UK, Ireland / Polish chef jailed for double rape in Leeds. [42]


They are human and were forced into a sexual act so therefore a crime was committed against them.


Exactly.

News / Non-Polish members - what knowledge does your country have about Poland? [35]


Not much. There is quite possibly more known now. Probably in certain areas of Scotland more is known about Poland than in others but that it because of the linked history between the two. Nothing much was taught about Poland in school when I was there but that's a while back. ;) Even in history class Poland was mentioned rarely, only to do with WWII. I do know now that there is a little more being taught about Poland but that might not be every school. My local primary school does but that might be because there are a lot of Polish children there and they've always been good at integrating other cultures into the school.

Really, prior to 2004 there was no reason for anything particular about Poland to be taught in schools. There may be more of a case for it now and in the future though.

USA, Canada / WHY SO FEW POLISH RESTAURANTS IN AMERICA? [44]

Google huh? Don't rely on that fb. Polands obesity "problem" is minor, very minor, compared to that of the USA or the UK. Poland may now have more fast food outlets but let's hope they learn from the western world about what those outlets can do for you. If I had to guess, I would say Poland has about 15 to 20% of the population with obesity problem compared to, I would say well over 50% in USA or UK.


Exactly. Maybe not 100's but certainly many. ;)

USA, Canada / WHY SO FEW POLISH RESTAURANTS IN AMERICA? [44]


Full of Polish food. Yes. :)


Then why doesn't Poland have an obesity problem then? US and UK does. People can eat any food they like as long as they eat it in moderation. Stuff your face full of any kinds of food and it'll have an adverse effect.

UK, Ireland / FIVE DIE AS POLE DRIVES WRONG WAY ON UK MOTORWAY [78]

I think they have a clearer idea now, I read in this article that they were from the same family. A mother and her children plus maybe an uncle. Sad.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8006893.stm

UK, Ireland / FIVE DIE AS POLE DRIVES WRONG WAY ON UK MOTORWAY [78]


That's probably the likeliest scenario. At that time of night he possibly assumed he could fire back down the motorway and avoid other traffic.


None that I've read.

Anyway, this is a sad story regardless of how it was caused. Five people are dead, four from the same family.

UK, Ireland / ENGLISHMAN JAILED FOR HAMMER ATTACK ON POLISH GIRL [24]


Yes, seems premeditated of course. However, they only charged him with "attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent" and they get away with that because "Fackrell called police to High Street, Chew Magna, and explained he wanted her to feel the pain he felt, but he didn't want to kill her and used 'three-quarter force'". So they obviously couldn't prove anything more than an attempt to seriously hurt her. Despite the fact that anyone who buys a hammer to hurt someone can quite obviously kill them with it.

UK, Ireland / ENGLISHMAN JAILED FOR HAMMER ATTACK ON POLISH GIRL [24]


Exactly, stingy judge. At least he's off the streets for a while though.

thisisbristol.co.uk/homepage/Spurned-Withywood-man-jailed-hammer-attack/article-901923-detail/article.html

Food / MARMITE IN POLAND? [96]


It probably tastes slightly better.


Hmm, today I considered knocking all the jars of Marmite off the shelves in Sainsbury's and saying it was an accident. I didn't though.

Poland, live in hope that Marmite never becomes popular there. :)

Food / MARMITE IN POLAND? [96]


Rock on! :)


And the hungover Pole?


Automatic suspension... ;)

I just don't get why people like Marmite. It's just...wrong. The slogan is something like "love it or hate it" and it's true, people either love it or hate. I'd flush every trace of it down the toilet. :)

Love / Should I Be Nervous About Going to Poland? Black female dating a Pole. [158]


That's up to whoever runs the city to sort out. It's got nothing to do with the colour of the residents. If the people who run the city or the government has systems in place to prevent "moochers" it would be a different story, but they don't. Don't blame a race of people. Blame the people who run that city or even run the country.

PurpleLeo, your visit should be fine. If you have any hassle then it's coming from narrow-minded individuals. Those sorts will pick on anyone with a different accent or colour of skin but that can happen in any country. Enjoy your stay in PL.

Food / MARMITE IN POLAND? [96]


Probably the best decision you'll ever make in your life. It's disgusting.

UK, Ireland / Poles claim UK benefits after working only one year instead of going home [156]

Cool by me. I need a week dedicated to research anyway.

Have good one folks. :)

UK, Ireland / Poles claim UK benefits after working only one year instead of going home [156]

I think you need to look again, EL THICKO, grab some stats from college about the people on benefits. It's mostly Scottish people in Scotland. Brits are scroungers, big style.

UK, Ireland / Poles claim UK benefits after working only one year instead of going home [156]


I think it's because the UK recognises that it has so many scroungers that it welcomes people who have contributed something, anything to the UK. The UK also invests in who they hope will be the future of the country, sadly not many Brits are forecasting themselves as being part of the future of the country.

This thread is about people who lived here for 1 year, you're right. Also, worth noting, some of those who have only been here a year contribute more than Brit Citz's who haven been here their whole lives. Who should get more? In my eyes, the person who contributes more.

UK, Ireland / Poles claim UK benefits after working only one year instead of going home [156]

Tell me why scroungers should have more rights? My grandparents worked and fought their arses off to give this country freedom. That doesn't mean any scrounging git should benefit from that. Why should this country pay for scroungers just because they are British? My grandparents didn't give it all up for that. They gave it up for people that respected freedom and what freedom gave them. Freedom didn't suggest that some of us should work like idiots for 60 hours a weeks to receive the same entitlements as some one who doesn't know what work is. Get the scroungers working. Meanwhile, if someone from Poland was contributing to the country then suddenly finds themselves unemployed and needing help to stay afloat I'll help them, no worries.

UK, Ireland / Poles claim UK benefits after working only one year instead of going home [156]


Yes they should, because they have contributed more than some scraggy British scroungers ever have. Some British citizens shouldn't even be given that title as they only scrounge from Britain themselves. Fact is, majority of Polish people contribute more than some British scroungers do. Read my previous replies in this thread because I'm not going to repeat them for someone who couldn't be bothered to read something written before they posted.

UK, Ireland / Poles claim UK benefits after working only one year instead of going home [156]

Then say that rather than blaming only Polish people.

UK, Ireland / Poles claim UK benefits after working only one year instead of going home [156]


Neither do British born benefit cheats, scroungers etc...errr...FACT(amundo).


How many non-British born people do the NHS hire then? Dealing with NHS daily as I do I can safely say this, in dealing with the GP's I come across many British born GP's and only some non-British born GP's. HOWEVER, as soon as I have to deal with a hospital it's reversed. A large number of the doctors and surgeons who preform absolute miracles on people are non-British born. So it's OK to utilise them but not give a hairy banana about those people who come from the same country as that doctor or surgeon?


Where did they come from before then?

UK, Ireland / Poles claim UK benefits after working only one year instead of going home [156]


Exactly. Those so called "threatening" adverts the government came out with about cracking down on benefit cheats make me cringe and they probably make the benefit cheats laugh.


That's my point. Work for one day and you'll appear on a list that says you have had a job in your life. Work one day, fall into a different set of statistics and then just cheat as much as you can off the state but you can tell people you had a job!

If a Polish person works and contributes for one year then they've contributed more than a substantial number of Brits have (ie - the benefit cheats). So why should that Polish person be forced to return home if they have to claim a benefit for being out of work? Plenty of people have to go on unemployment benefit (or whatever they call it now) to help them manage between jobs and that I don't mind. People are being made redundant left, right and centre at the moment and if they've been working and contributing to this country then this country should help them stay on their feet and find employment again, regardless of their nationality.

UK, Ireland / Very First Polish Cultural Festival in Edinburgh April 2009 [7]

Well, the festival is getting closer and there is some hype about it in Edinburgh.

The good news is, some of the events are free (although tickets may have to be booked) so this festival will suit all budgets. ;)

One free event will be held on Saturday 25th April in Leith Links Park from 10am until 3pm and that is the Polish Medieval Tournament and Market.

Go back 500 years in time and celebrate in Polish medieval style. There will be entertainment, combat, old fashioned fun and, of course, cooking. There will also be a medieval dancing demonstration and medieval cookery demonstration. Watch as forty contenders take part in an actual foot combat tournament and see them battle until one Knight is victorious!

There will also be market stalls and a variety of other demonstrations to keep you amused throughout the day.

Feel like a lecture?

Tuesday 21st of April, Pani Solińska restaurant is the venue for a lecture about the Polish Scottish heritage. There will be stories from history about these two cultures that have always been drawn to each other. £12 per ticket for this one but it does also include a 2 course meal and a drink. Time for this lecture is 6pm and will last about two hours.

"The Offsiders" is a film about a homeless gent called Jacek Mróz who formerly played for the National Polish football team (Boruc might want to pay attention to this one ;). He decides to start a homeless football team. This is being shown at the Filmhouse on Wednesday 22nd April at 6.30pm. Prices are £6.30 or £4.70 for concessions.

There are many, many more events in the festival and you can find out more by visiting the website: polishculturalfestival.org.uk but I hope to post a few more events before the actual beginning of the event one week from today! :)

You can also copy/paste this address into your browser edinburgh.com.pl/images/stories/Polish_Cultural_Festival_Progra mme.pdf and it will take you to the brochure. :)

News / Fire in hostel in north west Poland kills 21. [18]


I know but it just directs me to onet.eu.

I have read that a child was injured.


It does. I also think that it's a nice gesture for the country to have 24 hours of mourning for those who have died.


A nice gesture from you too. I guess if people just donated clothes or something, even just to get the survivors through the next few weeks. I remember a friend of mine lost everything in a house fire and she was so very grateful for the donations of clothes she received from others in the neighbourhood, after the fire she didn't even have one pair of underpants to her name, only the pyjamas she was rescued in.

News / Fire in hostel in north west Poland kills 21. [18]

I'm reading this article which appear on onet.eu.

UK, Ireland / Poles claim UK benefits after working only one year instead of going home [156]


Don't quote per cents at me. Someone who may have only worked one day in their lives falls into your 99% of those who have had a job. They've still spent the rest of their lives scrounging. (That doesn't include the people who have been declared unfit to work and are legitimate).

News / Fire in hostel in north west Poland kills 21. [18]

Thanks Wroclaw, I have begun to read that article. Is that right that they haven't been able to contact so many people? That's scary.

The picture that goes with the article shows how flimsy the building really was.

News / Fire in hostel in north west Poland kills 21. [18]


Is there any more news? I haven't checked the news at all since I heard about the fire this morning.

UK, Ireland / Poles claim UK benefits after working only one year instead of going home [156]


SOME have.

SOME have never paid a single penny.


Well it's more than some British people are paying. If Polish people are paying a pittance then at least they are contributing something. So we'll keep the contributors and bounce out Dodgy Donna down the street because she's never paid a penny.

Love / Could "food" potentially come between us? [25]

I can understand her concerns too which is why I suggest to try out some dishes. Particularly if her boyfriend can assist by even telling her what sort of dishes his mother might prepare then PurpleLeo can try them out in London.

PurpleLeo, if you don't like them after trying them, no one can fault you on that but at least you tried them and your boyfriend can talk to his mother. His mother might be a bit more understanding than you think.

Love / Could "food" potentially come between us? [25]

PurpleLeo, I think there is good advice in this thread about trying the food. This is only April and you have until June to try out different Polish dishes. Of course there will be dishes you don't like, I don't like Flaki for example, but you will only know if you don't like them if you try them first. Don't expect the worst, most Polish food is very nice. You are in London, there are numerous places to try Polish food or ask your boyfriend to introduce you to the food, perhaps he has a friend who will cook some. Don't panic about this situation but make an effort so at least when you go to Poland you will know what you like and don't like. Don't leave it until you go to Poland to first taste the food. Do the taste test! :)