Sad life of a Polish migrant in UK. Ch. 1 - Staring

Its a traditional thing, a general way to behave in public especially clubs aned pubs.

This is very interesting.

I recently spent three months living in Poland, near Warsaw. My background is that I grew up in London and now live in New Zealand.

One of the things that struck me about Poles is how aware they are of what is going on around them. They are always looking around and generally 'being there'. This is in contrast to Anglo-saxon types (I'll generalise that since it applies to Brits and NZers (aka 'Kiwis')) who are typically oblivious to their surroundings and only seem to notice other people by accident.

For example, I am sitting in a car on a journey through Warsaw. I am looking out of the window of the car at the people we are driving past.

Many of these people LOOK RIGHT BACK AT ME.

This is a phenomenon you don't usually encounter in Britain or New Zealand.

Another example, I am sitting in a 'food court' eating and looking around me at the people, trying to get some idea how Poles behave/dress etc. These people LOOK RIGHT BACK AT ME.

Or on the bus. People get on the bus and when the bus is getting crowded people make way for other people.

In the UK or NZ when people get on the bus they tend to stop at the first place they can.

They fix their gaze on something innocuous and fail to notice that if they took a few steps forward perhaps 6 more people could fit on the bus. The driver of the bus will think that the bus must be full and make these people wait for the next one. I never saw this phenomenon in Poland.

I like Poles *because* they are aware of whats around them and pay attention.

I hate this about the anglo-saxons. They - we - are so dull and stupid by comparison.

Really? Ever thought, we've got better things to do than stare at random strangers or wasn't you ever told growing up "its rude to stare?" I personally enjoy people watching but there is a time and a place.

I prefer people who are aware of what is going on around them.

Trust me, many here aren't aware of what's going around them. Yes, Brits can be that way too. You ought to try living in Japan, it's like you don't even exist. They likely look at you out of curiosity. They tend to recognise a non-Pole a mile away.

Some are aware and some aren't. The older ones tend to be off in a dream world and this rings true in most countries.

Trust me, in New Zealand almost everyone is 'off in a dream world', young and old.

I've never been so I'll take your word for it. Staring is not that bad here, it just depends where you are.

I don't think its so much about staring. I never felt 'stared at' in Poland.

Its more about 'situational awareness', being conscious of ones surroundings. I tend to get the feeling with Brits and Kiwis that they are just totally oblivious to whats around them.

What impressed me most about Poles is that they seem.. expansive... like their 'bubble of awareness' is quite large by comparison.

Have you ever been to Scotland? I guess you were judging the English.

I did say 'Anglo-Saxon' Though I did end up using 'Brit' which might be interpreted to include Scots...

From what I've seen of Australians and USA-ians I think the same applies.

Dunno about Scots though, they are probably not to be classified as 'Anglo-Saxon'. In fact I'd imagine it could be quite rude to do so :P

I am aware of what is going on around me, but I prefer not to stare at people in restaurants while they are eating or stare at people in the street, some people dont like it. It has IMO got nothing to do with "being aware" Im happy to walk down the street with my own thoughts, if Im in the countryside I am quite happy to take in what is beautiful around me, there is a difference.

very precise observations. I just like to add that is is about eye contact and some cultures are more comfortable more then others.

Scots can still be classed as WASP's, steve.