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Posts by InWroclaw  

Joined: 10 Mar 2012 / Male ♂ 		Last Post: 7 Mar 2015
Threads: Total: 89 / In This Archive: 80
Posts: Total: 1910 / In This Archive: 1693 		From: Wroclaw
Speaks Polish?: No

Displayed posts: 1773 / page 18 of 60
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InWroclaw   
3 Mar 2014
Work / English lad looking for work in Poland [39]

However, almost certainly, they are worse in Poland.

Seems to be a lot of money about however, even the 20-something young mum ahead of me in the queue at Biedronka today had a very nearly new shiny black Range Rover type of vehicle parked right outside. I don't think I've seen so many new cars in a city since I lived in the better parts of London, and even then...

Either loans or family wealth, but there seems to be a fair bit of conspicuous consumption here. Tusk must be doing something right or maybe the Poles have simply worked hard to beat the odds. However, I do fear that these fleets of flash cars are paid for with property equity loans or other borrowings. Meanwhile, I'm often found in a big and expensive Mercedes -- a Mercedes bus to be precise, often sat next to a gentleman with incontinence and a can of beer. Mind you, I'm not sure what he'd say about me. (Truth be told, some of them have more heart and decency than the more regular folk I tend to encounter.)
InWroclaw   
2 Mar 2014
Work / English lad looking for work in Poland [39]

there is none in Poland is quite ignorant

He probably meant free learning courses, because in the UK (last time I checked) the unemployed and some others could get free further education courses in many or all areas (at least in England, if not other parts of the UK).

I wouldn't have thought the prospects are too bright in Poland for the OP, but that weird thing called luck can play a part, so you never can tell. It's unlikely perhaps, but probably some have met a Polish girl whose family somehow found their foreigner boyfriend a job. Yes, improbable, but it's probably happened. However, on the face of it, it would seem to be very brave if for more than a bit of backpacking and dipping a toe in the water while not burning any boats for going back to the UK. Essential to have a decent amount of cash for what will likely be an extended lean period unless the luck fairy makes an early appearance. It may also be advisable to book a cheap return ticket home in case things turn out worse than expected and at least a very cheap ten quid getaway can be made rather than a last-minute expensive airfare (can cost a hundred quid or two if booked very soon before departure).
InWroclaw   
28 Feb 2014
Work / I'm moving in to Poland in a week.. and I am panicking! English Teacher [11]

should be earning around 4000 pln net delivering around 20 hours contact time

per..?
To clarify, I assume you meant 80 hours a month for 4000PLN. If you meant 4000PLN per week for 20 hrs, I think I'm moving to the 'saw meself.

(Her native tongue is Portuguese.)
InWroclaw   
27 Feb 2014
Law / NIP REGON database - business start date is shown - but is that a good idea? [7]

This is the place where anyone can check the full details of a business registered in Poland, whether a person or limited co.
stat.gov.pl/regon

You can enter a firm's NIP or REGON number.

It seems to be the case that the start date of the company is shown on this public database.

This can be disadvantageous to a new business, because it can show a prospective client that you are new and possibly green.
On the other hand, it's good for more established businesses as it shows they've been around a while.
And it's also good for consumers to be able to see how old or new a business is.

But, speaking purely selfishly as a prospective new business, I am not at all pleased that client companies checking me before signing a contract can very easily see I've only been trading a short while. Retail customers may not check such things, but I think other businesses are more likely to do so. From my perspective, this open register is a definite image and pricing point slap down.

(Just wanted to make this point for the benefit of other prospective and operating new SMEs, not looking to deny the good side of the open register or get into any rows about it. My central point simply is that it's not necessarily a good thing for a new SME to be recognised as very new or new at all in choppy economic times.)
InWroclaw   
23 Feb 2014
Life / Flat Rental Price - Do you think its really expensive? [13]

If you're sure you can do better for the rent, and if your contract allows you to give notice and go before 6 months or 1 year is up, tell the landlord you intend to give notice because you're finding the rent excessive. If he doesn't then lower the rent to keep your business, look for something else and give notice on the business day before the next rent is due or the end of the month (depends on the contract - get advice from a legal advice service if in doubt). Make sure you get a signature for the notice document.

My old landlord took 4 months to find a new tenant, and they're students anyway and might be less than careful with things.

Both here and in the UK, landlords that refused to reduce my rent have found themselves with a void of many months after I left. (Despite me leaving places immaculate each time.) If he accepts your notice, ask him, "Do you feel lucky, well do you?" From what I can see round here, after many landlords asking silly & high prices, I now see flat after flat at some of the lowest rents I've ever seen here -- and they're still hanging around for months (or at least weeks). This could all change come the spring and summer, but right now it seems to be a tenants' market.
InWroclaw   
21 Feb 2014
Law / Polish divorce - there is next to no help available from the law! [11]

relation to your child as well as money.

Can I just stick my conk (nose) in one more time and say this (forgive me, but I have to say it as it's from experience) If you only have one kid, try to have at least 1 more with your next partner or spouse. Life as an only child, in adulthood, is often very tough. I appeal to all members of the forum to listen to me and never have an only child unless for medical reasons, and even then look seriously at second opinions and even adopt.

Apologies again but I had to spit that out.
InWroclaw   
21 Feb 2014
Law / Polish divorce - there is next to no help available from the law! [11]

I'm just a stranger, but just want to say stay strong and get on and enjoy your life. Easy to say I know and sounds like a cliche, but time is all we really have, so we must make the best of it.

My experience has been a complete disaster and there is next to no help available from the law unfortunately.

I hope your own family or friends are making it easier for you. Hang on in there !

On a personal experience note, what you say doesn't surprise me in the least, btw.
InWroclaw   
21 Feb 2014
Life / Want to watch BBC iplayer in Poland? [59]

Thanks, I installed it that way too, but playback is jerky and distorted. If it's always like that, it would be difficult to watch something. Also, seems that access is not always free: hola.org/faq.html#in_cost

And it also seems to be the case there's some 30-minute limit on the free service. OK, anything free is nice, but if it's just 30 mins a day then there are lots of shows I'd not be able to watch unless I go Premium. For a paying VPN, I have a lot of other options, some of which I know are extremely fast and reliable for only a buck or two more.
InWroclaw   
19 Feb 2014
Genealogy / My grandmother's last name was Krolik, is this name Jewish? [66]

Going to ask my doctor if there is some kind of test we can prove/disprove

I seem to recall reading about DNA tests that anyone can have done now, which show ancestry etc. I have no idea if they're actually accurate. I was thinking of paying to have one done to find out if I have any Polish in me, although I believe that's quite unlikely.

I asked a Polish person if Krolik was a typical Jewish name, and they replied with an emphatic no, for what that's worth. Of course, nothing's ever that cut and dried, so I'm not suggesting it's a definite no.
InWroclaw   
18 Feb 2014
Real Estate / Poland's apartment prices continue to fall [1844]

German bank says Germany's property is up to 25% overvalued
cnbc.com/id/101423064

I still don't understand why a 2-room 50m2 flat in this city (Wrocław) is about US$100K, when local wages are an average of US$14K. I obviously know nothing, and I admit it. I have seen some prices fall, but they still look pricey to me. Like I said, I know nothing, quite obviously, as developers' prices remain quite firm for the newest stuff going up.
InWroclaw   
18 Feb 2014
Love / Confused . . . did I Misunderstand Him? Found out he is from Poland. [13]

(Although I'm told I look younger) - big admission and really embarrassed now :)

Well, sounds like you're still turning heads. You've still got it, baby! Yeah! :o) Perhaps he thinks you were much nearer his age, but even if he's now vanished it doesn't matter, sounds like you can have your pick and meet someone a bit older than him and who you can really connect with. Gyms are very looks-focused places, so if you can pull in there then you can probably pull anywhere, frankly!
InWroclaw   
17 Feb 2014
Love / Confused . . . did I Misunderstand Him? Found out he is from Poland. [13]

What do you mean by "older" woman?

As an older woman, I

If you mean 30s or 40s, some men in their 20s and 30s prefer women of that age. In the UK, there is a bit of a shortage of women in some regions, so men do sometimes look to date older women.

Some 'younger' men are also attracted to affluent opposite sex partners, just as some young women are.

To be honest, you might have blown it with him. But, sounds like you're quite hot so it won't be long until another chap comes along. What you doing Friday night? ;o)

[you'd be reaching for the sick bucket if you saw my face, so I'm only joshin']
InWroclaw   
14 Feb 2014
Food / Where to buy British mature Cheddar Cheese and salted butter in Poland? [289]

I don't know why some of you are so snobbish about Valley Spire at Lidl. It's great value for money and pretty good. Yes it's not Cathedral City but it's half the price.

I hope Lidl don't consider withdrawing it. The cut in price is already worrying.
InWroclaw   
13 Feb 2014
Life / How many British citizen's live in Wroclaw? [9]

Indeed not many.

Indeed, and I come across Americans more regularly than Brits. Most of the Brits here are clinic patients and can be found hanging around Magnolia Park and Tesco there. I would say there's approx. 2x or 3x more Americans here. There are also a small number of Indians (mostly IT staff), Spaniards, Middle Eastern and, of course, probably a few thousand Koreans.

I'm always excited to hear a British or Irish voice somewhere, but sadly it's a rare thing and usually limited to a stag party in the Rynek.

The last time I met any Brits they were in a large and very well mannered group leaving Spiz, each said thank you as I held the door for them. Sadly, don't hear thank yous nearly as often from Poles. They were probably business people for one of the IT firms here. Following that, there were 4 or 5 younger ones in a restaurant, they seemed to be employees of somewhere. Very few, usually, in fact I am not sure they even number 50. The reason for the low numbers is that salaries here are very low compared to the UK and elsewhere, I guess.
InWroclaw   
13 Feb 2014
Work / Is 6500PLN/month enough for 2 people from India to live on in Wroclaw? [40]

This really will give a half decent living in Wroclaw.

Been available since mid December hasn't it? Do you not advise making an offer, say 1400 on a 6-month contract and minimum 2 months' notice if the landlord wants the flat back after that and 2 months' notice if the tenant wants to terminate?
InWroclaw   
12 Feb 2014
Food / Where can I buy California raisins, or natural raisins in Poland? [8]

Yes, but not necessarily bez additives and preservatives.
But Sun Maid's Natural range are.

sunmaid.com/products-details/raisins.html

Sweet, moist, and flavorful. Sun-Maid Raisins: Go anywhere.

Don't spoil, bruise, or need refrigeration.
Are 100% natural. <--- applies to Natural range only (the ones I want).

No sulphur dioxide, no coating of vegetable oil or (worse!) palm oil

Q:Are there additives or preservatives in Raisins?
A: In our Sun-Maid Natural Raisins there are no additives or preservatives. When the raisins are ready to be processed, we clean the raisins using large aspirators (vacuums), graders, and shakers to remove stems, dirt, and other foreign objects. We then do a very thorough washing in fresh water which rehydrates the raisins.

Sun-Maid Golden Raisins are cleaned in much the same way, although these raisins are treated with the preservative sulfur dioxide.

InWroclaw   
12 Feb 2014
Food / Where can I buy California raisins, or natural raisins in Poland? [8]

In my experience, most of it is quite bland, with a poor texture. There are probably exceptions, but I can't think of any right now.

I'm seriously thinking of ordering some Cadbury's Flake from either the British shop in Warsaw (thank you Harry) or Amazon UK. If I win the Lotto, I'll order some raisins too.
InWroclaw   
12 Feb 2014
Food / Where can I buy California raisins, or natural raisins in Poland? [8]

What chocs do you want, Beckski? Surely you'd prefer some Cadbury's chocolate from the UK? A lot of the chocolate here contains hydrogenated vegetable fat -- as you'd know being a fellow Californian that stuff just ain't good! I know Polish chocolate's nicer than most US stuff, but that bar ain't high.
InWroclaw   
12 Feb 2014
Food / Where to buy British mature Cheddar Cheese and salted butter in Poland? [289]

Reports are coming in that 400g Spire mature cheddar at some Lidl branches has been reduced from 11.99 to 10.99

This is probably due to one of the pundits on this forum suggesting the taste was bland or something!

Although it's not as good as Cathedral City, it's very good value for the price, and I strongly recommend it all things considered.
InWroclaw   
12 Feb 2014
Work / Is 6500PLN/month enough for 2 people from India to live on in Wroclaw? [40]

Be sure to negotiate the rental and the agency commission 'prowisja' when you rent something.
Some agencies charge 0zl to tenants.

When I rented, I was refused many times when I made offers. However, if you persist, you'll find landlords who will reduce by 10 or 20%. 1600 down to 1300 in one case, 1300 down to 950 in another, are my average negs (my experience).

Beware that some agents or landlords don't want to deal with non-Polish speakers or anyone asking for a written agreement.
Always get a written one. Always negotiate unless it's already cheap. Remember, they need your money, and be prepared to walk away if they say nie.

But also be aware that some landlords and agents just won't want to rent to a non Pole for whatever reason, perhaps insecurity about owing money or causing damage or whatever it is. Please ignore anyone who posts after me and says anything contrary to this information -- some of them are landlords and other vested interests and won't give it to you straight. I have real experience on the ground and am giving it to you straight. Any doubts about anything at all, get free but qualified legal advice in the city centre (once a week, big queue, free, near Rynek).
InWroclaw   
11 Feb 2014
Food / Where can I buy California raisins, or natural raisins in Poland? [8]

Back home in California, many's a time I've gotten me some California raisins which are so very sweet and juicy with just no additives or sulphur to preserve them neither. Just as nature intended, yes sir.

When I was living in the UK, I could easily walk into those British folks' supermarkets like Asbury's and easily pick up some Sun Maid California Raisins at just a couple of bucks a pop.

Here in Polska there seems to be nowhere I can get my hands on some good, honest wholesome natural raisins! Most (perhaps all) have veg oil and maybe preservatives.

Any tips on getting me some natural raisin action in these parts? Should I try markets or health stores?
InWroclaw   
11 Feb 2014
Law / Payment of ZUS/ Income Tax - 'sole trading' business in Poland [27]

Not as far as I know. You'll pay something at your employer's (or they pay it for you) and then you pay a top-up to ZUS in addition.

From what I gather, if for example 300PLN ZUS is paid via your employer, then an extra 131PLN to ZUS for the first 24 months, or something like that. Then 1100PLN a month or less perhaps, depending on their current rates and other factors maybe.

Uwaga! This is amateur advice. For confirmation, speak to a proper accountant, because I am just an ordinary blokey with no qualifications in this at all.
InWroclaw   
11 Feb 2014
Law / No residency permit or PESEL number - worried that I'm here illegally [15]

That's about addresses and residence. It is not illegal to not have one.

Apparently it is illegal if here longer than 3 months.

They are wrong, you do not need a PESEL number (their internal procedures may require a PESEL number but in that case you just make one up).

I'm sure you're right, but they all ask for one :)