Travel / Visiting girlfriend in Poland for Christmas, need some advice [15]

Just be yourself,
They will make allowances for your lack of Polish. Be aware that men you have never seen in your life will kiss you, this is normal, do NOT "head-butt" them, because yo think they are gay!!!...Old women will kiss you and even try the "tongue", smile and step back quickly........lol..Happy Christmas.

Life / Living in Poland without working? - Your opinion [63]

I think Buddy is near enough with his figures, except, the price of a new flat seems a little high and also, if you are not a pensioner, your health cover from the UK will last 12 months after which, you will need to contribute to ZUS (about 250PLN per month)

USA, Canada / Roads and Driving rules in Poland versus America [63]

The rules of the road are fine!!!!....if the Polish could be bothered to observe them!!!

Genealogy / Radomski family [8]

I used to go to school in the UK with a Nigel Radomski?

Real Estate / Property insurance in Poland [9]

I use "Warta", cheaper quote than "PUZ"

Feedback / "Shame the rip off companies in Poland" - new forum section suggestion [35]

Wroclaw Boy.......Did you personally sign the contract with "neostrada"? How long ago? Was it a "pre-printed contract with the period of 3 years already printed". If Polish is not your natural language, did they give you a copy of the contract in English?, did they give you 24 hours to study the contract before you signed?

Feedback / "Shame the rip off companies in Poland" - new forum section suggestion [35]

Wroclaw Boy...........Go to the EU website, consumer affairs, "unfair contracts". For a contract to be legal and valid, it "HAS TO BE", "DEEMED" to be fair to both parties, if the time limit of 3 years was "printed" on the contract and showed no "negotiation" between you and the supplier, then, the contract can be deemed, unfair. If it was written into a space, in front of you, then I am affraid you are stuck. These EU regulations became law in Poland on 26th September, 2005. I was interested in how many Polish companies would actually change their unfair contracts and get new ones printed. If possible, in future, sign yourself and if you are not given a copy of the contract in English then the one you signed is not valid.

Real Estate / I am English, 40, want to sell my home and move to Poland [17]

It depends on what you are looking for and the reasons that you want to leave the UK?If you are solitary and independant, its possible to make a life here in Poland.

Travel / General info when visiting the Rzeszow area in Poland!? [3]

It was -13C some nights last week and down to -6C during the day but it has since warmed up and the average temperature is around +5C during the day. I live about an hours drive away from Rzeszow and I hope you enjoy your holiday. Most things will seem inexpensive to you so I would not worry about the amount you need to bring to spend. If you need a local, emergency contact number, you can e-mail me. Have fun.

USA, Canada / 2008 U.S. Presidential Election according to Polish and foreign people [90]

I am voting for Tony Blair, President of the United States, President of the European Union and God of the known Universe. (at least he thinks he is). Why should the USA get somebody decent after Bush?.we got Brown!!!!!!!!

Life / Thermal wear in Krakow [7]

Go to any "outdoor/mountaineering" shop. You can get all the thermal underwear you need. Probably cheaper than M & S.

Life / Wondering about opening a savings account in Poland [8]

There is no problem opening a Polish bank accounts as long as you have a Polish address. Any profit earned on interest or investments is presently taxed at 19% at source by the bank so there is no need to get involved with the Polish Tax authorities.

News / The most useless things in Poland [140]

joo who.......This is normal, I have been here 5 years and from the first week I learnt the following: "Why say it in one word when you can use 20!!!" There are no direct answers that do not involve, a relation, the people next door, the neighbours, the neighbours dog, the priest, the hospital, Zus etc....and you only asked where the nearest Chemist is!!!!!

Real Estate / Problems of renting in the Polish market [46]

There seems to be some useful points on both sides in the above comments. My personal experience has been:
Bought 30 ara of land next to lakes and forest in April 2007
Foundations for one house had already been build, so building permission established.
Changed planning permission to 13 apartments, this took 3 months.
Formed Limited Company, regon, nip etc, took 1 month.
Instructed architect to design apartments (in Western style) in late November.
Power line too near plot so arranged for removal (one month as owners of surrounding plots had to be notified)
Architect gave me finalised project this weekend ( I made many changes....lol)
Building regulations should take 6-8 weeks.
So, basically, this has taken roughly the same time as projects I have carried out in the UK, approximately one year from buying the land to starting construction, but unlike the UK, there has not been one objection!!!

History / Poland Betrayed in WW2 [243]

They could hardly have attacked if they had stayed on the aircraft carriers.....lol

Life / Should I expect culture shock when coming to Poland from the US or UK? [34]

No culture shock!!!...First of all, on arrival you will just stare with an open mouth, then its the comatose stage, when the novelty wears off its time for the depression stage (usually when trying to register for a temporary address at the local office), then, its the vodka stage and everything is well in the world, bit like a Disney film really. Enjoy your stay.

Life / Gay scene good in Poland? [66]

I think I might be bi-sexual?........I like women AND girls!!!!!!!

Real Estate / Article: Budimex calls for stagnation in 2008 residential property market [8]


So, one of the largest developers is suspending some developments because they see stagnation as a problem for the small developers?...I suppose this make sense to somebody?

Real Estate / Article: Budimex calls for stagnation in 2008 residential property market [8]

There may well be an over-supply in the larger cities but this has been known for a long time. It takes 3-4 years to buy land, plan the infastructure in liason with the city councils for large projects, 1-2000 apartments. Nobody applied before Poland entered the EU and the 4th year is just coming up in May. The large developers have their planning agreed and permits in place at just the wrong time, a worldwide recession and a credit crunch (which by the way does not effect Poland very much as credit is fairly new here).

If these large developers "sit" on the land and wait for world finances to ease, its quite expensive for them.
The Spanish and Irish are getting hit harder as the exchange rate against the Zloty has dropped considerably in the past year so any developing they do has to hit top price to cover the currency fluctuations.

Smaller town developers should not be affected to much as labour will be more available and building prices will drop.

Life / Whats driving like in Poland? [70]

What is the point in checking your mirror, indicating to pull out to overtake, when some P***k is overtaking you on the inside?

Love / Polish ladies seem to be in high demand at the moment. [105]

Nice one Wyspi :-)

UK, Ireland / British/Polish baby [29]

InKrakow is correct, you have to be married. If the child is born in Poland it will have the mothers nationality. To register the child for a British Passport you need to submit all details to the British Consulate, at least 30 days prior to the birth. I was also in this situation.

UK, Ireland / British/Polish baby [29]

Harry, if you bothered to read what Scotsjim actually said, the child is going to be born in Poland, so why do you go on about the laws that apply in the UK?. I only pointed out the relevant facts as they applied to me here in Poland. I phoned the British Consulate in Warsaw and was given this information as I was unsure of the regulations that would apply to my own daughter.

Real Estate / How much for a nice house in Poland? [11]

No bed

Life / Automatic or Manual stick-shift cars in Poland? [15]

I drive a manual but bought my partner an automatic as she does not seem to get on with changing gear. I have to admit, I prefer driving the automatic, especially in towns or when stuck at roadworks on the A4, which has been every time for the past 5 years!!!!

News / The polish Zloty getting stronger versus British pound? [15]

In the past few weeks, the GBP has fallen in value against the Euro from 1.34 to
1.30 = £1. I have been wondering if the British Government has every intentention of allowing the fall to continue until there is a parity, thus doing away with a need to have a referendum to adopt the Euro by claiming that as they are the same value, there is no need.

Like jones101, I cannot see any reason for Sterling to be falling against the Euro as the British economy is supposed to be in a sound position. Could it possibly be that the British public are being lied to yet again?

Travel / Advice on accommodation / restaurants in Zakopane and Krakow wanted [13]

You could try the Hotel Fian, reasonable rates, restaurant and bar, also, secure car parking. Easy walking distance to main street area.

Genealogy / wincenty [8]

There was a " Wincenty Witas" who served two terms as prime minister of Poland in the late 1920's. He was born in the village of Wierzchoslawice near Tarnow and the house he was born in is now a small museum which can be visited.

Life / Experiences of Polish Hospitals [29]

I had a triple bypass in Krakow just over a year ago. The facilities were first rate and the staff were fantastic. It was the cleanest hospital I have ever been in. I am glad that I had this operation here and not in the UK. I will always owe a big debt for the care and kindness shown to me.

Travel / Does a strong Zloty damage Poland's tourism [14]

Is it normal for hotel prices to go down at the weekend?

Yes, businessmen pay more for stays during the week and tend to go home at weekends which means the hotels have more rooms available then. Most of the top hotels offer discount rates at weekends except in the main tourist areas. Its also better to book online and not just turn up at reception.