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Posts by convex  

Joined: 25 Nov 2009 / Male ♂ 		Last Post: 28 Nov 2011
Threads: Total: 20 / In This Archive: 13
Posts: Total: 3928 / In This Archive: 3150 		From: Wroclaw
Speaks Polish?: un poco...wait
Interests: aviation

Displayed posts: 3163 / page 14 of 106
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convex   
16 Jan 2011
News / Die Welt-Poland and Germany are the economic driving force of Europe [239]

Proud to say Ive made it 34 years without a credit card,Im by no means rolling in money but I own my home outright so although I do worry a bit about this down turn Im able to ride it out,even being out of work temporarily.

Amen to that. That kind of follows the German/Polish business mindset of careful expansion and paying your own way. The consumer mindset on the other hand....

Anyway, you're in a much better position in any situation being debt free. Most German and Polish SMEs are completely debt free. They'll have (and are having) a field day cashing in on their fiscal discipline during the "downturn".
convex   
16 Jan 2011
News / Die Welt-Poland and Germany are the economic driving force of Europe [239]

Yes and if it doesn't happen there's going to be some very disappointed Europeans and Canadians apparently.

The majority of competent Americans are well insulated from any issues that might come out of falling US bond sales (and the inflation that follows). Don't worry, we'll be just fine. Those living in debt however, well, dumb decisions bring about the pain. It will probably suck pretty hard for those people that decided to live off of borrowed money instead of building up capital of their own in what is probably the easiest market in the world. Ah well, c'est la vie, I'm not paying for the stupidity of others. In the mean time, I'm doing pretty well, I'm guessing most competent people over there are too.
convex   
15 Jan 2011
USA, Canada / Think you're Polish (and live in the USA)? [161]

Why don't you try to see the positive sides of your new country? I know that Poles are not very optimistic people bu default but since you live here it would be nice to learn some optimism too. This country is not built on pessimism PP.

What new country? PP was born in the same country as you and I.
convex   
15 Jan 2011
USA, Canada / Things that Polish-American should know about Poland. [168]

All these talk about "I like people but not countries" boils down to not much if pushes come to shove, if you ask me. That's something for feelgood times....

Or you simply don't buy into the idea of having someone you don't know send you to kill someone that you have no issue with.

If push comes to shove, I'd like to think that one can think for themselves instead of repeating the mistakes of history. Would you kill your buddy because someone tells you to? That is the height of insanity.
convex   
15 Jan 2011
USA, Canada / Things that Polish-American should know about Poland. [168]

Thats right, could explain connection you made between trading partner and visas to US?

The connection is Schengen. It's more important for the borders to be open than for Poles to have visa free access to the US. I think the Schengen members would have given a big hearty gut laugh if Poland made demands to enter the Schengen agreement.

The Netherlands are the main investors

Germany is by far the largest provider of job creating FDI in Poland. The Dutch investments were mostly in the form of buying banks a while back. Germany (and French) investments are in manufacturing.

paiz.gov.pl/poland_in_figures/foreign_direct_investment
convex   
15 Jan 2011
Love / Culture of Polish people (searching for a Polish guy who is the father of my baby) [45]

The child would yes you are right a right to a Polish Passport but then would have to say whether the child has a British or Polish nationality

She seems fairly adamant that it is him. If so, she needs to contact a lawyer, and have him find the guy, administer the test, and get the kid his part of support that it's owed, as well as the Polish passport that the kid has a right to. I'm not sure what the situation is in Trinidad and Tobago, but I'm guessing an EU passport will give the kid much better prospects.
convex   
15 Jan 2011
USA, Canada / Things that Polish-American should know about Poland. [168]

yeah, your grandparents and great grandparents are not people long past, they were in
your life, least some are lucky enough to have shared some time on this earth with
their grandparents and great g-parents.

Not long enough to really make an opinion one way or another. If genealogy is knowing who your grandparents are, then everyone is deep into genealogy. I think Bzi meant more along the lines of delving in fairly deep to get a sense of belonging.

so for you, it might not be a important issue.. but dont knock for those of us who do
need to know,, without the knowledge of history and such, really , none of our arses would
be here if someone from our great past didnt keep his arse in check and make it thus far.

It's not an important issue that provides me with a sense of belonging (which is what the post was in response to). I have nothing against genealogy, and agree that you kind find out quite a bit of useful, and interesting, information. I just don't think that there is something wrong with me because I don't need to identify with dead ancestors that I've never met in order to make myself complete as a person.

You actually see that quite a bit in the US (not only the US, but an example on hand), people living through the past, taking credit for things they had nothing at all to do with. The idea that someone should be even remotely judged based on the actions that their ancestors took part in is crazy, but you get a lot of it. That pride in the achievements of others crosses over and becomes personal pride. Strange thing.

To sum it up! Poland cannot introduce visas for U.S. citizens, because of Schengen law, on the other hand EU cannot resolve equal treatment of all EU (Schengen) country's by U.S.?

Right, on the first part, no push for the second part. The issue apparently wasn't that big for Poland, alternatively (and more likely), having open borders with its largest trading partner was probably a bit more important than visas to the US.
convex   
15 Jan 2011
USA, Canada / Think you're Polish (and live in the USA)? [161]

again, so what are the advantages?

My mother has lived in the US for over 30 years and never saw a need. She still votes back home. It just depends on if you feel the need to vote in the US.
convex   
15 Jan 2011
USA, Canada / Things that Polish-American should know about Poland. [168]

Maybe you're just weak, dunno. I get my sense of belonging from the people that I meet through life and have relationships with. Not from souls long past and people I've never met. I guess some people just need to associate with something bigger. I'll be alright knowing that the people I care for also care about me.
convex   
14 Jan 2011
USA, Canada / Things that Polish-American should know about Poland. [168]

Who?
And does it mean southern and jarnowa can hijack a thread with their ranting? I guess it does mean this here on PF.

It'll be cleaned eventually. Probably not right now.

I don't want it to be anything. I don't like this place.

Which begs the question....

You mistake me for someone else perhaps - I'm not a right-winger lol

Still trying to figure out what you'd want out of the forum. Not history, not practical information about everyday life, not the off topic stuff...maybe just keep it to the language & grammar section?
convex   
14 Jan 2011
USA, Canada / Things that Polish-American should know about Poland. [168]

I think you misunderstood what I meant. I just meant that people that want to identify with Poland should come to Poland and learn about Poland first hand.

As to the forum, all things Polish right? I think it follows it's mission statement pretty well.

All of those topics are related to Poland, and are more or less useful to someone (people are responding, providing input, etc).

...has been hijacked by southern and jarnowa ranting about Polish women dating "coloured" people (and do that again and again and again in different threads...).

That does indeed make one. There are quite a few "locals" that aren't too keen on interracial dating either.

There are some threads in which racists post. Sure. The majority of the threads however are not. Just go through the main page, do you feel all offended, or could you learn quite a bit about all things Poland?

What would you want the forum to be? Historical about the great triumphs of Polish kings long dead? Close down the relationship section?

The overwhelming majority is good practical advice. Unfortunately, it's not usually sensationalist enough to warrant the attention of some of our members.
convex   
14 Jan 2011
USA, Canada / Things that Polish-American should know about Poland. [168]

Maybe you're seeing what you want to see? The main page has a bunch of stuff. Just change your viewing options to filter out off-topic and you'll be back in business.

You can also learn about:
the smoking ban
how to find a teaching job down south
advice for a lady moving over from the UK and wanting to teach
where the largest polish communities are in the UK
paki/polki marriage sagas
starting a private kindergarten (and about the preschooling situation in general)
staple, "favorite vodka" thread
a guy writing about living in Mazury
best pol/eng dictionary
a post about a guy getting beat up by racists
a discussion on whether poles and irish folks are related
an online polish book store in the UK that ripped a couple of people off
Polish festivals in NE
charity shops in PL
someone asking about a car part
meaning of your polish last name thread
staple "beautiful polish women" thread
how the religious establishment in poland feels about atheists
best exchange rate
question about polish citizenship
smolensk thread
is $xxx enough to live in XXX

For what it's worth, the relationship threads are usually pretty worthless imho, they seem to attract the most garbage.

What stuff do you want to see? That seems to be a pretty good start.
convex   
14 Jan 2011
USA, Canada / Things that Polish-American should know about Poland. [168]

Managed to get a head start on the others.

It seems like a lot of folks from the US come on here with knowledge of a couple of foods, a handful of religious traditions, and couple of words here and there, a bunch of esoteric music and dances...and a bit of a whitewashed history. I think it would do those people well to learn a bit about contemporary Poland. What it is now, not what they want it to be. Yup, that's my vote, more contemporary knowledge about day to day life over here.
convex   
14 Jan 2011
Love / Culture of Polish people (searching for a Polish guy who is the father of my baby) [45]

Also Polish culture has F.A to do with why he did what he did at end of day love you were an available source for sex and if YOU yourself had no intentions to get pregnant you should have used contraception. Plus it's been 2 years try to move on for the state of your own sanity and your childs.

It's about the moolah. Not to mention that the kid has a right to a Polish passport.
convex   
14 Jan 2011
Life / $3,000-$4,000 a month - would we have enough money to live in Poland? [273]

Very Good info..Thanx !!!!! You are right! here I use the car to go to King Soopers (Food Store) and it is only 5 mins walking or by car 45 seconds! I know I will be doing a lot of walking there (too expensive to ship car) but it will be good for me ! and public transportation is GREAT in Gdynia.

And for the lazy american in you, most grocery places deliver on large orders :)
convex   
14 Jan 2011
USA, Canada / Things that Polish-American should know about Poland. [168]

Jesus Christ why do I have keep repeating myself as if everyone suffers from memory loss.

Hey hey, got some of that in me. It's diluted like a bottle of makers mark bought in Volgograd, but it's there. Ergo convex=Pole? ...and Czech, and German, and Italian, and Comanche, and Swiss.

That's the problem with the bloodline view. Europe is incredibly mixed. Semites share the same bloodline, but are different ethnically due to traditions and culture.

Anyway, feel free to be what you want. Identifying with a particular race, ethnicity, tribe, nation is kind of ridiculous anyway. Lots of neat traditions to follow that don't require a label. Meh.

Any Pole who wishes to renounce his citizenship must file a petition to the Polish authorities.

Which they are bound to do when being naturalized. If they decide not to formally renounce their citizenship, and even worse, decide to exercise the privileges of foreign citizenship, they are breaking the law.
convex   
14 Jan 2011
USA, Canada / Things that Polish-American should know about Poland. [168]

The US does recognize dual citizenship from birth. That is different to being naturalized. Anyone who seeks out US citizenship must take the oath and renounce any existing citizenship.

There goes your theory, look up the exception to the rule.

What theory?

Naturalized US citizens have given up their Polish citizenship. It's part of the naturalization process. It's not checked on, but it still is the law. Therefore, if you've been naturalized in the US, you are no longer a Polish citizen...which is the definition of being a foreigner...

Where do you people come from, reading the same lines!

Reading the naturalization oath, you might want to give it a read.

Wrong, any idiot can become a citizen you have to be born into ethnicity blood.

Ethnicity doesn't necessarily equal blood. Not to mention, just to bring it up again, all the Klauses, and Golzers, and.... The idea that Poles are somehow of a pure bloodline is ridiculous in and of itself. It's a melting pot, just like everywhere else. Poles today are tied by common tradition, not bloodline.
convex   
14 Jan 2011
USA, Canada / Things that Polish-American should know about Poland. [168]

Again... Citizenship isn't the same as ethnicity. Ethnically they're Polish.

Citizenship is a direct identifier to your tribe. By giving that up and deciding to live in a new culture, would you be leaving that ethnicity? Like so many other groups of migrants before, the shift begins with making a decision to leave, and then slowly cutting ties. Will your great grandchildren still be ethnically Polish even if they don't speak the language, don't know of the history, and are racially mixed to the point where you're talking about eights and sixteenths. Do you think that by living in the US, you're losing some of the experiences that you need to be part of the tribe here in Poland?

So?

You mentioned Chopin. Naturalized US citizens must renounce their allegiance to Poland, French citizens don't have too... wasn't he a dual citizen through birth?

Society isn't the same as ethnic group.

Society and common traditions most certainly are. Race vs ethnicity.

Who? Me? I didn't swear anything lol
What I means is - when someone swears allegiance to some country it doesn't mean automatically that he/she renounces his/her ethnicity. Do you understand?

If you are a naturalized US citizen, you have renounced your allegiance to Poland. You have promised to take up arms against enemies, whoever that might be. By deciding to move your life into another country with different traditions, you are in practice forking your ethnicity.

That's why I'm saying that as foreigners you have no say in this matter, because apparently you don't understand.

Fair enough...even though your mountain folk seem to identify pretty heavily with their region, but I probably won't understand. PS, all naturalized US citizens are foreigners in Poland.
convex   
14 Jan 2011
USA, Canada / Things that Polish-American should know about Poland. [168]

And BTW: your point that someone suddenly stops being Polish the moment he swears allegiance to the USA is ridicules. He may be an American citizen but he's still Polish.

The person renounces their allegiance to Poland:

I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.

It's not ridiculous. That person is no longer a Pole, by choice. They are Americans. Like I said, that's the entire point of naturalization. In the oath, you are stating that you are no longer part of the Polish citizenry, but instead you've decided to become an American. It's really that easy. You might still continue with Polish traditions, but you're no longer Polish. Your children will be born as American, not Polish. That's how integration and immigration works. Just like all those Klauses and Schmidts that we have here in Poland are no longer German, or Prussian, or Silesian, they're Polish. Just like their grandparents and their grandchildren. Poland is a huge melting pot too...

Renouncing Polish citizenship doesn't automatically mean that someone doesn't want to be identified as Polish. That's only in your head. You have no idea what those people feel or think and you have no right to say whether they want to be identified as ethnically Polish or not, as you simply don't know.

So some people want to be identified as ethnically Polish, but not nationally Polish?

Do you think that for Poles Chopin ceased to be Polish and a Polish patriot when he became a citizen of France?

Chopin didn't renounce his citizenship.

Again, you can't change your ethnicity by changing citizenship. It's biology, genes. Your eyes won't suddenly change from blue to green or brown if you become a citizen of another country.

And ethnicity is a mixed bag that changes. It's not something that is stagnant and stays the same forever. A conscious decision is made by an immigrant to join another society.

I don't care about "officially", I care what's in people's minds and hearts.

Being Polish is not only about papers... You foreigners are weird...

Right, so you don't really care about what you swore, you just did it for the papers. That's fair enough, some of us do see something wrong with it.
convex   
14 Jan 2011
USA, Canada / Things that Polish-American should know about Poland. [168]

I knew that mods over here are clueless but you are scarring me in this point, man. Sky's point isn't that complicated.

It's not that complicated. I agree with sky 100%, it's up to the individual. But hey, people that renounce their allegiance to Poland are making a conscious decision to no longer be Polish. That's the entire point of taking that oath. Again, I think it's great that people want to explore their heritage...but that's completely different than someone voluntarily swearing allegiance to another country and people...and swearing to no longer officially identify themselves as Polish. That's what happens when you become a naturalized US citizen.

That's all. And you're right, it's not complicated at all.