Food / Where to find a good bottle of wine in Poland? [18]

If you are in Kraków you will find there is a specialist wine shop on Dietla just next to the crossroads at Starowislna. Also a couple in Kazimierz. These are very expensive though so be prepared to pay through the nose.

I always found Lidl had a good selection as did my local Biedronka (I had 2 next to me, one had a great selection, the other not so much). In the latter I have found NZ Sauvingon for 17.99 at times. It is hit or miss as it depends the stock that's in at the moment, their prosecco is pretty good too. Also check out the Portugese Vinho Verde as that's dry with a nice effervescence and is often in stock. Lidl is a safer bet as their wine selection is more consistent, however I always find they are better for red than white, so keep that in mind.

Other than that, I echo the comments of others, make sure you are looking for "Wytrawne" and check the description on the bottle as you will often find Polwytrawne wines sitting in the Wytrawne section.

Food / Polish Drink Vs Irish People [20]


Really? I thought it was very strange that they got people who obviously don't drink much to do the tasting. The fact that one person thought Zywiec was an ale and everyone's reactions to Zubrowka (which is not that strong, and is quite sweet when it comes to vodka) made it seem like this was the first time they were trying alcohol, never mind Polish drinks...

Life / Why are the lines in supermarkets the slowest and the longest in Europe? Usually only very few employees work [18]


I think it's unfair to lump them all in the same. My local Biedronka in Kurdwanów was always quick on the bell when the queues mounted up and they got a new one open in no time. I won't blame the staff for some of the Babcias moving at the speed of light to get in front of you in the queue only to lose all concept of speed once there.

Law / Do banks in Poland accept bank drafts issued by a foreign bank, in Polish Zloty? [8]

I have recently been using Poland transfer. Never had a problem with them and the commission there has been as low as I've seen. I've not transferred huge amounts of money so not sure if those fees go up when you are moving large amounts.

Law / Internet provider in Poland - signing a contract with my foreign passport [9]

Completely agree with this, I've never been asked for ID when signing up for TV or internet. They do always ask for a PESEL (or NIP I suppose are they are pretty interchangeable on these things). Without this I think you would either be out of luck, or would be in for a nightmare of paperwork.

Just a slightly out of the box suggestion, if you have no PESEL, but a relatively good relationship with your landlord, might be worth having him get the internet in place and add that cost to the rent.

Real Estate / Prices of apartment in central Krakow [6]

Kraków is expensive, there is no doubt about that. But also, staying in the centre of any European (or World) city is going to be very expensive. In Kraków they have an excellent public transport system with a number of lines running through the night. There is really no reason to be staying right in the centre. Look instead for areas along major public transport routes. Will save you a bomb going forward.

Life / Living Expenses in Krakow [42]


That seems a bit excessive. I generally spend 130zl per week on the Tesco delivery and eat in most days. I most certainly don't stick to potatoes and cabbage, in fact I would say I have far too much meat in my diet and keep meaning to drop it down a bit (terrible willpower me).

I earn quite a bit less than 4500zl net, generally eat out at least once a week and am out pretty much every weekend (and the odd night during the week). I don't know what your lifestyle is like, but if you are saying you can only live like a monk on less than 4500zl you must only every drink straight in the centre and shop in Alma for all imported goods. Spending less doesn't mean living less...

News / Poland have the 3rd best Education System of Europe [49]


Religious classes have only recently become optional in Poland, and if you don't take that you have to an Ethics class instead. Religious education in the UK is not some Catholic Church mandated curriculum, but instead a study of many religions. It should be mandatory to learn about all religions.

Life / Little-known facts about Poland [45]


Maybe not Poland-centric...but this was also common in pre/early post war flats in the UK. Flats were like rooms with a washbasin and you shared a bathrooom. You can still see it in cheaper B&Bs in Blackpool. Rising Damp was a great British sitcom set in one of these.

I have no issue with no bathroom window, provided there is ventilation. But I really don't get the frosted door glass panel on pretty much every flat bathroom I have been to. While you can't see clearly through, I still don't want to see the outline of someone sitting on the toilet!

Life / Is this your Polish mamusia (mum)? [4]

Exactly what I was going to say, although to add to point 7, if you do get dragged outside, make sure you are fully wrapped up and with a scarf...28C will get you a cold!

Law / Right Hand Drive cars in Poland 'indefinitely' but not registered - doable? [21]

I have to ask, as just an occaisional driver, is it really neccesary to keep a RHD car here in Poland. Can you not sell it and get something LHD. For me personally I would not want to be driving in a foreign country with different rules with the bigger blind spot on the wrong side. Just like I wouldn't be keen driving a LHD car in the UK, are roundabouts not a nightmare?

UK, Ireland / Polish prince challenges Nigel Farage to 18th Century-style duel [6]


Is it ok if they are old or teenagers?? ;)

Language / "-ska" Polish last name different from "-ski"? [15]

As far as I know, when changing your name after marriage in the UK, your name can be changed to what's on the certificate. As long as the certificate is translated and legally confirmed then you won't have a problem. Just like with deed poll, you can really change your name to whatever you want...

Language / "Cup of coffee" translated in Poland as Kubek kawy. Why not a mug? [70]

In English I think of a tea-cup and coffee mug. But then, when I have a cup of tea/coffee, I normally drink it in a mug. I think mugs get more and more popular because they are a bit more substancial and easier to take care of, whereas a cup is a bit more fragile, but I still think of any vessel that holds hot beverages as a cup: "cup of coffee", "cup of hot chocolate", "cup of Grzaniec", etc. Language is funny :)

Law / Public holidays: Good Friday / January 2 / Sundays - do companies work in Poland? [9]

Merged: Public holidays in Poland and work. Days In Lieu - Sundays.

I have just been informed that, if a public holiday falls on a Saturday then you can still take a day in lieu from your work so you still get a day off for the holiday, however if it's on a Sunday then that's not possible. Can anyone confirm if this is true, and, if so, shed some light on this strange (and highly upsetting this year with 03/05 and 01/11 on Sundays) rule?

Life / Medical Trials in Poland? How much do you get? [4]


Depends how you classify free...you can get a paid day off work for donating blood, and free ham!

News / IPLA.TV / Polsat S.A. - POLAND ONLINE TV SCAM WARNING [7]

Hola Better Internet app for Google Chrome, always works for me and BBC iPlayer.

Work / Typical Post - A good salary in Rybnik - 3000 for part time in finance? [16]

My wife and I earn similar to that in Kraków working full time and still afford to go out regularly, save money each month and live a very confortable life. We are also paying rent. I wouldn't think it'd be hard to live on that in Rybnik. Maybe some of you people are too much into your expat life and don't fine any comfort in sitting at home a few nights a week just chilling out. I don't do it because I have to, but I like to spend a bit of time at home chilling.

Love / Civil Cermony Details in Poland - music, vows? [10]

Weirdest thing I found was that the office took my birth certificate and wont give it back. I can get copies...but surely they can't keep a legal document that's my property from me.

Love / Civil Cermony Details in Poland - music, vows? [10]

Merged: Civil Cermony Details in Poland - music, vows?

As far as I've heard from friends, a civil ceremony in the Polish equivalent to a registry office has no music and the vows are pretty much what's set down in law. Most Polish people will do both, a legal one first to make it legally official and then, once the money has been saved a full church wedding with a big party.

I don't think you will have much of a choice of adding your own music or your own vows in a civil wedding in Poland. Maybe in Warsaw it's different, but, where I got married, there was very little choice and it was down to church/legal tradition...I liked that though :)

Life / Whats with going to sauna naked in Poland? [41]


In Saunas it doesn't make a huge difference, being very dry and very hot makes it not a nice place for fungus and bacteria. Steam rooms on the other hand, they are basically petri dishes!

Work / About taxes ("Umowa o dzielo") and minimum wage in Poland [30]

Hey All, just thought this would be more relevant to discusse the below quote:


Since when was 8PLN per hour minimum wage. A few years ago I was on 7PLN per hour in a bar and waitresses were between 4 and 5PLN. I heard up to last year waitresses were still on 5-6PLN per hour in a famour Kraków place.

Is 8PLN per hour a new development? If so it's a great thing! Maybe now people in hospitality will be able to make ends meet.

Law / In Poland on residence card (married to Polish girl) want travel to UK for 2 weeks! [16]


Boom, Visa marriage...

Law / Any good business ideas - what Poland needs? [114]


I am curious, what is the percentage of home owners in Poland? And is it going down?

I would have thought in the past lots of people built/bought houses for the whole family to live in (my Wife's family still do this to a certain extent but they are not in a big city). So when kids grow up, they almost get a floor to themselves and never leave home, except for studies.

Looking at young people nowadays it seems more common for them not to stay at home with the family and are looking for more freedom, but I doubt many of them will be in a buyers market somewhere like Kraków where the property prices are ridiculous compared to income.

Life / How do the Polish feel about air pollution in their cities? [35]

It's not really remote villiages that are the problem. 10-20 families burning some rubbish in the middle of nowhere isn't ideal, but it's not a major issue. The issue, and the thread title, is people doing the same in cities. When you have tens or hundreds of thousands of people burning rubbish in a concentrated area you have a pretty major problem. There is no excuse for this in the city where there is plenty of rubbish collections.

I find breathing here in Kraków is a struggle in winter with all the pollution, it's quite terrible, but until the fines for burning things in the city cost more than modernising then no-one will bother with it.

Just as an aside, there is seriously no rubbish collection? Or just no-one wants to pay for it?

Travel / Mobile internet for tourists in Poland? [35]

If you go with play you can put in a code and get unlimited internet for 10zl for 30 days. I don't have the leaflet any more but you should be able to get it done in any Play shop. I do that for my iPhone each month, this is for 3G though, might cost a bit more for 4G but there's certainly a way of getting what you need, in major cities the staff in any of the mall outlets will speak English and you can ask there. Provided you can get from the airport into town without internet you should have no problem comparing offers between suppliers in any mall.

Depending where you are landing, the train from KRK airport goes straight to a shopping mall and there's a big one next to Warszawa Centralna train station.

Life / Pepper Spray in Poland? [36]

Keep in mind, you need to learn how to use it first or else you might end up blinding yourself. It does work, but it's unreliable because it's at the whim of the wind, unlike CS. I think it's fine to carry, as long as you know how to use it, but keep in mind, if the person you use it on does not have bad intentions...JAIL!

Work / 100,000 PLN (per year) in Krakow - Is it enough for a couple to survive on? [18]

Looking at is as 5500PLN per month after tax, I can relate, my wife and I are taking in about that much together. We stay outside the city. Eat in all through the week then go out at the weekend. When we go out for dinner we don't eat in super fancy places (do you have to eat in a fancy restaurant every week?). We manage to save, on average, 250PLN per month. If the OP seriously thinks he can save here better than the US, he's in for a shock!

Life / Code to top up Poland's Play sim card? [11]

For future reference you can top it up online on logowanie.play.pl I also have the option on my internet banking to top up my phone straight from there and a number of ATMS allow you to top up a phone too. No need for a silly coupon.

Life / Polish post, are they still stealing stuff? [20]


Just for info, he can send it via MoneyGram or Western Union. While it's probably easier doing it online, you can do MoneyGram through the post office and it takes 10 minutes to get to you. Then in Poland you can pick it up at any Post Office, Bank BGZ and some Kantors. Costs about £13 I believe.

I am not saying stealing is right but I wouldn't think anyone should be sending cash in the post these days, there are just too many hands for it to go through. Think about it this way, from one post office to your door, it's probably being handled by 10+ people...what are the chances of someone in that chain being dishonest? Better for your Dad to go the post office, give them the cash and have it coded through the system and in your hands 10 mins later...no chance of it being stolen then...unless you get mugged on the way to the bank.