zero territorial claim over Kaliningrad.
Poland has failed to develop the vast territory it already does own.
If Kaliningrad were to be "given" to anyone, it should be given to a smaller country, with similar market and economic conditions, similar language, geographically linked etc. etc.

Third, its up to the people of Kaliningrad to decide what happens with Kaliningrad. Those whole topic is really becoming quite bizzare, lol.

What do you think the Americans would say if the Mexicans started discussing Texas and determining its future and why it should be given back to Mexico?

There happens to be 25 million Texans who speak English or Spanish and consider themselves strictly American, lol.

Also,
What about France "giving" French Guiana back to Brazil?
What about USA "giving" South Korea back to North Korea?
What about USA "giving" Alaska back to Russia?
What about UK "giving" Falklands back to Argentina?

Literally hundreds of examples of this, could be here all day

==========

Borrka, much better post this time, thanks for that.
I will respond this evening as I'm at work at the moment.

News / Kaliningrad. Problem, Threat or Opportunity for Poland? [185]

Apologies, I didn't intend to come across as hostile mate.

Its just considering the Polish history and in particular with Eastern Poland/Western Ukraine, Poles should know better than to try to impose their will on another nation, or try to steal land.