Myszolow
23 Sep 2009
News / WHY DOES POLAND, EU PERMIT FLOOD OF CHINA JUNK? [40]
ShawnH
You DO know who owns DeWalt don't you Shawn? ;)
ShawnH
Dewalt for me, thanks.
You DO know who owns DeWalt don't you Shawn? ;)
Myszolow
30 Aug 2009
Life / Wonderful Poland.......but the attitude of Polish people [150]
I thought Castorama was French? ;)
(Ahhh, I see it's now owned by Kingfisher)
Shoul we take our English companies ie Tesco's and Castorama with us?
I thought Castorama was French? ;)
(Ahhh, I see it's now owned by Kingfisher)
Myszolow
26 Aug 2009
UK, Ireland / "NAIL IT DOWN"........ BUT HIDE YOUR CLAW HAMMER? [4]
Coz they've all gone to UK? (joke) ;)
Coz they've all gone to UK? (joke) ;)
Myszolow
26 Aug 2009
Life / Are Polish people absolutely obsessed with money? [30]
Still common in Zgierz though. We're probably a few years behind Warsaw. ;)
things change... it's not normal to ask about salary anymore. I live in Warsaw now
Still common in Zgierz though. We're probably a few years behind Warsaw. ;)
Myszolow
26 Aug 2009
UK, Ireland / "NAIL IT DOWN"........ BUT HIDE YOUR CLAW HAMMER? [4]
Yes they do. But you have to look at the cultural background to understand it.
Under the Russians, you basically had to steal from the state in order to survive or to have anything. In the early 70's you could not get hold of anything (for example cement, bricks, electrical cable) to build your house unless you knew someone who could "borrow" some from work.
Steal or die.
Far be it for me to defend the Poles. But...
Look at it the other way though. How many UK office workers take stationery home with them? (Most, I'd say). How many UK tradespeople do cash in hand jobs to evade tax and VAT? How many people cheat on their tax returns?
When you look at it like that, most people are theives.
Yes they do. But you have to look at the cultural background to understand it.
Under the Russians, you basically had to steal from the state in order to survive or to have anything. In the early 70's you could not get hold of anything (for example cement, bricks, electrical cable) to build your house unless you knew someone who could "borrow" some from work.
Steal or die.
Far be it for me to defend the Poles. But...
Look at it the other way though. How many UK office workers take stationery home with them? (Most, I'd say). How many UK tradespeople do cash in hand jobs to evade tax and VAT? How many people cheat on their tax returns?
When you look at it like that, most people are theives.
Myszolow
26 Aug 2009
Life / Are Polish people absolutely obsessed with money? [30]
Thing is it's not rude in Poland, it's normal. Most kids know how much their parents earn and family all know how much each other earn. We bought new bikes this summer and neighbours on all sides all asked us how much they cost. (A lot by local standards - coz they are nice bikes). Gdzie kupileś? Ile kosztował? Jak jeździ?
To answer the OP. YES. Poles are obsessed with money. If you have a conversation with a Pole and it lasts more than one minute, you can be almost sure that money will enter into it.
Having said that. It's not much different in other countries these days (apart from the intrusive questions). The whole world is money mad.
But it is true, most Poles do not seem to think there is anything wrong with asking such personal questions, In the past Ive always just explained that its rude to ask such questions, usually met with a quizzical look
Thing is it's not rude in Poland, it's normal. Most kids know how much their parents earn and family all know how much each other earn. We bought new bikes this summer and neighbours on all sides all asked us how much they cost. (A lot by local standards - coz they are nice bikes). Gdzie kupileś? Ile kosztował? Jak jeździ?
To answer the OP. YES. Poles are obsessed with money. If you have a conversation with a Pole and it lasts more than one minute, you can be almost sure that money will enter into it.
Having said that. It's not much different in other countries these days (apart from the intrusive questions). The whole world is money mad.
Myszolow
22 Aug 2009
Life / Deadly Roads - "Are polish roads really THAT dangerous?" [139]
Sorry. I forgot to mention this was on the motorway. I was in the overtaking lane already and Touran tosspot came up behind me while I was overtaking the lorry. So I just overtook the lorry VERY VERY slowly. It wasn't a "normal" road.
Speeding up here when a car is overtaking is a life / death decission for you and the other car, in England they do it to teach a lesson.
Sorry. I forgot to mention this was on the motorway. I was in the overtaking lane already and Touran tosspot came up behind me while I was overtaking the lorry. So I just overtook the lorry VERY VERY slowly. It wasn't a "normal" road.
Myszolow
21 Aug 2009
Life / Deadly Roads - "Are polish roads really THAT dangerous?" [139]
The other day we were driving back from Perkowo to Zgierz in our 10 year old Daewoo Lanos. Some geezer in a tall 4wd type thing (think it was a VW Touran or summat like that) came up right behind us while we were slowly overtaking a lorry.
I was in a laid-back mood and just decided ever so slowly to back off the throttle. So I did. I slowed down, and so did he. Then he backed off, so I sped up and passed the lorry and pulled in.
Result.
If that had failed it would have been time to wash the windscreen. :p
The other day we were driving back from Perkowo to Zgierz in our 10 year old Daewoo Lanos. Some geezer in a tall 4wd type thing (think it was a VW Touran or summat like that) came up right behind us while we were slowly overtaking a lorry.
I was in a laid-back mood and just decided ever so slowly to back off the throttle. So I did. I slowed down, and so did he. Then he backed off, so I sped up and passed the lorry and pulled in.
Result.
If that had failed it would have been time to wash the windscreen. :p
Myszolow
21 Aug 2009
Life / Can you keep a right hand drive car in Poland? [57]
It also helps if you've got a car with reasonable performance, or a "tall" car that lets you see over other vehicles (not great for lorries though).
Its not safer but its no worse, you just have to position the car correctly in order to see past and make sure in the right gear to get the most out of the engine (or in my car get ready to floor it and hope it kicks down).
It can be done safely,
It can be done safely,
It also helps if you've got a car with reasonable performance, or a "tall" car that lets you see over other vehicles (not great for lorries though).
Myszolow
19 Aug 2009
Life / Internet Problems in Poland, need help connecting. [26]
One would have thought so. :)
But surely a router would solve this problem.;)
One would have thought so. :)
Myszolow
18 Aug 2009
Language / CARBON-COPY POLISH SPREADING? [30]
LOL - I'm English and this expression offends my sensibilities too.
Was at a family party the other day and one of the relatives (drunken nobhead) was going on about partying "do full'a". Pronounced in a Polish accent it almost sounds like fool, which is pretty much who it is used by and the kind of behaviour it describes. ;)
I agree. It's a total abomination. Maybe it came from the english phrase "Full-on"?
-- Full wypas (????) - anyone know how this abomination came into being?
LOL - I'm English and this expression offends my sensibilities too.
Was at a family party the other day and one of the relatives (drunken nobhead) was going on about partying "do full'a". Pronounced in a Polish accent it almost sounds like fool, which is pretty much who it is used by and the kind of behaviour it describes. ;)
I agree. It's a total abomination. Maybe it came from the english phrase "Full-on"?
Myszolow
18 Aug 2009
News / Riots in Warsaw KDT 21 July 2009 [18]
Poles don't watch BBC, they get WIZJA satellite dishes so they can watch the even lower quality Polish crap on TV. Where would they be without their South American soap operas voiced over into Polish by a single male voice? ;)
One million potentially-interested Poles in the UK counts for nothing where the BBC is concerned - unless it's "Polish man arrested after racist attack", of course.
Poles don't watch BBC, they get WIZJA satellite dishes so they can watch the even lower quality Polish crap on TV. Where would they be without their South American soap operas voiced over into Polish by a single male voice? ;)
Myszolow
17 Aug 2009
News / WHY DOES POLAND, EU PERMIT FLOOD OF CHINA JUNK? [40]
And nobody moreso than the Poles. ;)
The hard thing there is you can probably pay €10 or €20 for the same T-shirt being sold elsewhere, but the slave still gets the same, just the seller makes more profit. It's a tough game to play.
It's because people love to buy cheap stuff.
And nobody moreso than the Poles. ;)
If you buy a T-shirt for 5 € you can be sure that some kind of slave (likely a child in Asia) made it. Most people don't think it's okey. But still people want to pay as little as possible. It's a hard equation, but everybody has to take some responsibility and use common sense when shopping.
The hard thing there is you can probably pay €10 or €20 for the same T-shirt being sold elsewhere, but the slave still gets the same, just the seller makes more profit. It's a tough game to play.
Myszolow
17 Aug 2009
News / Shock therapy for Polish prisoners. [13]
Perhaps the criminal element bunked off on that day? ;)
Perhaps the criminal element bunked off on that day? ;)
Myszolow
17 Aug 2009
Myszolow
17 Aug 2009
News / Shock therapy for Polish prisoners. [13]
There's certainly one near Wrocław - I've driven past it.
Whatever next, I heard that Cadburies have opened a factory in Poland, they used to do tours in the UK, maybe they can take them round that instead!
There's certainly one near Wrocław - I've driven past it.
Myszolow
17 Aug 2009
News / WHY DOES POLAND, EU PERMIT FLOOD OF CHINA JUNK? [40]
It only really matters if people are unable to distinguish crap from quality though. Unfortunately for the Polish market, the older generation (40's +) seems to fall into that category.
If there were no market for cheap crap, it wouldn't be imported. One of the things that amazed me in Poland was the availability of very poor quality chocolate. (I call this czekoldowopodobny). Chocolate flavoured candy bars, rather than actually containing chocolate. I only fell for this once though, and now stick to known brands like Wedel, Wawel (not as nice as Wedel) etc. or foreign stuff. (I think Wedel is owned by Cadbury these days anyway LOL).
The reason I was suckered into buying this czekoladowopodobny shite is that, brought up in UK where that sort of crap wouldn't be considered good enough to sell, I had never come across it. Now I always look at the cocoa content. I lacked the skill to discern quality chocolate and fell for the low price. I think many older people in Poland lack the skill to judge quality in many many different areas - hence the influx and purchase of cheap poo.
It only really matters if people are unable to distinguish crap from quality though. Unfortunately for the Polish market, the older generation (40's +) seems to fall into that category.
If there were no market for cheap crap, it wouldn't be imported. One of the things that amazed me in Poland was the availability of very poor quality chocolate. (I call this czekoldowopodobny). Chocolate flavoured candy bars, rather than actually containing chocolate. I only fell for this once though, and now stick to known brands like Wedel, Wawel (not as nice as Wedel) etc. or foreign stuff. (I think Wedel is owned by Cadbury these days anyway LOL).
The reason I was suckered into buying this czekoladowopodobny shite is that, brought up in UK where that sort of crap wouldn't be considered good enough to sell, I had never come across it. Now I always look at the cocoa content. I lacked the skill to discern quality chocolate and fell for the low price. I think many older people in Poland lack the skill to judge quality in many many different areas - hence the influx and purchase of cheap poo.
Myszolow
17 Aug 2009
News / WHY DOES POLAND, EU PERMIT FLOOD OF CHINA JUNK? [40]
Yeah, but there's plenty of cheap crap available in the UK as well. Some of the cheap tools you can buy are ridiculously poor quality.
Yeah, but there's plenty of cheap crap available in the UK as well. Some of the cheap tools you can buy are ridiculously poor quality.
Myszolow
17 Aug 2009
Life / Redheads in Poland - How many? [95]
Sure, but the OP was about natural gingers, which seem to be very few and far between in Poland. :)
Sure, but the OP was about natural gingers, which seem to be very few and far between in Poland. :)
I'm not looking for an exact number.
Red / ginger hair is found all over Europe to varying degrees.
It is probably most common in Ireland.
It is also surprisingly common in Udmurtia (never heard of it?)
The important questions here are:
Are you Polish and ginger?
Do you know anyone who is?
Red / ginger hair is found all over Europe to varying degrees.
It is probably most common in Ireland.
It is also surprisingly common in Udmurtia (never heard of it?)
The important questions here are:
Are you Polish and ginger?
Do you know anyone who is?
Myszolow
17 Aug 2009
Life / Redheads in Poland - How many? [95]
No way. 4% would be one in every 25 people you meet is a redhead. Not a chance (unless you include the old ladies with red "farbowany" hair).
I can't think of a single Polish genuine ginger that I've met. I think it must be much nearer 1% or 1 in 100. Maybe it varies in different regions, but in the Zgierz area there simply aren't (m)any.
No way. 4% would be one in every 25 people you meet is a redhead. Not a chance (unless you include the old ladies with red "farbowany" hair).
I can't think of a single Polish genuine ginger that I've met. I think it must be much nearer 1% or 1 in 100. Maybe it varies in different regions, but in the Zgierz area there simply aren't (m)any.
Myszolow
17 Aug 2009
News / WHY DOES POLAND, EU PERMIT FLOOD OF CHINA JUNK? [40]
So you like Americans then? ;)
I have the impression that Poles think everything made in China is crap. It's not true though, although a lot of it is cheap crap. Almost everything is made there now, it depends on quality control systems whether it's crap or not.
Poles love cheap stuff, and not many of the older people are able to discern quality from tat (because there was never any choice of comparable products in the shops) so they just buy cheap crap in supermarkets. The number of cheap crap toys that they bought my son was horrific. Just buy him one quality toy instead of a heap of crap please. ;)
So you like Americans then? ;)
I have the impression that Poles think everything made in China is crap. It's not true though, although a lot of it is cheap crap. Almost everything is made there now, it depends on quality control systems whether it's crap or not.
Poles love cheap stuff, and not many of the older people are able to discern quality from tat (because there was never any choice of comparable products in the shops) so they just buy cheap crap in supermarkets. The number of cheap crap toys that they bought my son was horrific. Just buy him one quality toy instead of a heap of crap please. ;)
Myszolow
17 Aug 2009
News / Shock therapy for Polish prisoners. [13]
They should take them on a tour round Oświęcim (Auschwitz) and tell them "if you do it again we'll send you here". Went there once - shocking place. Truly. You can almost feel the evil presence there. (shudder)
They should take them on a tour round Oświęcim (Auschwitz) and tell them "if you do it again we'll send you here". Went there once - shocking place. Truly. You can almost feel the evil presence there. (shudder)
Myszolow
16 Aug 2009
Life / More Polish supermarket griping...this time about customers [29]
If you don't like people too close and you have a trolley, all you have to do is stand in front of the trolley. It'll get bumped a bit, but hey. You can also stand in front of it to unload your stuff and prevent those behind you having access to the conveyor belt until YOU are ready to let them, and you've put a "następny kretyn" marker down. ;)
I find that Tesco in Lódź is not too bad. But then I do try to go at off-peak times. I detest queues and crowds.
If you don't like people too close and you have a trolley, all you have to do is stand in front of the trolley. It'll get bumped a bit, but hey. You can also stand in front of it to unload your stuff and prevent those behind you having access to the conveyor belt until YOU are ready to let them, and you've put a "następny kretyn" marker down. ;)
I find that Tesco in Lódź is not too bad. But then I do try to go at off-peak times. I detest queues and crowds.
Myszolow
11 Aug 2009
News / Polish transfer of Family Estate in Will? [14]
That's excellent news for the OP. We wanted to spend money developing the "family home", which I was unwilling to do if I would then have to pay inheritance tax on it. So we had the parents gift it to us several years ago (although it ended up being their suggestion, so that worked out best).
We also got dad to get rid of his Maluch a few months (sold for 100zl) before he died, so we had no probate to deal with at all. :)
According to what I was told by a Polish tax advisor (i.e. tax lawyer) there is currently no tax on property gifts made to immediate family, but the recipient must register the gift with the tax office within six months of receiving it.
That's excellent news for the OP. We wanted to spend money developing the "family home", which I was unwilling to do if I would then have to pay inheritance tax on it. So we had the parents gift it to us several years ago (although it ended up being their suggestion, so that worked out best).
We also got dad to get rid of his Maluch a few months (sold for 100zl) before he died, so we had no probate to deal with at all. :)
Myszolow
11 Aug 2009
News / Polish transfer of Family Estate in Will? [14]
Now that is a watertight way to do it. You will have to pay some sort of transfer tax/stamp duty though. (We did, although it was about 8 years ago - things may have changed).
If it's dealt with now you won't have to go through probate either. In fact, it's probably the best all-round solution as long as he trusts you. :)
I told my husband that maybe we should have him give/by it now to avoid problems later.
Now that is a watertight way to do it. You will have to pay some sort of transfer tax/stamp duty though. (We did, although it was about 8 years ago - things may have changed).
If it's dealt with now you won't have to go through probate either. In fact, it's probably the best all-round solution as long as he trusts you. :)
Myszolow
9 Aug 2009
Life / How is cancer treatment in Poland??? [17]
My wife's dad died of prostate cancer about 18 months ago. We moved back to Poland for 18 months to see him through. He wouldn't have coped alone. The system here is pretty poor :(
Doctors spoke to the family and not the patient (like something out of a 1960's film).
Dad was diagnosed at the stage when the cancer had already metastacised to the bones. They gave him hormone therapy and strontium radiotherapy. The strontium helped the pain and he was great for about 6 months. He had two of those. Hard to get because it's expensive, but dad had a good connection who lobbied for him.
In the end they gave him aredia (pamidronate) monthly infusion to protect the bones from breaking. Once it gets to the bones, it's only a question of time. :( But the time might be 6 months or a few years.
What we found though was that even the consultants don't always know the procedures for getting the best drugs because the rules keep changing all the time.
If you have someone strong and pushy to champion your cause, you have a chance to get the best help, otherwise it's pretty hopeless.
In the end, the doctor and nurses from the pain clinic were absolutely marvellous. If your friend is on morphine already, chances are he's already plugged into that facility, but if not, try to find out if there is one. They were an absolute Godsend for the last couple of months. (both in terms of care for him and advice for us).
I have a friend whose father has prostate cancer. From what my friend says the Doctors seemed to be vauge on the details of his conditions and at this point says he is just slowly dying. Other than Supplements and Vitamins the only thing he is taking is Morphinem for the pain. I don't know if it's the assumption that he has no money or if it is legitimately a no hope case.
I'm just wondering if there is anyone else out there with some info or insight on a simlar cituation.
Also if there are any support groups for Spouses and Familys of people with cancer or diseases in the Poznan area please let me know. Thanks to all in advance :)
I'm just wondering if there is anyone else out there with some info or insight on a simlar cituation.
Also if there are any support groups for Spouses and Familys of people with cancer or diseases in the Poznan area please let me know. Thanks to all in advance :)
My wife's dad died of prostate cancer about 18 months ago. We moved back to Poland for 18 months to see him through. He wouldn't have coped alone. The system here is pretty poor :(
Doctors spoke to the family and not the patient (like something out of a 1960's film).
Dad was diagnosed at the stage when the cancer had already metastacised to the bones. They gave him hormone therapy and strontium radiotherapy. The strontium helped the pain and he was great for about 6 months. He had two of those. Hard to get because it's expensive, but dad had a good connection who lobbied for him.
In the end they gave him aredia (pamidronate) monthly infusion to protect the bones from breaking. Once it gets to the bones, it's only a question of time. :( But the time might be 6 months or a few years.
What we found though was that even the consultants don't always know the procedures for getting the best drugs because the rules keep changing all the time.
If you have someone strong and pushy to champion your cause, you have a chance to get the best help, otherwise it's pretty hopeless.
In the end, the doctor and nurses from the pain clinic were absolutely marvellous. If your friend is on morphine already, chances are he's already plugged into that facility, but if not, try to find out if there is one. They were an absolute Godsend for the last couple of months. (both in terms of care for him and advice for us).
Myszolow
2 Aug 2009
Life / Why do People spend half their lives complaining about living in Poland? [55]
I only asked you what horion is because I've never heard of it before. How am I supposed to know that it's heroin? Your spelling wasn't even close.
Good to see admin's doing a good job. Well done :)
Are you stupid? Actually scrub that, you must be an ignorant tit!
I only asked you what horion is because I've never heard of it before. How am I supposed to know that it's heroin? Your spelling wasn't even close.
Good to see admin's doing a good job. Well done :)
Myszolow
2 Aug 2009
Life / Why do People spend half their lives complaining about living in Poland? [55]
What the heck is horion? Never heard of it and google doesn't play ball either.???
What the heck is horion? Never heard of it and google doesn't play ball either.???
Myszolow
2 Aug 2009
Life / Why do People spend half their lives complaining about living in Poland? [55]
The key is to treat it as a game. Let the idiots be idiots, but foresee it and keep yourself out of trouble. You don't get three lives in this game. ;)
now i actually quite enjoy driving on Polands roads
The key is to treat it as a game. Let the idiots be idiots, but foresee it and keep yourself out of trouble. You don't get three lives in this game. ;)
Myszolow
2 Aug 2009
Life / Why do People spend half their lives complaining about living in Poland? [55]
I dunno. I think the ex-commie nations would give us some stiff competition. It would be a photo-finish for sure. ;)
Hey, if there was a gold at the olympics the Brits would win that ;0)
I dunno. I think the ex-commie nations would give us some stiff competition. It would be a photo-finish for sure. ;)