Work / Any Speed School of English in Poland? [54]

Absolutely! NO school is able to guarantee number of hours since clients come and go all the time. Also, quite often, big assignments announced by schools don't happen or get cancelled once started. This is the reason why foreign language teachers in Poland work for several schools at same time. It is easy to say while reading so many posts in PF (and not only) that foreigners planning to teach in Poland are very naive and have no idea of the way it works. And YES, some - long established and very qualified/experienced - foreign teachers can and do make a lot of (by Polish standards) money in Poland but they are a tiny minority and the big majority of teachers including of course the new ones have to put up with few hours at non convenient times of the day and make peanuts and no need to talk about those British "teachers" ending up in sh@@t hole areas boring as h...l for peanuts in order to avoid unemployment at home (most probably it would make more sense to take some training in UK in order to find employment in UK since conditions shall always be better than in Poland...)

Law / EU grants to small business in Poland-advice needed [27]

@Welsh: considering that there are already too many language schools in Poland (most of which struggle since very little clients and rates going downhill), don't expect EU (= German, French and British taxpayers as per their contributions) to finance something that is not necessary (since already too many schools). If you want to apply for EU funds, you need another project...

Work / How to get hired in Poland teaching EFL? [4]

Hi! As a NON EU national (I understand that you are American, aren't you?), you'll need a work permit to be issued through your potential employer and considering the hordes of British ESL teachers who don't need work permits in Poland, it is very unlikely that potential employers in Poland goes through the hassle when they can choose among so many British teachers more especially when you are not qualified and don't offer anything special. Also, in order to be issued a work permit, you need to have a full time income and no language school can guarantee fixed numbers of hours . In addition, you would need to pay for State heatlh insurance since language schools don't.

Why your idea of teaching ELS in Poland? If you were qualified, you could teach in a lot of countries for quite good money....

Life / HIV/AIDS growing in Poland - more fear of pregnancy than STDs [82]

@Dolno: absolutely, more education is needed in Poland and also in .... PF! ;). True, like you write, people can get aids without being drug addicts or homosexuals but of course too hard to undestand for all the "talibans" above.

Life / HIV/AIDS growing in Poland - more fear of pregnancy than STDs [82]

@Nothanks: you think and talk exactly like those barbarians! Drug addicts as well as alcoholics for instance are sick and need to be treated, not stigmatized and condemned. The article talks about Poland. In the West, people are not stigmatized and do take tests and if sick they are treated.

Life / HIV/AIDS growing in Poland - more fear of pregnancy than STDs [82]

@Nothans: welcome to Afghanistan! ;) @Dolno: imagine how it can be especially in Polska B! ;). Whoever is "different" has to hide not to be stigmatized and it is normal that people who might be sick don't go forward for tests (I would not). The person shall be labelled as "drug addict" or "homosexual" or whatever and then hard to survive (including work...) in the town/village ;).

Life / HIV/AIDS growing in Poland - more fear of pregnancy than STDs [82]

Absolutely, Dolno! When people know that they'll be judged and labelled 'X" or "Y" (in very small towns, it could be big problem), people who might be sick don't check whether they are or not and on top of that they risk contaminating others.

Life / HIV/AIDS growing in Poland - more fear of pregnancy than STDs [82]

The problem is that it is not easy when drug addict or (and?) homosexual to get tested in Poland as so much stigmatization. Under such conditions, it is unlikely that a lof of drug addicts and homosexuals go forward to be tested. Last (?) year, there was a report about young homosexuals saying how difficult it is to live in shi@hole towns even nowadays in Poland so they had to hide their being homosexuals.

In view of so much intolerance and narrow mind, it is to be expected that people won't go forward and take tests as they don't want to be labelled "x" or "y".

Why being suprised, Pol? ;)

UK, Ireland / What are these ex tenants from Poland doing? Crammed into apartments - scams? [18]

@Ryouga: Hi! So obviously nothing has changed and apparently the athorities don't give a d.. Your neighors don't pay tax, violate laws and NOTHING is done against them. Unfortunately, a lot of Poles of this kind have moved abroad (my Polish husband was ashamed of them) and they give Poland and all Poles in general a terrible reputation and this leads to xenophobia and racism. I have often read that Poles in Britain were called "white Pakis", is that true?

However, keep bothering authorities and some day (hopefully soon) some one shall react.

Good luck! :)

Work / How to find work in Warsaw "if u don't speak Polish" ! [176]

Unless natives of languages such as English or French (since huge business presence), close to 0% chance to find employment in Warsaw (or wherever else in Poland) without solid knowledge of the Polish language (obvious). Even to stack shelves at Biedronka's and the like or to clean toilets, the Polish language is required.

In what country can foreigners work without knowing local language???? None so why should Poland be different.

It always amazes me all to read from those foreigners who come to Poland, completely unprepared and who suddenly discover reality. Hard to believe but sometimes we even have 3rd worlders speaking 0 Polish expecting to work in Poland as .. waiters ;) "lol"

News / Turkish invasion on Polish TV - Poland's opinion on Turkey [30]

I saw it a few years ago when on some French tv - very good and most pleasant to watch. It must be watched as a good program and not as a "political" or whatever else "message". A pleasant moment for Poles to finally realize that there are other tv programs than American often bs....

News / Poland's political party to ban pornography? [60]

@Delph: all public money in Poland comes from Central State.

Real Estate / BEST Poland's city to Invest in?? Warsaw, Wroclaw, Krakow, Poznan, Gdansk or...? [34]

Not to forget that it is usually impossible in Poland to expel tenants and therefore renting from far away and when not knowing local habits and law is very risky. We used to have tenants in both Katowice and in Warsaw and after bad experiences (mainly not paying rent) we stopped and have sold...

@Ktos: absolutely! One does not come from out of the blue and starts business in a completely unknown (language, mentality, habits...) country

Life / Thinking about moving to Poland in the future... how is life there? [17]

Obviously, Maf, whoever is serious about studying in English does not come to Poland but goes to an English speaking country. Logical! Programs in socalled English offered by Polish schools are nothing more than a way to get money out of naive 3rd worlders and their "diplomas" are not even worth the paper they are printed on.

UK, Ireland / POLISH CITIZENS FOUND DEAD IN UK... [36]

what does it have to do with "islamism"????? Once again, Levy, a Brazilian living in Saudi Arabia and knowing NOTHING re Europe shows us his bad faith and stupidity. "Islamism" has a political connotation and mixing up religion and political fanatics and petty thieves/crooks really shows a sick mind.

A few years ago, I was attacked and had my necklace stolen with a lot of violence while on a bus in WARSAW Centrum on a summer afternoon (not in the middle of the night in a dark alley) by a POLISH guy. As per Levy's sick "theory", I should see that as an act of ... xenophobia since thief was POLISH and I am not Polish but NO, I have considered from the very first second on that I had been the victim of a petty thief (no matter what nationality) and that's all.

The poor POLISH guy (may he rest in peace!) was the victim of scum, no matter where they were from..

Well, we all know Levy.... His hatred towards ALL Muslims, not only Islamists is real pathology. Nevertheless, he lives in Saudi Arabia, which is no.1 sponsor of terrorism in the whole world. I would not live among people sponsoring criminals but people like Levy finds it completely "normal" to make money WITH such scum.

Yes, as Delph, wrote not long ago "Poor Levy!" !!!

PS: @Mod: this is also a bit off topic (my apologies) although related to POLISH guy killed. Thanks!:)

News / Poland to be Booted from Schengen - a Border Security Issue or Tusk's Revenge on Polish Voters for PO Defeat? [36]

According to news, all the "Paris' (+ all the others of course) terrorists, were able to go to and back from Syria and travel all over Europe with NO worry since borders were wide opened. This morning, among a lot of others, French right-wing daily "Le Figaro" is accusing Schengen.

Right now in the news: 10 guys selling Syrian pasports arrested by Greek police. It was completely obvious that among the migrants, there would be terrorists (the islamists had warned us) but smart Angela and consorts had not envisaged the idea... They should at least resign.... Amazingly, this week, Angela is very discrete or maybe the poor "little" thing is just sick with flu, so away from the media ;););

News / Polish Doctor Burzynski finds a cure for incurable cancer [22]

Completely stutpid post from OP as if there were ONE type of cancer!!!!!!! To talk only re thyroid cancer (without bragging I am almost an "expert" as I did have one (unfortunately very common in Poland and in area especially since Chernobyl), 100% curable and cured as in the very first step) and I can tell you that there are SEVERAL types of cancer just for the thyroid gland and within each type thereof, there are several categories. What goes for thyroid gland goes for all parts of the body.

I'm sure that doctors would like to have to deal with only ONE type of cancer and so would patients. This kind of article is pure bs and creates confusion and false hope among patients and their families. Should there be one (?) cure for "incurable" cancers, everybody would know about it.

Language / Too many English words in the Polish language! [709]

I also like the "exposé" from new Polish ... Premier!!!! Aren't there Polish words for that? French speakers don't even use these words in the same context... "Exposé" is prepared by high school and university students and the "Pemier (= first for those not knowing French) Ministre" is the head of any goverment. It seems to me that even English speakers use "Premier" to mean Prime (probably from French "premier") Minister from other countries...

Life / Electricity, water, gas charge in Warsaw, Poland. [17]

You need to know that renting accommodation in Poland is like "Russian roulette". Everything is done in a crooked way and as a result, if you happen to have a good and honest landlord everything is ok but in case of the contrary (most often, especially when tenants are foreigners (other than rich expats)) it can be very very bad.

How have you found the place? By yourself, through an ad in sites such as Gumtree.pl or others? If so, pure lottery and I would NOT recommend it to any foreigner (of course especially when NON-EU), not speaking Polish and not knowing anything in Poland. Common sense that it's going to be in most instances a mere rip off. I have noticed through reading PF that all those NON-Europeans ("nice" phrase to avoid saying "Third Worlders" are all profoundly naive and they are not even able to think for 1/2 second that they may not be given a fair deal...

Why are you in Poland? I suppose you work or you are in school so you have some Poles around you. So, talk to them and if they all say it's a rip off, ask them to help you find some other accommodation for you. When not knowing how it works in a new country, it is essential to know at least a few locals who could advise and help.

PS: very few people in PF are in Poland and know about life in Poland (some of them have never set a foot in Poland) so what kind of help do you expect from a random forum?

PS: I don't have time to check in details but for instance I pay 4 ZL/m3 for cold water AND garbage (I own my place so I can say that your landlord rips you off - very often the case in Pl). I live in very nice neighborhood in Ochota so there is no way it can be ... 3 times higher in Centrum (I used to live 5 minutes' walk from Wilcza and I don't remember having HUGE bills). Just one piece of advice: ask some reliable Pole(s) to help you find another accommodation. good luck!

PPS: I don't have time to check for electricity but basically I pay some 50 ZL/per month and hot water although more expensive than cold water is not significant in my budget. Yes, your landlord rips you off (....)

Law / Open a restaurant in Poland - do I need a work permit? My karta pobytu has expired and I reapplied. [15]

@Delph: foreign tourists would rather try Polish restaurants while visiting Poland ;). @OP: why not getting concrete from PROS instead of posting in any random forum??? Nobody here in PF does own/run a successful restaurant in Poland ;). It beats me that those thinking about opening businesses don't seek help from professionals. It does show that they are not serious.... PS: opening a restaurant is ONE thing and keeping it open is another and much harder thing (not only in Poland but everywhere)

News / Poland's PIS go back to their old ways [194]

Yes, a very "liberal" tradition is not the word to describe Polish society ;). My mother-in-law was Jewish born. Jews lived apart from Poles. A lot of Jews in my mother-in-law's family had to change their names to Polish names, some of them converted to catholicism (for instance my mother-in-law) to have an "easier" life.... It was so obviously among a lot of Jews.

I have heard alot from Poles saying that till 1939, Poland was rather sort of like France was prior to 1789 Revolution (small nobility class, clergy and all the others, the vast majority, with no rights and in dire poverty.).. Also from a lot of Poles, half of the population in Poland could not read and hence massive programs after 1945....

"Liberal" is real not the word to describe Poland! "lol" Very far from Alice in Wonderland!

News / Epic Speeches of Polish Politians [5]

@Levi: why don't you include Tusk??? As to France, I assure you that the huge majority of the French are behind Hollande in the current matter. Trust me, I have French news on all the time when at home and I know a lot of people in France. You live in Saudi Arabia, you are Brazilian so it makes you an expert of Polish and of European things: logical!

You clown!

History / Poland's society at communism and socialism time [55]

@Wawa: this is wrong and you know it. A lot of Poles were comfortable. My in-laws lived in a huge villa (which they got in 1934 because of one family member (a lawyer) being at the time (1934) a big shot in Silesian government) back then (said villa and garden got divided into 2 flats in the 1950's), could go to Pewex stores and could travel to the west (my husband did live in Switzerland for 2 years in the early 1980's. The Katowice neighborhood where they lived also had (and still has) a lot of "fancy" villas inhabited by for instance ... university professors (several university professors in my in-law family (my father-in-law was a lawyer), and completely different from the poor Polish average person.

News / PKP buys Alstrom Pendolino trains for € 665 million [60]

@Delph: compare with other countries, including ...... GB!!! ;). But never mind, what does it have to do with Poland????? As said, bashing other people and other nationalities is not normal. Very often it results from deep jealousy ;). Believe, although far from perfect (it is very expensive), the French train system is recognized as one of the very best. However, what's the relationship with Poland???? I know that Alstom is a French company but besides that, I don't see... As I'm more intelligent, I don't want to get into stupid English bashing (it would not be so hard though as the hordes of alcoholic under proletarian "ESL teachers" ending up in Polish rathole towns for a couple of thousands of zl don't give a brilliant image of Britain ;);););), I've met quite a few here in Poland that didn't look much more "elegant" than "bezdomny", I would be ashamed of them should I be British) because I think it is completely stupid.....

Case closed! :)

Study / For a student in Poland - how do they do internship? [26]

To do internship in Poland, I assume first of all a perfect command of the Polish language is mandatory. How can a nurse/doctor treat someone properly if problems to communicate? I personally have had to cope with (thyroid) cancer and believe me, it was most often very rough for me to properly explain my (endocrinological/cancer related) situation to Polish doctors, speaking nothing but Polish (the main thing is that they did a good job and I'm now 100% ok). Medical staff and patients need to be able to communicate with each other accurately so how can some foreigner not speaking Polish can work with Polish patients????

PS: to whomever knows: how much do hospital nurses get in Poland? I assume not much but does anyone have a concrete idea? At least now, they don't expect bribes, and it's a big improvement. When leaving hospital, a gift left at nurses' station is appreciated and normal in all (?) cultures.

News / PKP buys Alstrom Pendolino trains for € 665 million [60]

First of all, it is ALSTOM without "R" wich used to be spelled "AstHom" some years ago (I remember). @Delph: once more, you talk without knowing anything! Compare trains in France and in ... GB ;). Believe me, there is not only the TGV ;). To write so much French bashing on a POLISH forum besides showing your ignorance (normal in PF) could also be ... psychological because it is not normal. Did you have a French girl friend who told you to f... off???? ;)

News / Most Poles believe current Sejm (Parliament) in Poland will be better [64]

@Delph; yes, having a degree is no big deal in Poland when we know the way they cheat (for Polish students, it is normal to open their books and notes when taking tests).

UK, Ireland / Polish community in the UK: are you happy? [46]

@Billy: in your Church, don't they teach you about tolerance, love and all the "crap"??? Church people always bother the rest of the population with their "love thy neighbor" and "all men are God's children" and consorts but amazingly the most intolerant and sectarian people I have met (I have lived in altogether 7 countries) were the most religious and the most tolerant and the most open were ... atheists. Coincidence?????

News / Roman Polanski accused of unlawful sex with a minor [403]

Yes, Doug, main problem for Poland: Polanski is Jewish. I have heard several times in Poland that Hitler had not finished his job.... No comment!

News / Roman Polanski accused of unlawful sex with a minor [403]

Polański being Jewish, it is "normal" that most Poles want to destroy him. Nevertheless, since he's also a French citizen and France does not extradict their citizens so, good luck to JK ;);) ;)