Law / Threatened to serve papers if I don't remove a review about a renting company in Poland [62]


Thank you DarrenM, but my wife speaks Polish. She feels awful, cause at the moment she is alone in Wroclaw and the rental company is just around the corner. Since I have to work as well, I am in the Netherlands at the moment. I try to convince her she has nothing to worry about, but she still feels very unsafe indeed. Especially since they have her address details. And I don't (and can't) fly over until Friday.


In fact there has been a telephone conversation. Then she posted this review on some website (something about reliable companies) and my wife got an e-mail in her mailbox with the subject "I'll see you in court!!" (but then in Polish).

Law / Any experience about importing goods to the UK from Poland? [20]

Have a look here: hmrc.gov.uk/customs/arriving/arrivingeu.htm

Basically: "For excise goods such as alcohol and tobacco, there are no restrictions. However you must meet the conditions below:

* You transport the goods yourself.
* The goods are for your own use or as a gift. If the person you give the goods to pays you in any way (including reimbursing you for any expenses or payment in kind), then it's not a gift and the goods may be seized.

* The goods are duty and tax paid in the EU country where they were acquired."

In the bold print might lay the problem.

News / WHY IS POLAND STILL GIVEN THE COLD SHOULDER? [197]

Okay ... so now we've had a story from England and a story from the UK. Allow me to tell you about the Polish-Dutch relationship:

1. When we remember Operation Market Garden (17-25 September 1944), there are always Polish veterans present;
2. The little village of Driel still honours the Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade, which liberated the village in WWII - there are several plaques commemorating the event, there is a Plac Polski, the local football team (RKSV Driel) plays in red and white, and a parachute is part of its logo

3. The Dutch MoD has a museum on the Trip van Zoudtlandtkazerne, an army base in Breda, about General Maczek
4. The Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade received the highest military honour of the Netherlands, the Military William Order (pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_Wojskowy_Wilhelma)

5. There is a Polish military cemetery in Breda
6. There is a special website about the Polish influence on the city of Breda (polonia-breda.nl/nl/weetjes/poolse-breda, unfortunately not really up-to-date).

And (jokingly) every week the city of Utrecht is laughing its head off because 36,53% of the 850-900 cars a week are being exported to Poland (automarkt.vwe.nl/Default.aspx - in the top of the screen, you can select the language). Add to that all the fruit pluckers, truck drivers and in my village even a day care centre run by Polish women, and you'll have to agree that Polish people are very welcome over here.

News / Palikot - too liberal/modern for Poland? [197]

Although you might make valid points, Polonius, I don't necessarily agree with your point of view. As jonni rightly pointed out, there is a discrepancy between the law and the actual practice. Besides, I have the feeling that what some doctors refuse to do in "state hospitals", they are eager to do in their private practice. I have to agree with jonni when he says that a foetus is not a person "as such". Then again ... I saw a "USG" of my son when he was 20 weeks in the womb, and I have to say it would have been impossible for me to have him aborted then. I guess we should leave it up to the parents to be (within limits, of course) to decide to have an abortion.

And ... the doctors shouldn't be allowed to refuse an abortion if it contravenes their "moral code" or the physical health of a woman. In times where Polish men aren't really well-known for taking care of their own children (let alone in cases where the mother dies), I think it is not a healthy course of action.

But all this might be a subject for another thread. Let me stress here that I am very happy that until now this discussion is extremely civilised, notwithstanding the very different points of view between -for example- Polonius and me. I'd like to thank all of you who participated in this. It kinda shows that "we" can have a civilised discussion, no matter how different our points of view, without getting personal, and attacking eachother, etc. There's nothing wrong with having a lively discussion with agreeing to disagree once in a while. Polonius and I will never agree on this particular subject, but I for one respect his point of view on this subject.

Thanks guys and galls!

News / Palikot - too liberal/modern for Poland? [197]


I hope you don't mind me saying so, but I haven't heard anything about abortion at whim. I should add I hear everything from second hand from my wife (who has to translate some of the news items, but I am pretty sure she doesn't lie to me ... ;). And saying that there should be a division between church and state, doesn't necessarily sound like church bashing to me.

I have to agree with you, though, about the abolition of the Senate. I think there should be two bodies that have a look at passing a bill. If a government wants to pass a bill and has a majority in the Lower Chamber (which it will always have), then there is no second (somewhat more independent body) that has another look.

I have to admit that I don't exactly know how it works in Poland, but for example in the Netherlands the Senate is chosen from the States-Provincial, a kind of provincial parliament and legislative assembly in each province of the Netherlands. It is directly elected every four years and has the responsibility for matters of sub-national or regional importance. From its members the Senate is indirectly chosen. So in a way it kind of makes it independent from the government

News / Palikot - too liberal/modern for Poland? [197]

Why do you consider him a retard, Kondzior? Why don't you like him? Please give us some reasons.

Travel / My (short) Poland experiences - bad luck? [142]

Zetigrek,

Having read this interesting exchange, in which emotions might have flared a little high sometimes (probably due to the limitations and the one-dimensional character of communicating on the internet), I'd like to ask you a question.

You say that, in general, there is no macho-culture in Poland. In the past couple of months (I can't exactly remember when), there's been a survey in Poland in which it was said that a big percentage of Polish men think that household chores are a woman's task, that they don't cook a meal at home and that they generally don't get involved in the day-to-day care of the children. When I am in PL (which as you know is just about every weekend), I quite often see groups of men sitting in front of some local shop "having a drink" (or should I say getting loaded). Wouldn't you agree that this is also a part of macho-culture?

No need to get worked up, it's just a question out of interest.

Life / Any treatment centres for homos in Poland? [455]


So over 200 species of mammals, I didn't count the birds, 130 species of fish and a zillion species of insects are all sick ... is that what you are saying?

Yeah ... rrrrrrrright. Tell me about it ... :S

Life / Any treatment centres for homos in Poland? [455]


It's not about masturbation and you know that. You're suddenly trying to change the subject because it better suits your argument. It's about sex between the same gender. Your attempt doesn't work with me.

I think I understood fully well what you said. You are just trying to convince me/us that homosexual tendencies are biologically abnormal. Well, it's simply not true. But you still want to ignore that. Fine by me ... live in your own little world. But don't start telling me it's against nature when it is blatently obvious that it isn't.

I bet you didn't even make an effort to browse through the articles, cause it would be way out of your comfort zone. You cannot simply deny or explain away the fact that about 130 species of birds have homosexual tendencies. And it really isn't about masturbation ... . And bonobo's aren't just bisexual simply because they want to masturbate.

Life / Any treatment centres for homos in Poland? [455]


Sascha, read the list of animals with homosexual tendencies on:

- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_animals_displaying_homosexual_behavior;

- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mammals_displaying_homosexual_behavior;

- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_birds_displaying_homosexual_behavior.

and then try to convince me again that it is "simply biologically not normal".

That argument simply doesn't cut it.


So fact of the matter is, that you are the one who puts scientific evidence aside.

News / Weekend of carnage as 41 people lose their lives on Poland's roads [44]


But then it still comes down to enforcement. These people need to be watched, cause I wouldn't be surprised if they would simply drive their car even if their licence is suspended. When I am in Wroclaw, I see sooo many cars with temporary German, Belgian and Dutch number plates, and I really wonder whether these people drive around with a valid insurance. The police can even check the German plates, since there is an expiry date on them, but still I see people driving around with expired German plates.

News / Weekend of carnage as 41 people lose their lives on Poland's roads [44]

I've had the "pleasure" to drive from Wroclaw to Gdansk on the 26th and back again on the 29th.

Although the major roads are much better than they used to be, there's still a lot to be done. In all fairness, they are really working hard on a lot of roads (like the 5 out of Wroclaw ... well, all along the 5 really).

They've caught me speeding on my way to Gdansk, when I got on the A1 motorway, just behind the gates where you draw your toll-ticket. There is a "sharp" bend to the right and 60 is allowed (which is fine when you drive a heavy-goods vehicle, but with a car even 100 is a safe speed) and they caught me doing 72. With which I only want to say, that maybe the focus of the police is wrong. They check speeds on places where an accident is not likely to happen anyway, they are just after the money.

And I haven't seen any alcohol checks whatsoever. In the Netherlands, the police regularly sets up a road block on the motorway, directs all traffic over a large parking lot and everyone has to do an alcohol test. I'm pretty sure that if the Polish police had done a similar action on Sunday morning, they would have caught even more people drinking and driving.

And with regard to Wroclaw's remark about pedestrian crossings. I once was so "galant" as to stop before a pedestrian crossing. I was on the right lane. People from the right started to cross only to find some jerk overtaking me on the left, nearly running over a couple of them. What is safer for the pedestrians?

The only solution according to me: to get rid of all the safety features of a car: no seat belts, no airbags, nothing. Just a very sharp and pointy sword in the middle of the stearing wheel pointed at 2 centimeters from the driver's heart. That'll make drivers think twice.

Life / Why Aren't The Shops in Poland Open on Sundays? [82]


Since you keep on babbling about "government sanctioned murderers" although there is no judicial basis whatsoever (and thus it has nothing to do with murder), I believe you are the moron here.

The thread is about why shops are closed. The answer: because it is a public holiday. The thread is not about what I think Jesus would want.

Read the thread title again ... difficulty reading at your age, mister?


Then listen to what the Lord has said and have a rest and stop trying to hi-jack the thread. You start to resemble Crow.

Life / Why Aren't The Shops in Poland Open on Sundays? [82]


It has nothing to do with the thread. And your assumptions are, as usual, too ridiculous to even comment on.

Life / Why Aren't The Shops in Poland Open on Sundays? [82]


Their shops are even closed from Saturday 12:00.

Life / Why Aren't The Shops in Poland Open on Sundays? [82]

Come on, Seanus. You know as well as I do that there are jobs where you have to work or have to work shifts. That includes doctors, police, firemen, vets, nurses, etc ... . Don't be daft!

And why is Magdalena's argument petty?! How about those who keep on whining that the shops are closed and they weren't able to think one day ahead. Jeez ... bad day, admin?

Life / Why Aren't The Shops in Poland Open on Sundays? [82]


A little thinking never hurt anyone. I don't find it an excuse, sorry.

Life / Why Aren't The Shops in Poland Open on Sundays? [82]


Come on, you live in PL ... get yourself informed. Don't be so condescending.


Why are people unable to plan ahead?

Life / Why Aren't The Shops in Poland Open on Sundays? [82]


But otoh I guess you already knew yesterday that the shops would be closed today.

In the Netherlands the shops are closed every Sunday (and some also on Monday morning). So, I see to it that I have everything I need before Saturday 2000 when the local supermarket closes. And if I need something from the local off-licence (cause a supermarket over here isn't allowed to sell strong alcohol) or butcher, I have to see to it that I go there before 1730 on Saturday or I am too late.

Not really a big issue, to be honest. Just a little planning ahead. It's not that we are some headless chickens, now are we?

UK, Ireland / Homeless Poles living on barbecued rats and alcoholic handwash? [62]


Don't worry ... the flower business is still going strong over here. As is the fruit business and even transportation. And besides, in the Netherlands there are only a couple of homeless Poles, who are mainly converging around Rotterdam Central Station.

I guess the reason why they are homeless is because they like the alcohol more than working. And since I don't think your friends fall into the same category, you don't have much to worry about.


I think they should complain ... the minimum wage, before taxes, in the Netherlands is €9,02 per hour when you work 36 hours a week, €8,55 when you work 38 hours a week and €8,12 when you work 40 hours a week

(home.szw.nl/index.cfm?menu_item_id=13737&hoofdmenu_item_id=138 26&rubriek_id=391817&set_id=77&doctype_id=6&link_id=180842 - bottom of the page).

Travel / Fish and Chips in Warsaw [53]


Just curious ... are you sure it was cod, and not some Asian catfish or some other sweet river thingie ... ?

News / New cross war in Warsaw [530]


It's preposterous! What gives you the God given right to doubt the fact that I go to church once every so often. Want proof, huh ...? You're an awful person! It IS people like you that give religion a bad name!

News / New cross war in Warsaw [530]


Don't generalise ... I am a member, and I find it incredible that "your kind" does not seem to accept any criticism whatsoever with regard to the church or religion or what its members do (like these RM-nutballs). Fact of the matter is that there are a lot of things wrong with the RCC and I for one don't accept these RM-fundamentalists as real christians. They are the worst kind.

And Polonious ... by saying people who don't go to mass are worse than those who do, you don't show yourself to be a christian either. I go to church every now and again (not every Sunday) and I certainly don't consider myself better or worse than those who don't.

News / New cross war in Warsaw [530]


Well ... Maria is already Queen of Poland, isn't she?. So the idea is not very far fetched.

News / New cross war in Warsaw [530]


Well ... missy "doing nothing" ... enlighten me then ... tell me how these fundamentalistic catholics are any different. I can see quite a lot of similarities: egotistical, fanatic, fundamentalist, intolerant, hypocritical, undemocratic, shall I go on ... ?

News / New cross war in Warsaw [530]


Apart from the religion, there is absolutely no difference between these nutballs and the Taliban. I knew senility made people do strange things, but this blabbering and praying for a cross that shouldn't be there in the first place, is a new one for me. A couple of good blasts with a water canon would do the trick, I guess.

History / When will you Poles give back German land and the cities which you robbed? [557]


If you live in a glass house, it's a bad idea to start throwing stones, Crow.

Travel / Car hire Przemysl [11]

Hey Steve ... I couldn't come up with a car hire company in Przemysl either, but when I need a car in PL I always call Express (phone number on en.express.pl, top of the page). They have door-to-door service (for a fee, obviously), unlimited mileage and pretty cheap as well. Cars are usually good, and they give good service.

Hope it helps.