Life / All Saints' Day in Poland - Commemoration or Carnival? [44]


I visited 2 yesterday and I saw cheap light up toys outside the big cemetary in Olkusz. I was quite annoyed by it to be honest. But a few people said it was because young children quite often get bored visiting the cemetery and can be disruptive so this was to keep them amused. I am not totally into the idea though, I mean surely they are more disruptive if they have a light up wand or something??

UK, Ireland / How long would it take for an English style restaurant in Poland to go bust? [80]

Irisz
Maybe you need to learn the difference between target and objective (when dealing with customers). I am no grammar nazi but your entire post mad no sense. It took me 10 minutes to decifer it.

USA, Canada / Polish Food - 40 flavors of pierogies in the US [113]


I quite like processed cheese, it will never be as good a proper cheese, but on a sandwich when you have just woken up after a long night and need something before work it hits the spot.

UK, Ireland / How long would it take for an English style restaurant in Poland to go bust? [80]

Lucky bugger!

USA, Canada / Polish Food - 40 flavors of pierogies in the US [113]

I'm not American...I just like cheese in all it's varieties...even mac&cheese sauce!!

USA, Canada / Polish Food - 40 flavors of pierogies in the US [113]

The mac part with the pierogi dough might make it a bit too heavy. But with mac&cheese sauce only it might be quite nice.

Food / Kotlet schabowy again. I love it. [47]


I tried Heston's 24 hour steak and it was marvellous. Starting with a full cut, then searing it with a torch, then in an, almost, cold oven for 24 hours. Then slice it and a quick bounce in the frying pan with butter to brown it and get it tasty and it was fannytastic!!!

But you are right, if I tried that with just one steak it would probably have been rubbish.

UK, Ireland / How long would it take for an English style restaurant in Poland to go bust? [80]

I have often found that strange, if you go into RS McColls or some other newsagent in the UK then there is a fridge full of different sandwiches (they're not great, but hey, they're cheap and easy) which I have never seen here. But a lot of the Polish people I have met love sandwiches.

Infact I noticed Awiteks are advertising sandwiches for 2,70zł but they are always sold out by the time I get there at 12. There obviously is a market if they are selling out so fast.

UK, Ireland / How long would it take for an English style restaurant in Poland to go bust? [80]


Yes, loads of places in Glasgow do that and it really popular for people picking up a quick lunch or hot snack while shopping.

USA, Canada / Polish Food - 40 flavors of pierogies in the US [113]


Exactly, same as in the UK you have plenty of Indian restaurants that are nothing like the food in India. Let's be honest, there is a market for authentic ethnic food, but it will never be as big as the market for what people percieve to be ethnic...hence why most restaurants in a city will have menus and dishes more suited to local palates.

USA, Canada / Polish Food - 40 flavors of pierogies in the US [113]


exactly, the plural of pieróg is pierogi. You lose the accent in the plural....

UK, Ireland / The more subtle differences: Ireland/Britain v Poland [310]


I was just meaning that because the surnames may be less prevalent in the place, it should go first to catch the person's attention. I'm just guessing that could be the reason, I have no idea if that's why they use it or not. Just brainstorming.

And Zebediah...interesting choice for an example!!

UK, Ireland / The more subtle differences: Ireland/Britain v Poland [310]


I am not sure about England and Ireland...but it's the law in Scotland to always use a fresh glass for drinks. I am not sure exactly why, I asked on courses I have been to and always get the same "it's a health and safety thing" answer without further explanation.


But when you are in a doctors waiting room or something like that there could be 5-10 people called John, but chances are there won't be as many people with the same surname.

Food / No Vernor's ginger ale in Poland? [29]

I like a ginger ale on a flight (as long as there's some black label mixed in there!!). But if it's just the drink I prefer ginger beer. The best of that bunch I have ever had is Bundaberg Ginger Beer from Australia. But I make a mean one at home: crush ginger, lime and sugar syrup together and add sparkling water...you will need to strain it to avoid bits of ginger...but i prefer leaving them in.

Work / Poland or Hungary - which one for my scholarship? [26]


This is a very interesting chart, and I am not quite sure I understand their ranking system (which I read over, but I'm still half asleep and only skimming). It seems strange that they don't leave the USA until Cambridge comes in at 22.

The ranking does seem very US-centric, and while I am not denying there are obviously great Universities in the USA, having all top 21 in the world seems slightly embellished. However I am no expert on Universities so I could very well be wrong.

[edit: just looked at another report, still giving the top 5 to the USA (I never realised exactly HOW good harvard was) but slightly more international: [timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2010-2011/top-200.html]

I now understand about the Norwegian students though, thanks for clearing that up.

Work / Poland or Hungary - which one for my scholarship? [26]


Where is your source for this? I only ask because I see a lot of Norwegian medical students here in Krakow and I have had friends who say the quality of medical care in Norway is marvellous. Surely Norway wouldn't want to tarnish a very high quality health service by sending students of sub-par universities??

History / Why did the reformation not have a huge effect on Poland? [28]


How topical...haha.

History / Why did the reformation not have a huge effect on Poland? [28]


Really we didn't really want to reject France, they were always a close ally of Scotland (infact, our Queen was, at the time, betrothed to the French Heir and living in France) and England were a common enemy. Infact the Scottish and English Churches, although both Protestant couldn't be more different!

It is interesting to see that the war with Sweden had a big effect. Interesting points everyone, thank you.

Travel / Starbucks in Wawel Castle, Krakow. Is this a joke or true? [42]

Yup, I've been meaning to get one for a while for the tram ride into work (even though we have decent coffee there, the trams will be getting cold again soon!

Travel / Starbucks in Wawel Castle, Krakow. Is this a joke or true? [42]

Never got into Macs myself, but each to their own. And good to know you don't pose pretending to write something important with your Mac in Starbucks.

Travel / Starbucks in Wawel Castle, Krakow. Is this a joke or true? [42]


Not a clue about Wroclaw, but if you come to Kraków there are plenty of places that will give you a better coffee, but a lot of them don't advertise take-away coffee.


Or macbooks to be more specific...or is it just me that's seen that??

Travel / Starbucks in Wawel Castle, Krakow. Is this a joke or true? [42]


I wouldn't even say that Starbucks coffee is fairly good to be honest. I have been in a few round the world (generally meeting people) and I have been constantly disappointed with the quality of their coffee. Really the lowest rung of the ladder in my opinion.

Obviously you are right on the button with convenience coffee though aphro, I hardly ever have time to sit down and have a decent cup of coffee any more. So a paper cup on the go is ideal (as long as you get it quickly). I just don't see why people go to Starbucks for this when, in lots of places (in Kraków at least) that sell coffee will just as happily give you a cup to go for half the price (and much better quality, more often than not) than a chain coffee shop.

Food / Polish Eating Habits [87]


It's often said that it's not good to eat your main meal later, because it gives your body less time to work it off. Sadly I do the same, just because I don't have time to prepare a proper meal when I am out of the house for 12-13 hours at a time. But really, eating in the middle of the afternoon is, according to an article I read, a healthier option.

Also, we have had lots of comment about how unhealthy Polish food is. But people forget, that it's not just the type of food that makes people fat and unhealthy. It's the amount that is ingested, when you eat, how much you excercise on a daily basis (and I am not just talking about the gym, but walking, stairs, etc) and a whole host of other factors.

Coming from Scotland, I see plenty more overweight people in the street there, because of a diet of chips (french fries for the benifit of our friends across the pond) and little/no excercise and a huge intake of sugar. Over here, it seems that yes, people eat a meal with fried meat, bread, potatoes and salads, but that is much more balanced than chips all the time. I still cringe inside when I walk past a new mother with her baby in the pram eating a bag of crisps or chips in Scotland.

More or less what I'm getting at is, saying Polish food is fatty is true (in some parts) but saying it's unhealthy, without thinking about other lifestyle factors, is not.

Food / What's your favorite Polish beer? [870]

From the commercial beers, it's got to be Lech or Tyskie. But my favourites are either Noteckie Niefiltrowanie (green label), or possibly Rzeskie.

Loving the Radegast at the moment too (albeit Czech).

Work / Average monthly salary in Poland is around 1000 PLN (few hundred bucks). [387]

Lets get back to the wage issue. In Krakow I was earning 2000-2500 a month teaching, but I hated it. So I moved into bar work, which I have always enjoyed. Now, wages earned all depend on what kind of life you want to lead. I now (working 2 jobs, about 6 days a week) earn about 1800 a month, however, if you find yourself a cheap room in a flat then you can easily get by quite comfortably on that. I go out 3-4 times a week and do my shopping in Alma (because I can walk there in no time) and still have money to buy little luxuries and have some for emergencies if needed. I am also heading home for a weekend party at the start of next month.

Basically, the wages are low, but if you are willing to work hard and shop sensibly then you can get by fine. I know of people that, after paying rent and stuff, have about 300zl to last them the month and they get by fine, just have to be sensible.

Life / Small change in shops in Poland!? [95]


They do, and I used to love getting them from customers because it was easier to count at the end of the shift.

As for the change issue. It has often been something that has annoyed me. When I worked back home we had 2 safes, a big one from which we ordered a certain amount of change per day to go in the smaller one, then we always had money in the till. But now I know to bring a little change with me, and try to break down any big notes I get.

The problem is a lack of large amounts of change in bank branches. Last weekend, my boss went to WBK, PKO and that yellow and turquoise on on Starowislna and came back with only about 20-30zl worth of 5s and 2s...if the banks don't have change then how can we expect shops to have it.

Life / Anyone else suffering from mosquito bites in Poland? [52]

Get yourselves an Avon lady, look in the catalogue and buy the green skin-so-soft dry oil spray (the lotion works too, but the dry oil spray is easier). Done, bugs can't stand the stuff and it's great for your skin.

USA, Canada / Requirements for marriage in the US if not planning to stay [11]

If you're not planning to stay can he not just get a tourist visa and go home with you?

Food / I've never cooked or eaten any polish dish before. [24]


Is kielbasa really a specific variety? Because in the shops here there are loads of kielbasy...not one specifically.