Life / Can foreigners really understand Poles? [136]

How about my standard answer? Some do and some don't. You need say no more, agreed?

If I were pushed to comment further, I'd say that many of those who go abroad and learn English fluently often do. They have the benefit of knowing English to a very high level and likely the benefit of a Polish education.

Superior to whom may I ask? Without a frame of reference, it's worthless. To Ethiopians for sure ;) :)

Life / Can foreigners really understand Poles? [136]

That's just tradition :) Many Poles don't eat carp for Xmas.

Understand Poles, in what sense? A Walter Scott? ;) ;) A Scot is a Brit ;) I understand that Poles don't understand Britain very well :) :)

USA, Canada / What do the Poles hate and love about the U.S.? [170]

Well, if you have seen their 3-pronged recent threat to America, you will know that they mean business. I just meant that America could be in a sticky situation unnecessarily but they wouldn't unleash such a potent weapon so early in the game, you are right. Taiwan would be financially weaker due to the deal and militarily still instantly crushable. It's the token gesture aspect of it.

USA, Canada / What do the Poles hate and love about the U.S.? [170]

You both have a damn good point. Why incur the wrath of Russia? Little Kaczyński just barked his way through those negotiations. Most Poles were more than smart enough to see through the rationale for having it. I guarantee you, the powers that be in Poland would be made to look very silly when Russia fired a minor part of its arsenal of missiles from Kalingrad. Yet again, business almost gets people in trouble. Look at Obama, that two-faced hound, proposing weapons to Taiwan when smiling like a Chesire cat to Hu Jintao when in China. Isn't he aware that he is treading on eggshells through potential divestment?

USA, Canada / What do the Poles hate and love about the U.S.? [170]

I wouldn't say those countries have more leverage, no. The Baltic states are useful strategically, as are those on the Caucas. America is thinking about the future when entering into 'cordial international relations' with them. We've witnessed a cooling off of Polish-American relations due to the placing of the missile shield on the back burner.

I think it ultimately hinges on administrative/bureaucratic concerns. It shouldn't be the case that innocent Poles lose out due to the foolishness of some but that remains to be the position.

News / The Economist: time to rethink old notions about Poland [67]

Changes should also be visible and not just some stats loosely flung around. About the horse thing, there is still a red circle roadsign with a horse in the middle at the end of my road but a horse hasn't come up in over 5 years ;) :)

As for the rest of the article, some good points were made, especially with regards to GDP. The Polish government needs to better acknowledge the impact that substantial inward investment had.

Love / Do you think that Polish should stick to Polish? [128]

That's the thing, though. Kids are like sponges and tend to absorb languages quite naturally. Their LADs are different from adults. There doesn't need to be pressure, just exposure. It has been shown time and again that those with mixed backgrounds want to get in touch with their various sides and language plays a major part. I was watching a film with Alicja Bachleda-Curuś the other day and I bet she's glad that she explored her genes fully.

Love / Do you think that Polish should stick to Polish? [128]

I agree with bullfrog. Us Vs Them just doesn't cut the mustard in this day and age. Trying to closet your own from the world isn't the way. Fine, respect your own cultures to the max but don't be overly sheltered. Xenophobes just look bad in modern times. I had a guy the other day mutter sth to me in Polish about the fact that I should be back in my own country. He looked like the loser type that would draw benefits and do nothing productive, unlike my 5+ years of undoubtable help to grateful Poles. I really felt like clocking him but those people aren't worth the time of day.

My answer is emphatically no and, sorry for saying it, but it came across as selfish and very insular to deny your kid options. As Bill Hicks RIP once said, 'you gotta use your options, folks'. When sb says Polska dla Polaków, I automatically assume they are a closed-minded idiot. If you want it that way, vital foreign resources can leave, Poles can return en masse to hike up the unemployment rate even more and we can drive dodgy British employers underground to stop their undercutting. Seem good? Or do you want Poland to be a monolingual enclave?

Life / Do Polish People steal a lot? [330]

Nothing like defying probability, right? ;) It's good that badges can come off once in a while ;)

Life / Do Polish People steal a lot? [330]

Yeah, it must be the remaining 5% of non-Catholics that are committing all the theft, right? ;) ;) That'll be the great Polish defence :) Come on, sb step forward with that ;) ;)

Law / Bureaucracy in Poland [53]

Citizens' Platform (PO). I really feel that the Euro will sting Poland when introduced. Slovakia is a different kettle of fish and changes come about for different reasons.

Wow, I've just heard a hammer&tongs exchange between my wife and the local admin here. The admin claimed they were waiting for 'further specifics' and that he didn't have the competence to handle the matter (then why answer the phone?). There was a heated ding-dong but here's the funny part. It was all over a frickin lightbulb.

The level of resistance they were putting up in their little pit was embarrassing. We pay them 50PLN a month personally and what do they do? Nothing! They receive a tidy sum from this strip of flats (15 flats x 7blocks at 50PLN a pop). They have such a begrudging mentality. I can't really be doing with them. They quote me this regulation and that but it's a lightbulb for crying out loud. Besides, they live just 5 mins away from here.

Many older Poles in local admin are a tragic breed!

Law / Bureaucracy in Poland [53]

The Euro will mainly be a good thing for rich people in Poland. I am not for it as property prices will soar and price out far too many.

Law / Bureaucracy in Poland [53]

We see the lack of commitment to change. Noises are made but nothing is done. Tusk planned a major streamlining for last year to reduce red tape but the plug was seemingly pulled. Another non-starter!

Life / Can foreigners really understand Poles? [136]

What I also tend to find is that foreigners have misconceptions about communism and how it impacted on people on the streets. They blindly label some, 'commies', without being able to understand just how communism manifested itself. Also, they also don't have a frame of reference by which to evaluate it.

Maybe if some resident PF members like Pawian came forward and did a short contrastive study of Now Vs Then, it may shed some insight into the behaviour of some.

Law / Bureaucracy in Poland [53]

How is the matriculation process here? I remember having to get a new student card each year in my first course. I felt that to be bureaucratic in and of itself.

Life / Can foreigners really understand Poles? [136]

Seanny, that's ok. I disagree, having had first-hand experience with Japanese councillors. They are of a different ilk.

Anyway, no sidetracking. I don't think this thread has yielded enough by way of this 'understanding' which the OP wants to tease out. No hard cases as of yet. Poles really don't stump me whatsoever, their actions are often logical and with rhyme/reason just like other people.

Law / Bureaucracy in Poland [53]

Then you are privy to info that I am not so, not wanting to doubt your sincerity, I believe you. I have heard some horror stories and am not gonna comment on things that I have no experience of. My scholarship was easy. I applied, got a letter to Peterkins (a solicitors' firm), went for interview and got a prestigious bursary. No protracted procedures. I think here it may well be different.

Life / Can foreigners really understand Poles? [136]

Some will resist the change and others won't, simple :)

Yeah, I don't know how it is in Ireland but some councillors in Scotland are on constant power trips. The same as here, I laugh at those who look down their noses at me. Chumps!

Law / Bureaucracy in Poland [53]

What stamps, for example? I'm glad that I have my own pieczątka as it broadly resembles a hanko, a Japanese stamp. It gives extra protection. I need my stamp and my signature too.

Signatures are needed to verify and authenticate. There is no getting round that. Things go through various channels in virtually every civilised country or am I wrong? ;)

Life / Can foreigners really understand Poles? [136]

True, I should have qualified what I said better. I meant those who work in offices, those old fogies that were set in their ways. The young generation took the transition in their stride for the most part. Estonia was perhaps the most adept at running a relatively paper-free bureaucracy. Most people were happy to see the back of communism, that is true.

Life / Do you think a smoking ban would be a good thing in Polish restaurants and Bars? [217]

Still, a smoking ban would bring Poland in line with other EU countries. Scotland drafted in this change back in March 2006. Ireland was before this.

Ever hear about those fit people who fall down dead in their youth? I've heard of quite a few.

USA, Canada / My wife wants to return to Poland...but I want to stay in the US [155]

Never lose sight of the golden rule that it is the welfare of the child that matters the most. Ask your kid how they feel about the US. Getting set up in Poland after a lengthy absence takes some doing. Don't let idealism blight realism.

If you come here, you might need to get used to 'the way of the voodoo' ;) ;)

Law / Bureaucracy in Poland [53]

They are just procedural. Are you some kind of important figure that you have to live your life in a hurry? Can't you kick back, pause for breath and smell the roses? ;)

The main problem lies in those native speakers who can't speak Polish. Many of the old clerks will insist on Polish being used. That would be one criticism, that they didn't voluntarily furnish me with 2 copies (English and Polish) of a given document which they are obliged to do under EU Law.

Other than that, it's just a step-by-step affair. If you are systematic and play ball, all should go well.

Life / Do you think a smoking ban would be a good thing in Polish restaurants and Bars? [217]

So how about those with BO, some prison time for them too? ;) How about what Pizza Hut did here, a policy of segregation? I think the level of custom lost after outright bans really hurts business.

Life / Can foreigners really understand Poles? [136]

What is it that you don't understand about them?

Life / Can foreigners really understand Poles? [136]

Shaking off a mindset is hard when it is deeply ingrained, the modus operandi stays and the process of change sometimes doesn't get off the ground. Look at a country that tried to turn the page from communism to capitalism, Hungary. They actually came out worse under the new regime and many yearned for the old ways where things were more predictable, though not always wholly desirable (my wife's mum, for example). Better the devil you know, as they say.

One would have thought that moving on would have been easier, especially given the collective resentment of communism. Still, we have the benefit of hindsight and we can see that it was a rough ride in the early 90's. Poland tried too much, too quickly. Wałęsa and Balcerowicz were overambitious and the new system faultered.

The bottom line is, change takes time. Just look at the area of change management within modern organisations. Plenty of case studies there. In Japan, the shinjinrui (young generation) is finding it very difficult to get the rojinrui (older generation) to budge and come round to their way of operating.

One final point, Poland had more commies within their ranks than they'd like to let on.

Love / Do you think that Polish should stick to Polish? [128]

It would be better to teach 2 languages and cultures at the very least. If you only teach 1, you may live to regret it later, e.g having to pay for the language lessons of the second language. If you are in regular contact with 2 cultures, it makes sense to expose your kids to the same. Teaching 1 at the expense of the other may be perceived as favouritism. Also, you want your kid to be proud of being both. I won't let my kid be subject to only Polish influences. They will learn English (the major world language) and come to know Scottish culture and heritage.

Poland would benefit from breaking free from any form of insularity. This process starts with a broad exposure to other ways and increases the chances of the kid being more open and worldly.

USA, Canada / My wife wants to return to Poland...but I want to stay in the US [155]

Jozek, in Private International Family Law, the most important maxim is 'the welfare of the child is paramount'. I didn't pick up on the age of the child but I feel that, with a knowledge of the key case-law, the child has already set roots down and severing those roots may mean that harm will ensue. Courts take this very seriously and is a major factor against the natural presumption that custody should go to the mother. If it came to that, you'd have to play that up as this isn't a standard custody/access case where you could see the kid through access rights granted by the court. It's an all-out custody battle.

Tell her that Poland is freezing at the moment and encourage her to use Skype in order to establish contact with her family. I miss my family and all that entails but I have many contact options in today's connected world. Trust me, it's a romantic ideal that they have. They glamourise and idealise their country from afar but bit*h and moan when they are here.

Life / Can foreigners really understand Poles? [136]

Ironside, you've got a bit of the Sean Connery in you. Yesh, we Shcots are shellfish (rak), LOL. I think you meant selfish which some are and some aren't.

There is still insularity here and if you haven't lived outwith it, you sometimes can't see it.

Communal in that there are many social occasions to celebrate together and there is a feeling of 'Polishness' which binds people here. That often disappears abroad where Poles often cheat one another.

Life / Horribly cold in Krakow at the moment , how do you cope with such temperatures ? [124]

You probably remember the winter of 2005/06, WB. That was a real nut chiller! Sheesh, I even wore 2 pairs of gloves before walking off to a gym session and my fingers still froze after just 10 mins of walking. This morning was comparable to that day.

Those hoodlums in their warm hoods will be getting the last laugh now ;)