Life / Drink driving a bike and losing your driving license in Poland [27]

No issue at all. The law exists for a reason - in that people riding bikes dangerously when drunk is a serious problem on Polish roads. It's not that they use the bike to get home from the centre of the city to their flat a short distance away - it's that they often ride bikes when completely wasted between villages.

Have you ever driven in Poland? If not, then I suggest you do, as you might understand then why the law exists.


They're trying to stop people from causing accidents.

Before the law was introduced, Poland had some very serious issues with alcohol and bike riding. It's cut down on the amount of drunken idiots on bikes, which can only be a good thing.

Life / Drink driving a bike and losing your driving license in Poland [27]

The reason was to cut down on the amount of people doing it. What's the issue? You do realize that road users should be treated equally, right?


No, it's a way to cut down on the amount of idiots that ride bikes while drunk.

I nearly hit one such idiot one night who was completely wasted. I still don't know why I didn't get out and throw him into the ditch myself.

USA, Canada / General differences between Poland and the USA? [184]

Hard to see what's wrong with the video.

Isn't America supposed to be the Land Of The Free? Seems that it's more "Land Of The Oppressed".

USA, Canada / General differences between Poland and the USA? [184]

Not really. Much of what goes on has been distinctly Polonised.

Life / Drink driving a bike and losing your driving license in Poland [27]

That was to put a stop to exactly the kind of behavior that you talk about. He's fortunate not to be looking at prison - it's common for poorer members of society to get locked up for that...

Law / Catalogue of expenditures not being tax-deductible costs [10]

I did see a rather nice 75" telly in Germany that would fit your needs perfectly...

Law / Poland and the Euro - benefit for Polish economy? [49]


Of course, it got rid of a small, unpopular currency on the markets and replaced it with a currency that had international respectability.

Poland on the other hand has intense banking regulation - just because there would be Euro to loan doesn't mean that the Polish authorities would allow it.

Real Estate / Landlord`s obligations regarding repairing things that belong to the house in Poland [15]


For you, it's hard to imagine that there would be any consequences.

As for him, well, it's safe to say that the tax office would take a very dim view of it. He would almost certainly be made to pay the entire lot back, along with a punishment equalling 100% of the taxes evaded - in essence, he'd have to pay twice. Are you paying by bank transfer?

Law / Poland and the Euro - benefit for Polish economy? [49]


Which makes sense given that you loaned a considerable amount of cash from them.


Not necessarily. Much of those increases were shown later to be a myth, and furthermore, simple preparation along the lines of what Estonia and Slovakia did (mandate dual pricing for a considerable time before and after) put a stop to any speculative increases.

Law / Poland and the Euro - benefit for Polish economy? [49]

As it stands, the Zloty/Euro exchange rate is the cause of much instability for importers - quite a lot of companies took heavy losses when the Zloty nosedived a few years ago. So, in that respect, it's a great thing for importers as it removes the risk of currency exchange.

For exporters, it's a double edged sword - they don't have to worry about exchange rate fluctuations, but then they don't benefit from an artificially weak Zloty (like at present) to make their products even more competitive in Europe.

2015 won't happen, but I can see Poland fixing the Zloty exchange rate in the ERM2 mechanism soon after the election next year. The real problem is that there's no good rate for Poland to join at - 3.5 would be great for consumers, but 4 would be better for exporters.

As for the Eurozone benefiting - of course. Poland's economy is stable, growing and represents a huge market. Remove the currency exchange risk and it's a huge market just waiting for foreign companies.

USA, Canada / Sea freight to US from Poland [7]


Best bet would be to find someone to transport it to Hamburg/Antwerp, and then put it on a ship from there.

Seems strange that there aren't Polish companies doing this though.

Law / Catalogue of expenditures not being tax-deductible costs [10]


From the eyes of the tax office, I imagine they would want to see a clear relation between hours worked and coffee/tea consumed.


Newspapers are actually allowed in some circumstances!

I wonder if they've wised up yet to the "big telly being used as a monitor" scam?

Law / Catalogue of expenditures not being tax-deductible costs [10]

From what I understand - you can claim, but you'll have to buy wholesale amounts of the stuff and be able to prove that it's for work purposes only. That'll be impossible if you teach from home - unless you keep meticulous records as to when you serve it.

We provide water in my school and we claim it - but again, we have a real building and the taxman can see who is drinking it.

Law / Foreign currency accounts in Poland [49]


How is it spiting the bank? Most banks in the world offer poor rates - really, trying to pretend that it's a Polish thing is nonsense. In fact, the only reason that you're able to do it is because the kantors in Poland are able to offer exceptionally good rates - in other countries, not so.


See, again - why would you bother? Use your own bank in Poland - most of them will have specialist currency exchange divisions and will offer better rates if you ask.


You're going wrong somewhere. Wrong bank, perhaps?

I've never had this problem with ING Poland. Perhaps it's time to change?

History / What do Polish people think about Greeks ? [18]


I have a friend from there, over on the East side of the bay.

History / What do Polish people think about Greeks ? [18]

They left long before that - after the Communists lost in the civil war there, some of them certainly did end up in Poland.

Look here - borderidentities.soton.ac.uk/commun02b.htm

History / What do Polish people think about Greeks ? [18]


You do know of the existence of the Greek Communist minority in Poland, especially near Zgorzelec and Kroscienko?

History / What do Polish people think about Greeks ? [18]


I think you guys really should stop dodging so much taxes.

Life / How to avoid being ripped off in Poland - feel free to add your own advice [2]


No need, you can order taxis by SMS in most Polish cities now.


Do they have a licence? You need to have passed the State Exam in Polish at C2 level in order to legally practice...


Oh no they don't. Foreign tenants can be a nuisance, particularly if they need to register themselves to the flat.


Not my experience. The law surrounding this is very clear, and you have the right to take the cooperative to court should you feel that they aren't acting in your best interests. Any such behaviour like that is likely to be frowned upon - unless of course, you let them take advantage. As for the decisions, you have the right to attend such meetings.

It is normal in Poland to have copies of the administration bills before you buy - if they suddenly try and increase these without reason, then no court is going to look at them in a favourable light.


Better to use common sense than not to buy one.

I find that the majority of cases where people have been "ripped off" are due to buyer incompetence.

Genealogy / Do you think all Slavs are white? [178]


Wouldn't it be easier to look at history and DNA evidence rather than "talking to people" and "watching TV"?

It's not exactly a huge secret that Serbians/Bosnians/Croats are more or less the same genetically.

Life / Have you wonder how to recognise a Polish person on the street? [21]


It's sadly true. I wish it wasn't, but the UK is full of such morons.

History / How I blew a 6 figure grant for my charity because of my appreciation of Polish history... [77]


Really?

Ah, let's face it - it's just another blanket statement that you can't / won't substantiate.

Perhaps you can explain how the most painful episode in post-WW2 Polish history was overseen by a Polish Catholic?

History / FDR and Americas communist insurgency affecting Poland [35]

Could you perhaps quote from the 1930 and 1965 laws?

It would be very helpful for our discussion if you could actually quote from these laws (and highlight the relevant parts as you see fit). While you seem to be very familiar with these laws, most forum members aren't.

History / FDR and Americas communist insurgency affecting Poland [35]

Again, would you like to describe the 1965 Act that you mention, and how it discriminated against Poles?

Law / Ways of getting Permanent residency in Poland [101]


It does give one important privilege - you can't be deported then. EU citizens can still be legally deported after 3 months if they don't have a reason to be here - the same law that the French used against the Roma a while ago. It's also very useful in turbulent times - for instance, a couple of years ago, there was some very real speculation about countries leaving the EU, and it is a gateway to citizenship. In my case - it will be very useful if Scotland votes yes to independence, as it'll be a guarantee of residency even if Scotland ends up outside the EU.


Doesn't work like that, unless it's on the basis of marriage. Those applying for permanent residency on the basis of work need to have a verifiable work history for the entire 5 years - and they will check.

As for Polish citizenship - passing a State exam in Polish is now required.

History / FDR and Americas communist insurgency affecting Poland [35]


Could you perhaps talk in more detail about this 1965 act that you mention?


Never considered that it suited American interests to do so?

Travel / Whats the cheapest way to get around Poland... train or bus? [25]


That's because reservations won't be open yet for the other trains.

Life / Could Poland become an immigrant country? [42]


Hopefully? You're thousands of miles away - why does it matter to you?

For what it's worth, I hope Poland brings in highly qualified, highly skilled individuals. Unfortunately, the current immigration rules (which, btw, pre-date EU entry just to blow your little racist mind) do not distinguish between skilled and unskilled.


Hardly. I've met immigrants that speak better Polish than you ever could.

History / RAAF aircrew who died during the Warsaw Rising [8]


I'd have dropped one off if I was in Poznan this week, but alas I'm not.

Love / A Polish wedding for a typical couple getting married in Poland [11]


Disgusting habit.

Expecting cash is incredibly tacky at the best of times.