jon357
2 Nov 2014
Life / Christmas cards - charities in Poland [3]
Most UK charities sell mail order cards and will ship to PL.
Christmas cards for sale in Poland?
Most UK charities sell mail order cards and will ship to PL.
jon357
2 Nov 2014
UK, Ireland / Polish Mineral Water In the UK [7]
You don't mention whereabouts you are so maybe neither of these are useful, but have a look at speysideglenlivetwater.com and southdownswater.co.uk - both produce a lekkogazowana.
lekko/delikatny gazowany that I'm looking for.
You don't mention whereabouts you are so maybe neither of these are useful, but have a look at speysideglenlivetwater.com and southdownswater.co.uk - both produce a lekkogazowana.
jon357
1 Nov 2014
Travel / Double-decker trains in Poland? [27]
They're much cheaper and for some routes they have first class and wagony Wars - the downside is that they can be absolutely jammed sometimes with not even a comfortable spot on the floor.
TLK
They're much cheaper and for some routes they have first class and wagony Wars - the downside is that they can be absolutely jammed sometimes with not even a comfortable spot on the floor.
jon357
1 Nov 2014
Travel / Double-decker trains in Poland? [27]
They do that in the UK - great if you're booking a long way ahead but a total drag if you want to add a ticket for someone at the last minute.
They do that in the UK - great if you're booking a long way ahead but a total drag if you want to add a ticket for someone at the last minute.
jon357
1 Nov 2014
Travel / Double-decker trains in Poland? [27]
The Warszawa-Berlin route does that - it's quite a bargain if you book early but only a few tickets at the lowest prices. Makes a lot of sense.
The Warszawa-Berlin route does that - it's quite a bargain if you book early but only a few tickets at the lowest prices. Makes a lot of sense.
jon357
1 Nov 2014
Travel / Double-decker trains in Poland? [27]
Sounds like the normal sort of teething troubles and they'll doubtless sort it. Good that they're modernising the railways, much as I like the old trains. i wonder if they'll get many takers for the new services if they'll cost more. I generally travel on Intercity in first class which is never full (and usually plenty of places in second class) whereas the TLK/Interregio/Pociąg Słoneczny are often jammed with passengers.
Sounds like the normal sort of teething troubles and they'll doubtless sort it. Good that they're modernising the railways, much as I like the old trains. i wonder if they'll get many takers for the new services if they'll cost more. I generally travel on Intercity in first class which is never full (and usually plenty of places in second class) whereas the TLK/Interregio/Pociąg Słoneczny are often jammed with passengers.
jon357
1 Nov 2014
Life / The cheapest phone operators in Poland - Play is not worth it [7]
I've had neither 2 or 3 but I do find the tariffs a bit of a nuisance - I've only had telemarketers a couple of times over the years and a quick "no" works.
But all in all I'm not really complaining, strange enough.
I've had neither 2 or 3 but I do find the tariffs a bit of a nuisance - I've only had telemarketers a couple of times over the years and a quick "no" works.
jon357
1 Nov 2014
Life / Is it common for Polish people to speak English in Poland? [122]
A neighbour of mine who had around 20 years on her spoke almost unaccented English. Her husband had been a diplomat. Now and again I'm surprised to find that people I've known for several years (usually middle-aged or older) can speak English - they just hadn't spoken it to me, perhaps because they didn't feel confident, perhaps because they didn't feel the need to.
English is the second language of Poland, just as Polish is now the second language of the UK. In a very different sense but still interesting.
That said, I met a fluent Polish lady who told me she was 78.
A neighbour of mine who had around 20 years on her spoke almost unaccented English. Her husband had been a diplomat. Now and again I'm surprised to find that people I've known for several years (usually middle-aged or older) can speak English - they just hadn't spoken it to me, perhaps because they didn't feel confident, perhaps because they didn't feel the need to.
English is the second language of Poland, just as Polish is now the second language of the UK. In a very different sense but still interesting.
jon357
1 Nov 2014
Love / Marriage of hidden reason - Why don't girls from Poland marry 'Nicaraguans'? [5]
Why would anyone want to keep the values of their ancestors? We don't live in our ancestors' times. The world is not fixed in some sort of stasis. And in any case your ancestors probably married when they were little more than children.
the true historical and social values of our ancestors.
Why would anyone want to keep the values of their ancestors? We don't live in our ancestors' times. The world is not fixed in some sort of stasis. And in any case your ancestors probably married when they were little more than children.
jon357
31 Oct 2014
Travel / Double-decker trains in Poland? [27]
Their speed is limited in the UK too - not so much for the tilt as for other safety issues to do with signalling.
It would be good to have them on the Warsaw-Berlin route.
Their speed is limited in the UK too - not so much for the tilt as for other safety issues to do with signalling.
It would be good to have them on the Warsaw-Berlin route.
jon357
31 Oct 2014
Travel / Double-decker trains in Poland? [27]
They trialled them in the UK and passengers didn't like them, specifically when they go round corners at high speed. Good though that they'll cut the Wroclaw journey by so much. Providing people don't mind the nausea.
They trialled them in the UK and passengers didn't like them, specifically when they go round corners at high speed. Good though that they'll cut the Wroclaw journey by so much. Providing people don't mind the nausea.
jon357
31 Oct 2014
Life / Questions about Polish names Pola, Gracja, and Grażyna [29]
Yes. I've only come across very elderly people with that name - maybe time for a revival?
Yes. I've only come across very elderly people with that name - maybe time for a revival?
jon357
31 Oct 2014
Law / Permanent resident in both US and Poland [5]
Justin is right. Unless the benefit is income based (i.e. means tested) there isn't any issue.
Justin is right. Unless the benefit is income based (i.e. means tested) there isn't any issue.
jon357
30 Oct 2014
Law / Permanent resident in both US and Poland [5]
I don't know about your country, but it's legal in Poland as far as retirement benefits are concerned. Disability benefits often have a limit to the amount you can earn however if the person is legally receiving the money outside Poland this is probably not an issue and in any case the amounts are low. Any administrative entity in Poland would almost certainly not even respond to contact from you - Polish privacy laws are very strict.
I don't know about your country, but it's legal in Poland as far as retirement benefits are concerned. Disability benefits often have a limit to the amount you can earn however if the person is legally receiving the money outside Poland this is probably not an issue and in any case the amounts are low. Any administrative entity in Poland would almost certainly not even respond to contact from you - Polish privacy laws are very strict.
jon357
30 Oct 2014
UK, Ireland / ABOUT THE BRITISH NATIONAL INSURANCE NUMBER [22]
I think for new employees in large companies it can be adjusted before - if not, it only lasts for a few weeks until you get your own number and it does mean you get a rebate at the end of the tax year as in Poland.
I think for new employees in large companies it can be adjusted before - if not, it only lasts for a few weeks until you get your own number and it does mean you get a rebate at the end of the tax year as in Poland.
jon357
30 Oct 2014
jon357
30 Oct 2014
Travel / Double-decker trains in Poland? [27]
Plenty of double decker trains, especially in Western Poland but now also in Warsaw.
Plenty of double decker trains, especially in Western Poland but now also in Warsaw.
jon357
30 Oct 2014
UK, Ireland / Where to buy Jadwiga/Lubelski Polish Poltorak mead in the UK? [8]
I looked on the Internet too and couldn't find anything. Your best bet is to go round the Polish shops in Reading (and the other East European ones are maybe a better bet for various reasons) - that or get a Ryanair flight to Poland and come back with a suitcase full as well as having a nice trip!
I looked on the Internet too and couldn't find anything. Your best bet is to go round the Polish shops in Reading (and the other East European ones are maybe a better bet for various reasons) - that or get a Ryanair flight to Poland and come back with a suitcase full as well as having a nice trip!
jon357
29 Oct 2014
UK, Ireland / ABOUT THE BRITISH NATIONAL INSURANCE NUMBER [22]
A long time. There's a backlog caused by the number of applicants. You don't actually need it though to get paid - your employer just pays under the emergency number and does the rest of the paperwork later.
A long time. There's a backlog caused by the number of applicants. You don't actually need it though to get paid - your employer just pays under the emergency number and does the rest of the paperwork later.
jon357
28 Oct 2014
jon357
28 Oct 2014
UK, Ireland / Polish hooligans attack London music festival [10]
Far preferable to the hooligans and you may notice that its those 'emigranci' that the good people of Tottenham don't want in their area.
the Antifa and the 161 division.
Far preferable to the hooligans and you may notice that its those 'emigranci' that the good people of Tottenham don't want in their area.
jon357
28 Oct 2014
Life / Is Poland a poor country? [578]
So now you're saying the United Nations are 'biased' because their economic statistics don't fit the point you were trying to make!
So now you're saying the United Nations are 'biased' because their economic statistics don't fit the point you were trying to make!
jon357
28 Oct 2014
UK, Ireland / Polish hooligans attack London music festival [10]
Willingfully?? Actually I'm there (and by there I do mean the part of London where the hooligans attacked the family music festival) every month. And yes, the police are on top of the matter.
You dont live here so how could you know, you have willingfully abandoned Dear England.
Willingfully?? Actually I'm there (and by there I do mean the part of London where the hooligans attacked the family music festival) every month. And yes, the police are on top of the matter.
jon357
28 Oct 2014
UK, Ireland / Polish hooligans attack London music festival [10]
An amusing question, but at least you admit the dangers of organised far-right activity. These numpties may well be organising their dodgy stuff in the UK (immigrants against immigrants!) but the community can rest assured that the police are on top of the matter.
An amusing question, but at least you admit the dangers of organised far-right activity. These numpties may well be organising their dodgy stuff in the UK (immigrants against immigrants!) but the community can rest assured that the police are on top of the matter.
jon357
28 Oct 2014
Life / Is Poland a poor country? [578]
A bank?? Have you heard of the World Bank? Perhaps you also refer to the United Nations as a Residents' Association or the World Health Organisation as a Doctors' Surgery.
Since you've questioned the accuracy of the World Bank, let's pop that question back in your direction.
just because theres a bank
A bank?? Have you heard of the World Bank? Perhaps you also refer to the United Nations as a Residents' Association or the World Health Organisation as a Doctors' Surgery.
do you have any evidence to show that these sources are wrong? or is just your gut feeling ?
Since you've questioned the accuracy of the World Bank, let's pop that question back in your direction.
jon357
28 Oct 2014
Life / Is Poland a poor country? [578]
Wikipedia and a website with 'watch' in the name aren't always great sources. In this case however the wiki page on GDP shows that PL is not a poor country - it's an upper-middle income country as mentioned earlier. Here's another:
//data.worldbank.org/about/country-and-lending-groups
And another:
forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2014/06/02/these-middle-income-countries-are-poised-to-become-rich
Assuming of course that you don't try to pretend you know better than the World Bank. It seems you don't have much hope of getting it at all.
Wikipedia and a website with 'watch' in the name aren't always great sources. In this case however the wiki page on GDP shows that PL is not a poor country - it's an upper-middle income country as mentioned earlier. Here's another:
High-income OECD members
Australia, Greece,Poland, Austria, Iceland, Portugal, ....
Australia, Greece,Poland, Austria, Iceland, Portugal, ....
//data.worldbank.org/about/country-and-lending-groups
And another:
a middle to high middle income country; a high level of governance; and improvements to corporate and securities monitoring agencies post-2008 financial crisis ... Poland
forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2014/06/02/these-middle-income-countries-are-poised-to-become-rich
Assuming of course that you don't try to pretend you know better than the World Bank. It seems you don't have much hope of getting it at all.
jon357
28 Oct 2014
UK, Ireland / Polish hooligans attack London music festival [10]
This is sad. At least the police caught some of them and at least they aren't here in Poland. Some of these frustrated individuals just seem to like fighting:
vice.com/en_uk/read/fascists-attacked-a-music-festival-in-tottenham-on-saturday
This is sad. At least the police caught some of them and at least they aren't here in Poland. Some of these frustrated individuals just seem to like fighting:
On Saturday, a group of about 20 Polish far-right nationalists attacked the audience at a family event called Music Day, held in Tottenham's Markfield Park. It was billed as "an all day celebration of music in tandem with celebrations across the world" and seemed to have passed off peacefully enough, as you'd expect a family music festival to. However, as it was drawing to a close, a group of skinheads rushed the stage, assaulted several members of the crowd and events team, and left one man in hospital with stab wounds.
vice.com/en_uk/read/fascists-attacked-a-music-festival-in-tottenham-on-saturday
jon357
28 Oct 2014
UK, Ireland / Are there too many East Europeans, Poles in West Europe now? [47]
Nor oversimplify complex matters. Labels generally don't fit exactly, and as was established in the other thread, PL is Central Europe in some respects and in Eastern Europe in others.
Nor oversimplify complex matters. Labels generally don't fit exactly, and as was established in the other thread, PL is Central Europe in some respects and in Eastern Europe in others.
jon357
28 Oct 2014
UK, Ireland / Are there too many East Europeans, Poles in West Europe now? [47]
Who said there was? It's much more complicated than that. Poland falls into more than one category and as established in the thread on this, different agencies use different terms - some even use more than one, like Central and Eastern Europe.
Who said there was? It's much more complicated than that. Poland falls into more than one category and as established in the thread on this, different agencies use different terms - some even use more than one, like Central and Eastern Europe.
jon357
28 Oct 2014
UK, Ireland / Are there too many East Europeans, Poles in West Europe now? [47]
Remember it's moved borders a few times now. In culture, geography, language, food, economy and agriculture it's all sorts of different things. There's a long and heated thread about this somewhere.
Plus, what you see in, say, Gliwice isn't necessarily what you see in Hajnówka. It doesn't do the country any justice to use confusing descriptions.
Remember it's moved borders a few times now. In culture, geography, language, food, economy and agriculture it's all sorts of different things. There's a long and heated thread about this somewhere.
Plus, what you see in, say, Gliwice isn't necessarily what you see in Hajnówka. It doesn't do the country any justice to use confusing descriptions.