Animosity between Poland vrs. Polonia?

OP Dice 15 | 452

1 Feb 2008 / #91

It's all about envy and jealousy. People in poland know how easy life is in canada, for example, compared to poland. An educated or skilled(mechanic, electrician, etc..) canadian can live a very comfortable life in this country. In poland, this is not the case. Doctors(800zl/month), teachers, professors, engineers make next to nothing. This is not limited to poles though, most of the people on this planet would do anything to live like the average canadian.

But what happens when you go to visit the Old Country? Don't you talk about your family living in a large house, with maybe a swimming pool and a couple of cars, don't you show pictures, tell'em how much you make? And all that while visiting someone who's appartement is the size of your bedroom closet and he lives there with a wife, two kids and in-laws.

Maybe a little sensitivity would be in order? maybe if we didn't throw the money at their faces by bringing each and every one a "present"?

No wonder they feel envious!

miranda

1 Feb 2008 / #92

And all that while visiting someone who's appartement is the size of your bedroom closet and he lives there with a wife, two kids and in-law

thay may have been the case some years ago, but some Polish people get big houses. Besides, who talks about the sizes with their family. I go to spend a qaulity time, not to brag or anything.

Maybe a little sensitivity would be in order? maybe if we didn't throw the many at their faces by bringing each and every one a "present"?No wonder they feel envious!

sounds like you haven't been to Poland for a looong time, the same applies to polishcunuck.

plk123 8 | 4,138

1 Feb 2008 / #93

Maybe a little sensitivity would be in order? maybe if we didn't throw the money at their faces by bringing each and every one a "present"?

now presents are bad? lol i am learning so much from you guys/gals. :D :D

El Gato 4 | 351

1 Feb 2008 / #94

I don't like it either. But it was pointed out to me [on these boards] that those who vote could well be voting for their future. A future when they return to Poland.
People who have no intention of returning shouldn't vote in my opinion. Problem is we don't know who these people are. So the only fair way, it seems, is to let them all vote.

I'm returning, hopefully...

At least I plan to if all goes well

:]

OP Dice 15 | 452

1 Feb 2008 / #95

those who vote could well be voting for their future. A future when they return to Poland.
People who have no intention of returning shouldn't vote in my opinion.

I agree with you 100%. If you don't think of moving back to Poland, then do NOT vote.

Eurola 4 | 1,902

1 Feb 2008 / #96

I find it ridiculous when people who live here (USA) for years say that they are going to vote. This kind of votes only mess up intentions of people who actually live in Poland. I never voted and have no intention to.Simply, because, I have no idea what's going on in Poland on everyday bases.

Reading a weekend edition of a polish newspaper or listening to "polonia" radio does not give me the real feeling of being "there".

Sure, I can buy newspapers and magazines imported from Poland, but it only adds to the confusion.
So, "Polonia" - keep out.

polishcanuck 7 | 462

2 Feb 2008 / #97

But what happens when you go to visit the Old Country? Don't you talk about your family living in a large house, with maybe a swimming pool and a couple of cars, don't you show pictures, tell'em how much you make? And all that while visiting someone who's appartement is the size of your bedroom closet and he lives there with a wife, two kids and in-laws.
Maybe a little sensitivity would be in order? maybe if we didn't throw the money at their faces by bringing each and every one a "present"?
No wonder they feel envious!

Sorry but this is not how my family behaves around my family in Poland. I don't talk about how i live in canada, i never show pictures of my house, i never brag about new purchases, i never discuss pay(even in canada no one talks about this!) i don't wear expensive clothes, drive expensive cars, or anything - i'm not materialistic at all. Many poles (especially wealthy poles in poland) do love to show off and compete with others (i see where you're coming from), i however have been raised in canada and am not like this.

You've missed the point. Nobody in poland needs someone from abroad to rub this stuff in their faces. They only need to turn on the TV or go out to the cinema to watch an american film to see how people live in the west!

Aside from children (ie: a little present for my cousin's kids) we never buy presents when we go to poland. Why? Because no matter what you buy, they're not happy. We stopped doing this many many years ago.

lesser 4 | 1,311

2 Feb 2008 / #98

Eurola

You did not mention the most important source of information, the internet. Really if one really want, may find daily updates from many perspectives. Thus internet bother so much all kind of governments, the cheapest way to publish and read news.