Language / August - What does it mean as a word definition given by Google Translate? [13]


You've got an even dirtier mind than me. Reminds me of the double entendre from the old TV show: Jestem kobieta pracująca, żadnej pracy się nie boję.

pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobieta_Pracuj%C4%85ca

I bet the OP is really paranoid now, wondering if the się in the quote means August.


In this case it means between July and September. Pretentious? Toi?

USA, Canada / Looking for Polish beer in the United States [39]


Krakus?

• 
  krakus
  

Law / No residency permit or PESEL number - worried that I'm here illegally [15]


Only in certain circumstances - a surprising number of people don't have them, including Polish citizens. The whole system's due (actually overdue) to be abolished and nobody would ever have trouble if they didn't get one. Most people who rent don't have them either because most landlords in PL can't get their heads round the idea that they aren't permanent.


I've heard some people say that, however I always use pre-paid SIMs and I've had 2 internet/cable TV contracts without. Just the Akt Notarialny or Umowa Najmu was sufficient. I've never need a foreign car and when registering for the vote, nobody asked me for a PESEL - I had my EU residents' card.

And thinking back, when I last needed internet/cable installing (I think it was UPC or Aster City, one of those two, whoever covers Wola), I didn't even have to show them anything except my passport and the colour of my money.

Law / No residency permit or PESEL number - worried that I'm here illegally [15]


Yes - perhaps I was assuming the worst ;-)

One positive, that the OP may not know and most small employers don't know either, probably because they never have to think about it, is Poland's particularly generous tax residency rules. In most circumstances, someone can be there for 183 days per year rather than the measly average of 90 (per year over 5 years) the UK offer before tax residency is established.

Law / No residency permit or PESEL number - worried that I'm here illegally [15]


That's about addresses and residence. It is not illegal to not have one.


I've paid tax in PL for years, sometimes as an employee, sometimes as a board member and have never had a PESEL.


Your suspicions are correct; I've done both several times. You do tend to get hassle dealing with Polish bureaucracy regardless with different people (often sitting next to each other in the same office) giving different advice and swearing on their lives that it is true. Fortunately things are getting better slowly.

It would have been a huge help if the OP had told us his/her nationality - at a language school there are several possibilities. Nevertheless, if he/she is from the UK/Ireland they should rest assured that they have an absolute right to live and work in PL. The only potential issue I can see is if the employer doesn't give a statement of tax deducted before he/she leaves. If nothing comes, it might be better (though illegal) to draw a line under the matter when making future tax declarations rather than opening a can of worms.

If the OP is American or ANZAC, different rules apply and it is possible to overstay a visa with unfortunate results.

Law / No residency permit or PESEL number - worried that I'm here illegally [15]


Do you actually need a residency permit? What country are you from? If it's outside the EU, you will certainly need one; if it's inside the EU you shouldn't, as Maybe says, worry.

As for a PESEL, Poles often regard it as important (it is important for them) however many people from other countries do not have them and it is not obligatory - I don't after 2 decades in Poland. You do still however (if you don't have a PESEL) need to pay tax - are you sure your employer has been making the right deductions and forwarding them to the tax office?


Sort it out then, but ''like it's my first year'' doesn't mean anything - they do not ask about previous visits to Poland.

Be careful though - if you're from outside the EU and have overstayed your visa (even if it's a 'visa on arrival') you may have issues.

Work / Prospects for Finding a Job Teaching English in Poland or Elsewhere in Europe [17]


There was a place in Warsaw that specialised in US English and tended to hire American trainers. Nowadays they find it easier just to get Poles who've spent some time there.


People in the capital who specialise in Business, Technical or Legal English and have a very good reputation (which brings the privates in) can make quite a lot more. They are a minority though and have to do a lot of work for the money.


Yes. EFL, especially at language schools rather than universities or large companies doesn't look great on a CV.

Language / August - What does it mean as a word definition given by Google Translate? [13]

The meaning is obvious to anyone who speaks Polish and you'll be relieved to know it's innocuous. It doesn't by the way mean he'll leave you in August, however since you're reading his private texts perhaps he should.

Travel / Want to know Hotel with Escort services in Poland [21]


For sure some would. Every country including yours and mine has its sleazebags.


I wouldn't put it past some people.

Worth mentioning that there's no shortage by far of homegrown ones in Poland too - most of the fallen women and other unfortunates 'service' the domestic market.

Life / LCD monitor in Czestochowa? [4]

If you want second hand, try Gumtree Polska or Allegro.pl. Also the place in the entrance of major supermarkets where people leave cards selling second hand items. If Volksbank are part of the Visa or Maestro networks you will find an ATM that works.

History / Alexander the Great - Macedonski. Poland connection? [254]

Don't take it personally - that post isn't in reply to you. Adding opinions to this thread (and a quick check on a search engine) has shown one thing. The guy (kid?) makes them up, copies them and pastes them on half a dozen fora simultaneously.

Think of them as a nutty bulletin.

USA, Canada / Bilateral Visa Waiver Agreement between USA and Poland [47]


People voted to join - you can't get much more legitimate than that.


See above.

USA, Canada / Bilateral Visa Waiver Agreement between USA and Poland [47]


Yes. If it was a country that most Americans could point to on a map, things might be different. But they're not.

Language / Polish Proficiency Test? [9]


These are part of the official Council of Europe language testing process.

Work / What is Job Grade 9 and who should come under this grade? [5]

It is internal, I'm sure. Unless it refers to the number of years staź (years of work) you have. Why not mail them and ask?

Good luck with the new job.

Work / What is Job Grade 9 and who should come under this grade? [5]

Are you sure it isn't a company's own internal grading system?

How many years work experience do you have, by the way?

USA, Canada / Bilateral Visa Waiver Agreement between USA and Poland [47]

Both of which (especially the first) are classic examples of sabre-rattling by those EU states who aren't part of the visa waiver programme. None of them dare rattle the sabre too hard for fear of worsening relations.

Law / Are there any specific regulations regarding the Importation of alcohol from EU to Poland? [4]

If you're selling it there, you'll need to pay Polish excise duty.

Travel / Best way to get from Metro Mlociny to Chopin Airport? [22]

Then you'll know that the 175 is easier than the train.

Travel / Best way to get from Metro Mlociny to Chopin Airport? [22]


I use Volfra (cheap as chips) who go round the ring road. Nevertheless, in the rush hour it might be better to go into Centrum by tube. There's also a taxi rank at Mlociny, It would be about 80-90 from there.


No it isn't. It's up one set of stairs, along a path and down two more flights. I do live there, you know.


A bit fiddlier.


Indeed. But why the quotes? It's a normal enough phrase.

Travel / Best way to get from Metro Mlociny to Chopin Airport? [22]


Not as accessible as a 20 second walk from the metro entrance. Not to mention dealing with another mode of transport as well as stairs with luggage.


Or just grab any cab from the main road outside Metro Centrum - that's what I tend to do and they don't rip people off (providing you get a cab with a phone number displayed on the roof - most have them, but avoid the others). It isn't expensive.

Travel / Best way to get from Metro Mlociny to Chopin Airport? [22]

Yes - there are self-service machines (with an option in English - just press the flag) at both entrances to the Metro. There are two types of machines. They do the same thing, but in a slightly different way. Both have English menus. If you find one type of machine is a nuisance, just look for the other type. Or just ask at the news kiosk inside the Metro Station - the word for ticket is bilet.

Travel / Best way to get from Metro Mlociny to Chopin Airport? [22]


I'm always paranoid about those timed tickets, in case there's a delay and the Kanary get on. 70 minutes should do it though, outside the rush hour.

Travel / Best way to get from Metro Mlociny to Chopin Airport? [22]

It's a very easy journey. You have several choices - this one is simplest.

1. Get the Metro from Mlociny (PolskiBus drops its passengers off at the Metro Station). Get off at Centrum. Leave the platform from the main exit - the one near the front not the back of the train.

2. Metro Centrum is by a big crossroads with a traffic roundabout. The bus stop you want for the airport doesn't involve crossing any roads - it is the nearest one to the metro and no more than one minute's walk away.. When you're at the bus stop, you'll be standing opposite the Polonia Palace Hotel, which will be on the other side of the road facing you. The Palace of Culture will be behind you.

3. The bus you want is the 175 (they are every few minutes, allow half an hour to get to the airport (double it during the rush hour, just to be safe) - or just grab a taxi for about 35 or 40 zl. There are plenty nearby.

If you get the bus, buy 2 tickets at Metro Mlociny and don't forget to save one to cancel on the bus.

You can also get the 188 from Metro Politechnika or another bus from Metro Imielin, however the stops are harder to find if you're a visitor and pressed for time. There are also trains from Central Station (5 mins walk from Metro Centrum) however they are not much quicker than the bus and not as regular.

Genealogy / Where is Borchersdorf, Germany, and Kal, Austria? [16]

Burkat, a little village near Działdowo wa called Borchersdorf. But so was a place in Kaliningrad. In the scheme of things those two aren't that far away.

Travel / Want to know Hotel with Escort services in Poland [21]


Every hotel receptionist can sort you out with someone and in some hotels you will be approached whether you like it or not.

History / Alexander the Great - Macedonski. Poland connection? [254]


And there we have it. Paranoia and insecurity. I suspect irredentism isn't far behind.


You mean 'neo-hellenism'.

History / Alexander the Great - Macedonski. Poland connection? [254]


Only in your mind.

Genealogy / Relatives' Pictures: Do They Look Polish? [44]

I wondered if I could see a glint in the eye that suggests Gwlad Cymru. They definitely look a bit Welsh to me.

Genealogy / Relatives' Pictures: Do They Look Polish? [44]

Or just German roots.