What are your 10 fave things about Poland? And 10 least favourite?

one of teh reasons I left - I was running a bussiness there and ZUS was really making me poorer and poorer. NOt to mention the fact that I had to write 3 cheques for them on monthly basis. It's not easy to run bussiness in Poland at all .

I understand you miranda. Our sick to bone pension system is one of the reasons why I left Poland. I don't want to be paid scraps when I retire.

It aggrivates me that I can't snowboard out of bounds, but at least you can see the police coming in those neon yellow vests :)

Syrena_04, Iwona and lef, thanks for the encouraging words. Always love to receive a compliment. :)


Than your love for Poland must be as big as the country itself. :)

I have one:
talking to people on the train - there is always somebody to stike the conversation with.
I loved it.

Very well then lef. Here's my less favorite things:

1. Bureaucracy,

2. Wages could be better,

3. ZUS,

The rest are just small things like not free public toilets(1,5 zł isn't that much though), condition of many roads, the "końcówka" thing in stores, etc...but all this “problems” aren’t big nor extremely troublesome for me.


I totally agree with Guest-Vic in the post #54.

It's not a SMALL thing, especially if you're a driver :/ Polish roads are just terrible.

It's also the damn trees that they line up right ON the road...tree ally's

Well, personally I don't mind these trees... Maybe it's because I'm not an 'amateur rally driver' (no offence, Fisz :) )

Roads are terrible, narrow, lined up with trees - which are beautifull, but really dangerous.
What about driving through villages with chickens and other animals crossing the roads.
Not to mention people walking along those roads (especially at night - coming from the dicso), since there are no pavements.
If I was not careful I would kill a few in a very short time - animals and people.
I usually am on a verge of a nervous break down when driving or being driven in Poland.
I am not even going to mention Polish drivers. Unfortunately most of them should not be allowed on the road. Some got their driver's licence illegally - if you know what I mean.

I am not trying to be picky here.


Oh, please (typical Polish mucho attitude). Lots of people close to me died becaus of those trees - no excuse and NO - it has nothing to do with driving skills.

That's what buggs me about some of the Polish attitude - when criticised - they take it personally, or too lightly - insted of accepting it as a constructive criticism.

There is no chance for improving things if one is not going to take it for what it is:).

Countries need infrastructure and road system is one of the most important ones.
See the map of western Europe and their road infrastructure. Have you ever looked at Holland map for example? Thank God EU has invested some money in that deparment.

Nor am I...none taken. It's the amt of accidents that PL has each year...and most I see in these trees

I must admit, that I can't understand what's your point here, M. Would you please be so kind to explain me what part of my post indicates that I can't take any criticism (or take it personally) and am a macho (me ??? macho ???) :( ???

What have you got against ZUS?


Depends how many times you have to go...and trying to find one when in need.

What I like about Poland are little stores everywhere. A sklepik here, another one there, warzywniarz over there, a cukiernia there...
The ice-cream is really, really good.
They use polite words like dziękuję bardzo, proszę pani, proszę bardzo, etc.
The guys treat women and children with respect.
The dogs are well groomed. Not talking about the strays.

Matyjasz,
I don't think that anyone likes ZUS in Poland - But our pension system is changing for better now.

In UK papers moan about their pensions it all the time. In Poland at least your pension depends on your salary and years of working in UK state pension is the same.

I mean if there are 2 people one with big salary and big contribution and small salary and small contribution they both end up with the same state pensions.

it is very communistic :)everyone gets the same.

I love girls with the name "Iwona" - it's far and away the most attractive Polish name!
Now, I've got that off my chest ...
Mushrooms? Excellent picking in Scotland - much better than in Poland ... no competition from fellow pickers!!
Architecture. Hmmm a tough one.
Warsaw is so ugly, which together with the undrinkable water, is why I don't live in the city but just outside - between Pruszkow and Podkowa. Leafy, green, fresh air, can drink water from the tap ...

Lifestyle made possible by the WKD train line - Warsaw earnings and country living. Eeeh, it's grand!

Oh Iwona, Iwona - you won't get a state pension at all - your private one may be very good, who am I to know?

The retirement age in the UK is set to go up to 68.
I'll say that again - 68.
No teacher would ever make it!!

I'm concentrating on getting as filthy rich as I can now, then sitting back and teaching English part-time just for the social aspect.

I was sent to a sister factory in Poland for a weeks course about this time last year. I had a hire car from Krakow Airport and the drive was about 200km. Out of about 20 people on the course I was the only one who had a hire car, the rest used taxis. The people taking the course were suprised and a little worried about me driving in their country. The driving was not a problem ( I drove on the wrong side of the road in the US for 3 months) However the other drivers were. I was overtaken on double white lines and on corners numerous times where there was zero visability! I also came across 2 accidents in the 200km! I was really suprised how low thae standars of driving was. The roads were also quite poor with big pot holes and deep ruts from the wagons.

Sorry to hear about your losses Miranda.

Just so you know Poland is a catholic country (Pope John Paul the II was Polish) so its no surprise there are so many churches and yes u are being very biased which is quite offensive and distrubing. Polish girls are the most intelligent people who have morals through the teachings of the church so NO there not fake little dolls that have no personality. Warsaw is a beautiful place because its very old which gives us an idea of how things were many hundreds of years back. Just because the place is not reconstructed and all preety doesnt mean ****. Poland was invaded and was controlled by Russia and because of that Poland was very poor and unable to develope as an independent country and it has only just gotten the chance to progress. However, there are dramatic changes and I really do believe that Poland will become a very popular tuorist attraction. So when you talk about all these pointless cons you have about Poland and the people in it I strongly advise for you to get your facts straight and write something sensible.

Hi. What is this?

My only least favourite thing is the UHT milk. but I am sure I could get used to it given time! :)

Polish women are very beautiful,Polish men and women are hard working,intelligent and are great to have as friends.(TRUE FRIENDS)
Polish people are honest,caring and heart warming,have a great sense of humour.
i have the honour of having Polish friends.I love and respect them dearly ,all of my Polish friends i thank you for bieng my friend.

Those wax paper napkins that they artistically put in the holder so they all fall out when you go to use one to smear the little sauce you got on your face all over your face.

.. holy smokes, this one is hysterical.

I wonder what 'hood Arrgghh is hanging out in :)
And, please - hands off from a Polish granny. There is no better one. Anywhere.

True if she is your Granny. if she isn't and its between you and Babcia fighting for a spot in line, watch your balls! Everybody knows Babcia plays dirty. comes from those years under communism waiting in line for toilet paper and ocet.

Yeah...I guess, but she did it for her 'wnusias" and that's what counts.

Fair enough Eurola, Fair enough.

Against:
1. Thin plastic bags from shops
2. Dog pooh
3. Stamps
4. Offices
5. Cues
6. Estate agents
7. Deception
8. No downloadable forms
9. Rudeness

For:
1. Fresh food
2. Family values
3. Weather
4. Roads (its certainly not boring)
5. Property
6. Beer
7. Rynek's/Stare miastos's
8. Making money

The same in Glasgow. You got to be careful where you're going.


Do you like Polish weather ? I thought it's hated.


Nooo - I want them to become German-like :)

1) Gave me my love
2) Food
3) Alcohol
4) Cycling Routes
5) Some taxi drivers (funny)
6) Pudzian
7) The beer gardens in summer
8) The beauty
9) It has Tesco
10) The ruggedness and practicality of the people

1) The vanity of the women
2) The endless waiting in queues
3) The pessimism
4) The meathead mentality
5) The apathy
6) The excessive bureaucracy
7) Little kids asking for money
8) The constant boasting about their bread
9) Cheeseburgers with more cabbage than cheese
10) The needless moaning and hypochondria

Just a few observations