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

Just don't throw a lasagne into the micro, a la British, and expect him to like it ;) ;)

The Poles value preparation and presentation but also sth substantial.

News / Poland and Kresy being reunited? [162]

What is Kresy? Old Ukrainian territory?

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

If I were WB, I'd grind it out a bit more. A few setbacks should not put you off too much. You just have to influence people and carve out your niche. WB seems like a resourceful guy who has been around the block. He just needs to dig his heels in and seek out those things that will make life appear better.

A little change management first and then he can make an informed choice. As it stands, he is in a phase which I and many others know well. He should ride the wave first.

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

Silesian is pretty cool. I like the fact that I could fox a Pole with it :)

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

Wildrover is right! Polish guys refer to busty chicks as having bazookas :)

What do I like in the Polish language? Hmm....without going into specifics, I'd just say the challenge it presents. The endings and exceptions are always sth I am drawn to when I get proficient in a language. The higher-end stuff puts you to the sword.

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

The Poles are generally highly noble and I treat a lot of people here like my brothers. The respect they show when they play football is immense. I like the handshake thing here. I take their hand and smack it against my heart at the end of games and they don't maim you like some Scottish players I've seen. They can mouth a bit during games, but hey, we are guys and not flippin fairies. Banter is part of it!

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

Hvala, Wrona san! Scots and Poles really have more in common than we think. It's just a shame that certain idiots in both our countries don't see that but the good ones do :)

I will work hard to bridge the communication gap. Sometimes I get tired as a teacher but you can enjoy your beer at the end of the week, knowing that you gave 100%.

I hope Polish does spread. I can hear it almost as my native language. The commercials are on now and they speak VERY fast. I still follow as it has just become natural by now.

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

We couldn't avoid it, Crow. My parents both learned German at school and my wife's parents are fluent in it as they have German parentage, being Silesian. A little German would help.

I proposed Japanese but everyone just laughed ;)

Translation is necessary, Crow. Discussions over tea and coffee need to flow so we have to make it work to the best of our ability. Getting our parents together is the main thing. They are both middle class and my mum is like her mum (very talkative), my dad like her dad (quieter). We can't let language be a barrier and my folks will do what they can to learn nice Polish :)

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

I don't think so, somehow ;0

Well, there might be a meeting of the parents sometime next year. My wife's parents don't speak English really and my parents most definitely don't speak Polish so learning it would help. I don't want to translate everything along with my wife.

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

What on Earth are they playing at anyway? I can remember getting quite angry when I read the bumff on it. In probably all countries, your birth certificate must be protected like gold. Maybe not in Obama's case, but you know....

News / New cross war in Warsaw [530]

It shouldn't be a matter for politicians yet they are sticking their snouts in. The tragedy didn't really hurt Tusk or Kommie, quite the opposite! The people need a referendum over this as to whether to put up a statue or other fitting tribute.

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

FUZZY, Americans get that too and I know a guy who is suffering in the States after returning from Poland. He just couldn't make the adjustment but, unlike WB, he cannot return to Poland for some time. Britain has become a country that cares little for its own. They bend over backwards for foreigners and I'm amazed every time I return at just how few Scots I see. They have the cheek to put across slogans like 2009: The Year of the Homecoming. Like WB, I know a guy here who has been making regular NI contributions yet he is entitled to feck all. He cannot even get benefits, that's how bad it is.

Travel / Fish and Chips in Warsaw [53]

For sure! If you have ever been to the Torry fish bar, you'll recognise freshly caught cod. There is no doubt that Aberdonians know their fish. Screw Harry Ramsdens but think The Dolphin and The Ashvale. A jumbo haddock supper from either of those is the stuff of legends! One of my personal favourites was The Bluebird chippie on Urqhuart Road, just off King Street. I've been around the Aberdeen scene so can safely say how good the one in Warsaw is. I'll try it if I'm ever there. Oh yeah, the Woodend chippie is quite good too :)

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

Crow, there would be huge resistance to Polish in Germany, France and the UK. I really can't imagine many people from those countries even attempting Polish. My mother is quite linguistically talented but she has too much on her plate to attempt it, though she has the materials.

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

You soon find out that the good things you were looking forward to hardly last long as novelties. It's far better to visit the UK once or twice a year and enjoy the good things then. I'll be doing that in October.

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

Yeah, I made the big mistake of romanticising my trip back after Japan and it was the worst thing I could have done. Japan is 100 times the country Britain is.

More to follow, class now.

News / Poland and Kresy being reunited? [162]

Exactly! Controversy creates jobs but not in a good way.

News / Poland and Kresy being reunited? [162]

There were news reports of a rift, convex. Anyway, this is about Poland. Poland is revolting, over the cross issue, LOL. Bunch of schoolchildren there.

News / Poland and Kresy being reunited? [162]

France were lukewarm in the beginning and American restauranteurs responded by pouring out French wine and not serving French fries (which are Belgian anyway, lol). They really got stroppy with them and treated them rough.

The Polish government, like the British, has been put under extensive pressure by the people to pull the troops out but they are still there. Obama is the biggest liar. He has Gitmo open and seems to have extended Moshtarak.

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

Yeah, this is a strange one indeed. I read up on this beforehand as I saw that they wanted to retain mine too. I insisted that they didn't and saw it the whole time. They returned it in my presence.

As for the situation of your friend, I'd simply make the case that he could provide a fully-authorised notarial copy in exchange for his original. They have no reason to keep his original, it's not theirs. The poster, delphiandomine, takes care of such matters. I am legally trained but am not sure of the legal position on this one. I would say, based on my general legal knowledge, that they could retain his birth certificate but only for a specific time. After that, they have no business possessing it. They perform the necessary check and then they give it back.

News / Poland and Kresy being reunited? [162]

Yes but we all know that there was behind-the-scenes pressure and how vociferous/brutal America's stance was on the so-called War on Terror. Look how they treated France with contempt when they weren't so gung-ho about it.

The ultimate choice rested with Poland, you are right, but they were effectively dragged in given the operating climate at that time.

News / Poland and Kresy being reunited? [162]

EU development grants/extensive funding.

Free movement of people

Free movement of workers, capital and services

Admission to cultural exchange programs like Comenus, Sokrates and Erasmus. Trust me, many Poles could use such things :)

A move closer to Germany which will bring security.

The EU hasn't changed the face of Polish culture. It has just promoted it and made it more accessible to more Europeans.

It has given Poland representation with its trading partners.

It has made inward investment here easier and created prosperity for many.

News / Poland and Kresy being reunited? [162]

Aha, the EU. Sorry, but Poland has gained in so many ways from the EU and it has a reasonable voice. What more could be done?

News / Poland and Kresy being reunited? [162]

What is the Polish voice, Jozef? What do you hope to achieve? What, having Jerzy Buzek in such a high position isn't voice enough?

No, NATO dragged them into it and they just decided to stay. They can leave at any time.

News / Poland and Kresy being reunited? [162]

The UN? It is NATO that dragged you into Iraq and Afghanistan where your casualty rate is relatively high. The UN is an inept and toothless organisation that has a limited impact on life here.

Kresy???

Oh, he's revolting alright ;)

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

Try beef rolls with dumplings and red cabbage. It's a Silesian speciality :)

USA, Canada / Better life in USA or Canada? - expats opinions and your comparison [143]

Crow, be careful! Josep Tito Broz was the man that allowed much freedom of spirit. He paved the way for peaceful coexistence and only mildly encouraged tensions (he was a little too anti-Serb IMHO). He was a communist! (Milosevic was in part too). The West, through Germany, pushed for separation and that didn't help. However, many were ready for it in those breakaway countries.

It depends which part of Canada and the US. I can't imagine life in Sasketchawan being that prosperous for a non-farmer. However, America has its poorer parts too. Define better!

Life / My first impressions of Poland, long time ago [37]

I knew it, pgtx, but it became so instinctive and I was tired after the flight.

It's important as a behaviour-changing step, pgtx, wouldn't you say?

Anyway, my first impressions were positive :)

Life / My first impressions of Poland, long time ago [37]

My first memory of Poland was in Pyrzowice and landing at the airport. I met my loopy boss there and I can remember going to the wrong side of the car (being British n'all). As in any initiation, I went for beer and enjoyed the way that the Poles interacted. I remember thinking that this was going to be quite an adventure. I also remember being impressed with the butchers here. In Britain, we tend to stick to Lincolnshire skinless sausages and don't have the variety that you have here. The wędliny (cold cuts), despite stories of it going downhill, also impressed me. Finally, the women jumped out at me for their beauty. However, like the Japanese experience, the novelty wore off and, although I see pretty girls on the go, I see them differently (not to mention that I'm married and tend not to look anymore anyway).

Overall, my first impressions of Poland were very good. It was the same as Japan in that there was so much to discover. A little less given the cultural similarities but eye opening nonetheless.

News / New cross war in Warsaw [530]

And would they guard this statue with the City Guard (Straż Mieska)? LOL

You know, the lovely frog statue in Katowice's main street went missing. Oh, and some Auschwitz material too. Business is business, I guess ;)