Seanus
16 Mar 2010
UK, Ireland / Cigarettes in Poland (cost, brands). The situation in the UK? [57]
Yeah, and see his reaction when he asks for 20 ;) ;)
Yeah, and see his reaction when he asks for 20 ;) ;)
Seanus
16 Mar 2010
Classifieds / Warsaw (PL) Tabletop Role Playing Game Group for Expats Only. D&D Fortnightly [87]
Frd, I wish I had known in Sep 2006 as we had a major thing going from then til June 2007. Several native speakers played and we even had the luxury of a second GM when the Aussie was ill. I really learned a lot about feats, spells and all manner of other things. It was a nice excuse for a few Żubr beers and some creativity came from it.
The best play I made was polymorphing one of our crew into an orc so that he could enter an orc camp appearing to be one of them. The character who played him was legendary!
Frd, I wish I had known in Sep 2006 as we had a major thing going from then til June 2007. Several native speakers played and we even had the luxury of a second GM when the Aussie was ill. I really learned a lot about feats, spells and all manner of other things. It was a nice excuse for a few Żubr beers and some creativity came from it.
The best play I made was polymorphing one of our crew into an orc so that he could enter an orc camp appearing to be one of them. The character who played him was legendary!
Seanus
16 Mar 2010
UK, Ireland / Cigarettes in Poland (cost, brands). The situation in the UK? [57]
Nothing like when an Englishman walks into an American bar and asks 'how much for fags?', LOL.
I bought some Pall Malls for my wife tonight. They appear to be slightly cheaper.
Nothing like when an Englishman walks into an American bar and asks 'how much for fags?', LOL.
I bought some Pall Malls for my wife tonight. They appear to be slightly cheaper.
Seanus
16 Mar 2010
USA, Canada / Do you speak English? Have you lived in America? New LOVE/HATE list......... [144]
Kingfisher is very crisp. Tsingtao was another crisp Asian beer that I liked. Ah, this brings me back to good times in Asian Kitchen, Hiroshima.
Oh yes, I speak English but have never lived or even been in America. I did a lesson on America just this morning but I just scraped the surface of a few things.
Kingfisher is very crisp. Tsingtao was another crisp Asian beer that I liked. Ah, this brings me back to good times in Asian Kitchen, Hiroshima.
Oh yes, I speak English but have never lived or even been in America. I did a lesson on America just this morning but I just scraped the surface of a few things.
Seanus
16 Mar 2010
USA, Canada / Do you speak English? Have you lived in America? New LOVE/HATE list......... [144]
Perła is crisp and Poland doesn't have too many crisp beers like Kingfisher or some of the beers from the Balkans that I tried. I'm not too fussy when it comes to beer, as long as it's not too gassy. Finland and the Baltic states produce some good stuff. I got a laugh in Tallinn as they sold 2 beers side-by-side. Saku Le Coq. One is Saku and the other is Le Coq.
Perła is crisp and Poland doesn't have too many crisp beers like Kingfisher or some of the beers from the Balkans that I tried. I'm not too fussy when it comes to beer, as long as it's not too gassy. Finland and the Baltic states produce some good stuff. I got a laugh in Tallinn as they sold 2 beers side-by-side. Saku Le Coq. One is Saku and the other is Le Coq.
Seanus
16 Mar 2010
USA, Canada / Do you speak English? Have you lived in America? New LOVE/HATE list......... [144]
Why not say it's a matter of preference? Is the truth not good enough?
Why not say it's a matter of preference? Is the truth not good enough?
Seanus
16 Mar 2010
Travel / Poland from a Persian Tourist's Perspective [269]
I'm an expat from Scotland. Quite a few native speakers don't make 5500PLN here, trust me. Soviet health care? I don't have much experience of the system as, unlike many here, I'm not a self piteous hypochondriac who gets an L4 on a whim. I imagine the healthcare level to be high enough.
Awful public universities? Although I don't rate their education as highly as they rate it based on what I know, they still have some quality places. Here and in Scotland, they dish out free education so you can't expect Yale and Cambridge level education.
I'm an expat from Scotland. Quite a few native speakers don't make 5500PLN here, trust me. Soviet health care? I don't have much experience of the system as, unlike many here, I'm not a self piteous hypochondriac who gets an L4 on a whim. I imagine the healthcare level to be high enough.
Awful public universities? Although I don't rate their education as highly as they rate it based on what I know, they still have some quality places. Here and in Scotland, they dish out free education so you can't expect Yale and Cambridge level education.
Seanus
16 Mar 2010
Travel / Poland from a Persian Tourist's Perspective [269]
Only 5500PLN a month, what? That's what I'll get gross this month and it's not bad at all. Trust me, I've lived here long enough to know that it's more than enough if you don't have kids and your own car.
Only 5500PLN a month, what? That's what I'll get gross this month and it's not bad at all. Trust me, I've lived here long enough to know that it's more than enough if you don't have kids and your own car.
Seanus
16 Mar 2010
UK, Ireland / Documentary on foreign and local workers in a town in England. [66]
Can you send me the blog either via PM or, if you wish, here on the forum boards!? Thanks, Seanus
Can you send me the blog either via PM or, if you wish, here on the forum boards!? Thanks, Seanus
Seanus
16 Mar 2010
UK, Ireland / No job unless you're Polish [201]
I can't give an exact number, but many. The likes of Farage just needs to get his message spread to the masses. He is not a Nick Griffin or a Margaret Thatcher but tries to follow a rational path towards immigrational control. Britain has to accept the bad with the good and I stand by saying that. However, it is the potential for the situation to spiral out of control. Based on current responses, it would appear that that's what Brown wants but working class Britain won't just disappear. He needs to put some palliatives in place at the very least.
I can't give an exact number, but many. The likes of Farage just needs to get his message spread to the masses. He is not a Nick Griffin or a Margaret Thatcher but tries to follow a rational path towards immigrational control. Britain has to accept the bad with the good and I stand by saying that. However, it is the potential for the situation to spiral out of control. Based on current responses, it would appear that that's what Brown wants but working class Britain won't just disappear. He needs to put some palliatives in place at the very least.
Seanus
16 Mar 2010
UK, Ireland / Documentary on foreign and local workers in a town in England. [66]
As much as I agree with you on this one, RN, can we please return to immigration? I know you have plenty to say on the matter as you come from one of the three countries that completely opened up their borders (Sweden being the third).
As much as I agree with you on this one, RN, can we please return to immigration? I know you have plenty to say on the matter as you come from one of the three countries that completely opened up their borders (Sweden being the third).
Seanus
16 Mar 2010
UK, Ireland / No job unless you're Polish [201]
Immigrants to pay for an aging population? How? They transfer a lot of their money back home. What tax comes off, comes off.
Anyway, let's get back on course. Was there a specific need for Polish in the job specification? If so, they are on more solid ground.
Immigrants to pay for an aging population? How? They transfer a lot of their money back home. What tax comes off, comes off.
Anyway, let's get back on course. Was there a specific need for Polish in the job specification? If so, they are on more solid ground.
Seanus
16 Mar 2010
UK, Ireland / Documentary on foreign and local workers in a town in England. [66]
Absolutely superb! I'm becoming a big fan of Farage, he took what Thatcher said on the EU and rationalised it into a more sensibly motivated approach. He toned it down but realised that national sovereignty must still mean something. The sad reality is that Brown, Sarkozy and Merkel have the potential to make even more of a stuff up of things and push us into oblivion.
His immigration speeches are inspiring and are worthy of commentary. I couldn't believe that he outlined his vision in Newsnight, only for a dumb woman beside him to ask him, 'so you are anti-immigration then?'. He clearly said that immigration brings tangible benefits but that a work permit system was needed. Yes, there are inherent dangers to selectivism but, if well regulated, brings some hope for a workable solution.
Delph, Aneurin Bevan's 'from cradle to grave' vision was the hallmark of the NHS before Thatcher messed it up with CCT and excessive privatisation. Health must remain a key priority and some ideas from Obama's socialist medicine might be helpful. As for immigration, I would feel comfortable in the hands of Salmond. He is welcoming but is cognisant of the reality on the ground.
Absolutely superb! I'm becoming a big fan of Farage, he took what Thatcher said on the EU and rationalised it into a more sensibly motivated approach. He toned it down but realised that national sovereignty must still mean something. The sad reality is that Brown, Sarkozy and Merkel have the potential to make even more of a stuff up of things and push us into oblivion.
His immigration speeches are inspiring and are worthy of commentary. I couldn't believe that he outlined his vision in Newsnight, only for a dumb woman beside him to ask him, 'so you are anti-immigration then?'. He clearly said that immigration brings tangible benefits but that a work permit system was needed. Yes, there are inherent dangers to selectivism but, if well regulated, brings some hope for a workable solution.
Delph, Aneurin Bevan's 'from cradle to grave' vision was the hallmark of the NHS before Thatcher messed it up with CCT and excessive privatisation. Health must remain a key priority and some ideas from Obama's socialist medicine might be helpful. As for immigration, I would feel comfortable in the hands of Salmond. He is welcoming but is cognisant of the reality on the ground.
Seanus
16 Mar 2010
UK, Ireland / Documentary on foreign and local workers in a town in England. [66]
youtube.com/watch?v=naWHyddqSyA&feature=related
sb who realises national sovereignty and the fallacy of COSTA Vs Enel 1964. He rightly speaks against that globalist, Sarkozy.
Isn't it interesting that Farage can focus on core practical issues AND be aware of globalist agendas!? He seems to be much more in touch with the realities on the ground and doesn't dance to the globalists' tune (what, Beethoven isn't it?).
It'd be very interesting to see how an independent Scotland and separate England would deal with the problems under Salmond and Farage at the respective helms.
youtube.com/watch?v=naWHyddqSyA&feature=related
sb who realises national sovereignty and the fallacy of COSTA Vs Enel 1964. He rightly speaks against that globalist, Sarkozy.
Isn't it interesting that Farage can focus on core practical issues AND be aware of globalist agendas!? He seems to be much more in touch with the realities on the ground and doesn't dance to the globalists' tune (what, Beethoven isn't it?).
It'd be very interesting to see how an independent Scotland and separate England would deal with the problems under Salmond and Farage at the respective helms.
Seanus
15 Mar 2010
UK, Ireland / Documentary on foreign and local workers in a town in England. [66]
Enkidu, that's a bad misreading of the position and a naive view of political theory Vs practical manifestation. Firstly, I was speaking of EU Law and what it states. It cannot be that people just up sticks and make for pastures new. They have to show a commitment to the job market and not go in blind. Trust me, I'm 100% that there is an EU Directive to this effect. Secondly, the police themselves have had to clamp down on undercutting. I recommend the film 'Outlanders', written by David Lees. It tells the tale of large-scale undercutting in the building industry and spells out the need for a clampdown. My standpoint has nothing to do with communism and all its manifest nonsense.
youtube.com/watch?v=OJWHnHM4pvU&NR=1
practicalities, I keep mentioning this word. The UKIP leader expresses it beautifully here. He is an ardent proponent of immigration control. I assure you, he is no commie. He just wants a system whereby we can attract the right workers for the right jobs and not the dregs of society.
Enkidu, that's a bad misreading of the position and a naive view of political theory Vs practical manifestation. Firstly, I was speaking of EU Law and what it states. It cannot be that people just up sticks and make for pastures new. They have to show a commitment to the job market and not go in blind. Trust me, I'm 100% that there is an EU Directive to this effect. Secondly, the police themselves have had to clamp down on undercutting. I recommend the film 'Outlanders', written by David Lees. It tells the tale of large-scale undercutting in the building industry and spells out the need for a clampdown. My standpoint has nothing to do with communism and all its manifest nonsense.
youtube.com/watch?v=OJWHnHM4pvU&NR=1
practicalities, I keep mentioning this word. The UKIP leader expresses it beautifully here. He is an ardent proponent of immigration control. I assure you, he is no commie. He just wants a system whereby we can attract the right workers for the right jobs and not the dregs of society.
Seanus
15 Mar 2010
UK, Ireland / Documentary on foreign and local workers in a town in England. [66]
What I can say is that people must be prepared to be upwardly mobile and take posts elsewhere which match what they have to offer. My qualifications stood out but there were no jobs in my area and that was a sad fact.
I agree with Amathyst, we need more internships and apprenticeships. Without these modern options being put in place, job applicants will almost always come out second best.
I remember all those old schemes like 'Investing in People'. It seems that paranoid people have turned it into 'Investing in Myself'. More people should pursue the route of becoming self-employed. Yes, it's a big roll of the dice but these are modern times after all.
What I can say is that people must be prepared to be upwardly mobile and take posts elsewhere which match what they have to offer. My qualifications stood out but there were no jobs in my area and that was a sad fact.
I agree with Amathyst, we need more internships and apprenticeships. Without these modern options being put in place, job applicants will almost always come out second best.
I remember all those old schemes like 'Investing in People'. It seems that paranoid people have turned it into 'Investing in Myself'. More people should pursue the route of becoming self-employed. Yes, it's a big roll of the dice but these are modern times after all.
Seanus
15 Mar 2010
UK, Ireland / Documentary on foreign and local workers in a town in England. [66]
youtube.com/watch?v=Pk411sk7Bs4
I agree with many things this guy is saying. I really think Poland needs to do more to entice workers back. They could be of immense benefit to different sectors here and language is a major factor. Disillusionment alone doesn't wash as they need to show skills which benefit the economy of the host country. We cannot be a dumping ground for the disgruntled.
Britain has parallel obligations. It seems clear to me that Poland has a superior system through their technical schools (zawodowy). I know the kind of lame products of colleges in the UK and they simply don't compare. It would seem that any shortcomings in language are more than made up for by determination and the skillset of new foreigners.
I was focussing on those as thick as pigsh*t in the first paragraph, a point which sticks in the craw of educated Poles who see them as embarrassments and false ambassadors.
youtube.com/watch?v=Pk411sk7Bs4
I agree with many things this guy is saying. I really think Poland needs to do more to entice workers back. They could be of immense benefit to different sectors here and language is a major factor. Disillusionment alone doesn't wash as they need to show skills which benefit the economy of the host country. We cannot be a dumping ground for the disgruntled.
Britain has parallel obligations. It seems clear to me that Poland has a superior system through their technical schools (zawodowy). I know the kind of lame products of colleges in the UK and they simply don't compare. It would seem that any shortcomings in language are more than made up for by determination and the skillset of new foreigners.
I was focussing on those as thick as pigsh*t in the first paragraph, a point which sticks in the craw of educated Poles who see them as embarrassments and false ambassadors.
Seanus
15 Mar 2010
UK, Ireland / No job unless you're Polish [201]
A referendum should be issued for sure but too little, too late. Britain showed its 'I'm alright Jack' stars very brightly as they knew that the working and lower-middle classes would be hardest hit. They don't really give a stuff for people who lost their jobs and may have to retrain. The saving grace is that benefits are pretty decent but we are swiftly moving down the path of becoming a society of dependents. Those who tried to make the nuclear family idea work are now paying the price, often through no fault of their own. I can only hope that loyal servants to their chosen profession receive a good payout at the end of the day through constant NI contributions.
A referendum should be issued for sure but too little, too late. Britain showed its 'I'm alright Jack' stars very brightly as they knew that the working and lower-middle classes would be hardest hit. They don't really give a stuff for people who lost their jobs and may have to retrain. The saving grace is that benefits are pretty decent but we are swiftly moving down the path of becoming a society of dependents. Those who tried to make the nuclear family idea work are now paying the price, often through no fault of their own. I can only hope that loyal servants to their chosen profession receive a good payout at the end of the day through constant NI contributions.
Seanus
15 Mar 2010
UK, Ireland / No job unless you're Polish [201]
Well, there is European legislation that states that people will move into a job or will take active steps to get 'proper' employment. I can't remember the name of the EU Directive but I've posted it here before. People seem to be blind to that.
Well, there is European legislation that states that people will move into a job or will take active steps to get 'proper' employment. I can't remember the name of the EU Directive but I've posted it here before. People seem to be blind to that.
Seanus
15 Mar 2010
UK, Ireland / Documentary on foreign and local workers in a town in England. [66]
Very well put, Arien! It makes me mad how people ruthlessly pursue profits in such fashion. Britain's working class bore the brunt of the decision to open the floodgates. The key is not to blame the immigrants unduly but try as much as possible to create new jobs. Work just isn't there for some people. We need some kind of curbing as, although I am highly sympathetic to Poles who go abroad for work, it doesn't change the fact that motivated indigenous people are losing out. Competition is competition, yes, but the alignment appears to be wrong. Many have laid the criticism that Britain has been over accommodating.
Very well put, Arien! It makes me mad how people ruthlessly pursue profits in such fashion. Britain's working class bore the brunt of the decision to open the floodgates. The key is not to blame the immigrants unduly but try as much as possible to create new jobs. Work just isn't there for some people. We need some kind of curbing as, although I am highly sympathetic to Poles who go abroad for work, it doesn't change the fact that motivated indigenous people are losing out. Competition is competition, yes, but the alignment appears to be wrong. Many have laid the criticism that Britain has been over accommodating.
Seanus
15 Mar 2010
UK, Ireland / No job unless you're Polish [201]
Such practicalities must be addressed.
youtube.com/watch?v=0DVs25ejP3Q&feature=related
a politician is discussing linguistic problems and safety issues here and I agree with her. We see just how greedy people are, opting for cheap labour at the expense of practicality. No more so than now is the idea of the right person for the right job so important.
Such practicalities must be addressed.
youtube.com/watch?v=0DVs25ejP3Q&feature=related
a politician is discussing linguistic problems and safety issues here and I agree with her. We see just how greedy people are, opting for cheap labour at the expense of practicality. No more so than now is the idea of the right person for the right job so important.
Seanus
15 Mar 2010
UK, Ireland / Documentary on foreign and local workers in a town in England. [66]
youtube.com/watch?v=OFg7wVETAjk&feature=related
an 18-min mini-debate on the key issues surrounding immigration.
This is part 1, part 2 is also available. Vital stats are given!
youtube.com/watch?v=OFg7wVETAjk&feature=related
an 18-min mini-debate on the key issues surrounding immigration.
This is part 1, part 2 is also available. Vital stats are given!
Seanus
15 Mar 2010
UK, Ireland / No job unless you're Polish [201]
It's a simple point. If operations must be conducted in Polish then it fits. Otherwise it's blatant discrimination and I'll be damned if unscrupulous British trash profit off of the undercutting they do.
It's a simple point. If operations must be conducted in Polish then it fits. Otherwise it's blatant discrimination and I'll be damned if unscrupulous British trash profit off of the undercutting they do.
Seanus
15 Mar 2010
Travel / Poland from a Persian Tourist's Perspective [269]
600,000? Even that's too low I'd say. Simply put, sb has to restore the teeth of international law so that it bites and isn't treated with impunity. Richard Goldstone was an independent investigator whose allegations of phosphorus use were backed up by the accounts of IDF soldiers. Corroboration is there. Hamas and Likud are duty bound to conduct their own investigations but it's a moot point if they will.
Anyway, back to Poland as there are other threads for this. How long were you in Poland for again, Darius? Poland really grants a lot of freedoms to certain groups, esp Vietnamese. You can feel relatively free here, don't you think?
600,000? Even that's too low I'd say. Simply put, sb has to restore the teeth of international law so that it bites and isn't treated with impunity. Richard Goldstone was an independent investigator whose allegations of phosphorus use were backed up by the accounts of IDF soldiers. Corroboration is there. Hamas and Likud are duty bound to conduct their own investigations but it's a moot point if they will.
Anyway, back to Poland as there are other threads for this. How long were you in Poland for again, Darius? Poland really grants a lot of freedoms to certain groups, esp Vietnamese. You can feel relatively free here, don't you think?
Seanus
15 Mar 2010
UK, Ireland / Documentary on foreign and local workers in a town in England. [66]
I encourage Brits to put themselves in the shoes of those Poles that go across. Not getting work in their own country is a reality and they have to make a living somehow. Bills and other expenses don't pay themselves. We should appreciate their sacrifice that they are moving away from their families, sth that's not so easy for Poles to do. It's often not their fault that they can't find gainful employment in their own country.
I encourage Brits to put themselves in the shoes of those Poles that go across. Not getting work in their own country is a reality and they have to make a living somehow. Bills and other expenses don't pay themselves. We should appreciate their sacrifice that they are moving away from their families, sth that's not so easy for Poles to do. It's often not their fault that they can't find gainful employment in their own country.
Seanus
15 Mar 2010
News / Did you know that Polish army is the weakest in Central Europe?.. [150]
LOL, exactly. They keep fumbling around with various strategies, most of them are not efficacious. They need to learn from previous mistakes. I'm sure the Poles in the Polish Army are familiar with Wojciech Jagielski. His book has really given me insights into how they think there, the Afghans that is.
LOL, exactly. They keep fumbling around with various strategies, most of them are not efficacious. They need to learn from previous mistakes. I'm sure the Poles in the Polish Army are familiar with Wojciech Jagielski. His book has really given me insights into how they think there, the Afghans that is.
Seanus
15 Mar 2010
UK, Ireland / Documentary on foreign and local workers in a town in England. [66]
Wisbech, I remember my friend being back there in the late 90's. He was saying that there was an Indian place but it wouldn't have had all the foreigners.
The job scene in the UK was pretty grim before 2004 anyhow. Some of the jobs on offer were a joke.
Wisbech, I remember my friend being back there in the late 90's. He was saying that there was an Indian place but it wouldn't have had all the foreigners.
The job scene in the UK was pretty grim before 2004 anyhow. Some of the jobs on offer were a joke.
Seanus
15 Mar 2010
UK, Ireland / Documentary on foreign and local workers in a town in England. [66]
I'm on part 3/6 now. I have time to finish all 6 parts before I leave for work. It makes you glad to have a job sometimes.
Britain has enjoyed the benefits of immigration for some time so now it's time to take some of the drawbacks.
I'm on part 3/6 now. I have time to finish all 6 parts before I leave for work. It makes you glad to have a job sometimes.
Britain has enjoyed the benefits of immigration for some time so now it's time to take some of the drawbacks.
Seanus
15 Mar 2010
News / Did you know that Polish army is the weakest in Central Europe?.. [150]
I couldn't agree more. America, the military giant, has had help from 41 other countries, many of them European. They still haven't won the war in Afghanistan and they won't.
I couldn't agree more. America, the military giant, has had help from 41 other countries, many of them European. They still haven't won the war in Afghanistan and they won't.
Seanus
15 Mar 2010
News / Did you know that Polish army is the weakest in Central Europe?.. [150]
Well, they got a run out in the War on Terror but it wasn't such a sensible step. It kept them sharp, yes, but may put Poland in the line of fire somewhere down the line.
Well, they got a run out in the War on Terror but it wasn't such a sensible step. It kept them sharp, yes, but may put Poland in the line of fire somewhere down the line.