UK, Ireland / Ive been in the UK for 6 days to relocate and im going back to Poland. [281]

The truth, as ever, is somewhere in the middle, Colonel. There are many Brits with children that were laid off and they are prepared to accept short-term contracts just to put bread on the table until they find sth more permanent. They are victims of the system that is undercutting them.

However, you are right to say that there are many lazy ones too. My home city is a prime example. The difference is that they are also more aggressive than the Poles. I could go to a 'bad' area here and feel quite safe. Some might say sth to me but they don't act.

TM, you are welcome. Britain has a very good 'but' tradition. I cracked up when some Poles, knowing full well it was an English word, still pronounced it 'ale' as in the Polish word for but. It's ALE, as in AILing warrior :)

Genealogy / HOW TO GET BACK YOUR ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE AFTER MARRIAGE IN A USC OFFICE [13]

You are welcome! Good luck! They have no right to keep that document, this is not communism :)

UK, Ireland / Ive been in the UK for 6 days to relocate and im going back to Poland. [281]

If it's at its ideal temperature, it is amber nectar :) WB should chill with some golf and then some of that stuff. He sometimes seems to be 'too' aware of social life without blocking some stuff out. There are many things around us that we could all take issue with but it is as it is. He seems to have the financial means that Wrocław alluded to. One week is NOT enough to settle. Settling takes some time, depending on your character and where you choose to settle, of course.

"England is my home", I heard him say. Well, WB, part of that is hard graft of your own, regardless of what some are doing around you. Brits no longer have it easy and charisma and luck play their part. I'm sure you are up to the task but maybe your area just doesn't allow you to play to your strengths. That's the truth in my case. My home city, Aberdeen, had great study options for me. But work? Nah, the sectors are not geared towards teaching or paralegal work.

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

The Guardian is generally a high quality paper, one that I read in my more leftist days. Vladimir, LOL. That's Russian. Włodziemierz or Władysław are perhaps the closest equivalents in Polish.

Nevermind, they will find the benefit path ;) ;)

UK, Ireland / Ive been in the UK for 6 days to relocate and im going back to Poland. [281]

Tm and FUZZY, I didn't say it was UK specific. I just said that it clearly applied to the UK. It's just an observation that I see all too clearly.

Am has a good point above. Certain employers and even individuals are ruining Britain and America from within, inviting excessive amounts of immigrant labour to work and inadvertently stir up trouble. It's not their fault as they merely accept a better life. However, it makes GB and the US look bad. If there is a level playing field, then all well and good but there isn't. This is the 21st century so let's scrub out discriminatory practices.

UK, Ireland / Ive been in the UK for 6 days to relocate and im going back to Poland. [281]

Many aspects of life are stale and stagnant, Am. When I go back, it's the same old spiel. People saying the same things as they were 10-15 years ago, the same tv faces churning out the same formula of rubbish and such similar attitudes.

What keeps Britain afloat are pioneers and innovators. We've always had a strong tradition of invention and industrial ingenuity. However, those people depend on government making the right decisions and, from where I'm standing, I can see them stuffing up. Heck, even trade unions are going to the dogs by ripping off British workers. I'm not being right wing in saying that either, I'm just addressing the reality that the rules have been bent in the name of money and social engineering.

UK, Ireland / Ive been in the UK for 6 days to relocate and im going back to Poland. [281]

True! The JSA logic is sound but the workers reduced the standards, seemingly being happy with a newspaper clipping as evidence that sb was actively seeking employment. Scotland has a huge alcohol culture and many abuse the privelege. I like a couple of beers on the weekend but that's all. The government is merely fuelling their habit, giving them the means to procure that which they abuse.

It's a growing number. I also used to be centrist-left but I'm centrist-right now. Britain is full of ungrateful spongers and it's important to know that. I dare say that I'd lock horns with my dad on this. He hasn't seen 21 countries like I have and it takes time for many Brits to change their tune. Trust me, I see this as an outsider and that's why I was amazed that my stalwart socialist friend changed his spots.

UK, Ireland / Ive been in the UK for 6 days to relocate and im going back to Poland. [281]

Probably Rabbie :)

Oh, WB should get some golf in. Britain is littered with top courses. Scotland is the home of golf and England/Wales have some tasty offerings too :)

UK, Ireland / Ive been in the UK for 6 days to relocate and im going back to Poland. [281]

That's true! However, many people in Scotland are growing disillusioned with the benefits culture and this has been a perennial issue now. It was forever being discussed when I lived there but it has spiralled out of control now. It has even turned my friend, who was staunchly left-wing when I knew him well, into a centrist-right man. It's no surprise that the Tories got back in. I just hope UKIP get a shot!

UK, Ireland / Ive been in the UK for 6 days to relocate and im going back to Poland. [281]

Good point, Shawny. You've raised your level ;)

When I came back from Japan, the negativity and paranoia was there for me to see. I really immersed myself in Japanese life and there was just so much more to it than Scots who were always scrambling. I am glad when I see certain things thriving in the UK, like our ale and pub cultures. However, that only goes so far. A pint of Deuchars or top ale is just that.

UK, Ireland / Ive been in the UK for 6 days to relocate and im going back to Poland. [281]

Fair points, Colonel. My mum always has a harrowing tale to tell when it comes to life there. Paranoid prats fighting to keep their trivial jobs, lazy sods who won't learn other languages, people who stumble across money somehow while spending all day redecorating their houses and doing up their gardens, pompous/snooty gits that have rubbed backs so often that I'm surprised they aren't at the doctor's with constant friction burns, professors who haven't grasped the concept of merit in writing (you don't share my opinion, so I'm giving you a bad mark, mentality), fat sweathogs binging on beer and fast food, overly self important image and, finally, governmental agencies which are out to swindle you with garbage stories.

Oh yes, but Britain has Butlins and, um, sth else. I don't remember what!

News / Does Poland live up to its freedom rights? [23]

This is hard to judge unless you work in the business of rights conferral. I know a couple of cops here and they are better placed to comment. I don't think Poland can fully aspire to the ambitious constitution it had long ago, largely due to demographic concerns. However, the current one seems to have served its purpose well and, for a nation of potential protesters and gripers, we don't see too many strikes and protests. There was the Nigerian episode and the cross thing but the State is doing quite well otherwise.

UK, Ireland / Ive been in the UK for 6 days to relocate and im going back to Poland. [281]

Welshguy, I hear what you are saying but it's still a slog when you have high ZUS to pay and flats are really expensive. Yes, we shouldn't take English for granted but teachers don't have it 'easy' here either. Trust me on that!

Avalon has a lot of good things to say on this forum. A top poster! I have had similar dealings with authorities in the UK and they just made me laugh. They pull all kinds of stories out of the hat and expect you just to go along with it. They try to dumb you down so that you will blindly acquiesce. To hell with that!

They have been toying with my dad, a loyal worker for 29 years straight now, by shifting the goalposts on his pension arrangements. He will likely be left in the dark until he finally hits that time which might be in 2 years time. Talk about a magical mystery tour ;)

WB, spill the beans, I'm sure you have more to say. I've said it many times before, Britain is a place to retire and not to live. If you have worked hard over the years abroad and set yourself up, Britain could be fine to enjoy pub life and some gardening, for example.

News / Polish, language of future - Post-apocalyptic [45]

Certain powers would really like to stop that but it would be in the hands of the Scottish people if given a referendum.

I can't imagine the reactions of Baltic states either if you told them that they had to use Polish, esp Lithuanians.

Food / Traditional Polish meal for my Polish boyfriend in the US? [71]

I had a look at a cake today and didn't fancy it. That kind of cake I avoided in other places. However, I gave it a try and was pleasantly surprised. The Poles can certainly bake a good cake :)

Language / What do you like in Polish language? [70]

Anyway, enough of those references :)

I just like the feeling of being able to use another language with relative comfort. You feel more included and also know that you still have a fair bit to learn. Another factor is the general propensity not to complicate. It was the same when I spoke Japanese, they didn't use a lot of their language in order to keep it simple.

Language / What do you like in Polish language? [70]

That's pretty much it :) :)

I was once told that I said cipy instead of chipsy when I was a beginner in Polish but I have no recollection of this. I certainly wouldn't do that now.

I like the challenge of the endings when counting. I sometimes mistake ów for ek but I feel it better now :)

Language / What do you like in Polish language? [70]

It wasn't in a class, pgtx ;) ;) It's too risque to bring it up there ;0

My wife has bigger problems when she was younger, LOL. She couldn't pronounce W as in wujek. She said chujek, LOL. Chujek and Ciota for uncle and aunt, ROTFL

Food / Traditional Polish meal for my Polish boyfriend in the US? [71]

Hmm....they are quite versatile so your imagination is the limit :)

They can even make part of a nice salad :)

UK, Ireland / Ive been in the UK for 6 days to relocate and im going back to Poland. [281]

Why not give it a try? I think many Poles find the rigidity of some Polish thinking awkward when they have experienced a foreign country. Having said that, Poland really respects democracy and you can work round any tricky customers. Poles seem to assimilate like the Borg :)

Language / What do you like in Polish language? [70]

Oh, I still provide a laugh from time to time with bad selection :) Humility teaches us much :)

Much worse is my soft Scottish pronunciation of Polish words. I have problems with cipa and czipa. Other ones have gotten me into trouble too :)

Food / Traditional Polish meal for my Polish boyfriend in the US? [71]

Beans beans, they're good for your heart, the more you eat, the more you fart, the more you fart, the better you feel, so eat your beans in every meal :)

Yeah, some fasolka po bretonsku might work as a compromise option :)

Language / What do you like in Polish language? [70]

I was listening to Liam Gallagher in an interview earlier today. He wouldn't stop saying, 'know what I mean?'. It was toxic!

Silesian is great to listen to. They can speak away in it and I'll catch most of it. I was primed :)

UK, Ireland / Ive been in the UK for 6 days to relocate and im going back to Poland. [281]

Yeah, but promise me that you will be careful should you ever choose to go there. Depending on your chosen method of transport, you would probably go through waters with those feckin Somalian pirates. It's not that far away really, check some maps :)

Anyway, WB will no doubt give us more later today. He should be glad that he doesn't have parental pressure. The man is probably minted, he has likely just panicked and should just kick back. Good music and a mellow vibe can be appreciated anywhere. Self-imposed pressure should not rule your head.

Food / Traditional Polish meal for my Polish boyfriend in the US? [71]

The level of cabbage added ;) ;)

UK, Ireland / Ive been in the UK for 6 days to relocate and im going back to Poland. [281]

There's sth exotic about being in a foreign land. As Poland has began to feel like home, I love it when I can get away from here and try a foreign culture. It's always a new challenge.

Next stop, FuerteVentura in Jan. I know very basic Spanish but it will be nice just to be in different surroundings.

Language / What do you like in Polish language? [70]

Hmm...not all of them ;) ;) My wife's parents are definitely real Silesians and they don't use it.

They have the classic vowel changes too. For example, mosz zamiast masz and many more.

News / Poland and Kresy being reunited? [162]

I've revised my opinion on Putin ;) ;)

Top notch military? I wouldn't have said that. I would have said that they are frail, weirdie-beardies that are elusive.

You can't presume things, Sok. I had a detailed discussion of Polish history tonight and all the women were impressed. As I said, old Ukrainian territory which was formerly Polish. Never underestimate me :)

Food / Traditional Polish meal for my Polish boyfriend in the US? [71]

Precisely! It's not often you get sth for free these days. You could surprise him and make nothing.

Seriously though, I have a Polish cookbook and would be happy to pass on some recipes for that which you think YOU could make. For example, those stuffed pockets (pierogi) seem to be easy but aren't unless you have the right equipment. My wife makes them very well, God Bless her, but it can be deceptively tricky! ;)

Language / What do you like in Polish language? [70]

That's Krakowian, NMP. They say na dwór here. I'm talking true Silesian which is highly Germanic. I ran a thread on it on PF.