USA, Canada / Not everyone that lives or comes from America is RICH! [300]


The Exclusion Amount The foreign earned income exclusion is adjusted annually for inflation. For 2009, the maximum exclusion is up to $91,400 per qualifying person.

irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=108276,00.html

Genealogy / Scott Grifka, Family history [13]


Primarily because it's a moronic word created in the US (my country) by Americans of Polish heritage who now wonder if it's a Polish word after all? Well, the simple answer is that no it isn't. Just like Dżordż £aszington isn't an American name.


No it's not. It's a female relative of George Bush

USA, Canada / Not everyone that lives or comes from America is RICH! [300]


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Well, I think he/she was venting based on the previous "brainwashed" comment. I think every person should be proud of who they are while having respect for people from other places. Maybe the comment was taken slightly out of context?

USA, Canada / Not everyone that lives or comes from America is RICH! [300]


True, I assumed he has served out his sentence? Which is why emphasized that his

USA, Canada / Not everyone that lives or comes from America is RICH! [300]

Is there a waiting period after a deportation? I figured there'd be one?

Love / Polish relationships (race and religion) [140]

Agree 100% !

USA, Canada / Not everyone that lives or comes from America is RICH! [300]


Exactly, some struggle with the idea of someone adopting his/her new country.

In this case, many people forget that a resident alien status (green card) is only valid as long as major crimes aren't committed. The same applies in Sweden for example when a year or so ago a person lost his permanent residency (non-EU) due to a long term prison sentence. Therefore it's always better to become a citizen as soon as you can (the idea of not being able to vote would drive me nuts but that's a different story).

It's all too late for you and I hope that one day you'll be able to either start a new life in Poland or make your way back home somehow. Frankly it sounds like getting away from your old friend might have been a good idea. It's some serious stuff you're talking about. We have members on this forum who've been hurt by hoodlums so I'd say your number one priority should be to refocus your life, what country you live in comes next. Just my take on it...

Love / Polish relationships (race and religion) [140]


Wow... Really? ANY woman who's even willing to look in your direction has degraded herself to a point of no existence.

The days of "your power" are long over you know...



-> Southern on a date (chaperone required due to her age) <-

USA, Canada / Not everyone that lives or comes from America is RICH! [300]


Yeah, it's weird people looking for jobs find themselves in states with highest unemployment... Moving to a new country is hard enough, fighting for survival makes it unbearable...


I agree with you, in the meantime though it's not a very good place for a new immigrant.

USA, Canada / Not everyone that lives or comes from America is RICH! [300]


I am sorry you're struggling and let me tell you that I too have been there and done that. If at all possible MOVE from Detroit. It's the armpit of America (apologies to those who live there now ;) and there are very few jobs available in that region, you'll make your life better by moving somewhere else...

(I just re-read your post and it looks like you live in Poland now?)

As far as your mother who "works for Florida state gov" - what's your point here? Should government employees get better deals? I don't think so, federal and state government jobs should be a temporary solution until you find something better. Ideally 95% of government jobs should be turned to the private sector.

The ability to get credit is much more restricted today as opposed to just a few years ago; it probably makes sense as many people who couldn't afford houses bought houses using easy credit hoping for "better times" which of course never materialized. You say it's hard to get a credit in America but only a few years ago a business program on CNN showed how a dog, yes a dog got approved for a $30K loan when the owner jokingly applied in his dog's name and used a $20K income as a reference. That's right, the dog was approved for a $30,000 line of credit. The program was meant to show that it was too easy to get credit, not too hard.

Today the banks are probably more paranoid than necessary but that's somewhat understandable. Either way, I think a 15-20% downpayment on a house is a logical and prudent request from the banks.

I'd imagine that most Poles realize that the majority of the Americans are blue collar workers, just like in Poland. Either way, I'm very sorry you struggle/struggled, hope things get better for you very soon.

Love / Polish relationships (race and religion) [140]

Great post £ódz!

Kongang heyo

News / Giant Jesus Rising in Świebodzin ( Tallest in world ) [323]

Wolfie, the key words here are: People's Republic of Kalifornia. The "honorable" chairwoman of Pelosistan would rather see a huge statue of Mao Dingdong or her cousin Hugo Shoveit than a simple wooden cross in your state.

Life / What do you like about Poland? [100]


Wow, I guess I've been deprived. I love fish the most but enjoy all kinds of food, now I'm craving ham...

Love / How should I approach this young Polish man that I like? [48]


Well, reread what I actually said -> "some of us" meaning men AND women. My point being that we're more alike than we are different. Men and women obviously are much different but deep inside it's all about happiness, we all want it. Remember that there are bad men and there are bad women, hopefully we'll run into the good ones. :)

I think that overall you and I share many values when it comes to the political theater, government issues, the political correctness, etc. However, I think you prefer a much more direct, in-your-face approach if you will to sharing your ideas. It's black and white for you whereas I see many shades of gray.

Nothing wrong with either approach but I believe a more compassionate, a more understanding way of sharing a person's values might be more effective. That's just my take on it.

Life / What do you like about Poland? [100]

I like ham too but how many kinds of ham can it be??

Life / What do you like about Poland? [100]


Sounds like a plan!

PS. I like beer too :)

Life / What do you like about Poland? [100]


No comment but I am replying to you from Anchorage. LOL


I should've explained it better, I meant Carter not Obama being the worst prez. I still have "hope" but am realizing that we're hoping for different things. Did not know the Polish saying but like it. Ironically though the same saying could've been user for GWB right after 9/11, economy floundering, a major attack that no one knew the full scope or implications of, he was vilified by many for things others presidents probably would've done too. Of course, OBH would've probably apologized to the muslims on 9/12. Ok, I'm being mean now and facetious, don't think he'd have done that but I'm a military man and Obama is highly disliked amongst many of my peers. Either way, don't want to turn this any more political than I already did.


Jag pratar svenska flytande, gör du det också?? (I speak Swedish fluently, how about you?)

Life / What do you like about Poland? [100]

Despite all the Republicans, huh? lol You'd hate me in real life, I believed and still believe in their ideas when I was delivering pizzas for Domino's just as I do now when I fly for a living. Of course, I haven't seen much of those ideas in practice lately but the other option is horrendous in my view. Maybe that's why I've been identifying myself with conservative libertarians lately. People always remember the bad and forget the good in politics. Republicans were the one who abolished slavery yet today most people think it's the other way around.

They too want people to do well but do not want to do it via government, historically the most corrupt institution in most countries. I won't get into a lengthy debate here on as it's absolutely pointless, there's probably a 90-10% ratio of socialists/liberals versus conservative/republicans here on PF and it usually turns into a mudslinging bonanza.

My point is that please try to look past your personal biases and see the other side as human beings trying to improve this country in a way they believe is right. They, we, are not evil, we simply believe that government run institutions most often turn corrupt.

I do what I preach, despite my conservative leanings I did vote for Obama. I was hoping for a new Ronald Reagan but got a new Jimmy Carter (in my view the worst prez this country ever had). That's ok though because the political landscape is a huge pendulum swing and I hope for something much better in 2 years.

Even though the current leadship is not what I like, but rather something you probably are more comfortable with, I still have respect for the office and by no means believe we are a socialist nation now the way many called us a fascist nation when Bush was a prez. The middle ground usually prevails.

As far as the 5th stage, maybe you're onto something. Although I'll admit the way you feel when you come to Warsaw is the way I feel when I land in Stockholm or Malmö. After all, I was raised in that country. Still feel American though, an American with an enriched background. :)

Life / What do you like about Poland? [100]


All true and it makes sense.
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It's very sad he won't consider it because unfortunately it'll probably never get better for you when it comes to living in the US. Many, many years ago I read an article about different stages of an immigrant's life and it highlighted 4 stages of the average Joe Immigrant's life, or rather the average Sven Immigrant's life as the article was in Swedish. :) I wish I could find it right now but I tried and wasn't able to, but will keep looking though.

The focus of the article was permanent immigration, those who'd moved to a new country permanently, not just for a few years.

This is what I remember about the 4 stages:

Stage 1]Everything is better in your new home country, the food tastes better, the orange juice is healthier, the sun is brighter and you're pretty excited about the future.

Stage 2]You're still pretty excited but the perfectness facade is crumbling, you start seeing things you don't understand, and/or don't like.

Stage 3]The "natives" or locals in your new home country are morons! They can't drive, have no manners, dress like slobs and the food is just despicable. Politics? Don't get me started, no one here should even have the right to vote, too stupid. How in the hell do they manage to smile when things are so miserable here?

Stage 4]The last stage is actually a combination of the last stage which is an acceptance of things being different (it's all good, you'll manage somehow) AND either the stage 2 or stage 3 depending on your personality, family situation, economical status, political views, etc., etc.

So a wealthy person would probably end up at the stages 2 & 4 in let's say the Bahamas (excited about the differences and overall satisfied) whereas a poor person would eventually reach the stages 3 & 4 (hating the differences and not so satisfied).

Likewise, if your new country has a political system you agree with you're more likely to accept your new home country; if you on the other hand vehemently disagree with the political situation, well, you'll probably always be unhappy.

My totally unscientific and ultra biased observation is that you're somewhere around stage 3 and possible 4 (some acceptance). Based on some of your previous postings here I think that if the US was to cure cancer all over the world as of tomorrow, if they came up with a way to clean up all pollution, and they eliminated starvation and poverty from every corner of the earth, you'd probably still find the US a bad country to live in.

Note, this is not a criticism of you, not at all. I simply think that the article made a lot of sense. Once your mind is made up about a country it's very difficult to change that perception. Therefore it's too bad your husband won't give Poland a chance, maybe he'd like it after all and you'd definitely love it.

Likewise, I've come to realize that maybe my perception of Poland is full of romanticism and childhood memories. Things probably weren't as rosy as I remember them (not talking about the political situation here) but I chose to cling on to them because that's what gave me comfort.

Life / What do you like about Poland? [100]

You make a very valid point here. However, at the same token you let your own distaste for America for example shine through. Was the "fake American smile" comment really necessary? Also, the very first word - "obviously" - is pretty accusatory.

Remember that all we see here are some posters voicing their opinion, they are not representative of the majority of the Polish, or British, or American, etc population.

My point is that the tone of your initial post was somewhat negative and yet wasn't that what you were trying to get away from?

Life / Are Poles bigots and xenophobes? [205]


What is your point here? Really? I'm very familiar with Texas and it's a great state and most of Texans are great folks. Your posts are often accusatory and angry, why? What are you trying to achieve here?

Life / What makes a "real" Pole? [33]


Screw the notepad, take out the camera...

Holy Moly!

More Moly less Holy ...but yummy! ;)

Life / What do you like about Poland? [100]

Not sure if this is what you were looking for as it doesn't pertain to me actually being in Poland but the Polish glider Puchacz has brought me lots of joy in the years past...

(not my pic)

Otherwise for me it's mainly family traditions, food, history, etc...

Love / How should I approach this young Polish man that I like? [48]


You're probably right. I'd imagine the same applies to women where many often end up with abusive men over and over again because they're attracted to certain physical attributes and/or aggressiveness. Almost as if some of us are biologically doomed to fail by default??

"...Wish there were more like you...enlightened....biology caught up with intellect...

Thank you for the nice compliment, I appreciate it. With your permission maybe I'll use it one day when I'm ready to date again. I'll make it part of my profile at takeachanceonme.com "Hi, I'm sky and I've evolved!!" ;)

Of course the only dating sites where women might be attracted to those atrributes would be dates4dorks.com or maybe UltraDesperateFormerHousewives.not LOL

Yeah, the complexities of men-women dating rules of engagement never cease to amaze me.

Life / Are Poles bigots and xenophobes? [205]


Which Poles?? Some are and some aren't.

Gays couldn't donate blood in the US until very recently. Lot's of anti-Semitic voices in the leftist spectrum right now, been to Detroit lately? Plenty of hypocrisy all over the world, not just Poland.

If you don't like what you see here this is your chance to turn the tide, to rebuke rasist and sexist remarks you see here.

If you rename your thread to "Are ALL Poles bigots and xenophobes?". My reply will be "NO, absolutely not!"

If you keep the current title: "Are Poles bigots and xenophobes?"

My reply will be which ones? Because that's the only logical answer one can give to your question.

Polonia / Life in Poland vs Norway - good for children, benefits, etc? [43]

I agree with you, and understand it has to be very frustrating but it sounds like you're surrounded by a bunch of morons, trust me, there are many good Norwegians out there. Hopefully you'll run into them sooner rather than later.

Lycka till.

Polonia / Life in Poland vs Norway - good for children, benefits, etc? [43]


I must say I'm somewhat surprised you have such negative feelings toward Norway. I was raised in Sweden but am very familiar with Norway as my sister and her husband live there. I know there are people who have a problem with foreigners in Norge but you'll find them everywhere. Most people are angry with the employers who exploit those people than the people themselves, similar to the US where most people dislike the employers who hire Mexicans and pay them half of what an American would get. Nothing wrong with the Mexicans per se, it's the lack of enforcement and dubious employers who are the guilty culprits.

From my personal observation I must say both Swedes and Norwegians have been extremely tolerant and more so supportive of their neighbors who happen to come from different countries. The jordgubbplockar (jordbærplukker) - syndrome you just described exists in many countries. In the US people pick on Mexicans sometimes, Canadians make fun of the Chinese, etc., you know people who often have the lowest paying jobs. Part of it is the fear of "losing jobs to foreigners", part of it is xenophobia, part of it is to have someone to pick on, pretty common in most countries.

I agree with you that there's a lot of leftist mentality especially in Norway and especially in the femi-nazi circles but most of it is fairly harmless.

I think Norway is a good country to live in, not perfect but there are no perfect countries to live in.

History / RAF podcast tells tale of Polish pilots fighting in the Battle of Britain [12]

I agree, I'd love to see it as well.

Love / How should I approach this young Polish man that I like? [48]


I often agree with you when it comes to the political landscape discourses but if men and women truly are as shallow as you just described them then I've lost all hope...

You see, I am old fashioned or maybe i simply believe in having good manners because that's how I was raised but I also believe that deep inside men and women are more alike than you think; it boils down to looking for happiness and to dealing with our own insecurities, because we all have them.

If two people go on a date then there's an interest there of some kind, maybe it's on a deeper level or maybe it's not but to worry about who asked whom out is just silly, at least in my view it is.

Love is complicated enough, if it feels right "take a chance on me/her/him" (who sang that? ;) because you never know what the future might bring.

The pic is totally off the subject, just cute lol


I'm slightly confused about the pro gay comment. Never understood homophobes, I really don't get it. In my view the more guys are gay the less competition for me. Of course, if all women were to become lesbians I'd be very sad. ...unless they'd let me join in... LOL

Just kidding, sort of. My main point was that I don't understand why some guys won't go out with girls who ask them out (if they're single and interested that is), nor do I understand why some ladies won't bring themselves to ask the guys they like out for dinner or something similar. So very passé in my opinion.