bullfrog
23 Dec 2011
Law / Sending Western Union cash to friends in Poland - questions [25]
Of course, if the account is in euros..
Of course, if the account is in euros..
bullfrog
23 Dec 2011
Law / Sending Western Union cash to friends in Poland - questions [25]
Well, if you're sending euros from a SEPA country (eurozone plus a couple of others countries such as Poland, Switzerland.;) to another SEPA country, the cost is normally zero. If you want to send PLN to Poland, send euros to the recipient's bank account, then the recipient takes it from the account in cash and exchanges throught a kantor. Much cheaper than western union..
And actually not extortionate if you're in certain countries where Western Union is cheaper than the banks. Or if your bank isn't a correspondent bank to the one you're sending to
Well, if you're sending euros from a SEPA country (eurozone plus a couple of others countries such as Poland, Switzerland.;) to another SEPA country, the cost is normally zero. If you want to send PLN to Poland, send euros to the recipient's bank account, then the recipient takes it from the account in cash and exchanges throught a kantor. Much cheaper than western union..
bullfrog
23 Dec 2011
Law / Sending Western Union cash to friends in Poland - questions [25]
I never understood why anyone would use Western Union for money transfers.. Their prices are extortionate compared to most banks..
I never understood why anyone would use Western Union for money transfers.. Their prices are extortionate compared to most banks..
bullfrog
29 Nov 2011
Food / Food hygiene in Poland [60]
First the warning: thevisitor.pl/index.php?id=194
then the explanation
Polish Journal of Environmental Studies , (Vol. 14) (No. 3) 327-333
The purpose of this work was to determine the occurrence of toxic phenol, chlorophenols, chlorocatechols and chlorinated methoxyphenols in the drinking water of the Polish cities of Lódz' , Warszawa , Poznan and Wroclaw. In samples, chlorophenols, 4-chlorocatechol, chloroguaiacols, chlorosyringols and 5,6-dichlorovaniline were detected. Higher concentrations and number of chlorophenols and their chlorinated derivatives were noted in summer. Among the most toxic compounds, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol which causes toxicity to humans, including carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, and acute toxicityin was found in the drinking water of Warszawa (summer and winter) and Lódz' (winter) and tetrachlorophenol in water of Wrocaw (summer) were noted. Their concentrations were above the admissible standards of the EU and the US EPA. In some cases the concentrations of chloroguaiacols and 5,6-dichlorovanillin also were significant.
Happy?
First the warning: thevisitor.pl/index.php?id=194
then the explanation
Polish Journal of Environmental Studies , (Vol. 14) (No. 3) 327-333
The purpose of this work was to determine the occurrence of toxic phenol, chlorophenols, chlorocatechols and chlorinated methoxyphenols in the drinking water of the Polish cities of Lódz' , Warszawa , Poznan and Wroclaw. In samples, chlorophenols, 4-chlorocatechol, chloroguaiacols, chlorosyringols and 5,6-dichlorovaniline were detected. Higher concentrations and number of chlorophenols and their chlorinated derivatives were noted in summer. Among the most toxic compounds, 2,4,5-trichlorophenol which causes toxicity to humans, including carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, neurotoxicity, and acute toxicityin was found in the drinking water of Warszawa (summer and winter) and Lódz' (winter) and tetrachlorophenol in water of Wrocaw (summer) were noted. Their concentrations were above the admissible standards of the EU and the US EPA. In some cases the concentrations of chloroguaiacols and 5,6-dichlorovanillin also were significant.
Happy?
bullfrog
29 Nov 2011
Food / Food hygiene in Poland [60]
Higher standards for clean water? When no one dared to drink water from the tap, at least in Warsaw? Joker of the month, you are..
And to those who laugh, yes we had higher standarst before EU, for example our standards for clean water.
Higher standards for clean water? When no one dared to drink water from the tap, at least in Warsaw? Joker of the month, you are..
bullfrog
17 Oct 2011
Life / Looking to immigrate to Europe. How is life in Poland? [116]
Went twice to Cape Town (we have English friends who spend 6 months living there and 6 months in the UK).. Splendid place, magnificent countryside and very good food and wine (and cheap by western european standards!) Also beautiful beaches and weather, but it's only when I tried to dip a toe in the sea that I understood why you have penguins around!!
I love red wine, there is nothing better than a glass of good red wine at the end on a long day! And yes even if I should say so myself SA produces some of the BEST wines in the world...and also good trading business! Have you ever been to Cape Town?
Went twice to Cape Town (we have English friends who spend 6 months living there and 6 months in the UK).. Splendid place, magnificent countryside and very good food and wine (and cheap by western european standards!) Also beautiful beaches and weather, but it's only when I tried to dip a toe in the sea that I understood why you have penguins around!!
bullfrog
8 Oct 2011
Life / Looking to immigrate to Europe. How is life in Poland? [116]
i am now living in zurich but before this i lived 6 years in Warsaw (moved this summer). Warsaw has obviously as the capital some advantages, but with Poland translated to the west following ww2, it is now deep in the eastern part of the country and road connections to the west are long and not good. If you have no constraints whatsoever, I would be probably look at Wroclaw or Poznan...
i am now living in zurich but before this i lived 6 years in Warsaw (moved this summer). Warsaw has obviously as the capital some advantages, but with Poland translated to the west following ww2, it is now deep in the eastern part of the country and road connections to the west are long and not good. If you have no constraints whatsoever, I would be probably look at Wroclaw or Poznan...
bullfrog
8 Oct 2011
Life / Looking to immigrate to Europe. How is life in Poland? [116]
everyday goods (meat, vegetables, clothes) are cheaper in Poland as long as you do not try to go for western brands, which are more expensive. Big items can be more expensive (Seanus was right about cars when the pln was 4 to euro, nowadays i am not so sure). Real estate is cheaper (people tend to compare the prices in their home town eg Milton Keynes and that of a flat in Warsaw or Krakow..if you compare like for like, eg a flat in Warsaw and a flat in London, no doubt which is cheaper...)
everyday goods (meat, vegetables, clothes) are cheaper in Poland as long as you do not try to go for western brands, which are more expensive. Big items can be more expensive (Seanus was right about cars when the pln was 4 to euro, nowadays i am not so sure). Real estate is cheaper (people tend to compare the prices in their home town eg Milton Keynes and that of a flat in Warsaw or Krakow..if you compare like for like, eg a flat in Warsaw and a flat in London, no doubt which is cheaper...)
bullfrog
7 Oct 2011
News / PIS propaganda on Warsaw public transport [27]
although i'm not fond of them, i cannot see why PIS shouldn't be allowed to buy space to put their ads like anyone else (including on trams)...
although i'm not fond of them, i cannot see why PIS shouldn't be allowed to buy space to put their ads like anyone else (including on trams)...
bullfrog
7 Oct 2011
Life / Expats/Immigrants in Poland: Needy, Greedy or contributor. Which one are you? [118]
you seem a very nasty individual Ironside, full of disrespect for others. What is wrong with being a cleaner, may I ask?
By the way did you enjoy your time at uni as a cleaner ?
you seem a very nasty individual Ironside, full of disrespect for others. What is wrong with being a cleaner, may I ask?
bullfrog
5 Oct 2011
Life / Expats/Immigrants in Poland: Needy, Greedy or contributor. Which one are you? [118]
yes, Pip, but you're perfect! )=
yes, Pip, but you're perfect! )=
bullfrog
5 Oct 2011
Life / Expats/Immigrants in Poland: Needy, Greedy or contributor. Which one are you? [118]
under communist times, there was a polish saying " if you were not robbing the state, you were robbing yourself " . She probably forgot that communism collapsed 20 years ago...
under communist times, there was a polish saying " if you were not robbing the state, you were robbing yourself " . She probably forgot that communism collapsed 20 years ago...
bullfrog
5 Oct 2011
Travel / DRIVING TO POLAND THIS THURSDAY ANY TIPS? [35]
Delph
I agree that speed limits are usually well posted (even though often without any logic, eg several changes occuring over a few hundred meters) but very often there is no clear indication that the speed limit is over.
. It shouldn't be up to the motorist to guess whether this last shed is part of the village or not.. Why can't Poland just have end of speed limit signs like in other European countries?
Delph
I agree that speed limits are usually well posted (even though often without any logic, eg several changes occuring over a few hundred meters) but very often there is no clear indication that the speed limit is over.
There's also no doubt as to where the built-up area ends
. It shouldn't be up to the motorist to guess whether this last shed is part of the village or not.. Why can't Poland just have end of speed limit signs like in other European countries?
bullfrog
5 Oct 2011
Polonia / What similarities would you say there are between Poles and Mexicans? [132]
I wouldn't deny that many Mexican women are beautiful: out of a population of 110 M and based on 50/50 split between male/female, even if only 1% were considered beautiful, that would still be 1/2 million beautiful ladies and that is "many" by all counts.
No, what I wrote is that mexican ladies on average are not pretty; admittedly my experience is limited (2 trips to the country) but I was amazed at the number of short overweight ladies (and men) I saw in the streets
Re "hard working: living in California you probably see quite a few and are probably better informed than I am, so I won't challenge on this
I wouldn't deny that many Mexican women are beautiful: out of a population of 110 M and based on 50/50 split between male/female, even if only 1% were considered beautiful, that would still be 1/2 million beautiful ladies and that is "many" by all counts.
No, what I wrote is that mexican ladies on average are not pretty; admittedly my experience is limited (2 trips to the country) but I was amazed at the number of short overweight ladies (and men) I saw in the streets
Re "hard working: living in California you probably see quite a few and are probably better informed than I am, so I won't challenge on this
bullfrog
5 Oct 2011
Polonia / What similarities would you say there are between Poles and Mexicans? [132]
Poland??
Mexicans??
An another difference: polish girls are on average quite pretty, whereas IMHO the opposite is true for Mexicanas (hope I have offended no one)
Both countries have some of the best food in the world
Poland??
Residents of both countries are considered to have very good work ethic
Mexicans??
An another difference: polish girls are on average quite pretty, whereas IMHO the opposite is true for Mexicanas (hope I have offended no one)
bullfrog
5 Oct 2011
Food / Coffee in Poland: cheap and undrinkable / expensive and good [89]
The liquid that is called coffee (free refills, anyone??) in the USA is whatever you want but not coffee. Likewise for beer (Budweiser and the like)
Just go to the Nespresso shop on Nowy Swiat and you will find plenty of Poles that enjoy expresso
I don't think its the coffee thats the problem in the US.
The liquid that is called coffee (free refills, anyone??) in the USA is whatever you want but not coffee. Likewise for beer (Budweiser and the like)
And still no Pole I know wants to try Italian moka or espresso, as it is too strong for their taste.
Just go to the Nespresso shop on Nowy Swiat and you will find plenty of Poles that enjoy expresso
bullfrog
5 Oct 2011
Life / Are Polish people so chaotic and disorganized like Germans say? [89]
Poles are a slavic nation , and in my view, slavs tend to be more intuitive than rational (of course not true for all). While Poles are usually quite reactive, I think the main issue is sometimes a difficulty to plan ahead. So yes, I would say that Poles are less organised than the Germans, but still probably more than the Brits. When I had foreign visitors coming to see our family in Warsaw, I used to say that if you want to understand Poles and their contradictions, you just had to look in the street. Usually well disciplined when pedestrians (waiting for the green man, like in Germany or in Zürich, but unlike in the UK or France or Italy), the same people become ill disciplined and aggressive when at the wheel, a bit like our friends in Napoli.
Poles are a slavic nation , and in my view, slavs tend to be more intuitive than rational (of course not true for all). While Poles are usually quite reactive, I think the main issue is sometimes a difficulty to plan ahead. So yes, I would say that Poles are less organised than the Germans, but still probably more than the Brits. When I had foreign visitors coming to see our family in Warsaw, I used to say that if you want to understand Poles and their contradictions, you just had to look in the street. Usually well disciplined when pedestrians (waiting for the green man, like in Germany or in Zürich, but unlike in the UK or France or Italy), the same people become ill disciplined and aggressive when at the wheel, a bit like our friends in Napoli.
bullfrog
5 Oct 2011
Work / Why is Polish workmanship so bad? [52]
you obviously have never been subjected to that epitomy of quality and a well done job, the british builder..
Why can't polish Workers make things that last or do a good job of things and why do they have such a half arsed attitude towards quality?
you obviously have never been subjected to that epitomy of quality and a well done job, the british builder..
bullfrog
4 Oct 2011
USA, Canada / Does anyone know about Americans or Canadians deported from Poland on Visa irregularities? [14]
God, you must either be an immigration lawyer, a priest or you have very peculiar acquaintances
Yes: I know several Americans who have been deported for overstaying and I know more who have either had trouble on exit or were denied re-entry into Poland.
God, you must either be an immigration lawyer, a priest or you have very peculiar acquaintances
bullfrog
4 Oct 2011
News / Polish president traveling LOT? What about POLISH AIRFORCE 1? [23]
Swiss Air and KLM do not exist per se any more: Swiss Air has been replaced by Swiss and KLM was merged with Air France. Both Swiss Air and Air France-KLM experienced major transatlantic crashes (flight 111 between NYC and Geneva for Swiss Air in 1998 killing all 229 aboard, flight 447 for AF KLM between Rio and Paris in 2009 killing all 228 aboard). On the other hand, LOT's last major crash on a transatlantic route was in 1987, with a russian Illiushin plane. Admittedly, Lot flies less frequently than Swiss or AF KLM over the Atlantic..
British Airways, Swiss Air, Luftansa and KLM.
Swiss Air and KLM do not exist per se any more: Swiss Air has been replaced by Swiss and KLM was merged with Air France. Both Swiss Air and Air France-KLM experienced major transatlantic crashes (flight 111 between NYC and Geneva for Swiss Air in 1998 killing all 229 aboard, flight 447 for AF KLM between Rio and Paris in 2009 killing all 228 aboard). On the other hand, LOT's last major crash on a transatlantic route was in 1987, with a russian Illiushin plane. Admittedly, Lot flies less frequently than Swiss or AF KLM over the Atlantic..
bullfrog
4 Oct 2011
USA, Canada / Polish man's visit a nightmare - Welcome To Canada [65]
Ok thanks Pip, I understand what you mean..
I watched about 5 minutes of it to see what all the hype is about. I will never get these 5 minutes back- what a disgusting display of human behaviour.
Ok thanks Pip, I understand what you mean..
bullfrog
3 Oct 2011
Life / How much money did you spend today in Poland and what did you spend it on? [33]
Makes me wanna cry when I see this, in Zürich, just the beers would cost more than the whole meal you had in PL..
55pln (+20pln tip) for a meal for two, three beers and carafe of red wine.
Makes me wanna cry when I see this, in Zürich, just the beers would cost more than the whole meal you had in PL..
bullfrog
3 Oct 2011
USA, Canada / Polish man's visit a nightmare - Welcome To Canada [65]
Can you please explain? Not being North American, the only thing Jersey Shore evokes for me is the US North East coastline.. You must be referring to something else..
the likes of Jersey shore.
Can you please explain? Not being North American, the only thing Jersey Shore evokes for me is the US North East coastline.. You must be referring to something else..
bullfrog
3 Oct 2011
Travel / Visiting Poland for 3 days. Need some info on getting around [12]
No, it's not. As Hythorn explained, just head for the taxi rank which is right outside the terminal and it will be perfectly fine. If you have one or two guys who try to entice you before you reach it by asking " taxi?", just answer "nie" (they usually spot foreigners quite easily from their clothes or from their demeanour...)
The taxi situation sounds kind of nasty.
No, it's not. As Hythorn explained, just head for the taxi rank which is right outside the terminal and it will be perfectly fine. If you have one or two guys who try to entice you before you reach it by asking " taxi?", just answer "nie" (they usually spot foreigners quite easily from their clothes or from their demeanour...)
bullfrog
3 Oct 2011
Life / Expats/Immigrants in Poland: Needy, Greedy or contributor. Which one are you? [118]
If you look around the world, I think you'll find that the whole concept of charities/charity shop is more of an "anglo" feature ..Certainly, it is not as developed in continental Europe where the view generally held is that as taxes are higher, it is for the state to provide the kind of services that charities usually provide. But things are slowly changing..
Poland really lacks charity shops with second-hand books and clothes etc etc. Aberdeen, my home city, is full of them and you can pick up many goodies for dirt cheap. P
If you look around the world, I think you'll find that the whole concept of charities/charity shop is more of an "anglo" feature ..Certainly, it is not as developed in continental Europe where the view generally held is that as taxes are higher, it is for the state to provide the kind of services that charities usually provide. But things are slowly changing..
bullfrog
3 Oct 2011
Life / How much money did you spend today in Poland and what did you spend it on? [33]
yesterday, I spent the equivalent of 58 PLN on 2 sandwiches (16 CHF) ,about 390 PLN on groceries, 94 PLN on 2 cinema tickets (Zürich Film Festival).. A bit expensive, you might think, but that's Zürich for you..
yesterday, I spent the equivalent of 58 PLN on 2 sandwiches (16 CHF) ,about 390 PLN on groceries, 94 PLN on 2 cinema tickets (Zürich Film Festival).. A bit expensive, you might think, but that's Zürich for you..
bullfrog
3 Oct 2011
USA, Canada / Polish man's visit a nightmare - Welcome To Canada [65]
Having spent 4 months in Canada (Montreal) in 1987 probably is not long enough to qualify for a detailed opinion, but I do have very fond memories of what I saw at the time and of the people I met. One of the overriding memories was that the country was the ideal compromise between the European and American ways of life.. I hope you don't lose this specificity.
Having spent 4 months in Canada (Montreal) in 1987 probably is not long enough to qualify for a detailed opinion, but I do have very fond memories of what I saw at the time and of the people I met. One of the overriding memories was that the country was the ideal compromise between the European and American ways of life.. I hope you don't lose this specificity.
bullfrog
2 Oct 2011
USA, Canada / Polish man's visit a nightmare - Welcome To Canada [65]
to pip
who on earth is russell brand??
to pip
who on earth is russell brand??
bullfrog
2 Oct 2011
Food / Coffee in Poland: cheap and undrinkable / expensive and good [89]
i tried the same, drinking plenty of coffee for long car jouneys (warsaw to london or paris) but it did not work.. only thing i found to make a difference is red bull.. same goes on for smoking, i have times when i smoke quite a bit and then i stop, with no particular consequence, no craving... as i speak, haven't smoked for a month..
i tried the same, drinking plenty of coffee for long car jouneys (warsaw to london or paris) but it did not work.. only thing i found to make a difference is red bull.. same goes on for smoking, i have times when i smoke quite a bit and then i stop, with no particular consequence, no craving... as i speak, haven't smoked for a month..
bullfrog
2 Oct 2011
Food / Coffee in Poland: cheap and undrinkable / expensive and good [89]
do it all the time especially when on holidays and nothing happens..
Go until noon without a coffee and see what happens to your body.
do it all the time especially when on holidays and nothing happens..