smurf
30 Apr 2014
smurf
29 Apr 2014
News / Polish Pope, John Paul II has been canonized today [with John 23rd] [85]
Yet you continue..... :)
And I'm still not an expat, never have been.
blah blah, what a great comeback.
We'll have to differ on that opinion.
Yea, you might want to read the links to the various reports that I linked to and then read those reports............however, you won't do this because some of them run to 100s of pages and you're not really that bothered, you've just arguing because someone who isn't Polish would have the gall to call into question some dude who just happened to be born here.
No, but the Irish bishops did (this is shown in the various reports) ask for guidance on the issue. Old Karl gave them permission to move the priests to different parishes and he also told them not to ever alert authorities about allegations of pedophilia. It's documented in the reports.
Publicly he did, but privately he was telling bishops not to report crimes and to move priests. Again, it's in the reports.
So much lol.
Fine, go ahead and believe what you've been told. Although that would mean that you also believe in dragons, the earth is roughly 4000 years old and cynocephaly
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynocephaly#Medieval_East
Just for the record, I've never once voted left wing, nor have I anything in particular against the Catholic Church, I treat all Churches the same :)
I couldn't possibly comment ;)
I'm sure I've had that said to me by you
Yet you continue..... :)
And I'm still not an expat, never have been.
Funny that those who call others out on trying to be internet tough guys, are often the most cowardly in real life and never speak out
blah blah, what a great comeback.
I don't have an attitude and am educated
We'll have to differ on that opinion.
How do you know this?
Yea, you might want to read the links to the various reports that I linked to and then read those reports............however, you won't do this because some of them run to 100s of pages and you're not really that bothered, you've just arguing because someone who isn't Polish would have the gall to call into question some dude who just happened to be born here.
Do you think if they found out that some priest had done these terrible things to children, the first thing they would do is make sure they go and alert the Pope? Has it occurred to any of you that he might not have known?
No, but the Irish bishops did (this is shown in the various reports) ask for guidance on the issue. Old Karl gave them permission to move the priests to different parishes and he also told them not to ever alert authorities about allegations of pedophilia. It's documented in the reports.
You do know that much later he apologized for the sins committed by the Catholic Church
Publicly he did, but privately he was telling bishops not to report crimes and to move priests. Again, it's in the reports.
'well this and that was being covered up by the Catholic Church, so since John Paul II was Pope, he must have known about it and instigated the cover up.
So much lol.
Fine, go ahead and believe what you've been told. Although that would mean that you also believe in dragons, the earth is roughly 4000 years old and cynocephaly
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynocephaly#Medieval_East
Just for the record, I've never once voted left wing, nor have I anything in particular against the Catholic Church, I treat all Churches the same :)
I just hope that smurf needs somebody to hold his coat after you say it.
I couldn't possibly comment ;)
smurf
29 Apr 2014
News / Polish Pope, John Paul II has been canonized today [with John 23rd] [85]
Oh those pesky foreigners *gets pitchfork
As I said above, people here are afraid to rock the boat. The media here are cowed cowards.
Come and say that to my face, hard man on the Internet aren't you?
You may be happy to be spoon fed, I'm glad your aims in life are so low that you accept lies. You probably loved life in PRL Poland.
Ah, OK, I see. When a powerful organisation carries out acts that are illegal and immoral we should just leave them alone because the status quo is always better for the sheeple.
Ah OK, fine, I see.
By that logic, Communism would still be running Poland into the ground.
I am dealing with it, not my problem that you cannot and don't want to accept the truth.
Lose the attitude and maybe try and educate yourself.
Only foreigners like you blab on about how terrible the Pope and the Catholic Church is
Oh those pesky foreigners *gets pitchfork
Fortunately nobody from the media is interviewing trouble makers like you
As I said above, people here are afraid to rock the boat. The media here are cowed cowards.
F-ck of back to wherever you came from then.
Come and say that to my face, hard man on the Internet aren't you?
You may be happy to be spoon fed, I'm glad your aims in life are so low that you accept lies. You probably loved life in PRL Poland.
When in Rome, do as they do, or at least, stop harping on about how what they do is wrong
Ah, OK, I see. When a powerful organisation carries out acts that are illegal and immoral we should just leave them alone because the status quo is always better for the sheeple.
Ah OK, fine, I see.
By that logic, Communism would still be running Poland into the ground.
Deal with it
I am dealing with it, not my problem that you cannot and don't want to accept the truth.
Lose the attitude and maybe try and educate yourself.
smurf
29 Apr 2014
News / Polish Pope, John Paul II has been canonized today [with John 23rd] [85]
Sorry man, it's there in black and white, read the reports. You're replied too quickly for you to have read the links or reports..some of which run to a few hundred pages.
The abuse in the Catholic Church went all the way to the top.
Catholic folk here adore JP because they believe what they are spoon fed. Did you see TV over the weekend? It was a propaganda parade. Not one single voice of disagreement. Why? Because people here are scared sh!tless to rock the boat. Lots of people know about the awful things that took place in the Church while it was under his control, but they fear speaking out about it because the powerful Catholic lobby and right wing here would crucify them and led a smear campaign against them.
I can tell you one thing for sure, he is certainly not adored in Catholic Ireland for his hand in the systematic abuse that took place and his willingness to do nothing about it......other than give permission to hide accused priests.
I'm not sure I believe it, although I would share your anger if it were so. I think it is very unlikely, common sense says that a world full of Catholic folk would not adore JP if there was any real substance to such notions.
Sorry man, it's there in black and white, read the reports. You're replied too quickly for you to have read the links or reports..some of which run to a few hundred pages.
The abuse in the Catholic Church went all the way to the top.
Catholic folk here adore JP because they believe what they are spoon fed. Did you see TV over the weekend? It was a propaganda parade. Not one single voice of disagreement. Why? Because people here are scared sh!tless to rock the boat. Lots of people know about the awful things that took place in the Church while it was under his control, but they fear speaking out about it because the powerful Catholic lobby and right wing here would crucify them and led a smear campaign against them.
I can tell you one thing for sure, he is certainly not adored in Catholic Ireland for his hand in the systematic abuse that took place and his willingness to do nothing about it......other than give permission to hide accused priests.
smurf
29 Apr 2014
News / Polish Pope, John Paul II has been canonized today [with John 23rd] [85]
There's a multitude of proof
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Church_sexual_abuse_scandal_in_Ireland#Response_of_the_Church_to_the_scandals
Who do you think gave the go ahead for that?
Most damning of all: Poland's most famous son instructed his envoy in Ireland to tell his troops in Ireland to never report abuse to the authorities....which goes against a document written by the Irish church to make sure incidents of abuse were reported. He did nothing to help the disastrous abuse that was ongoing in Ireland, as we can see, he facilitated it.
And it wasn't only happening in Ireland:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parish_transfers_of_abusive_priests
The Pope knew about it and he allowed it, it has been proven that he knew about it and it was he who gave his bishops permission to move around pedophile priests so that there were not caught.
Here's a quote you'll enjoy:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Church_sexual_abuse_scandal_in_Ireland#Response_of_the_bishops
I don't care for the cult of saints, indeed in Church teachings it's actually praising false gods, not that I'm religious. The Church can make whoever they want to be saints, however, people need to know that Karol Wojtyław as certainly no saint when he was head honcho of the Catholic Church.
I guarantee you this post will be binned, people don't like the truth.
That is true, people here are more like sheep. Why think when others will do your thinking for you?
I find it very hard to believe anyone would really do that. I suspect that there's some anti-Catholic or anti-pope propaganda out there, for whatever reason
There's a multitude of proof
In February 2002, 18 religious institutes agreed to provide more than €128 million in compensation to the victims of child abuse. Most of the money was raised from church property transfers to the State.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Church_sexual_abuse_scandal_in_Ireland#Response_of_the_Church_to_the_scandals
Who do you think gave the go ahead for that?
Most damning of all: Poland's most famous son instructed his envoy in Ireland to tell his troops in Ireland to never report abuse to the authorities....which goes against a document written by the Irish church to make sure incidents of abuse were reported. He did nothing to help the disastrous abuse that was ongoing in Ireland, as we can see, he facilitated it.
A letter to Ireland's Roman Catholic bishops has been revealed by the broadcaster RTE that contradicts the Vatican's frequent claim it has never instructed clergy to withhold evidence or suspicion of child abuse from police.
And it wasn't only happening in Ireland:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parish_transfers_of_abusive_priests
The Pope knew about it and he allowed it, it has been proven that he knew about it and it was he who gave his bishops permission to move around pedophile priests so that there were not caught.
Here's a quote you'll enjoy:
In 2011, abbot of Glenstal Abbey and Benedictine monk Dom Mark Patrick Hederman, OSB, was quoted by novelist and writer Russell Shorto speaking about the Church making "this island [Ireland] into a concentration camp where [the Church] could control everything
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Catholic_Church_sexual_abuse_scandal_in_Ireland#Response_of_the_bishops
I don't care for the cult of saints, indeed in Church teachings it's actually praising false gods, not that I'm religious. The Church can make whoever they want to be saints, however, people need to know that Karol Wojtyław as certainly no saint when he was head honcho of the Catholic Church.
I guarantee you this post will be binned, people don't like the truth.
For the most part Polish general public is obedient and respectful. Very strong family structure
That is true, people here are more like sheep. Why think when others will do your thinking for you?
smurf
29 Apr 2014
News / Polish Pope, John Paul II has been canonized today [with John 23rd] [85]
Thing that really impressed me was how he willingly and knowingly moved peadophile priests around Ireland and told his bishops not to alert the Irish police.
Dominic had a good post here, no reason what so ever as to why it should be taken down.
Over zealous modding yet again.
How dare anybody say anything bad connected with Poland!
Thing that really impressed me was that he was brought up only by his father
Thing that really impressed me was how he willingly and knowingly moved peadophile priests around Ireland and told his bishops not to alert the Irish police.
Dominic had a good post here, no reason what so ever as to why it should be taken down.
Over zealous modding yet again.
How dare anybody say anything bad connected with Poland!
smurf
27 Apr 2014
Work / Job offer from IT Giant in Katowice, Poland (UNIX specialist). Information on tax and rental costs needed. [65]
Yea, it's the same here.
Ah yea, it's not bad.
Could be, I dunno, I'd stuggle to point out Hertfordshire on the map tbh, actually, I'd more than struggle, I've no idea :P
City centre is fine, plenty of suburbs that I wouldn't set foot in, but it's the same all over the world I suppose.
Parents have to pay for private ones. I don't know how it looks in Katowice.
Yea, it's the same here.
What's not to like.
Ah yea, it's not bad.
Sounds like some parts of Hertfordshire
Could be, I dunno, I'd stuggle to point out Hertfordshire on the map tbh, actually, I'd more than struggle, I've no idea :P
Having been to Kat, can't say I noticed any particularly dodgy elements
City centre is fine, plenty of suburbs that I wouldn't set foot in, but it's the same all over the world I suppose.
smurf
27 Apr 2014
Work / Job offer from IT Giant in Katowice, Poland (UNIX specialist). Information on tax and rental costs needed. [65]
Mostly they are Catholic Churches, there are a handful of Protestant churches too.
You won't really need to worry about it, your employer will pay your taxes and your social & health insurance (ZUS). However, I recommend that you set up additional health insurance for your family if you do decide to move here.
Not really, Poland doesn't give any child allowance like in Western European countries, but you health care will be 'free' as in your monthly Zus contributions that come out of your wages will pay for it....however, the situation won't be the same for your wife.
I recommend getting in touch with the Indian embassy in Warsaw, they would be in a better position than any of us here to answer your specific questions.
There's at least one school that takes international students:
en.invest.katowice.eu/people/28/34/the_international_school.html
It generally has a good opinion, but it's not cheap I think it's something like a few thousand per semester, but I'm not sure. Contact them through the site and ask for a price.
As has been pointed out, you'll be on a good wage for Poland, but you can earn higher in other countries.
Please keep in mind too what Dom wrote about racism. Katowice is incredibly racist, you will be stared at and you may be given abuse on the street by idiotic scum. There have been a few incidents of Indian medical students being beaten up by the local football hooligans. However, the younger generation are far more open to foreigners, older people less so. The football hooligans are scum, usually they just fight among themselves, but an English friend of mine was beaten one night because a hooligan wanted him to pay for his kebab in a fast food place!
Kato in general is a safe place though, I spoke to a judge recently, he said that there's usually only one serious crime every 3 days (murder/rape etc. and they are usually committed by alcoholic/drug abusers on other alcoholics/drug abusers) so it's far lower than the European standard. Dublin for example, where I used to live, has 1 murder per day on average. Kato doesn't have much of an issue with drugs though, it used to but the Police have forced the alcos and junkies out of the city centre.
Dom also wrote that it may be difficult for your wife to find work (if she chooses to work) it's true she'll need to jump hoops to find work, but like I said contact the embassy and they'll be able to give you proper info.
There's a small Indian community living here though, a couple of guys have set up a small restaurant, the food is quite good:
buddha.info.pl/restaurant/katowice/index.php
and there's a small shop on the north of the city that sells food and spices imported from India.....although to be honest it's a few years since I was there, but I think it's still open.
There are a few other threads on Katowice on this forum, have a search for them and you'll find more info.
Best of luck making your decision.
Do we have churches in katowice..?
Mostly they are Catholic Churches, there are a handful of Protestant churches too.
Can somebody help me to explain about these taxes.?
You won't really need to worry about it, your employer will pay your taxes and your social & health insurance (ZUS). However, I recommend that you set up additional health insurance for your family if you do decide to move here.
and will I be getting any benefits out it..?
Not really, Poland doesn't give any child allowance like in Western European countries, but you health care will be 'free' as in your monthly Zus contributions that come out of your wages will pay for it....however, the situation won't be the same for your wife.
I recommend getting in touch with the Indian embassy in Warsaw, they would be in a better position than any of us here to answer your specific questions.
Any idea on how much should it cost for my kid schooling..? just three years old...
There's at least one school that takes international students:
en.invest.katowice.eu/people/28/34/the_international_school.html
It generally has a good opinion, but it's not cheap I think it's something like a few thousand per semester, but I'm not sure. Contact them through the site and ask for a price.
As has been pointed out, you'll be on a good wage for Poland, but you can earn higher in other countries.
Please keep in mind too what Dom wrote about racism. Katowice is incredibly racist, you will be stared at and you may be given abuse on the street by idiotic scum. There have been a few incidents of Indian medical students being beaten up by the local football hooligans. However, the younger generation are far more open to foreigners, older people less so. The football hooligans are scum, usually they just fight among themselves, but an English friend of mine was beaten one night because a hooligan wanted him to pay for his kebab in a fast food place!
Kato in general is a safe place though, I spoke to a judge recently, he said that there's usually only one serious crime every 3 days (murder/rape etc. and they are usually committed by alcoholic/drug abusers on other alcoholics/drug abusers) so it's far lower than the European standard. Dublin for example, where I used to live, has 1 murder per day on average. Kato doesn't have much of an issue with drugs though, it used to but the Police have forced the alcos and junkies out of the city centre.
Dom also wrote that it may be difficult for your wife to find work (if she chooses to work) it's true she'll need to jump hoops to find work, but like I said contact the embassy and they'll be able to give you proper info.
There's a small Indian community living here though, a couple of guys have set up a small restaurant, the food is quite good:
buddha.info.pl/restaurant/katowice/index.php
and there's a small shop on the north of the city that sells food and spices imported from India.....although to be honest it's a few years since I was there, but I think it's still open.
There are a few other threads on Katowice on this forum, have a search for them and you'll find more info.
Best of luck making your decision.
smurf
25 Apr 2014
UK, Ireland / Poland thanks Irish people for 10 years of kindness [11]
I don't know about Germany, but I think far better than in Britain.
I think the reason is that the Irish identify with the Poles quite a lot. Traditionally Catholic countries, love to drink and party and have been f!cked by their neighbour(s) for centuries. I think the Irish were so welcoming because we don't really have a tradition if immigration into Ireland so I guess we were kind of taken aback that so many Poles would choose to come to Ireland and like it. Ireland traditionally has a lot of emigration and people trying to get off the island :P
Is it true that Irish Polonia has assimilated better than say British or German Polonia?
I don't know about Germany, but I think far better than in Britain.
I think the reason is that the Irish identify with the Poles quite a lot. Traditionally Catholic countries, love to drink and party and have been f!cked by their neighbour(s) for centuries. I think the Irish were so welcoming because we don't really have a tradition if immigration into Ireland so I guess we were kind of taken aback that so many Poles would choose to come to Ireland and like it. Ireland traditionally has a lot of emigration and people trying to get off the island :P
smurf
24 Apr 2014
Work / Irish guy moving to Warsaw looking for work ( currently in Marketing sector ) [18]
ok, cool :)
the company cheted me, but I had a cool boss who let me use sick days so I could get the proper amount. Have left since anyway, so all good again.
It's +/- 1 day, the same number of working days in Ireland and Poland.
ok, cool :)
the company cheted me, but I had a cool boss who let me use sick days so I could get the proper amount. Have left since anyway, so all good again.
smurf
24 Apr 2014
UK, Ireland / Poland thanks Irish people for 10 years of kindness [11]
Well, that's really nice, thanks Poland :)
Great to see that Polish people have been warmly welcomed to Ireland and that people moving there appreciate their new home and the new lives they've built.
thejournal.ie/poland-thanks-ireland-1430542-Apr2014/
The embassy even made a video of Polish speaking speaking Irish, what a lovely touch.
Well, that's really nice, thanks Poland :)
Great to see that Polish people have been warmly welcomed to Ireland and that people moving there appreciate their new home and the new lives they've built.
NEXT MONTH, POLAND will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its accession to the European Union.
According to the Polish Embassy, May also marks a decade of Polish people settling down and living in Ireland.
The staff and diplomats at the embassy said they wanted to "convey their gratitude to the Irish people for the openness and kindness they have shown to Poles".
They also wanted to show "all the joys that the Emerald Isle has to offer".
According to the Polish Embassy, May also marks a decade of Polish people settling down and living in Ireland.
The staff and diplomats at the embassy said they wanted to "convey their gratitude to the Irish people for the openness and kindness they have shown to Poles".
They also wanted to show "all the joys that the Emerald Isle has to offer".
thejournal.ie/poland-thanks-ireland-1430542-Apr2014/
The embassy even made a video of Polish speaking speaking Irish, what a lovely touch.
smurf
24 Apr 2014
Work / Irish guy moving to Warsaw looking for work ( currently in Marketing sector ) [18]
Everyone starting a new job has the same amount of holidays, if you are 10+ years in a spefici company then you might get more holidays, but it's up to the company. If it's a civil service job then yea, you'll get more, but the vast majority of people are not in the same job for 10+ years, those days are gone....thankfully.
Which is totally weird IMO.
Yea, but as per your figures, 10 is 2 larger than 8, so Ireland has 2 more actual public holidays y'know and 20 vacation days, so that's more if you're just starting in employment in Poland, because as a foreigner you aren't given that '10 years rule' so you get far less holidays, as I know from personal experience....I was given only 14 days because of this ridulous rule....thankfully my boss gave me 'sick days' for the other week.
It's a strange system, don't know why it hasn't been done away with.
It's a diff system at home, for example, if St Patrick's Day is on a Saturday, we'll all have the following Monday off, that doesn't happen here, Poland has more public holidays in name, but not really in actuality. It's strange, I think Poland used to have it the same way?
Yea, the big bucks are still there and with the OP's experience in business he'll be able to get decent money.
Oh the memories Harry, trying to get a 20 year old Polo to start on those bitter mornings, great times!
Are you sure that work in Ireland is discriminated and doesn't count up to 10 years of service?
Everyone starting a new job has the same amount of holidays, if you are 10+ years in a spefici company then you might get more holidays, but it's up to the company. If it's a civil service job then yea, you'll get more, but the vast majority of people are not in the same job for 10+ years, those days are gone....thankfully.
In Poland even studying time is counted into the 10 years
Which is totally weird IMO.
Even if you're right, then it's 20. The same as in Ireland.
Yea, but as per your figures, 10 is 2 larger than 8, so Ireland has 2 more actual public holidays y'know and 20 vacation days, so that's more if you're just starting in employment in Poland, because as a foreigner you aren't given that '10 years rule' so you get far less holidays, as I know from personal experience....I was given only 14 days because of this ridulous rule....thankfully my boss gave me 'sick days' for the other week.
It's a strange system, don't know why it hasn't been done away with.
It's a diff system at home, for example, if St Patrick's Day is on a Saturday, we'll all have the following Monday off, that doesn't happen here, Poland has more public holidays in name, but not really in actuality. It's strange, I think Poland used to have it the same way?
I used to charge 120zl per 60 minutes for in-company one-to-one lessons eight or nine years ago and understand that higher amounts than that are still possible now.
Yea, the big bucks are still there and with the OP's experience in business he'll be able to get decent money.
Nothing like going to work at seven o'clock in the morning at minus 20!
Oh the memories Harry, trying to get a 20 year old Polo to start on those bitter mornings, great times!
smurf
24 Apr 2014
Work / Irish guy moving to Warsaw looking for work ( currently in Marketing sector ) [18]
Yes, you need to read your stats again:
Ireland has 2 more...it looks weird I know, but unlike in Poland, if a 'bank holiday' falls on a weekend day, we get the following Monday off' In Poland, you're given an extra days holiday in your vacation allowance, in Ireland we'd rather have the long weekend :P
you only reach that amount of holidays in employment after 2 years of full-time work in Poland.
As a teacher, the OP will not be given any paid holidays whatsoever, because he will more than likely have to sign some draconian contract that's commonly given to ESL teachers here.
I dunno man. Personally I worked my ass off at teaching for 2 and 1/2 years before I built up contacts and went after a proper gig. It was a hard slog but I got there in the end.
The only other thing would be call centre work, but it's soul-destroying...however, working at teaching and learning the lingo on the side and after a couple of years you'll be able to get your foot in far easier.
Re: private lesson, yea you can pick a few up by posting ads on gumtree and a few other sites, but 2 things here: Serious students will know very quickly if you're really qualified or not and secondly, because there are so many natives in bigger cities, the money tends to be lower. In smaller cities you can get anything from 60-90zl per hour and more if have a few students in a 'class' style lesson. One thing on your side is your experience in business, priate students and classes cream themselves for 'business english' and pay good money for classes....the hours are crap though, you'd have classes in businesses usually from 7am-8.30, or 8-9.30, Poles start work a lot earlier than what we're used to at home.
Harry's on the money here, in your first year or so, you'll probably be working for a multitude of different schools, For example a Monday/Wednesday in one place, Tuesday/Thursday somewhere else and a diff place on a Friday. School hours are usually from 16.00-20.30, so you have the earlier part of the day to fill up with privates.
It's certainly doable, I've done it and so have many others on this forum and many of my mates living here still do it, but I really recommend getting the CELTA done........I think FAS used to help people, but since you're employed you might have to pay for it privately.
Really?
Yes, you need to read your stats again:
Public holidays (days): 11 Ranking by public holidays: 8
Public holidays (days): 9 Ranking by public holidays: 10
Ireland has 2 more...it looks weird I know, but unlike in Poland, if a 'bank holiday' falls on a weekend day, we get the following Monday off' In Poland, you're given an extra days holiday in your vacation allowance, in Ireland we'd rather have the long weekend :P
Statutory minimum holidays: 26 Ranking by statutory minimum: 2
you only reach that amount of holidays in employment after 2 years of full-time work in Poland.
As a teacher, the OP will not be given any paid holidays whatsoever, because he will more than likely have to sign some draconian contract that's commonly given to ESL teachers here.
would you know is there anything bar teaching that could be a viable option for a lowly English speaker? I am actually relieved that Poland is on a Nepotism buzz as well, my GF has contacts in Warsaw that could POSSIBLY sort me out; we just didn't know the situation with teaching.
I dunno man. Personally I worked my ass off at teaching for 2 and 1/2 years before I built up contacts and went after a proper gig. It was a hard slog but I got there in the end.
The only other thing would be call centre work, but it's soul-destroying...however, working at teaching and learning the lingo on the side and after a couple of years you'll be able to get your foot in far easier.
Re: private lesson, yea you can pick a few up by posting ads on gumtree and a few other sites, but 2 things here: Serious students will know very quickly if you're really qualified or not and secondly, because there are so many natives in bigger cities, the money tends to be lower. In smaller cities you can get anything from 60-90zl per hour and more if have a few students in a 'class' style lesson. One thing on your side is your experience in business, priate students and classes cream themselves for 'business english' and pay good money for classes....the hours are crap though, you'd have classes in businesses usually from 7am-8.30, or 8-9.30, Poles start work a lot earlier than what we're used to at home.
But your chances of getting a full-time post at one place are very very limited.
Harry's on the money here, in your first year or so, you'll probably be working for a multitude of different schools, For example a Monday/Wednesday in one place, Tuesday/Thursday somewhere else and a diff place on a Friday. School hours are usually from 16.00-20.30, so you have the earlier part of the day to fill up with privates.
It's certainly doable, I've done it and so have many others on this forum and many of my mates living here still do it, but I really recommend getting the CELTA done........I think FAS used to help people, but since you're employed you might have to pay for it privately.
smurf
24 Apr 2014
Life / Driving test, English speaking driving school in Warsaw? [95]
I learned to drive here and my lessons were in Polish...I spoke very little Polish at the time, you can communicate thru gestures, most teachers are patient so you'll be fine.
The written exam can be done in English and when you do the proper driving exam you'll need a qualified translator.
The book that you learn the rules from is available in English, I think it was posted about on this forum already, or else you can find it on allegro.
I learned to drive here and my lessons were in Polish...I spoke very little Polish at the time, you can communicate thru gestures, most teachers are patient so you'll be fine.
The written exam can be done in English and when you do the proper driving exam you'll need a qualified translator.
The book that you learn the rules from is available in English, I think it was posted about on this forum already, or else you can find it on allegro.
smurf
23 Apr 2014
Work / Irish guy moving to Warsaw looking for work ( currently in Marketing sector ) [18]
Howaya Owen, I've a bit of a similar story to yourself, I moved here about 5 years ago.
Sorry to be bursting a bubble, but I have to agree with everything Dominic said.....except the part about getting a new missus...we all know Polish women are way hotter and sounder than their Irish counterparts :P
You might get lucky with a marketing job, but I wouldn't count on it....unless your missus' family have connections that can get you a gig. Nepotism is far bigger in Poland than in Ireland and if ever the phrase 'it's not what you know etc. etc.' fitted then it's in Poland.
Without a CELTA though you won't find decent paying teaching work in Warsaw, it's a no-go I'm afraid.
You'd be better off hitting the smaller cities like the ones associated with Katowice (but I bet your missus will hate that idea) or else places like Rzeszcow/Lublin/Szczecin/Bielsko-Biala/ etc.
There's plenty of work down here in Kato though, I know that for sure. I have many native-speaker mates working as teachers and they are turning down work as it is.
I think though if you've got a job in Ireland then you're in a far better position than you would be if you had a job in Poland, You're spending power in Ireland is far better and the standard of living is quite higher. You will be working longer hours, with less bank holidays. Many things cost the same as at home, electronics, fuel, clothes are more expensive here, actually the only things that are cheaper in Poland are food and beer and car insurance and keep in mind you'll be earning at least 4 times less here.
There are advantages (far less crime, nice weather, cheap beer, beautiful scenery) and disadvantages (people aren't as open, racism is rife, conservative attitudes) when you compare the two countries, but personally after being here for 5 years I'd move home at the drop of a hat.
PM me if you've any questions man, glad to help a fellow Irishman :)
Howaya Owen, I've a bit of a similar story to yourself, I moved here about 5 years ago.
Sorry to be bursting a bubble, but I have to agree with everything Dominic said.....except the part about getting a new missus...we all know Polish women are way hotter and sounder than their Irish counterparts :P
You might get lucky with a marketing job, but I wouldn't count on it....unless your missus' family have connections that can get you a gig. Nepotism is far bigger in Poland than in Ireland and if ever the phrase 'it's not what you know etc. etc.' fitted then it's in Poland.
Without a CELTA though you won't find decent paying teaching work in Warsaw, it's a no-go I'm afraid.
You'd be better off hitting the smaller cities like the ones associated with Katowice (but I bet your missus will hate that idea) or else places like Rzeszcow/Lublin/Szczecin/Bielsko-Biala/ etc.
There's plenty of work down here in Kato though, I know that for sure. I have many native-speaker mates working as teachers and they are turning down work as it is.
I think though if you've got a job in Ireland then you're in a far better position than you would be if you had a job in Poland, You're spending power in Ireland is far better and the standard of living is quite higher. You will be working longer hours, with less bank holidays. Many things cost the same as at home, electronics, fuel, clothes are more expensive here, actually the only things that are cheaper in Poland are food and beer and car insurance and keep in mind you'll be earning at least 4 times less here.
There are advantages (far less crime, nice weather, cheap beer, beautiful scenery) and disadvantages (people aren't as open, racism is rife, conservative attitudes) when you compare the two countries, but personally after being here for 5 years I'd move home at the drop of a hat.
PM me if you've any questions man, glad to help a fellow Irishman :)
smurf
22 Apr 2014
Language / Just started dating a woman from Poland; how to learn Polish language? [7]
don't do that, she'll think you're a freak.
People haven't done that here since before the war.
Why do you think she has to be treated any differently just coz she's Polish, treat her how you'd treat any woman you're dating.
don't do that, she'll think you're a freak.
People haven't done that here since before the war.
Why do you think she has to be treated any differently just coz she's Polish, treat her how you'd treat any woman you're dating.
smurf
16 Apr 2014
Life / International newspaper availability in Gdansk? [21]
Ads? On the Internet?
It's years since I've seen an Internet ad.
Install Adblock for whichever browser you use.
Gdansk isn't exactly Berlin or Paris. It's a pretty insignificant city in a pretty insignificant country. As said before Empik has international papers, but they are usually a few days old. There's virtually no market for English language newspapers in Poland, feck all people speak the lingo and those that do will get their news from Polish sources first and then maybe from the odd English language website.
Internet's the way to go.
Or better yet get the flipboard app for your tablet/smartphone and add the websites you'd normally get your news from into it and it'll update as the news comes in.
one of them is that ads don't jump to your face inadvertently
Ads? On the Internet?
It's years since I've seen an Internet ad.
Install Adblock for whichever browser you use.
Still, I'm surprised there's no international paper press in Gdansk.
Gdansk isn't exactly Berlin or Paris. It's a pretty insignificant city in a pretty insignificant country. As said before Empik has international papers, but they are usually a few days old. There's virtually no market for English language newspapers in Poland, feck all people speak the lingo and those that do will get their news from Polish sources first and then maybe from the odd English language website.
Internet's the way to go.
Or better yet get the flipboard app for your tablet/smartphone and add the websites you'd normally get your news from into it and it'll update as the news comes in.
smurf
14 Apr 2014
Life / Which E-mail/websites from Poland are the best? [9]
gmail's the best by a country mile, thought most people had given up their Gadu Gadu and switched to something better.
gmail's the best by a country mile, thought most people had given up their Gadu Gadu and switched to something better.
smurf
14 Apr 2014
Life / Expats in Krakow - Do you miss TV from back home? Help is at hand! [17]
You can't exactly download live sport as it's happening.
Sure Polish tv show plenty of sport but compared to English and Irish coverage the analysis is appalling.
Thankfully though you can steam it using a VPN.
You can't exactly download live sport as it's happening.
Sure Polish tv show plenty of sport but compared to English and Irish coverage the analysis is appalling.
Thankfully though you can steam it using a VPN.
smurf
13 Apr 2014
Law / Marriage without birth certificate; British citizen born in India with Polish fiancee [4]
you did?
These might help: advocatekhoj.com/library/legalforms/howdoi/index.php?Pno=birthcertificate.php
This one from a consulate in the States, but you'd presume the same rules apply in the Warsaw office: indianconsulateatlanta.org/page/display/37
you did?
These might help: advocatekhoj.com/library/legalforms/howdoi/index.php?Pno=birthcertificate.php
This one from a consulate in the States, but you'd presume the same rules apply in the Warsaw office: indianconsulateatlanta.org/page/display/37
smurf
13 Apr 2014
Law / Marriage without birth certificate; British citizen born in India with Polish fiancee [4]
Doubtful, contact the Indian embassy in Warsaw and they'll know.
Can't some relative back in India just post it to you?
Doubtful, contact the Indian embassy in Warsaw and they'll know.
Can't some relative back in India just post it to you?
smurf
12 Apr 2014
Travel / List your dog friendly pubs in Poland - if any :( [8]
That's strange Doug, as you say Kato wasn't so sad, I've taken my hound into a good few pubs down and nobody has ever had issue with it.
That's strange Doug, as you say Kato wasn't so sad, I've taken my hound into a good few pubs down and nobody has ever had issue with it.
smurf
11 Apr 2014
Law / Can an International student staying 2 yrs in Poland, take out 2 yr cell phone contract? [4]
I think you'll need to be living in Poland for 3 months before you can get a contract, you'll need a permanent address too.
But call into one of the shops and ask, I'm not sure if all of them adhere to the 3 month thing.
I think you'll need to be living in Poland for 3 months before you can get a contract, you'll need a permanent address too.
But call into one of the shops and ask, I'm not sure if all of them adhere to the 3 month thing.
smurf
27 Mar 2014
Real Estate / Question - Rent websites (Specifically in Katowice) [3]
gumtree.pl and then the Katowice subsection:
]
Use google chrome, it'll auto-translate the pages.
Or just google 'mieszkanie katowice' and look under 'wynajecia'
HEre's another site:
Doug is right on the money.
Tysiaclecia or 1000-lecia as some insist on writing it is less than 10mins away on a tram and has loads of trams servicing it, or get yourself a bicycle....good few buses as well. Massive park right opposite you, full of pubs, restaurants, there's even a zoo.
Avoid Załęże, Chorzow, Myslowice, Ruda Slask, Zabrze, all boring kips. Chorzow and Zabrze are full of football hooligans, Ruda's just boring, as is Myslowice.
Locals say it's best to live on the south side of Katowice.
Ligota, Brynow and Piotrowice are all nice areas that aren't too far out, all on south side, but Tysiaclecia would be handier for getting in and out of the city centre quicker. Plenty of supermarkets around there too and a proper shopping mall just a few mins walk away.
gumtree.pl and then the Katowice subsection:
]
Use google chrome, it'll auto-translate the pages.
Or just google 'mieszkanie katowice' and look under 'wynajecia'
HEre's another site:
Doug is right on the money.
Tysiaclecia or 1000-lecia as some insist on writing it is less than 10mins away on a tram and has loads of trams servicing it, or get yourself a bicycle....good few buses as well. Massive park right opposite you, full of pubs, restaurants, there's even a zoo.
Avoid Załęże, Chorzow, Myslowice, Ruda Slask, Zabrze, all boring kips. Chorzow and Zabrze are full of football hooligans, Ruda's just boring, as is Myslowice.
Locals say it's best to live on the south side of Katowice.
Ligota, Brynow and Piotrowice are all nice areas that aren't too far out, all on south side, but Tysiaclecia would be handier for getting in and out of the city centre quicker. Plenty of supermarkets around there too and a proper shopping mall just a few mins walk away.
smurf
26 Mar 2014
Love / Help me plan my wedding - in church in Poland, with a 2 day wedding party - Zabrze [24]
My sister-in-law and her Church of England bf had to do it that way. The ceremony in Poland was a tiny, tiny bit different, most people didn't even notice.
But it has to be different if the marriage is between an RC and a member of a diff religion.
It really won't make any diff and the priest in Poland may insist on it. I didn't have to do it because a) I live in Poland and b) I was brought up RC so I had all the documents to say I'd been baptised, confirmed, etc.
I get ya man, totally understandable.
Personally, I just didn't want my Irish friends and family to come to what is probably the ugliest part of Poland and think I was living in a compete wreck of a place, so we had it in the mountains.
The Church and the Polish authorities won't accept documents that aren't translated. You'll need a 'sworn' translator of Polish. So basically someone with a Master's or higher in Polish language, one of your Polish speaking mates won't be able to do it.
You can hire them easily though, loads of translation companies here and all of them could help you out.
As Sob says, they're going out of fashion, but certainly happen. Mine was 2 days. On the 2nd day we paid for their breakfast and a meal around noon and booze, (what was left from the previous day) we told them the room was being closed at 5pm, so most people started leaving after the noon meal....most had long trips back to Katowice or a place to catch back to Ireland.
At most 2 days wedding you give out some of the remaining vodka/cakes to guests as they leave, so whatevers left you can give a bottle to your 'favourite' people as they leave ;)
The 2nd day can go 2 ways though, sometimes it's only for immediate family. But with you probably having a ton of foreigners coming I doubt you can exclude the Poles and entertain the foreigners until they have to leave for the airport.
You said the food will be 220zl, so it will of course be higher if you lay on the food for the following day, so I reckon you're looking at 260-280zl per person. Plus the drink, beer, vodka, wine, etc. As I said before though say yourself a few bob and organise this yourself. Get you missus to join the cash-and-carry shop Makro, you'll get all the booze there. Re: beer, get the hotel to order you a few kegs and pay cost price for them. They should be OK with that.
There's one huge advantage for you not living here prior to the wedding; you won't have to attend those god-awful boring pre-marriage course events. I did in total of about 6 hours of crap with priests and nuns, all in Polish and mostly about how evil abortion and contraception is. Spent of it playnig Scrabble or Angry Birds on the phone, so you're dodging a bullet with that man.
I am more concerned and piqued about the consequences of getting married at a marriage registrar in my country. What implications will there be on the actual ceremony at the church? I have heard that a different ceremony is performed etc.
My sister-in-law and her Church of England bf had to do it that way. The ceremony in Poland was a tiny, tiny bit different, most people didn't even notice.
But it has to be different if the marriage is between an RC and a member of a diff religion.
It really won't make any diff and the priest in Poland may insist on it. I didn't have to do it because a) I live in Poland and b) I was brought up RC so I had all the documents to say I'd been baptised, confirmed, etc.
where she grew up so who am I to judge
I get ya man, totally understandable.
Personally, I just didn't want my Irish friends and family to come to what is probably the ugliest part of Poland and think I was living in a compete wreck of a place, so we had it in the mountains.
did you skipped the whole translating shenanigan?
The Church and the Polish authorities won't accept documents that aren't translated. You'll need a 'sworn' translator of Polish. So basically someone with a Master's or higher in Polish language, one of your Polish speaking mates won't be able to do it.
You can hire them easily though, loads of translation companies here and all of them could help you out.
Is it always a 2 day event?
As Sob says, they're going out of fashion, but certainly happen. Mine was 2 days. On the 2nd day we paid for their breakfast and a meal around noon and booze, (what was left from the previous day) we told them the room was being closed at 5pm, so most people started leaving after the noon meal....most had long trips back to Katowice or a place to catch back to Ireland.
At most 2 days wedding you give out some of the remaining vodka/cakes to guests as they leave, so whatevers left you can give a bottle to your 'favourite' people as they leave ;)
The 2nd day can go 2 ways though, sometimes it's only for immediate family. But with you probably having a ton of foreigners coming I doubt you can exclude the Poles and entertain the foreigners until they have to leave for the airport.
You said the food will be 220zl, so it will of course be higher if you lay on the food for the following day, so I reckon you're looking at 260-280zl per person. Plus the drink, beer, vodka, wine, etc. As I said before though say yourself a few bob and organise this yourself. Get you missus to join the cash-and-carry shop Makro, you'll get all the booze there. Re: beer, get the hotel to order you a few kegs and pay cost price for them. They should be OK with that.
There's one huge advantage for you not living here prior to the wedding; you won't have to attend those god-awful boring pre-marriage course events. I did in total of about 6 hours of crap with priests and nuns, all in Polish and mostly about how evil abortion and contraception is. Spent of it playnig Scrabble or Angry Birds on the phone, so you're dodging a bullet with that man.
smurf
25 Mar 2014
Love / Help me plan my wedding - in church in Poland, with a 2 day wedding party - Zabrze [24]
Not gonna happen I'm afraid, and it's going to be even more awkward if you're not Catholic.
If you aren't you will have to...no choice.....be married in a registry office in the UK and then you can have a wedding here in Poland.
You'll need to meet a priest in Zabrze and he'll be able to fill you in on everything that needs to be done.
Also, Zabrze....man, are you sure you want your mates and family to go to that dump? I live in Katowice and it's a rough kip, but it's paradise compared to Zabrze.
I'd be trying to convince her of Gliwice instead, way, way nicer and less than 15mins from Zabrze.
If she gives you some nonsense about having to get married in her parish....she doesn't need to do that, her local priest will write a wee letter saying she can get married in any Catholic Church, but she will have to ask for it..........and make a small donation to the priest. I know this coz my missus had to do it.
There's a good few hotels around Gliwice:
However, there's a lot less around Zabrze:
Wedding venues are ten-a-penny in Poland, so you won't have a problem find ingsomewhere to have the reception though, but get her to google them.
How many guest do you reckon will come?
30,000-40,000K zloty.....that could pay for the party, the food and the drink.....at a stretch....depends on how many guests you expect.
Food will cost at least 200zl per person...in city areas it could be closer to 300zl per person....drinks not included, plus let's say you have 100 guests, that's 100 bottles of vodka, that's around 2000zl, then the mixers, coca-cola, a multitude of juices. The cakes cost a fortune. Dress, suit. etc. Band, anything from 2000-8000zl (and you get what you pay for, cheaper they are the worse they are) You'll need beer because you'll be bringing foreign guests. My wedding, we went through 6 kegs of beer! At cost price, I think it cost roughly 2000zl, plus other spirits that you'll need to provide, whisky, gin, rum, brandy, champagne, wine. The venue can provide them, but you'll save a few bob doing it yourself.
I got hitched a year ago, we had around 130 guests, we paid for their Saturday night stay in the hotel....Friday night they paid for themselves...and when all was said and done, we paid about 60,000zl for everything (reception alone was around 30,000zl)........but the wedding was down in Bieszczady, where it's a helluva lot cheaper than around Katowice.
I will prefer to have the paperwork done elsewhere.
Not gonna happen I'm afraid, and it's going to be even more awkward if you're not Catholic.
If you aren't you will have to...no choice.....be married in a registry office in the UK and then you can have a wedding here in Poland.
You'll need to meet a priest in Zabrze and he'll be able to fill you in on everything that needs to be done.
Also, Zabrze....man, are you sure you want your mates and family to go to that dump? I live in Katowice and it's a rough kip, but it's paradise compared to Zabrze.
I'd be trying to convince her of Gliwice instead, way, way nicer and less than 15mins from Zabrze.
If she gives you some nonsense about having to get married in her parish....she doesn't need to do that, her local priest will write a wee letter saying she can get married in any Catholic Church, but she will have to ask for it..........and make a small donation to the priest. I know this coz my missus had to do it.
There's a good few hotels around Gliwice:
However, there's a lot less around Zabrze:
Wedding venues are ten-a-penny in Poland, so you won't have a problem find ingsomewhere to have the reception though, but get her to google them.
How many guest do you reckon will come?
30,000-40,000K zloty.....that could pay for the party, the food and the drink.....at a stretch....depends on how many guests you expect.
Food will cost at least 200zl per person...in city areas it could be closer to 300zl per person....drinks not included, plus let's say you have 100 guests, that's 100 bottles of vodka, that's around 2000zl, then the mixers, coca-cola, a multitude of juices. The cakes cost a fortune. Dress, suit. etc. Band, anything from 2000-8000zl (and you get what you pay for, cheaper they are the worse they are) You'll need beer because you'll be bringing foreign guests. My wedding, we went through 6 kegs of beer! At cost price, I think it cost roughly 2000zl, plus other spirits that you'll need to provide, whisky, gin, rum, brandy, champagne, wine. The venue can provide them, but you'll save a few bob doing it yourself.
I got hitched a year ago, we had around 130 guests, we paid for their Saturday night stay in the hotel....Friday night they paid for themselves...and when all was said and done, we paid about 60,000zl for everything (reception alone was around 30,000zl)........but the wedding was down in Bieszczady, where it's a helluva lot cheaper than around Katowice.
smurf
24 Mar 2014
Travel / Best mode of transportation from Warsaw to Katowice? [7]
Hotels around here don't offer kitchen facilities, you'll need to stay in a hostel if you want to use a kitchen.
there's a few around, but I've no idea whether they're any good or not:
Re: trains...just look up the time of your train, write it down and show it to the person in the ticket kiosk....coz the chances of her speaking English are slim and none. Train takes between 2Hr30m-2Hr50ms, it isn't expensive.
Polski bus also go from Warsaw to Katowice, it's really cheap, but it takes a long time.
Hotels around here don't offer kitchen facilities, you'll need to stay in a hostel if you want to use a kitchen.
there's a few around, but I've no idea whether they're any good or not:
Re: trains...just look up the time of your train, write it down and show it to the person in the ticket kiosk....coz the chances of her speaking English are slim and none. Train takes between 2Hr30m-2Hr50ms, it isn't expensive.
Polski bus also go from Warsaw to Katowice, it's really cheap, but it takes a long time.
smurf
21 Mar 2014
Life / Is it common for Polish people to speak English in Poland? [122]
I speak English every single day that I'm in Poland.
On average I speak about 10,000 English words per day.
I'm not Polish though.
People Over 40 don't speak it, younger people do, especially those in their 20s.
I speak English every single day that I'm in Poland.
On average I speak about 10,000 English words per day.
I'm not Polish though.
People Over 40 don't speak it, younger people do, especially those in their 20s.
smurf
12 Mar 2014
Law / Bringing a brand new car from UK to Poland [22]
You'd still need to get the standard yearly Polish equivalent of the MOT, it's cheap though, I think it's around 100zl.
Your standard insurance policy will not cover you if you are living abroad. They'll only cover you if you're travelling on a holiday or business, but not if you have a permanent address. I know that in Ireland for example, insurance is cheaper outside of Dublin....so you can insure your car with an address at your parents house and live in Dublin, however, if you have a crash in Dublin they will want to know what you were doing there and they will go as far as to investigate whether you live/work there...if they find you do, they'll rip up your policy and laugh at your claim.
However, Polish insurance is a lot cheaper than in the UK.....over here you only insure the car, not the driver, so for example, when I started driving, a quote for me to be insured on a car in Ireland (where I'm from) was roughly 2000 Euro, same policy in Poland was 1400zl.....or 350 Euro.
It might be different for RHD, but you'd need to contact the people that ForFour wrote about.
ever coming back for the MOT and just continue renewing the insurance policy?
You'd still need to get the standard yearly Polish equivalent of the MOT, it's cheap though, I think it's around 100zl.
Your standard insurance policy will not cover you if you are living abroad. They'll only cover you if you're travelling on a holiday or business, but not if you have a permanent address. I know that in Ireland for example, insurance is cheaper outside of Dublin....so you can insure your car with an address at your parents house and live in Dublin, however, if you have a crash in Dublin they will want to know what you were doing there and they will go as far as to investigate whether you live/work there...if they find you do, they'll rip up your policy and laugh at your claim.
However, Polish insurance is a lot cheaper than in the UK.....over here you only insure the car, not the driver, so for example, when I started driving, a quote for me to be insured on a car in Ireland (where I'm from) was roughly 2000 Euro, same policy in Poland was 1400zl.....or 350 Euro.
It might be different for RHD, but you'd need to contact the people that ForFour wrote about.
smurf
11 Mar 2014
Law / Foreigners Getting Married in Poland - a Guide to Formal Preparation [54]
You cannot be married again, that's impossible.
You will however be able to get a 'blessing' from a priest......but it's a different ceremony and you won't be able to pull the wool over the regular church goers in the crowd........which I presume would be your missus' parents.
Nice try though, best of luck :)
You cannot be married again, that's impossible.
You will however be able to get a 'blessing' from a priest......but it's a different ceremony and you won't be able to pull the wool over the regular church goers in the crowd........which I presume would be your missus' parents.
Nice try though, best of luck :)