Life / Girls in Poland shaving side of head!? [30]

I noticed that as well recently in Krakow. I usually think that young Polish women/girls are quite elegant when it comes to clothes and shoes, but regarding haircuts... hmmm... why do boys and girls here seem to get inspiration from the worst haircuts we saw between 5 and 20 years ago in Western Europe's suburban proletariat ? :-(

Feedback / Why PolishForums? Give us your stories! [60]

I think I searched Google for some forum or website about Poland and it appeared in the results. I registered in 2007 to ask a question about electrical sockets and voltage in Poland because I wanted to take my hairdryer with me on holiday (first trip to Poland). I'm amazed to see that the thread is still active in 2011. ;-) OR maybe my first message was a question about Polish vocabulary or grammar. Can't remember exactly though...

Miłego dnia.

Work / Cost of Living, Average Salaries and Job sites in Poland [263]

Don't know if it was ever posted on PF yet, but here is a link to the website of Hays Recruitment in Poland. They publish tables of salaries.

hays.pl/en/salary-overviews.aspx

News / Poland needs a left wing govt. [111]

I'd say the problem of communism is excessive regulation and the problem of the libertarian model is excessive deregulation...


I agree with your analysis except maybe for the taxes. How can you fund the required public services, like the education you mentioned, with minimal or no taxes? I'd add to this a better health care system. As an immigrant from Western Europe, I think the taxes here are much lower and of appropriate level. Not sure less taxes would be good for the country, but they should not be raised, for sure.

News / Poland needs a left wing govt. [111]

My parents' English friends used to say "Thatcher is the best Prime Minister we had since Winston Churchill".

She dropped industries which were ailing or had become too expensive because of exaggerated union power. Yes, unions have their own way of being greedy; it is the case in other Western-European countries as well such as Belgium and France to name a few. A spoiled child's behaviour which views economy as a static thing not submitted to change or performance.

As far as I remember, Thatcher's policy resulted in the loss of a million jobs in primary industry but favored a modernized economy focused on secondary and tertiary industries where about two million jobs were created. However I agree that some minimal protective measures, such as minimum wage for example, were not secured by Thatcher. It made her policy over the top for some.

The prosperous-again England was then later morally and financially ruined by New Labour, which you can blame among other things for that immigration policy which fed the U.K. to cockroaches from West Indies, Middle East and then Eastern Europe.

History / Slavic vs Germanic thinking.... and the philosophical differences [251]


Well, as I now live in Poland and do not want to remain single, the "Slavic offer" is obviously broader than the non-Slavic one ;-)

History / Slavic vs Germanic thinking.... and the philosophical differences [251]

With all due respect to Slavs, I much prefer Germanic soul. It is more logical, practical, rational. The Slavic soul can easily drive me up the wall, either with women in relationships or with people in general at work, due to their work ethics and "corporate culture" inherited from communist administrations. Not to mention the constant victimization.

I will not comment any further on the "soul at work". But on the "soul in love", I will say this...

Back then when I was still in Belgium, my teacher of Polish used to tell us that Poles were often described as "the Latins of the North" (or was it from the East?). Actually it was tough for me to cope with the temperament of my Polish girlfriend. As a Belgian, I'm a cartesian cold-blooded animal and my culture is a mix of French, Dutch and German cultures. I'm used to be with women like the ones you see on TV in "Derrick". With my previous Polish girlfriend, I was spending most of the time trying to cope with an emotional hurricane which made me think of Penelope Cruz in the film "Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona". :-) I'm a bit exaggerating the caricature, of course. But she was complaining that I had "no sensibility" (!) and was not expressive enough. As a result, she didn't feel secure with me. And I was exhausted by her sudden changes of mood and her frequent exaggeration, and ended up telling her to go to a psychologist. I must however mention than even her mother and her best friend kept telling her to cool down, but it was useless. This misunderstanding on both sides eventually destroyed the relationship.

Since January this year, I'm with a new Polish tornado, though a much smaller one this time. So far it's OK. Of course I received my dose of energetical complaint already, but after socializing with Polish girls over the past 2 years, I now understand how to deal with it. The question is: "will I have the patience to deal with it in the long term?". Slavic soul can be touching with its romanticism at the beginning, but its unpredictability and extreme intensities could still easily shut me down. I envy those Polish men who can somehow manage it with the appropriate way and "coolness". ;-)

Law / What information is in the Schengen Information System? [10]

Paul,

So all of this happened by telephone while you were back to the U.S. and she still in Poland? First of all, I doubt she filed a complaint. She rather looks like somebody with a big mouth, and probably not many guts. Furthermore, filing for harassment has been a specialty in the U.S. and not necessarily in all countries ;-) and this case looks rather childish to me.

And if such complaint was actually filed, the police will investigate the communications both of you had by requesting informations from the telephone company. Did you call her twenty times a day during this "conflict"? Did you threaten her of rape or murder? You're innocent unless proven otherwise, and you wouldn't probably come back to Poland just to meet one of those immature and emotional Polish pests, would you? ;-)

Forget about it and sleep well...

Work / Polish students among best in OECD [32]

I've read the results. I think the problem with the methodology is that it only focuses on reading, math and science. Very restrictive... Happy to see that Belgium still ranks amongst the best despite the disastrous reform started twenty years ago by a new socialist government in order to allow just any ignorant proletarian brat to make it to college. Negatively surprised to see that Luxembourg and Russia are below average; I would expect them to be higher. And Poland ranks where I expected, in the top ones ("average" according to their figures, but still in the top ones).

When it comes to the U.S., I blame their school system for providing pupils an image of the world restricted to their country. I'm speaking of the ideological aspect of education. In a few words, being ignorant of what is outside America, considering that everything done differently from the American way is wrong, and brainwashing them with a sort of "we are the champions of the world" way of thinking. You see that a lot when you talk to Mr and Mrs Everyman. Come on, bring on REAL geography lessons and that would already help a lot.

Travel / Vegetarian places to eat in Krakow [30]

I like chimera.com.pl. Good restaurant downstairs, and more casual food on the ground floor in a nice courtyard. It's not just veggie but they have wonderful salads, vegetable pies, vegetable and fruit juices.

News / Smoking ban in Polish bars and restaurants (AT LAST!) [400]

Why did restaurants, pubs and theater lobbies stopped the tradition of having a "smoke room" (not sure about the English word though, in French we say "fumoir") ? Then it was OK until people remained courteous and asked their neighbour if they'd mind their smoking ? Then of course if the neighbour expressed the fact that smokes annoys him/her, the smoker would refrain.

Unfortunately with the advent of "It's my freedom, I have the right to this, I have the right to that, and blah blah blah...", manners disappeared and excess triumphed in many domains. I'm happy of this ban on smoking, although I'm an occasional smoker myself. I had stopped going to several places because of the heavy moke. It's suffocating and makes me sick. I smoke pipe and, due to its strong smell which not everybody likes, I only smoke it at home. Which reminds me of the stunned look of a Polish girl to whom I had just said "Od czasu do czasu, bardzo lubię dobrą fajkę".

Food / Any królik (rabbit) fanciers on PF? [76]

Where to buy good rabbit in Kraków ? I know of a few good recipes from my grandmother and would like to try them out for my Polish znajomych here ;-)

For example, cooked in the oven with szalots and brown or cherry beer. Mniam...

Law / Your experience as a foreigner running a small business in Poland [43]

In my case, registration was quick and easy and the same goes for all other things like opening a bank account, registering for social security and tax office.

Beware though of who you call in as a legal advisor and accountant. Poland, like all poor countries, are full of people who will claim they can do everything for you just to make you one of their customers, although they don't have the required level of expertise or simply no clue of what you expect from that kind of professional relationship.

Travel / Starbucks in Wawel Castle, Krakow. Is this a joke or true? [42]


Is it Krakowska or Kazimierz? I was shopping at Alma in Galeria Kazimierz lately and saw a Starbuck announced.

Food / Problem to find "cream" in Poland [23]

I confirmed that £ukasz recommended the right product. Actually the one I'm using is the "Śmietana kremowa 30%" from Mlekovita. It's thicker than "Śmietana do kawy" so it's more appropriate for some sauces. The more liquid Śmietana do kawy is however OK to mix with soups.

But what they advertise as "for sauce and soup" in Poland is definitely not appropriate for sauces in foreign recipes.

Work / Wage and Salary rates in Poland [37]

Last summer, the person who was to become my accountant told me that (so, it's for 2009), the lowest monthly salary in Poland is around 980 zł netto (the money that is actually disposable).

Law / Advice required about opening a Serbian restaurant in Krakow [24]


Cevapcici is delicious !


Official informations about migrating and conducting business in Poland. Read the Polish Law section.

Travel / Internet for 1 month in Kraków? [11]

Orange also has offers for 3G USB dongles.

Life / Talking over people in conversations; is it a Polish trait? [41]

Not a Polish trait. Just a lack of education for some people.

I always wait until somebody finishes, before I say something. If I accidentally interrupt somebody, I will usually realize it, stop talking and apologize. And when I get interrupted (I hate it) especially during an argument, I usually interrupt back by toughly asking "May I finish?".

Next time a Greek woman interrupts you, tell her to go and shave.

USA, Canada / US Polonia 70% for Kaczyński [343]


Actually, my remark was not to express disappointment or anything. I consider normal that a foreigner, whichever country he is, isn't automatically granted the right to vote. And it doesn't matter whether it is a presidential election, or local, or European. ;-)

USA, Canada / US Polonia 70% for Kaczyński [343]


It's an interesting point. But following your logic, would you then accept that foreigners living in Poland, working and paying taxes there, have the right to vote?

News / Who are you voting for in the 2010 Poland's presidential elections and why? [82]



I love you too, honey :-) How about a good kompot at the milk bar?

News / Who are you voting for in the 2010 Poland's presidential elections and why? [82]

I'd vote for PiS if I could. But I ain't Polish yet ;-)... At least I'll have to wait until local/European election. PO reminds me too much of things I don't like in Western Europe, which more globally concern the Union.

Law / How to register a new business in Poland [129]


You can listen to the good advise from Delphiandomine.

I also recommend this official website, full of interesting economical data about Poland. The "Polish Law" section will also tell you everything you must know about starting and running a business.

paiz.gov.pl/en

Law / EU citizen residency certificate to live in Poland [34]


Belgium has it as well. This procedure does not apply to immigrants only, but natives as well. And it even goes much further than that. When you move to another house, a police inspector comes to check you and your place. He will do the following:

- check that you actually live there (and that the former tenant left).
- read your contract for renting the place.
- ensure that you are not the victim of an unscrupulous landlord (for example who makes you pay a huge amount of money to live in a rotten place).

- he will inform you about regulations applying to your street (for example when and how to put your trash bags on the sidewalk, where you can park your car) and give you a booklet published by the City full of useful informations (in some cities).

- he will give you his visit card so if you need help or information in the future, you can contact him/her at the police station.

- if he feels like he needs it, he has the right to interrogate neighbours.


It was not directed at you. I took the opportunity to make these comments, as we were in one more thread about migrating to Poland. And this forum is full of complaints from "candidates" who get lost, confused, or just can't make it professionally once they are in Poland. So, better warn one more time and make sure people have a clear mind about what they want and what they need do to get it. ;-)


When I pay ZUS every month, I do it via internet banking (I do it myself as I'm running my own business). I select "Payment to ZUS" and I make 3 different payments as you mentioned: Ubezpieczenie spółeczne, Ubezpieczenie zdrowotne, Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia. Altogether they cover pension and medical care. But they all fit under the ZUS label even if they are different organizations.

Law / EU citizen residency certificate to live in Poland [34]

Maybe it would also be interesting to make a more general comment about migrating to Poland. Sometimes, when I read comments on this forum from people who want to move to Poland, I wonder whether they are walking on the moon or just smoking too much pot ;-).

1. Ask yourself the question seriously: why exactly do you want to move to Poland? Like every country, it has fantastic aspects, but other aspects can be a nightmare. As some members pointed out in other threads, Poland is not a country for everyone.

2. Do you speak at least a little bit of Polish? It's insane to move to another country, all by yourself, without knowing anything to the local language. It's a suicide. Stop assuming that everyone here, including doctors and civil servants, speaks your language whichever it is.

3. If you move, get a job BEFORE. Stop assuming that Polish employers will give you a job at once. Poland doesn't need us.

4. Take with you as many official documents as possible from your native country. You never know exactly what Poland will request from you. It may vary according to your "profile" (sorry if this looks discriminating) or where you come from (European Union, Schengen zone, non-E.U.). Read the different stories on this forum. In my case I took the following documents, all made during the last 6 weeks before my move (that means the end of 2009):

- certificate of birth
- certificate of residency
- certificate that I have the right to social security in my country until the end of 2010 (not 2009)
- European card of social security
- passport valid until beyond the first 3 months of intended temporary residency
- certificate from the Police stating that I was never convicted
- history of my business from my country's equivalent of KRS+REGON, to show that my business plans in Poland are just the continuity of what I was doing for the past 12 years

- certificate from a language school that I succesfully attended Polish classes for the past 2 years
- college (university) diploma
- blood test to certify that I don't have AIDS or hepatitis

The only document that was in fact requested from me was the blood test. I must have minor surgery on the eyelid to remove a sty and the Polish doctor told me that, before any operation, the patient must have received a vaccination against hepatitis. To prove that I didn't have hepatitis yet I had to present her with a blood test.

5. Once you are sure that you have residency permit, a job, and the right to benefit of Polish social security (and only after that), you can do the procedure to "resign" from your country and disconnect completely if you want.


The guy at the Foreigners Office told me I had to keep it with me all the time along with passport or identity card. It was later confirmed to me by an employee of the embassy.


You must be right, and I simply forgot. I had in mind that PESEL was required in order to register at ZUS.

Law / EU citizen residency certificate to live in Poland [34]

Here is how things worked for me when I settled to Kraków last December. Might be useful for new candidates.

1- On arrival day I kept the boarding pass of my flight to testify the first day of presence on Polish territory (no identity check at Kraków Airport). I was staying at a Polish friend's flat (owner of the flat) and we went to the "urząd miasta" together with the notary deed proving ownership, and my passport. I was registered at this address and got a residency certificate for 3 months (Potwierdzenie zameldowania).

2- One week later, I got myself a flat to rent, and had to show my passport and Potwierdzenie zameldowania to the landlord.

3- Six weeks later, I went to the Foreigners Office in Kraków. It's not at the "urząd miasta", this time it's the building of "województwo".

I requested a residency permit for beyond 3 months and, as Delphi pointed out, it costed 1zł. The form you must fill-up is written in Polish, English and French.

The staff at the Foreigners Office speaks Polish and English. I was given the "code of conduct" for foreigners which is available in Polish, English or French.

They asked for 4 documents: passport, Potwierdzenie zameldowania, European card of medical insurance, and work-related document to prove an income allowing to pay for a living in Poland. In my case, work-related document was the registration at KRS of the company I established the month before. Actually they checked it for me, because I hadn't been notified yet by KRS that my company was "accepted" so this is how I got to know about it :-).

Since I hadn't yet modified the Potwierdzenie zameldowania with my new address, they refused to write my new address on the residency card and told me they would update it later.

I was not questioned by any policeman, as opposed to what some forum members experienced.
I got my residency card 8 days after I applied, with no limit date on it.
It is printed on an A4 paper on both sides, within a frame. You must actually cut it yourself, fold it in two and keep it in your wallet.

4- Armed with my residency card, passport and contract for renting the flat, I went back to the "urząd miasta" to unregister my previous address and register the new one (yes, these are distinct operations involving different papers) and I also applied for a PESEL number.

They printed a new Potwierdzenie zameldowania showing my new address.

5- I got the PESEL number 10 days later. For this I went back again to "urząd miasta" and they printed a new Potwierdzenie zameldowania indicating my PESEL number.

5- I went back to the Foreigners Office with all my papers and asked for an updated residency card. For this I paid again 1zł.

I got the new card a week or so after applying, still no limit validity date (so I assume it's the regular 5 years). The new card indicates my new address and PESEL.

6- Finally I went to the ZUS office to register for social and medical security.

7- I also unregistered remotely (by registered mail) from the population books in my country and when the mayor's office sent me the confirmation, I asked for a new identity card to my embassy in Warsaw. I sent them copies of all documents and they didn't even asked me to come and fetch it personally.

I got my identity card 1 month after applying. But these are matters with my native country, not with Poland.

8- Still one thing to do: exchange my driving licence. Yeah, I really look young on that old picture :-).

As a conclusion:
- It's horrible how much time you waste at the Polish administration with their bureaucracy!
- I would recommend, when you settle in Poland, to bring with you a birth certificate and a residency certificate from your native country. It is not required but it makes things easier. For example when they ask you in Polish (if you're not good at all in Polish) to spell the names of your parents, dates and place of birth, original address and things like that. You just put the documents under their nose and point with your finger.

- SeanBM, how can you live without a PESEL? It makes things so much easier. Can you actually benefit from Polish social security and medical care if you don't have a PESEL?

Real Estate / PLN 2,500 the going rate for an apartment in Poland [210]

2500zł for a 60m2-flat in Kraków with everything paid ? Hmmm... given the crazy prices of estate in big Polish cities, it is not a rip-off by a specific owner, it's the just the exaggerated prices of the market considering the average Polish salaries. Personally I wouldn't pay for that.

I managed to find such a flat in Kraków Bronowice (not the outer part of Bronowice, but the part closer to the center) for 2000zł in a luxurious new block. It also included TV and internet, very convenient as everything worked on my day in and I avoided the hassle of signing up for my own "abonament", not even knowing whether I'd want to stay there after the first 6 months.

I wonder how estate prices will stay so high. I was told that in Kraków they went as high as 12000zł per square meter in some districts. That's insane because nothing justifies that. Kraków is great but it's only Kraków. Besides, new constructions are crap with cracks in plaster appearing after a year or less. My ex-girlfriend bought her flat in Krowodrza Górka in 2005 at 3000zł per square meter (paying cash with money she made working abroad). She was lucky for it was still correctly built. In the summer of 2008 she was telling me that now it went up at 7000-8000zł in her district.

Travel / Dinner place suggestion in Krakow [17]

SeanBM, I was thinking for a long time that I should try one of those Jewish restaurants in Kazimierz, and wondered about Ariel. If you recommend it, I'll give it a try. Actually I went once to Szara Kazimierz right on the opposite side of Ariel, but haven't had anything typical Jewish there, though it was good.

CK Browar near Bagatela? Never paid attention, but I'll give it a try as well.

And to original poster, I also recommend Miód Malina, in ul. Grodzka, on the corner of Grodzka and a small street where there is also an excellent corsican restaurant.

Food / To find veal scalops in Kraków ? [8]

polkamaniac
Are you talking specifically about the market on a small square with a round building in the middle of it ? (forgot its name) Yeah, I know the place. I bought broad beans there once. Very expensive in Poland though :-(