Life / Thoughts on "Ida" (Polish movie) [30]


All 27 of them, never "paratroopers landing in Germany and 'joying' as guards at the Auschwitz" - that's just a lie., and dealt with very firmly. Far more Poles on that side in the war, but no Free Corps since the far right had very strong views about the place of Poles in the world.

With the film Ida, nothing is "twisted". They were very complicated times and a hard place to be. As Roger says, it may be uncomfortable for people who see the world in black and white. The bad stuff is all well documented, however uncomfortable that is for some.

Work / Jobs for a Native English Speaker in Konin Area? [21]


That's pretty well how it is sometimes unfortunately. Nothing wrong with the way you write English (as if you're speaking) and doubtless if you want to write a very correct letter you can do. Also, you may be a great teacher - the ability to make people learn is a real skill that's partly innate. Some people can do DELTA, MTEFLA, whatever and still be crap. Others can have left school at 16 and be very good at it.

As for Brits teaching English in Poland, right now there are too many people chasing too little work, bad feelings from professional teachers who feel they're undermined by less experienced people accepting low wages, and an ever-decreasing pot of money.


Yes, but watch the tax office with that one - they sometimes pretend to be interested in lessons and entrap people. Happened to someone I know.

History / Why Is Lipsk nad Biebrzą Called "Lisko Orliscko"? [23]

So it looks like she could be talking about 2 different places maybe. That or a story could have become grabled in the passing on.

History / Why Is Lipsk nad Biebrzą Called "Lisko Orliscko"? [23]

Probably a very old name then, or even a nickname/description (the fact that it rhymes suggests it could be).

Though names (especially official ones) often changed in PL over the years.

History / Why Is Lipsk nad Biebrzą Called "Lisko Orliscko"? [23]

Instead of "a Lipsko on the Biebrza" it should just read "Lipsko nad Biebrza" (the name of the town). The name your relative gave it could just be an old (and possibly forgotten) description "the eagles' Lipsko". Think of the Hoosier State, the Garden of England, etc.

Life / If I move to a big city in Poland will I come across a lot of English speakers? [32]

Exactly. It's doubtless possible to get by in the capital, perhaps the touristy bits of Kraków too, however in small town Poland no. Even in Warsaw, people don't always have the time or patience to indulge someone who can't speak the language (though there's the other extreme where people either want to practise their English or assume that a going near can't speak Polish).

It's polite anyway to do your best to learn the language of a country you're going to spend time with and is always appreciated. Plus you miss so much not speaking Polish. Just don't stress about making mistakes, acknowledge that language learning is gradual so you aren't going to acquire it all in one go and enjoy.

Life / Polish Rap groups similar to Paktofonika? [5]

Drekota are well enough known and pleasant to listen to however I wouldn't call some of their songs either rap or punk or even a fusion of both. They do draw on various influences however they show more musical skill than punk and far more so than some rapper speaking and sampling more talented artistes' music. They are worth listening to.

There used to be a decent hip hop group called come thing like 247 a few years ago. A bit of a one hit wonder but the one hit did have something.

Life / Cost of medical treatment in Poland? In particular, home visits from a nurse to change dressings [7]


If anything it's stricter than most places.


Tell me about it - pharmacies everywhere! I think it's a culture of prescribing as well as self-medication (whenever I go to the doctor I come out with a long list of prescribed stuff, most of which is unnecessary and I've known people getting antibiotics in PL for viral infections!); possibly hypochondria and also a developed pharmaceutical market. Plus things like Rutinoscorbin that some people swear by despite 50% of doctors acknowledging that it makes no difference.

Food / What ethnic dish should I insist on being treated to while I am in Poland this year? [4]

Chłodnik Litewskie (should just start appearing in late spring if you're lucky) is a must, as is Czarnina (restaurants only, and usually only good ones). Both soups. Too early in the year for Botwinka (another soup).

Travel / Getting from Krakow to Warsaw [99]

Yes. Booking through the intercity site is good because they do show the discounts available (but book quickly if you want one). I'd strongly recommend first class if it's a Friday or Monday or especially just before of after a public holiday. I wouldn't touch the bus.

TLK by the way have first class too.

Language / Problems Polish People Have with Learning English [63]

/ɔ:/ is a perennial problem, law, bore, pour. as well as a tendency to vocalise /ŋ/ (darlink)

Inversion in questions too: (How lonk you arr een ze Polant?)...

In fact that example not only has inversion and over vocalisation of /ŋ/ but also the rhotic r, an /i/ instead of /I/ an avoided /ð/ and a transference of the consonantal change that Polish has with final d.

Plus a horror of phrasal verbs which tends to produce an over-formal register. Misplaced really since Polish verbs aren't that different.

History / Why is it ok to represent Polish history of WWII inaccurately in the film "Our Fathers, Our Mothers"? [36]

Nope. Elites are too busy being elites. Nobody is "out to get" Poland. In fact most of the world never give the place a thought.

Life / Polish people and racism. [943]


Tourists don't have the residence card needed to go to off-licences, nor do they generally push trolleys round Carrefour - those products are intended for immigrants. In Kabul, as in Iraq, neither are illegal but there simply isn't the demand.


Yep. After all, the so-called 'Ruch Narodowy' is pretty well a "few skinheads". Not exactly a mass movement in Poland.

Life / Polish people and racism. [943]


No. In a democratic Republic it isn't just a piece of paper. It's the bedrock of society. It isn't for you to "take away", not is it for you to decide about others - though clearly you have a contempt for democracy (as well as a tendency to rant).

BTW, Wulkan, your bit about pork and alcohol is someone ill-informed. Both are legally on sale in Dubai, however distasteful they may be to locals.

And as I say, in Poland, the vast majority of people aren't racist. Racism is fortunately a fringe thing.

Life / Polish people and racism. [943]

When someone comes out with "well let me tell you something" (a Britishism if ever there was one) you know they're on to a losing argument. Scouring the search function for people's posts is a bit funny too. Plus the capitals, the online version of shouting. By the way, I didn't start talking about politics here - why not go through the thread? As for far right politics, you, Hayley, started that one. An irrelevance really, since the far right is on the margins of political life in Poland and racists are on the margins of public opinion, just as they are on the margins of our society.

BTW, however much you get all hot and bothered, remember that it's up to an individual whether or not they choose to assimilate. Polish citizens moving to France, Ireland, the UK, Turkey, Dubai, the U.S. or wherever can choose whether or not to assimilate and that does work both ways. A Pole who settles in Dubai doesn't need to wear Hijab or speak Arabic at home and can consume pig meat and alcohol however distasteful that might be to some of the locals.

And yes, people can and do become Poles - all, it takes is to settle and get citizenship - an easy thing to do provided you have a settled income, pass the language exam and ae there for long enough on the same legal basis. Whether or not you like that. No need to change religion, diet, clothing or the language spoken in the home.

As I say, most people in our country don't get stressed about that. Just inadequates.

Edit. Wulkan. Truth serum? In vino veritas is a teensy bit difference than a red nose, damaged electrolytes and a tendency to rant in front of strangers. Those types wouldn't know the truth if it floated to the top of their kieliszka.

Life / Polish people and racism. [943]

Not exactly (and not English roots) but anyway, immigration is not harming Poland and the only people I've ever heard rant about it in real life are drunks.

Life / Polish people and racism. [943]

Autocorrect, even.

Interesting you say it isn't a political thread when you've introduced the names of three political parties. No matter how bitter you are at other flag-burning extremists (just as we in Warsaw despise the losers who burn public art in our town), the majority of people in Polnd are not racist.

BTW, you'll never know my ethnicity, however Poland has for centuries been a land of immigration - the monoculturalilty (which was never absolute in any case) was just a brief post-war thing.

Life / Polish people and racism. [943]

Why, because not everyone has the same amount of melatonin in their skin and some dress differently?

BTW, most educated and intelligent people in Poland aren't racist at all. You can find losers in any country and Poland has no more or less than elsewhere.

Life / Polish people and racism. [943]

Hayden, any reader in touch with reality can see that it referred to the beginnings of that nasty bunch, and yes, I'm very happy indeed to educate you in our country's politics, especially if you think extreme right wing racist groups are a "National Movement" when in reality they receive very little support. Ruch Narodowy and other fringe groups of inadequates can call themselves whatever they like - it doesn't make them "the National Movement" or any different from what they really are: unrepresentative, extreme, unhealthy and fortunately lacking in support.

The people of Poland have elected more people with black skin and of other minorit yes to public office than they have these numpty pretend nazis.

UK, Ireland / How to find a job in the UK coming from Poland? [8]

LinkedIn is a good idea. Also if the OP's skills are sufficiently professional and his career is sufficiently advanced, it might be worth registering with headhunters; although they generally can find a good pool of people without looking in Poland, unless of course the person they want has skills not found closer to home.

Life / Polish people and racism. [943]


Somewhat better than yourself, since the events I described occurred right then: precisely "in the beginning".


Not many, and they fortunately never win elections. Wrong to call them a 'National Movement' too, since they don't represent the nation. Only themselves, and they are on the lunatic fringe.


Firstly, Levi, yes I do think that military uniforms/salutes and street battles are "not peaceful" and secondly, Hijab (or any ladies' clothes quite frankly, isn't military and there is no special salute within Islam.

The phrase 'As-Salaam Aleikum" by the way, means "peace be upon you". Though if you think it's military, do feel free to indulge yourself. I hear it many times daily and the only ones in uniform are the canteen staff and my drivers.

Not sure how this relates to racism in Poland too, although I do know Poles who use the phrase.

Life / Polish people and racism. [943]


All those uniforms, flags, salutes and street battles were soooo peaceful, weren't they. Fortunately in Poland far right politics is a thing of the lunatic fringe.

History / Why is it ok to represent Polish history of WWII inaccurately in the film "Our Fathers, Our Mothers"? [36]

No if about it sweetie and no evidence to the contrary.

You do have quite a distinctive writing style, I must say. Somewhat familiar...

History / Why is it ok to represent Polish history of WWII inaccurately in the film "Our Fathers, Our Mothers"? [36]

Nobody is "out to get" Poland.

History / Why is it ok to represent Polish history of WWII inaccurately in the film "Our Fathers, Our Mothers"? [36]

Now that just comes across as paranoia and conspiracy theory.

History / Why is it ok to represent Polish history of WWII inaccurately in the film "Our Fathers, Our Mothers"? [36]

Indeed there were, however the representation of history in the film is not a political matter by any special interest group, it is simply cinema. Perhaps you prefer that only films showing one point of view about PL are released.

I notice you refer to "Jews and Poles", rather than to Jewish Poles and Non-Jewish Poles.

History / Why is it ok to represent Polish history of WWII inaccurately in the film "Our Fathers, Our Mothers"? [36]

You're overegging the issue. The behaviour of this group or that group does not change the deeds of any other group. There's a dangerous tendency within PL to think that criticism of one group or organisation within Poland is a criticism of all. This is simply hysteria.

Yes, there were atrocities committed by some Polish groups during the war; no, this was not typical behaviour by the majority.

Travel / POLAND MULTI LOCATIONS ENGLISH SPEAKING TOURS [4]

Easier and much cheaper to go by train to Malbork. If you want to go inside the castle (actually overlong and very dry guided tours) you just arrange at the entrance. Mostly interesting for Americans, ANZACs etc - most Europeans have better castles within easy driving distance of their homes. A nice view from outside though, especially from the meadows by the river.

Genealogy / How Polish am I? What is the correct formula? [58]


Yes and no. The further you go back, the less the increase in number of ancestors per generation. Not necessarily incest or inbreeding; that's just the way it is.

Life / Cosmetic surgery in Poland... [40]

This clinic at Jerozolimskie 101 has a good reputation:
dbajosiebie.com/kliniki-chirurgii-plastycznej/warszawa/klinika-chirurgii-plastycznej-dra-sankowskiego