News / What is wrong with Poland that Poles emigrate? [167]

Amathyst, there were tons of Irish in Chicago in the 80's, most took any jobs because there were none back home. The long political unrest depressed the country's job market and caused massive emigration to USA. We all know: no job, no money, no food, no place to live...

It was still not much comparing to the Potato Famine in mid 1800's.

Life / Polish Folk Music [30]

In the mean time, if you want to listen to polish folk music, go to: radiostacje.com, click internet stations and scroll down to "Biesiada i Folk". You will need to download Winamp if you don't have one. They play all the polish country music you can stand and then some :)

Genealogy / How hard is it to get a Polish passport? [74]

LIR, a very small margin of polish immigrants enjoy putting down their compatriots, as it makes them feel better, smarter, more important. It's a very odd personality trait, which often comes from deprived upbringing, when the neighbors had "more".

When they finally come to a point in his/her life and can finally have the things they missed, they take a big pleasure to belittle his own kind so they will suffer as he/she was.

The ones I met here, their favorite statement is : " This is America, nobody will give you anything, you have to work!" like, Is there a country where you don't have to work and the government gives you all for free? (If there is, I'm getting on the plane tomorrow).

Of course, most polish people help others instead.

Genealogy / How hard is it to get a Polish passport? [74]

Exactly. That's the clue, and because it could also describe me, how I would express myself, I read clearly between his lines. A couple of times he spelled an English word like you would hear it phonetically spoken in polish. Once, he said "when I go to Poland to visit my family"...he did not say "my wife's family". I would not refer to my husband's family as "my" family. It is always "my husband's family" (of course, it was my family, but in a different sense). I can identify with his recollections of PEWEX in one thread, no foreign born person even living in Poland would know or understand the concept of it. It makes me think, he left Poland around the same time as me, lat 70's or early 80's...There is a lot of bitternes and anger in him.

Genealogy / How hard is it to get a Polish passport? [74]


Is it only me here who figured out that Michal is a Pole? :) ( a nasty one, but nonetheless). I came across a couple of them like him, in Chicago. Ran like hell from...

News / What is wrong with Poland that Poles emigrate? [167]


I believe, it will happen in Poland too.

Language / Polish Lessons Units [189]

Janusz, what a splendid job. Hats off to you!
There are many questions on this forum, how do you pronounce this or that, and now thanks to you - our english speaking friends who learn polish - can use your videos to hear the sounds. Practice, practice, practice...

Food / Types of CHEESE in Poland [150]


You can also make white cheese spread with chives and sour cream, salt and pepper to taste. Tons of calories, but very good. You can make it also with sour cream, sugar and cinnamon if you prefer.

I did not see any real white, polish cheese in any large American supermarkets. I don't know where the polish delis are getting it from...I did not buy it for a while and I did not pay any attention to see where it was made.


This poor man's meal is very good if done right! :)

Food / Types of CHEESE in Poland [150]

Brick cheese is like a farmers cheese, but much less water. Excellent for polish cheesecakes :)
I never met anything similar to oscypki in american grocery stores. There are variety of smoked cheeses, but they are not "it".

Food / Types of CHEESE in Poland [150]

Chicago Delis have cheese called "brick cheese". It's the best for sernik. Cottage cheese is not good for it. You can use "farmers cheese", unsalted. It works too.

Oscypek is made of sheep milk. Górale (Mountaineers) are masters in making it.
It's quite salty, but the flavor is great.

you can see more at:

oscypki.com.pl/oscypek.php?lng=en&OSCYPKI=cafa3d4cd7d8323b264a7a5f7068 a97e

Love / Fell in love with a Polish girl, but find it difficult to approach her [620]


Did she expect the call? How did you know her phone number?

Love / Why are Polish women so sexy ? [390]

Thank you, that's very nice.

(Sledz lives close to polish neighborhood. He really knows :)

Love / Why are Polish women so sexy ? [390]


I suppose she was not that much into you

Love / Fell in love with a Polish girl, but find it difficult to approach her [620]


3 days? He would be a history if he would not call me the next day (assuming our 1st date was nice and we liked each other).

Food / Cabbage and Noodles of Poland - Golabki? [30]

cabbage rolls are goląbki.
I know the cabbage and noodles dish, but I forgot the name. I never made it...

USA, Canada / CULTURE SHOCK! (of my Polish finance who visited the US) [210]

Krysia, thanks for sharing the new experiences and welcome back. Right on the button. I miss the "Have a nice days" when in Poland. Yes, our big main stream grocery stores still offer paper or plastic. They even ask If I need help with carrying them outside. I would not mind if I had to take my own bags to the store.

I frequently buy at Trader Joe's however and they appreciate bringing your own bags. You even fill out a little ticket for weekly draws of $25.oo (never won yet).

As for air-conditioning in cars or homes in Poland, they exist, but they are too expensive for most.

As Miranda mentioned, small town folks in America are experiencing a huge culture shock as well when going to a big city. Some suburban people NEVER drove a car in downtown Chicago ( too scared). When I came over here, I was renting an attic apartment at a house owned by nice American couple in their 60's. They never drove in downtown Chicago. If they flew anywhere for a couple of days, they called a taxi because "they would get lost at O'Hare" airport. Later, I drove them to O'Hare or pick them up.

I also lived in NY (late 80's)and drove in Manhattan every day (loved it). Downtown Chicago has a "small town" feel when you comeback from NY...

Genealogy / TROJANOWSKI - coat of arms [15]

You can order CD(s) in English at the website below. One CD has all available coat of arms, the 2nd one mostly prominent polish families.

There is one for Trojanowski. Too bad, I did not find a link to preview it. There is a form to order the CDs.

przodkowie.com/?gclid=CJ70go_9_ooCFQlQWAodg2miJw

Email with questions in English to:

office@przodkowie.com.

Hope it helps! I have one hanging on the wall just for fun. Got it a few years back. :)

Love / DO POLISH MEN DATE OLDER WOMEN? [169]

Latina, I think the older women would not be wholly approved by the family and friends. Not really, but mostly the opinion of Mum and Dad would make it or brake it (most likely). My sister in law is only 3 years older than my brother and he experienced some "grief". He married her anyway... I can't imagine if it worked if she was 10 years older! So, it does happen, but it's not readily accepted as it is here in the US.

Love / DO POLISH MEN DATE OLDER WOMEN? [169]

Polish men are into younger women, no question about it. In my experience, I was always picked up by older men (much older) and I had no interest in them at all. It's almost like a status symbol for some to be with a young chick. Personally, I don't know anybody with an older wife or a girlfriend. My ex was 5 yrs older, so that was somewhat ok.

I dated a man 4 years younger than me, but he was not polish and he was very mature.
I don't think the difference should be more than 5 years in any direction. Any more makes it almost a different generation... :)

USA, Canada / Where can i find Spirytus Rektyfikowany in the USA? [77]

I'm not familiar with this remedy, but you can buy Spirytus at any Polish Deli, which sells imported liquors. Just don't drink it straight :)

Love / Polish Girls vs Russian Girls [813]


Thanks LS.
It's the fond memories of our childhood that keep us going throughout life.

Life / Is the word "Polack"rascist? [185]

daffy, it's a popular one in the US (Dictionary.com)

wop /wɒp/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[wop] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun Slang: Disparaging and Offensive. an Italian or a person of Italian descent.

News / What's the stupidest question asked about Poland? [414]

I was asked by a college girl in Chicago if I came from Poland on the train. :)

History / Norman Davies - the Brit who loves Poland and becomes one of Us [250]


I think he went to build a suicide bomb in the basement. :)

Love / Polish Girls vs Russian Girls [813]


So, maybe you should move out of the unattractive polish neighborhood and found another one? It would give you a better perspective on other nationalities. I bet you'd say the same about them after another 28 years. :)

Life / Is the word "Polack"rascist? [185]


hey, I like past too! Not as much as my italian friend, but toss it with shrimp and garlic, sprinkle with Romano cheese and I have a fiesta. BTW, I hope the garlic may offset the addling of my brain :)

Life / Is the word "Polack"rascist? [185]

My Italian friend calls me jokingly at times "Polack' and I tell her she is such a 'wop'. I call my German friend a 'bucket head" as she calls me 'Polack" sometimes and we both have a good laugh. I never been referred to as "Polack" by my American friends, they seem to be more careful in name calling...

However, ethnic people themselves have no problem laughing at each other old stereotypes.

News / Polish Immigrants Leave America for Europe [210]


Agree.
The ones who are, or are working at it to become professional, they would never leave.

Life / Favourite Polish movies? [107]

I am so behind. I only saw Vinci. It was OK. I made a note of the movies mentioned and rent them. See what i'm "missing' :)

There was a polish movie festival in Chicago last November and I went to see one movie. I don't remember the title, but it was a "mafia" movie. IT WAS HORRIBLE! Sorry.

I did not want to see any other one after that.

Life / ways to block someone on gadu gadu [20]

Just click on" Kontakty" and then "zablokuj kontakt". That's it.