Life / WHY POLISH PEOPLE DON'T USE THEIR NATIVE FIRST NAME WHEN ABROAD? [136]

As you've said it's easier to use a simpler version of your name, not only because of pronunciation, but it's easier to remember for those whom you meet. They may succeed in pronouncing your name after you but then... don't call you by it very often.

I know some people who don't want other Poles to know they're Polish and use their English names at work ( to wear them on their badge, etc.)

Some find being a Polish quite embarrassing ( I can understand it - don't be judgemental)

Others treat names as part of their identity, it's easier to start a new life abroad with a brand new name

So, many reasons I guess.

Food / Beer and syrup - tastes better! [48]


Watch "Dances with wolves"

Life / I don't understand why my girlfriend wants to live in crime-prone Krakow [37]

oh come on! The girl has a job in Poland and it's more probable that Ramsey finds a job in Krakow, (as a native speaker - so no qualifications needed )than that she finds a good job in the States( not as a cleaner).

Ramsey writes about his strong family ties and you don't even consider her side of the story!
Krakow is a place that people get addicted to, it has a charm of a typically European old city and to people who love it, nothing seems scary.

Plus I was never robbed, attacked or anything there and I never locked the door, so I suppose the place is cursed, move out of that flat and good luck.

Travel / Changing Poland [75]

And don't forget the german money! Bratwurst people would feel offended if we did not to mention their input

Travel / Changing Poland [75]


sure... they don't wish you a good day .. they just want you to leave your money there...
good manners are fake

Travel / Changing Poland [75]


Poles are also tought that! Come on...

I think Maty and Bunia have a point here , there's a slight language difference or a cultural thing and you don't have to say please and thank you every 5 words, one is enough.

But the ladies in shops and especially post office are not polite at all as if they were angry that you're there and interupt them... it's changing slowly

Travel / Changing Poland [75]

It


I've seen on tv recently that they do employ prisoners who present a minor danger, and when they leave they usually keep the job

It's too expensive to take them all out to work.. transportation, guards, etc
but they work in jails... and get paid for that

Genealogy / Brzozow, Poland [12]

I've found the page of a parish in Brzozów it's:

parbrzozow.przemysl.opoka.org.pl/viewpage.php?page_id=5

And the contact adress of the parish is :

Parafia Rzymskokatolicka pw. Przemienienia Pańskiego w Brzozowie
pl. Grunwaldzki 2, 36- 200 Brzozów

tel. 13 43 416 34
e-mail: parbrzozow@przemysl.opoka.org.pl

Life / Doing laundry in Poland [66]

Ok
The first thing you notice about Polish /European things is that they are much smaller than the American. Narrow streets- smaller cars, tiny flats- small washers.

My washer is "top loaded" and has plenty of programmes the shortest is just rinsing and spinning and takes 16 min but I never use it. Usually I go for 65 min rapid program <lol> the longest is 130 min that's with prewash.

Programmes are one thing, spinning is other and teperature (from cold-30 and every ten to 90 degrees) is another.
Driers are not popular in poland, I know people who have and use them though.The thig is they are usu a combination of a washer with a drier .. maybe that's where the smell comes from. I used to use one but the smell was a disadvantage and the teperature was too high for most of my clothes and they were all creased after drying... And hanging out is a skill Bunia! you need to be carefull because the sun can fade the colours, clippers can make a mark in the middle of a blouse, etc. It does take loads of time.

Life / What do Polish people think about Americans living in Poland? [48]


It doesn't make sense... is that what you want to achieve? confuse them ! maybe jestem is not in its place...yeah get rid of it!

I agree with Varsovian most of the Americans who come to Poland are extraordinary, open- minded and make great friends. Polish people generally admire Americans, " American dream" capitalism, freedom of speech, etc make them want to kiss the ground the Americans walk on. So no probs here

The stereotype of a "stupid" uneducated American is also present though. " Paris is the capital of Europe" is one of my favourites but ask Europeans what is the capital of Nevada and then we'll see.

Also it is sometimes our fault that we don't correct the foreigners' view of Poland. Few years ago my English teacher from the US wanted to help us poor cave men and described all the goods of civilisation that she thought we lacked ( Washing- machine among them). No one bothered to mention that we all had them at home.. must've been horible for her to find that out later..

UK, Ireland / Polish girl burned alive in Liverpool [201]

Oh Ola they say in the article taht they were a couple so I wouldn't call it an act of racism... sleep on it

Genealogy / Help me find this first year law student in Jagiellonian University. [7]

Depends on the department and individual arrangements, but the exams should finish by July.. so just wait a bit

News / Poland's Growth Fastest in 10 Years [95]


Did we ask for it? don't think so!
..Count to ten and breathe..
The good thing about you Michal is that you make us all unite against a common enemy.. guess who

Life / Jaywalking in Poland ? [38]


unless the real police car is hidden behind the fake one... they do that sometime e.g. at the end of the year when they have to work on the statistics

Life / Jaywalking in Poland ? [38]

I got a ticket once for crossing while on a "yellow light "( in a middle of a night when there were no cars, no people, and the policemen were hidden behind a bush), so it's just being well taught, precautious.Don't think it's got to do with law abiding....

Iit's been said many times here that people pop into the road without looking so.. it also happens and make drivers let go their anger on forum etc

Language / Help!! I've got to teach year 7 Polish numbers. [13]

It's absolutely fantastic :) the second one I like better. I'm going to use it during my class tomorrow..

Language / Polish Language Pronunciation - Example Words and Phrases [220]

some people pronounce it same like "czy" word...if that could help, it sound funny though :)

Life / How come Poles have 2 cars, mobile phones - but make so little money? [23]

Generalizing as usu! It's true that we talk about money, but maybe because I live in Podkarpacie where the money is different, it's not braging but the other way round :) My friends moan all the time how little they earn, which is actually around this 1200 zl ( I know exactly how much they get) still they have cell phones, cars, most live in flats/ houses they could buy after their weddings or with the help of their families or by saving the money they earned abroad.

I know people though that earn less and get paid irregularly and I know some that earn a lot lot more.
I moved to the country this year and my new neighbour has a dvd player, internet connection but ... no running water ( toilet) at home so perhaps its just a matter of priorities .

Genealogy / BIeniek, Gomulka and Radzisz families [8]

I 'll try but it seems I have to be more engaged in the discussions to be able to contact you via mail.

Genealogy / BIeniek, Gomulka and Radzisz families [8]

Hi! In the phone book of Krosno (2002) there are two people with the surname Bieniek: 1. Janina 2.Tadeusz; There are 5 Gomułkas and no Radziszes. In Jasło: one Bieniek, two Gomulkas and no Radziszes I'm affraid.