delphiandomine
25 Jan 2019
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
CBOS is funded by the government...
The Independent cannot be trusted either
CBOS is funded by the government...
delphiandomine
25 Jan 2019
Study / Expat kids in schools in Poland [77]
I wouldn't bet on it. There's a cliche in Polish education that children don't speak Polish properly until the age of 7 or so due to the grammatical complexity, but what should concern you is that they (as in Germany, I believe?) hit the ground running - they'll be expected to be able to read fairly complicated books by the time they reach 9 years old. So, even if your kids start at 7, they'll have a mountain to climb before they start.
Of course, it depends on their age - if they start a Polish language nursery at 2/3, they'll be fluent in Polish by the time they start school.
What should concern you most of all is that very little assistance is available for foreign kids that don't speak Polish. Polish classes are provided (2x lessons a week, only in the first year), but that's it. If you've got a kid that's 10 when he/she starts school, it's going to be an impossible mountain to climb, as there's no way they'll get enough from learning Polish as a foreigner abroad.
What are their ages? I can give you more specific and tailored advice if you tell me how old they'll be when you move there.
It's likely to be the same level of acceptance throughout the country. Every class will have some kids where the parents listen to non-stop anti-German propaganda on public TV, and so there will be some issues.
You might want to consider something like this - gm20szczecin.edupage.org/ - where they will be much more accepting of other Europeans because of the name.
Of course they'll speak sufficient Polish by the time we move.
I wouldn't bet on it. There's a cliche in Polish education that children don't speak Polish properly until the age of 7 or so due to the grammatical complexity, but what should concern you is that they (as in Germany, I believe?) hit the ground running - they'll be expected to be able to read fairly complicated books by the time they reach 9 years old. So, even if your kids start at 7, they'll have a mountain to climb before they start.
Of course, it depends on their age - if they start a Polish language nursery at 2/3, they'll be fluent in Polish by the time they start school.
What should concern you most of all is that very little assistance is available for foreign kids that don't speak Polish. Polish classes are provided (2x lessons a week, only in the first year), but that's it. If you've got a kid that's 10 when he/she starts school, it's going to be an impossible mountain to climb, as there's no way they'll get enough from learning Polish as a foreigner abroad.
What are their ages? I can give you more specific and tailored advice if you tell me how old they'll be when you move there.
Is Szczecin the type of place that would be more accepting of a German kid starting school there?
It's likely to be the same level of acceptance throughout the country. Every class will have some kids where the parents listen to non-stop anti-German propaganda on public TV, and so there will be some issues.
You might want to consider something like this - gm20szczecin.edupage.org/ - where they will be much more accepting of other Europeans because of the name.
delphiandomine
24 Jan 2019
Life / Left-wing agitators in Poland [49]
Poland is exporting almost all the good stuff produced here, even to Saudi Arabia.
beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/market-intelligence-news/poland-targets-higher-value-beef-exports/
Poland is exporting almost all the good stuff produced here, even to Saudi Arabia.
beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/market-intelligence-news/poland-targets-higher-value-beef-exports/
delphiandomine
24 Jan 2019
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
Estymator are notorious for producing wrong polls for who pays them.
Come back when you have the polling methodology used. Asking 1000 bald people wearing "patriotic" clothes in the street does not constitute a poll.
Source:Estymator
Estymator are notorious for producing wrong polls for who pays them.
Come back when you have the polling methodology used. Asking 1000 bald people wearing "patriotic" clothes in the street does not constitute a poll.
delphiandomine
24 Jan 2019
Life / Left-wing agitators in Poland [49]
Really? I find them on a par with Southern Europeans in terms of being loud and animated.
That's because you speak Polish ;)
define quiet... it's true that some Polish people never stop talking (even in places like concerts) but the overall decibel level is pretty low...
Really? I find them on a par with Southern Europeans in terms of being loud and animated.
can't say I ever have...
That's because you speak Polish ;)
delphiandomine
24 Jan 2019
Life / Left-wing agitators in Poland [49]
Except Poles aren't quiet in public places.
The conversation was probably held at a loud volume in a train where everyone else is silent.
Except Poles aren't quiet in public places.
delphiandomine
24 Jan 2019
Life / Left-wing agitators in Poland [49]
Except the academic was Polish, and you Sir, are a German advocating violence towards Polish professors, just like the Germans did in the previous era.
And you wonder if you'll be welcomed in Poland with an attitude like that?
Except the academic was Polish, and you Sir, are a German advocating violence towards Polish professors, just like the Germans did in the previous era.
And you wonder if you'll be welcomed in Poland with an attitude like that?
delphiandomine
24 Jan 2019
Life / Left-wing agitators in Poland [49]
Astonishing to see a German advocate violence towards Polish professors. Those of us who know Polish history know that there's a long history of Germans advocating violence towards Polish academics.
Those professors beaten up in the tram probably deserved it. Most German professors are self-righteous arrogant soy boys.
Astonishing to see a German advocate violence towards Polish professors. Those of us who know Polish history know that there's a long history of Germans advocating violence towards Polish academics.
delphiandomine
24 Jan 2019
Life / Left-wing agitators in Poland [49]
You're quite unique then, because most English speakers have had trouble at some point or another. There's plenty of insecure arseholes who can't stand foreign languages being spoken, though most of the hatred these days is aimed at Ukrainians and dark-skinned people.
NEVER had any problems talking English to my English wife
You're quite unique then, because most English speakers have had trouble at some point or another. There's plenty of insecure arseholes who can't stand foreign languages being spoken, though most of the hatred these days is aimed at Ukrainians and dark-skinned people.
delphiandomine
24 Jan 2019
Life / Left-wing agitators in Poland [49]
Two guys did the same to a friend of mine in the pub. My friend stood up, kicked over the table, grabbed one of them by the throat and pinned him to the wall.
Quite amusing to watch how tough guys suddenly started begging for their lives when they realised that they'd just messed with a Polish guy who was obviously capable of handling himself. He dropped the guy to the ground, then told both of them to clean the mess up and to buy drinks for the bartenders to apologise for the trouble that they caused.
two morons at next table started stupid comments
Two guys did the same to a friend of mine in the pub. My friend stood up, kicked over the table, grabbed one of them by the throat and pinned him to the wall.
Quite amusing to watch how tough guys suddenly started begging for their lives when they realised that they'd just messed with a Polish guy who was obviously capable of handling himself. He dropped the guy to the ground, then told both of them to clean the mess up and to buy drinks for the bartenders to apologise for the trouble that they caused.
delphiandomine
24 Jan 2019
Life / Left-wing agitators in Poland [49]
Not anymore. The provincial elections were around 52-48% in favour of liberal parties, and liberal parties won the most seats.
The other thing is that if someone hears him speaking German in public, he might well get a punch for speaking German. It won't matter if he's left or right wing, because they'll attack him first.
thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/270263,University-professor-beaten-up-on-Warsaw-tram-for-speaking-German
Third, pis and kukiz combined dominate the majoritys share of votes.
Not anymore. The provincial elections were around 52-48% in favour of liberal parties, and liberal parties won the most seats.
The other thing is that if someone hears him speaking German in public, he might well get a punch for speaking German. It won't matter if he's left or right wing, because they'll attack him first.
thenews.pl/1/9/Artykul/270263,University-professor-beaten-up-on-Warsaw-tram-for-speaking-German
delphiandomine
24 Jan 2019
History / A History of Gdansk, Poland [130]
It was such a stupid treaty. It was obvious that they wouldn't be able to create any sort of Danzig identity, and city states were way out of fashion by the time the Free City came about.
No wonder Hitler was so popular in Danzig, this treaty and these kind of "laws" made his rise so easy and predictable..
It was such a stupid treaty. It was obvious that they wouldn't be able to create any sort of Danzig identity, and city states were way out of fashion by the time the Free City came about.
delphiandomine
24 Jan 2019
History / A History of Gdansk, Poland [130]
And not only. We shouldn't underestimate their role in Slovenian and Croatian independence, though Germany did get Bosnia very badly wrong. That's understandable though, as everyone else did as well.
Germany was a huge influence over Poland in the 1990's. There's way too many examples to note, but for instance, Germany was pushing for Poles to have visa-free access to the common visa-space of the countries that were preparing to implement Schengen. Germany was also the catalyst of CEFTA, which did a lot to prepare Poland and others for joining the EU.
It's hard to understand just how large the German contribution has been to Poland.
And died very quickly under martial law. Solidarność were finished by the mid 1980's, and would have remained finished if it wasn't for Gorbachev. Had the Soviet Union been in a much better place economically, Poland would still be under Soviet rule today.
There is no Western European country that played a larger part in reestablishing democracy in the former Warsaw pact states.
And not only. We shouldn't underestimate their role in Slovenian and Croatian independence, though Germany did get Bosnia very badly wrong. That's understandable though, as everyone else did as well.
Germany was a huge influence over Poland in the 1990's. There's way too many examples to note, but for instance, Germany was pushing for Poles to have visa-free access to the common visa-space of the countries that were preparing to implement Schengen. Germany was also the catalyst of CEFTA, which did a lot to prepare Poland and others for joining the EU.
It's hard to understand just how large the German contribution has been to Poland.
The democracy in Poland started with 10 million adult people signing up to Solidarity while still under communist rule.
And died very quickly under martial law. Solidarność were finished by the mid 1980's, and would have remained finished if it wasn't for Gorbachev. Had the Soviet Union been in a much better place economically, Poland would still be under Soviet rule today.
delphiandomine
23 Jan 2019
Life / Worst aspects of living in Poland? [82]
I'm not fond of that version of Polish at all. The way of speaking grates, and it seems rather like a West Country accent to my ears. I especially can't stand the music that was made in those times. At the same time, I adore the Polish spoken in Zaolzie...
The current "korpopolski" is utterly awful though, and should be banished for eternity.
I like the way elderly and upper-class people born around Wilno speak. It reminds me of the Polish you hear in pre-war films.
I'm not fond of that version of Polish at all. The way of speaking grates, and it seems rather like a West Country accent to my ears. I especially can't stand the music that was made in those times. At the same time, I adore the Polish spoken in Zaolzie...
The current "korpopolski" is utterly awful though, and should be banished for eternity.
delphiandomine
23 Jan 2019
Life / Worst aspects of living in Poland? [82]
There's actually a fascinating report on this by AQA, one of the British examination boards. I can't find it now (probably on the work computer), but basically, it pointed at the poor results being caused by many candidates not actually knowing Polish properly. They were frequently using unacceptable slang in speech, they had problems with writing and that they struggled to produce coherent texts in Polish. They essentially had language abilities well below expectations, partially because they simply hadn't prepared properly for the exam. They thought that they could just attend as a native speaker and ace it - when (as the experience of the IELTS exam shows) - native speakers actually do quite poorly on exams.
I wish I could find it now, because it would be relevant to your work as well.
(plus plenty of people in the diaspora that spoke it at home as a child yet speak it badly).
There's actually a fascinating report on this by AQA, one of the British examination boards. I can't find it now (probably on the work computer), but basically, it pointed at the poor results being caused by many candidates not actually knowing Polish properly. They were frequently using unacceptable slang in speech, they had problems with writing and that they struggled to produce coherent texts in Polish. They essentially had language abilities well below expectations, partially because they simply hadn't prepared properly for the exam. They thought that they could just attend as a native speaker and ace it - when (as the experience of the IELTS exam shows) - native speakers actually do quite poorly on exams.
I wish I could find it now, because it would be relevant to your work as well.
delphiandomine
23 Jan 2019
Life / Worst aspects of living in Poland? [82]
Currently, it's at 150% of PM10 limits and 180% of PM2.5 limits.
If you want clean air, you need to look in Eastern Poland, though it can vary wildly from place to place.
Currently, it's at 150% of PM10 limits and 180% of PM2.5 limits.
If you want clean air, you need to look in Eastern Poland, though it can vary wildly from place to place.
delphiandomine
23 Jan 2019
Law / Buying an established business in Poland [10]
Here you are, in Polish only unfortunately - wp.pl/?s=finanse.wp.pl%2Fsgwpsgfirst-6322120390408321a
The Sunday ban really screwed up small shops, because the large chains introduced good promotions on Fridays/Saturdays only, so people are now staying at home on Sunday and not using any shops.
Where did you get that info? Not that I am disputing it, just interested in researching those things.
Here you are, in Polish only unfortunately - wp.pl/?s=finanse.wp.pl%2Fsgwpsgfirst-6322120390408321a
The Sunday ban really screwed up small shops, because the large chains introduced good promotions on Fridays/Saturdays only, so people are now staying at home on Sunday and not using any shops.
delphiandomine
23 Jan 2019
Law / Buying an established business in Poland [10]
15,000 closed down this year.
Still want one?
I'm talking about a small shop, something with a long history of regular business that would sustain living costs?
15,000 closed down this year.
Still want one?
delphiandomine
23 Jan 2019
Life / Worst aspects of living in Poland? [82]
What was the number, something like 85% of municipalities don't have any means of enforcing the rules?
Everything. Cities are getting better, but there are huge issues with people burning trash in suburbia.
airly.eu/map/en/ for more info on how bad it is.
I think it will be difficult to enforce - there are already rules against burning rubbish but i reckon about a third of the families in my street do that
What was the number, something like 85% of municipalities don't have any means of enforcing the rules?
or are they burning everything including plastic bags and old electronics?
Everything. Cities are getting better, but there are huge issues with people burning trash in suburbia.
airly.eu/map/en/ for more info on how bad it is.
delphiandomine
23 Jan 2019
History / A History of Gdansk, Poland [130]
He lived his whole life in the comfort of the UK, where no such decisions had to be made.
If Merkel was as bad as he wants to claim, why would Wessies vote for her? Clearly German voters are smart enough to understand that for the majority of East Germans, they did what they had to do.
No doubt "bolek_tusk" will tell us that he would be honourable enough to refuse to shoot an escaper at the border, too.
He lived his whole life in the comfort of the UK, where no such decisions had to be made.
If Merkel was as bad as he wants to claim, why would Wessies vote for her? Clearly German voters are smart enough to understand that for the majority of East Germans, they did what they had to do.
No doubt "bolek_tusk" will tell us that he would be honourable enough to refuse to shoot an escaper at the border, too.
delphiandomine
23 Jan 2019
History / A History of Gdansk, Poland [130]
You do realise that joining the FDJ was pretty much unavoidable for young people in East Germany? If you didn't join, you were effectively excluded from universities, school trips, good schools, your parents would also suffer and so on. It wasn't a case of "oh, I fancy being a Communist, so I'll join". The mass membership was a direct result of it being the only way to ensure a decent education in East Germany.
It certainly wasn't comparable to senior PiS member Stanisław Piotrowicz prosecuting dissidents in the PRL.
Fuhrer Merkel, the leader of the EU was a Communist:-
You do realise that joining the FDJ was pretty much unavoidable for young people in East Germany? If you didn't join, you were effectively excluded from universities, school trips, good schools, your parents would also suffer and so on. It wasn't a case of "oh, I fancy being a Communist, so I'll join". The mass membership was a direct result of it being the only way to ensure a decent education in East Germany.
It certainly wasn't comparable to senior PiS member Stanisław Piotrowicz prosecuting dissidents in the PRL.
delphiandomine
23 Jan 2019
Life / Worst aspects of living in Poland? [82]
What? Krakow, right now, is sitting about 150% of the PM2.5 / PM10 norms. Some areas nearby are at 600-700% of the maximum, such as Wrząsowice (16km from the Old Town in Kraków). Nowy Targ has 680% of the allowable levels of PM10! There's a place called Sławkowska (not far from Dąbrowa Gorniczna), where the pollution is so bad that it's registering as 1542% of the allowable amount of PM10, and 1176% of PM2.5.
And the smog isn't bad? Really? The situation is dire, and it's the reason why so many children in Poland have problems with respiratory illnesses.
The air quality is awful in winter in the south. Mountains, cities, both locations are polluted and dreadful.
but as for real smog, its next to zero.
What? Krakow, right now, is sitting about 150% of the PM2.5 / PM10 norms. Some areas nearby are at 600-700% of the maximum, such as Wrząsowice (16km from the Old Town in Kraków). Nowy Targ has 680% of the allowable levels of PM10! There's a place called Sławkowska (not far from Dąbrowa Gorniczna), where the pollution is so bad that it's registering as 1542% of the allowable amount of PM10, and 1176% of PM2.5.
And the smog isn't bad? Really? The situation is dire, and it's the reason why so many children in Poland have problems with respiratory illnesses.
I hear reports about the air quality in Poland, especially southern Poland, being bad due to the coal and trash burning. Have you noticed this?
The air quality is awful in winter in the south. Mountains, cities, both locations are polluted and dreadful.
delphiandomine
21 Jan 2019
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
Damn, they won't last long in Poland if they do business like that!
I mean, I wish it wasn't so... :( It's one of the few things I genuinely dislike about Poland.
Damn, they won't last long in Poland if they do business like that!
I mean, I wish it wasn't so... :( It's one of the few things I genuinely dislike about Poland.
delphiandomine
15 Jan 2019
UK, Ireland / British men don't really like women [137]
But he's a nationalist. Polish nationalists hate women in the workplace, because they should be in the kitchen.
But he's a nationalist. Polish nationalists hate women in the workplace, because they should be in the kitchen.
delphiandomine
13 Jan 2019
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
And will be again. The UK was always an outsider that had a lot of influence over the EU, but with that gone, it will return to the original Franco-German pairing. Everyone else will have a simple choice to join them or to leave them.
I wouldn't want to be the one telling Polish farmers that there's no more financial support for them.
The core of the EU have been Germany and France
And will be again. The UK was always an outsider that had a lot of influence over the EU, but with that gone, it will return to the original Franco-German pairing. Everyone else will have a simple choice to join them or to leave them.
I wouldn't want to be the one telling Polish farmers that there's no more financial support for them.
delphiandomine
13 Jan 2019
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
No, but they're certainly there to tell Poland to give preferential rights over raw materials and to censor the media in favour of China.
Very closely monitored. They already made threats in their own media towards Poland for arresting that guy for spying.
they're there to make.money not tell Poles to start giving gays more rights
No, but they're certainly there to tell Poland to give preferential rights over raw materials and to censor the media in favour of China.
China's investments in Poland should be closely monitored.
Very closely monitored. They already made threats in their own media towards Poland for arresting that guy for spying.
delphiandomine
13 Jan 2019
Work / Teaching in public school VS private school in Poland [9]
Simply put, they won't deal with it.
Simply put, they won't deal with it.
delphiandomine
13 Jan 2019
Life / Why is Szczecin the most expensive Polish city? [5]
Like many Poles, the nicest region of Szczecin is the one on the German side of the border. Tantow, for instance.
There's a reason why buying a house in Germany (and educating your kids in Germany) has become very popular among middle class people from Szczecin.
Could anyone tell me the nicest regions of Szczecin to live in?
Like many Poles, the nicest region of Szczecin is the one on the German side of the border. Tantow, for instance.
There's a reason why buying a house in Germany (and educating your kids in Germany) has become very popular among middle class people from Szczecin.
delphiandomine
10 Jan 2019
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
Said it before, I'll say it again: Poland has no claim.
Good news for Poland - a guy who is known for openly supporting and praising Putin wants Poland to come under his influence.
Nationalists in Poland are nothing but ZOMO thugs of the 21st century.
Wonder how well you will do after you are forced to pay war reparations for destroying Poland during WWII.
Said it before, I'll say it again: Poland has no claim.
Some more good news for today:
Good news for Poland - a guy who is known for openly supporting and praising Putin wants Poland to come under his influence.
Nationalists in Poland are nothing but ZOMO thugs of the 21st century.
delphiandomine
9 Jan 2019
News / Polish Independence Day March in Warsaw. Is it going to be the biggest march yet? [1530]
Indeed, but he lives in the fantasy realm of the Polish nationalist, who believes that they somehow are going to magically go from 2% to 40% of the vote.
Even PiS panicked and started to back off when the opposition portrayed them as being keen on Polexit, as the surveys consistently show around 80% support for the EU.
Spike definitely has his work cut out for him to build this anti-german alliance and to disengage the polish people from the EU and Germany.
Indeed, but he lives in the fantasy realm of the Polish nationalist, who believes that they somehow are going to magically go from 2% to 40% of the vote.
Even PiS panicked and started to back off when the opposition portrayed them as being keen on Polexit, as the surveys consistently show around 80% support for the EU.