USA, Canada / EMPIRE STATE BUILDING IN NYC DISRESPECTS POLISH AMERICANS! [88]

That's ok! Stating the obvious but it needed to be said. Anyway, I posted a brilliant video on Polish Americans and nobody commented on it. It was right on the mark.

Life / Polish stereotypes of other nationalities!? [472]

Nott, creative fiction aside......

The Scots tend to be far more generous as a nation. The hospitality is great here, mind you. Then again, it's the same back home.

USA, Canada / EMPIRE STATE BUILDING IN NYC DISRESPECTS POLISH AMERICANS! [88]

How can a building disrespect people? It's inanimate!

Life / Polish stereotypes of other nationalities!? [472]

That's because Scots are much more famous than Poles in the overall scheme of things ;) ;)

Besides, stereotypes sell but BS pervades.

Look at charity stats, they speak volumes :)

Love / 'Battered husbands' - still a taboo subject in Poland [387]

Never heard of it, sorry. Taboo? It's never mentioned!

USA, Canada / Why do Americans (and Canadians) hate Polish people? [226]

Some do, some don't. I guess imagined supremacy plays its part.

Life / Polish stereotypes of other nationalities!? [472]

Hehehe, just as much as the Poles have that the Scots are stingy. We have been giving Poles housing and jobs for years, loooooooong before 2004. They have a good standing in parts of our communities, well thought of.

Life / Polish stereotypes of other nationalities!? [472]

That the Scots are stingy. Too bad that many here are worse, esp those from Poznań and Kraków. Only Aberdonians in Scotland tend to be tight-fisted.

Life / You are Polish if... [433]

you bring up a controversial point that's bound to bring about the daggers being brandished (many Poles aren't like this in the English classroom)

you make out that there is some enigmatic mystique to being a Pole when there really isn't

you make yourself ill with negative thoughts and general weakness.

you seek to carve out a Polishness in your life

I really get on with many Poles. Many are close to my heart and I'd do a lot to help them. Some are just downtrodden :(

News / Does it seem to you that Russia loves Poland now? [35]

Russians have major problems within their own ranks. When ex-Soviet Union members broke away, Russia had to redefine its identity. They made the stupid decision of giving Chechens some latitude and they have paid for that with a lot of blood. Poles are good enough to treat groups like their Tatars with respect. Russians tend to be more chauvinistic. Poles may feel some bad will towards certain foreigners but they tend not to act on it like Russians do.

Relations will never be that good after how the Russians betrayed Poles in WWII. There is much potential amongst common people as there is substantive cultural overlap. Poles and Russians are not always that different but guards have to be dropped first.

Work / Moving to Poland (from the UK) to take a teaching position. Tips? [34]

That's probably true!

Work / Moving to Poland (from the UK) to take a teaching position. Tips? [34]

Also, it's just not normal to say thank you at every step of the way. It's seen as OTT.

Law / Millennium Bank Complaint (their entire functional website is in Polish!) [15]

It's working fine with me. I pressed English before inserting the Millekod and, after typing in my security details, everything was laid out in English.

UK, Ireland / Common pitfalls for Poles learning English [187]

Different English is used in different places and that's the point :)

Law / Millennium Bank Complaint (their entire functional website is in Polish!) [15]

Erin, they are not the best bank in the world but you are letting your settings default to Polish. If you choose English, you will get complete lists in English. I understand the Polish terms but naturally choose to use the English language version.

If it defaults back to Polish, reclick and everything should be ok.

UK, Ireland / Common pitfalls for Poles learning English [187]

Well, I'd have said 'in Fife', but yeah. For sure I'd use both of those.

UK, Ireland / Common pitfalls for Poles learning English [187]

Yeah, I'd be really stringent on the entry requirements as you are just stealing from people then. I should go into such a school and pretend to be Danish wanting to learn more English. I'd soon catch them out.

I see part of my job as repairing the pitfalls they unknowingly came across when learning at school. Oh, but my teacher said bla bla bla. Well, be glad you don't have that teacher now :)

UK, Ireland / Common pitfalls for Poles learning English [187]

I wouldn't recommend its usage personally. It's what the Poles learn in the Callan Method. It's amazing how they are being conned/ripped off these days.

UK, Ireland / Common pitfalls for Poles learning English [187]

I disagree, Teffle. I would use both of those naturally.

Life / Polish culture do's and dont's? [106]

Bureaucratic procedures for one. They are long and protracted yet people expect instant fixes. Yes, you can expedite things but it costs money. For example, I paid 38PLN (little) to bring my marriage date forward.

It's old people, generally. They start ordering midway through yours. I often wonder about them as they are retired and are going nowhere fast, so what's their hurry?

I heard a classic yesterday which should amuse the resident Poles. My wife got a call from a stuck-up woman who referred to herself as Pani. To my knowledge, you just don't do that and my wife agrees. Well, if titles make them happy, LOL. They need to build strength from inside.

UK, Ireland / Common pitfalls for Poles learning English [187]

It means to pay attention to what the teacher is saying.

USA, Canada / Do any other Polish Americans feel that our culture needs to be more well preserved? [38]

Yeah, those relatives in Zakopane are pretty darned insistent ;) ;)

USA, Canada / EMPIRE STATE BUILDING IN NYC DISRESPECTS POLISH AMERICANS! [88]

The 9/11 neocon terrorists would have been risking too much beyond detonating buildings, tz. Their Reichstag-style stunt was daring enough.

I agree with FUZZY, a permanent memorial is better than a temporary one.

It shouldn't be noted that he is a Jew at all. It's normal there.

UK, Ireland / Common pitfalls for Poles learning English [187]

Another one that might be confused is angina. Angina pectoralis is not what the Poles mean when they think angina, a throat condition.

There was a thread here on false friends.

News / Tusk cracks down on designer drugs ("dopalacze") in Poland [171]

You bet your a*s, Zeti. These corporations can take out most if they wanted. Poland is a prime market given the tendency towards self pity and hypochondria amongst the population.

News / Tusk cracks down on designer drugs ("dopalacze") in Poland [171]

Even if they were within the reach of the Polish government, Zeti, they wouldn't touch them. Those big hitters could make life hell if they wanted to.

Work / Moving to Poland (from the UK) to take a teaching position. Tips? [34]

Also, try to get a guarantee of hours. They never lose and teachers are always the first to do so. Otherwise, you will need to look for privates to cover your expenses.

Work / Moving to Poland (from the UK) to take a teaching position. Tips? [34]

Get used to the method as quick as possible. Ask your boss where your money is going and then ask a financial specialist and see how they differ. Some businessmen the world over are con artists but they are not as sly/smart as the Poles who make them look amateurish.

News / Tusk cracks down on designer drugs ("dopalacze") in Poland [171]

Tusk was getting concerned that there wouldn't be enough for him :) Changing tack on this issue is strange as the drugs themselves are the constants. The fact that a few people have experienced problems merits that they investigate it but not to jump to quick decisions against the drugs. It's a bit like harsh legislation against dogs that bite once and they get put down. The owners should be responsible, just like the drug companies that are aware of the side effects. They won't touch the drug companies but will take the soft option.

News / Poles DO return to the UK [39]

He was bullied to follow certain roads that suited others more than the majority. That was the biggest problem.