why do People in Poland speak so quietly?

I've noticed that people in Poland speak really quietly when on the telephone compared to us Americans, Is there any reason for this? Also why is there no drive through ATMs or convenience stores?

I guess we just dont want to attract too much attention to ourselves when speaking on the phone. Its that usually phone conversations are private, no need whole world to listen to what we are saying :)

And drive through ATMs/stores - wait a bit longer and they will be there.

this is a limey, not a "yank".

It should explain everything

You think, I have lived in the UK, Singapore, New Zealand and Dubai and haven't ever seen a drive through ATM. I can't see the use of them to be honest. When do you need to have cash when you're driving?

Maybe compared to Americans, yes, but it is my impression that most Americans like to be heard. Many Poles do speak quite loudly, it just depends who.

You drive by the ATM and get money and go spend it someplace else. Your destination might not have an ATM or maybe one that charges while the drive thru one doesn't cost anything, especially if it's the bank you have an account at. It's a matter of convenience and not going into one more place or searching for an ATM at a place you've never been to before.

Yes, it's called common courtesy. Don't you just hate it when someone in the room is yakking loudly?

It's been noticeable that Black Americans speak the loudest (in general). That's particularly true in movie theatres when some yell back at the screen. OK, let the "PC" crowd come at me for statinig something thats true.

They do that on cell phones, sometimes. In the US it's considered incredibly rude to talk on a cell phone in public or while driving tho people do it all the time.

I suppose so, but it does still seem quite strange to me. I find most places take cards these days...and my bank lets me use ATMs of any bank for free so that's never been a concern.

How interesting though. What will they think of next?

oh there was a really funny scene in a film the other night where a black American woman is yelling at the screen in a movie theatre...the rest of the audience murder her violently... damm the name of the movie escapes me....

I remember the first time I flew in to Warsaw, I had to get the train to Krakow.
I was in an underground passage, full of people and small little kebab shops and kiosks.
And I could not hear anyone speak.... It freaked me out completely, I thought there was a bomb or something.
Irish people speak very load, me included, in comparison to Polish people.


A drive though life, you'll never have to leave the car.

I used a drive through ATM once in the States. The driver in front of me had to finish their conversation on the cell phone first. Then the driver realised that they had stopped too far way to get their card in so had ro reverse a bit and drive forwards again. Then the cell phone went off again so they answered that for a while. Then it was time to rummage through the purse (handbag) to find the wallet (purse). Then they had to find the card. Next it became obvious that the pin number was not working so there followed another delving into the purse looking for the scrap of paper where the number that should not be written down had been written down. Eventually the transaction was completed only for the cell phone to go off again allowing time for the driver (who was by now vaguely aware of the queue of cars behind) for one hasty 'I'll call you back ". It would have been quicker to park up and use the normal ATM;)

Did I say it was a woman driver?

Unless you get a dipso who thinks they are surfing the net!.
jeez it bugs me when people take so long on the ATM.
The questions are multiple choice and they ALWAYS say the same thing.
Just get your money and get out of MY way!.

I totally agree. I got stuck behind this guy in Glasgow once who was doing a spot of money transferring and taking money out of 4 (yes...4!!!) cards. If it wasn't for the fact it was the only ATM for ages I would have gone to the next one...but at the time I didn't fancy the 5 minute walk and by the time he was halfway through and i realised how long he would be I had dug my heels in.

But seriously, 1 card, put it in, enter your pin, select "cash" and go on your merry way!

I've seen a few drive through pharmacies here in canada!!! **** we are becoming lazy!!!

Polish speaking quietly???!!! Where are they??? :-)
In the polish office where i work, it is very common to just shout into the phone. Also, another trick is to put the caller on conference call, even though it is only a 2 way conversation, and then they are shouting at the phone to be heard and you can also hear the other side of the call.

And dont get me started on when polish are 'discussing', as this normally ends in a shouting match with people talking over each other.

They are more civilized.I noticed that they also talk very quietly during lunch.Czechs also.
It is slavic and also result of communist upbringing when people had to talk quietly.Not unpleasant at all.
On the other hand US talk very loud,they remind life is out there sth like that.

When I'm speaking with my Polish friends I usually have to raise my voice if I want to be heard, they all seem to speak so loud, but then I speak quietly.

Think it depends on what part of Ireland you are from, my friend is from Wexford/Carlow area and I can't hear or understand a word he says!

Ah, you know yourself, this forum loves huge generalisations.
Maybe i am just loud and I am try to blame other people ha ha ha ha!.

Oh and on drive through ATMs, I was in UK a while back and at a McDonalds drive through there was an ATM on the way in. Good or bad idea, I'm not sure.

Like cattle, fattening up for the slaughter.
Sorry for the negativity but it always makes me think we are just becoming docile slaves.

Yes: yelling on the phone so everyone hears you is rude. Usually people around you do not wish to hear about what you should buy on your way home, your Auntie's health problems, the assignment you've got at work or your problems with your Internet provider. It's your business and yelling about it does not interest the people around you but it can distract and annoy them.


People usually shout on cell phones because their interlocutor can't hear them. I always have problems talking on the phone when I'm on a bus, in the street etc, so the people who talk to me must shout.


Well: when at home, you need no mobile phone. When in cinema, theatre, lectures, classes, or at work, you should have your phone turned off. Now, if you can't use it in public - why have a mobile phone at all?