History / Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Serbia- segmented. Who is next? Poland? [90]

Silesian Poles, of Polish descent but lived in Germany for a long time.

'German' status ;) ;)

History / Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Serbia- segmented. Who is next? Poland? [90]

I was once up in Ożimek which is in the Opole area. I did hear Poles speaking German and saw a couple of signs. They are very proud of their German status but p*ssed me off by insisting on speaking to me in German. I can understand parts of German (I translated some basic questions for one of my students this week) but am nowhere near good enough for a round-the-table discussion. Even in Polish I can impede the fluency of a flowing discussion amongst family members.

History / Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Serbia- segmented. Who is next? Poland? [90]

I'm sure there is a politics-history equivalent of Critical Legal Studies (CLS) which explores the symbiotic nature of Law and Politics. That extent is pretty high.

96.5% overall perhaps. However, the presence isn't so visible in Upper Silesia. You won't see signs like 'Wilkommen en Hindenburg' or 'Wilkommen en Konigshutte'.

History / Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Serbia- segmented. Who is next? Poland? [90]

Politics isn't about history? Torq, you have time to edit that. In Poland's case, it very much is. In many other countries too.

96.5% seems about right, Torq, maybe even higher at 98% I'd pitch it. There are many who are mistakenly described as German but they are Silesian.

Aha, I wrote it badly. I meant that in the sense that there is a presence which is undeniable. The Polish government was nice enough to keep road signs in German in Lower Silesia.

History / Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Serbia- segmented. Who is next? Poland? [90]

Well, they set up parallel societies like microcosms. It's that way in Aberdeen, the Indians have their own little enclaves.

Czechs and Slovaks are distinct enough.

The division of Yugoslavia was logical enough in a globalist context. Imagine if Tudjman and Milosevic had been allowed to slice up Bosnia. Communist Tito was enough, they didn't need another commie and a fascist at the helm of a large part of Europe. This is in their eyes.

History / Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Serbia- segmented. Who is next? Poland? [90]

Those from Brno would likely agree with you, convex. I was there and they were 'different'.

It's a little similar to Serbs and Montenegrans. The latter broke off from the former in 2006.

Is Andorra really needed? ;) ;)

History / Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Serbia- segmented. Who is next? Poland? [90]

Harry, I'm amazed that you can only see one side of the story. There was a bit of jip on both sides but you can blame power-hungry leaders on all sides.

Language / Also, Too - także, też, również [18]

Także can be used as therefore or thus. Też is standard but również is the word of choice in shops. Dziękuję, dziękuję również.

History / Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Serbia- segmented. Who is next? Poland? [90]

Crow is right to try and establish a German connection, Torq. The relatives of my wife's parents are German and some of them would like Germany to have first dibs on Silesia. Look at BB, there are many others like him that would like to see Silesia 'restored' as they see it. I have seen the German presence for myself but I must say that it is minimal.

On a macro scale, globalists want big unions so they can more easily manage the masses with a concerted and unified bunch of policies. However, those troublesome little questions haven't escaped their attention. They will still sort out sticking points at the micro level. I just think that Silesia is too micro for them and they won't go near it. Although I don't condone what was done to Germans after WWII, I can understand the sentiment that led to it. Certain people have learned their lesson.

History / Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Serbia- segmented. Who is next? Poland? [90]

Crow, people are divided and the government has taken their stand. The Czech and Polish governments recognised Kosovo and people have mixed allegiances. I'm aware of the manipulation you speak of but I live here and feel the sentiment in many. I don't think the Serbian cause was well enough presented and that's partly because Serbia didn't take an active enough interest in selling its case.

Life / COMBATING "POLACK" JOKES [460]

Scots must punch well with their tight fists ;) Well, I do anyway.

History / Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Serbia- segmented. Who is next? Poland? [90]

Bring them here and I'll learn how to snipe very quickly. My friend lives in the biggest city in Upper Silesia. He is an American and would pick them off one-by-one.

I think the whole Croatia issue stumped Poles, Crow. There are some alliances there. They might take their side in some matters. Poles didn't want to side against them. I'm lucky enough to teach a very smart Polish legal adviser. He makes it very clear just how important the RCC is. Orthodox is seen as Russian and thus disliked by hardline Catholics. Still, I see very clearly as a Scot that we need to bridge gaps. I studied NI and internment etc etc. Religion divided people, CHRISTIANS who sought to further dilute themselves so they could fight one another. It cannot be this way.

Life / COMBATING "POLACK" JOKES [460]

I'm not a Pole so I can't be overly touchy. Still, I defend that which is unjust. If those Jews rub it in and try to stick it to Poles, then they are asking for retaliation.

Life / COMBATING "POLACK" JOKES [460]

They are pretty distasteful, SHT. Why joke in that way about Jews, or anyone else for that matter? I would ask you to try and imagine the torment and sheer hell that Jews went through before being brutally killed. I've been to Auschwitz and I can imagine, albeit in small part, their harrowing ordeal.

Did they deserve that? NO!!

History / Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Serbia- segmented. Who is next? Poland? [90]

'Serbs are fighting for us in Kosovo. In the fullest sense, they are fighting for us, for all Europeans. We are protesting here today in Warsaw so that we don't have to defend Warsaw tomorrow. Belgrade-Warsaw, a common matter'.

Serbs are fighting for their own :) That's what he said at the beginning.

Tomorrow, Silesia, LOL. Just try it!!!

History / Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Serbia- segmented. Who is next? Poland? [90]

I can guarantee you that there would be an uprising if the EU started meddling with Silesia, Crow. These people wouldn't stand for it. There is a Polish representative from Zabrze-Gliwice who occupies a high position in the EU (Jerzy Bużek?). He would fight it til the very end.

Life / COMBATING "POLACK" JOKES [460]

I wasn't referring to any specific types, Other. Of course any jokes should be tasteful and not below the belt.

Life / COMBATING "POLACK" JOKES [460]

Why combat them? Why not have a laugh and laugh them off? When people make Scottish jokes, I laugh along. Jokes are just jokes.

News / Crucifixes to stay in Polish schools [364]

Are you cross? ;)

Life / Food deliveries in Poland [18]

The same here, Seanny. 2 woks dishing up a whole lotta good food. The menu is very impressive and is likely available online. They have 3 kinds of meat: chicken, pork and beef in order of cost. They also have some good prawn stuff.

Life / Food deliveries in Poland [18]

There is a Vietnamese place here but I don't know if they deliver. It's not a kiosk. I miss those takoyaki (octopus balls) kiosks in Japan. I generally miss kiosk food.

Gliwice has many delivery places. Only smaller items like kebabs don't get delivered.

Life / Food deliveries in Poland [18]

Absolutely! Even the pizza places are branching out and embracing diversity. Just recently, Dominium Pizza introduced a few Chinese dishes to their menu. As I said above, Fantastico already do this. As for delivery, Da Grasso and Bombola have their own pizza cars. I guess many others do to. Telepizza have private drivers.

Life / I'm from Polish descent. CAN YOU GUYS EXPLAIN THE EU TO ME? [115]

Harry, you would do well in some of these institutions. I can't look at it in such a linear fashion. There is some need for classification of course but I dislike excessive bracketing. More important is finding sufficient outlets for applying that which you have learned.

Genealogy / Why Polish aren't white?? [272]

Aren't white?? What crap! The great majority seem white enough to me. Not as white as mighty white here but they still have light enough complexions for the most part.

Life / Food deliveries in Poland [18]

I disagree. Here in Gliwice, there is a joint specifically named 2Go. It makes oriental food. Most places offer delivery and carry out/take away options. They even have their own cars with their logos. Telepizza has mopeds/scooters and guys on bikes delivering pizzas.

Work / What are my chances in finding work at a callan school in Wroclaw? [22]

Yeah, the ones who truly feel English naturally (some bilingual teachers) at any speed are the ones that can wheel out lessons with great tempo and gusto. Some of the Polish teachers lack zip and are rigid/mechanical.

I think I made that comment, yes. When you are not afforded the luxury of 'modelling' your English with RP and all that bull, you just have to get on with it and I heard some funny pronunciation.

In my experience, Polish teachers explain more systematically. I can do this when teaching grammar but I tend more to give examples and use shortcuts, sth Callan helped me with. I can teach almost anything to their satisfaction in a short time using letters. S V O, those very 3 letters, go a long way towards simplifying concepts like active/passive, transitive/intransitive and just basic tenses.

Work / Teaching English in Krakow -- how to find students? [52]

I never got into chips and cheese or chips n gravy. Perhaps I would prefer them now.

Teaching English in Kraków? I can imagine charismatic natives being able to generate interest amongst the opposite sex. A motivated teacher has to strike the balance between how they disseminate information and maintaining rapport. There are many times when I just want to let it roll and go with the flow when we strike a good vibe but you have to stick with the format/plan when certain students are in with you. You don't want to give them ammunition.

I'd like a stint in Kraków, it's not so far from here.

Work / What are my chances in finding work at a callan school in Wroclaw? [22]

That's about the stretch of it :) My third year was a waste of my time there. 2 years should be the max.

History / just before the war the Polish/Ukrainian szlachta learned Ukrainian [243]

A bit like Copernicus then. He wrote different languages to different groups of people. I wonder how Poles would react if they had to learn Ukrainian. Us Scots have to learn English ;) ;) ;)

Work / Teaching English in Krakow -- how to find students? [52]

The Tasty Tattie, Schoolhill :) :)

Harry, you are right. Still, it can be hard explaining that.