Is it difficult to survive in Warsaw without any Polish knowledge?

Is it difficult to survive in Warsaw daily life without any Polish knowledge ?
I'll move to Warsaw on may. Should I try to learn some polish in this Period Or is it better to get some lessons after I reach there ?

Well I lived 1 year in Warsaw, I can speak/write/read Polish so I ha no problems. It will be much easier if you can Polish ofcourse but I think German would do too. English is maybe not that known allready.

learn polish maybe? if you're in a country try learning the language :)

Of course you should try to learn some polish before you get there. And when you will arrive to Poland you should learn it as well. Sooner you start better you are.

You colud allways count on that the guy next to you in the shop knows english, it's very probably, but not allways happes. People know English but learn if you can man.

I was stuck in Beijing for a month; don't know any Chinese language at all... well, I survived...

I was locked in my car for a week.
I died.

Insane Irish.

That makes it sound like their might be an alternative :)

I bought a software to practice polish but it is really boring ( software not the language :) ) and really don't have much time.

Go to byki.com and then select the free download of Polish language materials. It's not at all boring.

English is not widely spoken by the older generation. German is more spoken, but will get you funny looks. Learn some Polish!

I


I can't speak german too :(.

Mephias,
From the times that i have been in warsaw, i would say that you can survive without polish on a day to day basis...a lot of people do speak english. In local shops, you can just point. Restaurants, bars, banks, estate agents etc normally have a few people who can speak English.

Where you will start to have problems is dealing with local authorities e.g. tax etc. You will need to bring a translator along with you. Also, any dealing over the phone can be abit of a nightmare.

If you are going to be here any lenght of time, it would probably make sense to learn some polish.
Best of luck.

Thank you vndunne,
I'll move to Warsaw permanently. I'll be there for a new job. I think I will learn Polish in time. I am only worried about first 3-4 months.

You and I are in the same boat lol. I am intending to take some Polish classes, so maybe you'd like to have some moral support?

No its not difficult to be in Warsaw and not know Polish beyond the technical things like communicating with the internet installer and these type of people. learn a bit of polish and you can make some friends and they can help you during certain situations. In Warsaw many people under 40 speak some English. Just don't expect that they should speak English. If you say sorry my Polish isn't very good than they will help you.

xD i lived there a year...and when i was barely grasping it! i had to leave.... ¬¬ sucks...
but yes, you can survive xD but YOU MUST LEARN POLISH!!!!! =D its like awesome...and so complicated x) but you just love it after hearing it some time =D

This is what we tell the Mexicans.

Well it's hard to understand for an immigrant if they don't know your language Randal :)
I bet they don't listen to you if you speak Spanish either xD

what are you studying?

the armenian genocide? oh, thats right, it didnt happen.

Thank you DC it was very helpful.


I'll try when I get there, I mean should I try to learn something before I move (it may be very difficult to learn the language myself that's why I ask that).


Study ? it was long time ago Sobieski. I am a computer engineer and I am moving for work.

I don't see any point to discuss this subject with you. I am sure I have more armenian friends than you. And what is your intention to blame someone or a nation with a historical claim on absolutely irrelevant thread ?

It's just rude and disrespectful to go live in a country and not at least learn some of the native language. I wouldn't so much as go on vacation to another country without first learning some of the language basics, let alone go to live there.

I understand English isn't so hard to learn as compared to some others, like Polish.

In principle right but good luck if travel to about 30 different countries Randal :-)

True enough, Randal. Even when I went to Seoul, just for 3 days, I learned how to say good day and thank you.

I find it natural to just pick up a few words and use them. To be otherwise would just be ignorant.

I don't agree with you. Anyway I already said twice I want to learn Polish but I am not sure if I am able to before moving there because I don't have time and friends who knows Polish.

You have online resources you know. They'll give you the basics.

I'll try. I think basics won't be trouble but Polish pronounciation is very difficult for me I think it will take long time before I can speak or understand it.

Many are in the same boat. It's a tough nut to crack but good luck. Persistence pays sometimes.

I have been in in Poland for over a year now....and have been living in Warsaw for little over 5 months.

I spoke no Polish when I lived in a small town outside Warsaw...I speak no Polish now I live in Warsaw......sure I have tried to pick up some very 'common' phrases such as 'vodka please!' ...just messing!!....but I have never felt like it was a major problem. Every restaurant/bar I have been to has an English menu...and most have English speaking staff.

Not speaking Polish has its advantages as well!!..I have ''Talked'' my way out of a speeding ticket!!...and I don't understand when some drunk muppets try to give me abuse!

I understand when people say that whilst your living in a foreign country then you should try and learn the lingo etc...but life's too short!...I'm fine with things as they are...I love living here...and until the language barrier becomes a problem I'll keep on smiling and ignoring the non English speaking Polish people.

As for official purposes I use the British Council..and the British Embassy to deal with things...thats what they are here for!

If you really want to learn Polish here then do and exchange of teaching English in return for some Polish lessons...there will be plenty of takers!

You account of your experience is very interesting, GF.