delphiandomine
13 Jul 2012
delphiandomine
13 Jul 2012
Travel / Abandoned airfield south-east of Wroclaw [7]
I was flying to Wroclaw Airport yesterday, and I flew over what appeared to be an abandoned airfield that was now some sort of business park. Anyone know what/where it was? It was seemingly just north of the A4 autostrada, definitely west of the Katowice area. There was definitely a runway, though it appeared to now be derelict. The runway was orientated in a roughly NW-SE line.
I was flying to Wroclaw Airport yesterday, and I flew over what appeared to be an abandoned airfield that was now some sort of business park. Anyone know what/where it was? It was seemingly just north of the A4 autostrada, definitely west of the Katowice area. There was definitely a runway, though it appeared to now be derelict. The runway was orientated in a roughly NW-SE line.
delphiandomine
13 Jul 2012
Off-Topic / PF - The Omnibus Edition [1502]
Seany baby, expect a PM ;)
I'm just saying give their address'
Seany baby, expect a PM ;)
delphiandomine
13 Jul 2012
UK, Ireland / Renewing passports for children? We are back in the UK. [17]
Nope, have a look here - msw.gov.pl/portal/pl/365/4543/Termin_i_sposob_zalatwienia.html
Little known, but far easier to get than a passport, not least because you don't have to bother going to the provincial passport offices.
Nope, have a look here - msw.gov.pl/portal/pl/365/4543/Termin_i_sposob_zalatwienia.html
Little known, but far easier to get than a passport, not least because you don't have to bother going to the provincial passport offices.
delphiandomine
13 Jul 2012
Life / Is Poland a poor country? [578]
No Fuzzy. You don't understand. Not all of us spend/spent our days in Poland walking around in the rain, trudging from one dull lesson to another dull lesson with lifeless corporate drones while not having any resemblance of a career. I know you cannot comprehend the idea of someone actually having friends, and the idea of actually having the money to go out several times a week is totally alien to you - but still.
I'm more and more convinced that you had such a dreadful, lonely time in Poland that you've convinced yourself that everyone lives like that, just because it's better than the alternative of admitting that you miserably failed here.
No Fuzzy. You don't understand. Not all of us spend/spent our days in Poland walking around in the rain, trudging from one dull lesson to another dull lesson with lifeless corporate drones while not having any resemblance of a career. I know you cannot comprehend the idea of someone actually having friends, and the idea of actually having the money to go out several times a week is totally alien to you - but still.
I'm more and more convinced that you had such a dreadful, lonely time in Poland that you've convinced yourself that everyone lives like that, just because it's better than the alternative of admitting that you miserably failed here.
delphiandomine
13 Jul 2012
Life / Is Poland a poor country? [578]
Or perhaps I just have two friends who both sent a considerable amount of doctors to the UK in the early days? When you know such people and they own such companies, it does tend to come up in conversation.
Then again, I don't spend my days rotting away in some Babcia's flat, eating potatoes and pork and listening to nothing apart from how mean the Government is because they don't get their State-funded holidays, childcare, etc anymore.
Or perhaps I just have two friends who both sent a considerable amount of doctors to the UK in the early days? When you know such people and they own such companies, it does tend to come up in conversation.
Then again, I don't spend my days rotting away in some Babcia's flat, eating potatoes and pork and listening to nothing apart from how mean the Government is because they don't get their State-funded holidays, childcare, etc anymore.
delphiandomine
13 Jul 2012
Life / Is Poland a poor country? [578]
Unfortunately, your FACT is somewhat negated by the fact that the UK NHS has dramatically tightened up the rules surrounding the use and employment of such doctors. What was once a very common practice in the early days of EU membership is now pretty much no longer a reality.
Don't let those facts get in the way of your FACT, though.
The problem is that it isn't a huge improvement in lifestyle in many cases. It might be if you're a no-hope loser from some village in Eastern Poland, but it certainly won't be if you're a highly educated, experienced individual from a major city.
countless doctors/dentists go to the UK for work, they travel back and forth all year while maintaining small private practices in Poland. they make $hit loads more in the UK, regardless of what airfare costs getting there and back. FACT.
Unfortunately, your FACT is somewhat negated by the fact that the UK NHS has dramatically tightened up the rules surrounding the use and employment of such doctors. What was once a very common practice in the early days of EU membership is now pretty much no longer a reality.
Don't let those facts get in the way of your FACT, though.
if it meant you earning far more and gaining a huge improvement in lifestyle.
The problem is that it isn't a huge improvement in lifestyle in many cases. It might be if you're a no-hope loser from some village in Eastern Poland, but it certainly won't be if you're a highly educated, experienced individual from a major city.
delphiandomine
13 Jul 2012
UK, Ireland / UK passports if resident in Poland [19]
My suspicion is that they would want to see some sort of supporting documentation at least - a residence certificate/card, bills in your name, photocopy of the passport/etc.
Actually - thinking about it - for EU citizens, it wouldn't be much of a problem (they'd be able to do some background checks easily) - and non-EU citizens should always have the Karta Pobytu to hand.
If your passport is out of the country, you could well have a problem.
My suspicion is that they would want to see some sort of supporting documentation at least - a residence certificate/card, bills in your name, photocopy of the passport/etc.
Actually - thinking about it - for EU citizens, it wouldn't be much of a problem (they'd be able to do some background checks easily) - and non-EU citizens should always have the Karta Pobytu to hand.
delphiandomine
13 Jul 2012
UK, Ireland / Renewing passports for children? We are back in the UK. [17]
Why didn't you just get him a dowód osobisty?
(they can be issued for EU travel upon request)
We have just come back from a 2 week hols in Poland and didn't get time to renew it there
Why didn't you just get him a dowód osobisty?
(they can be issued for EU travel upon request)
delphiandomine
13 Jul 2012
Life / Is Poland a poor country? [578]
Actually, you probably can't. Food in Poland is absurdly cheap, especially meat.
Plenty of people move to Poland every year for bread, Poles aren't forced to go abroad for it (they go abroad because a dumb moron from a small village can earn far more than he can hope to earn in Poland - or they go because they want to get better in languages/etc) and as for foreign aid - almost every country has received foreign aid at some time.
Actually, you probably can't. Food in Poland is absurdly cheap, especially meat.
Plenty of people move to Poland every year for bread, Poles aren't forced to go abroad for it (they go abroad because a dumb moron from a small village can earn far more than he can hope to earn in Poland - or they go because they want to get better in languages/etc) and as for foreign aid - almost every country has received foreign aid at some time.
delphiandomine
5 Jul 2012
News / SUNDAY WITHOUT MASS IN POLAND - Judaeo-leftist Wyborcza gloats [165]
Turn off the computer, then.
Turn off the computer, then.
delphiandomine
5 Jul 2012
Travel / Ryanair travel by air - subtle scams to be wary of [98]
Why is it completely illegal? Could you perhaps point out which IAA regulation they're breaking?
Most people are happy that Ryanair don't **** around and instead get people there on time.
They need to lengthen ground time for each plane between flights,as Its completely illegal.
Why is it completely illegal? Could you perhaps point out which IAA regulation they're breaking?
Most people are happy that Ryanair don't **** around and instead get people there on time.
delphiandomine
5 Jul 2012
Study / I would like to know if Poznan is a good place to study? [11]
The opinion among the vast majority is that they're here as it's an easy way into the EU. I don't think it's much surprise that they tend to end up married to very ugly rich girls and do very little for themselves. There are exceptions, but they tended to be successful in Africa first.
The opinion among the vast majority is that they're here as it's an easy way into the EU. I don't think it's much surprise that they tend to end up married to very ugly rich girls and do very little for themselves. There are exceptions, but they tended to be successful in Africa first.
delphiandomine
4 Jul 2012
Study / I would like to know if Poznan is a good place to study? [11]
1. For people that don't speak Polish, you can do very little. I can always find you a job for 5zl an hour, but that's not going to pay your way in Poland.
2. No. Why do you want to come here? Is it because your "agent" promised you a great education, a good job and a nice visa??
How much do they pay per hour for part time job in Poznan and can I get job without speaking polish
1. For people that don't speak Polish, you can do very little. I can always find you a job for 5zl an hour, but that's not going to pay your way in Poland.
2. No. Why do you want to come here? Is it because your "agent" promised you a great education, a good job and a nice visa??
delphiandomine
4 Jul 2012
Language / Learn Polish or Russian [86]
Just so long as you remember that with such an attitude, you have no right to call yourself anything but American.
The problem is it would really be a total waste of time because there would be no one to speak it with.
Just so long as you remember that with such an attitude, you have no right to call yourself anything but American.
delphiandomine
4 Jul 2012
Life / Individualism in Polish culture...Is it almost Nonexistant? [170]
Gummi, do you know anything about the so called Polonia companies that were set up in the beginning of the 80's? I don't know anything about them, except that Jan Kulczyk (and others) got their start in business by operating through such companies. I've found references to them in numerous books, and this wikipedia article - pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firma_polonijna - but nothing else.
The problem with older people is that they're often considerably biased too - all they remember is the bad stuff, and with time, they'll have you believe that it was absolutely dreadful because they don't want to remember it any other way. It's a problem with history, really :)
Everything I've read suggests that the only real breakdown in society (after the Stalinist period) came between the end of the 1970's and 1983 or so. It's not often mentioned, but martial law was designed to restore economic order as well as political order. The economy was in ruins due to the massively bad investments made (and debts incurred) - and everyone was striking over really petty things at times - so martial law got people back to work, often by making the workplace a military one.
It surprised me too when I first found out that this was the case - but since then, I've met many older people with a very good command of English - all of it learnt under Communism.
Also, the economy was supposed to be Marxist
Gummi, do you know anything about the so called Polonia companies that were set up in the beginning of the 80's? I don't know anything about them, except that Jan Kulczyk (and others) got their start in business by operating through such companies. I've found references to them in numerous books, and this wikipedia article - pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firma_polonijna - but nothing else.
Well, if I have to choose who to believe, a whole bunch of older people I've met there, who didn't have absolutely any reasons to lie to me or opinions of some biased PF members (not necessarily you though), you know my pick.
The problem with older people is that they're often considerably biased too - all they remember is the bad stuff, and with time, they'll have you believe that it was absolutely dreadful because they don't want to remember it any other way. It's a problem with history, really :)
Everything I've read suggests that the only real breakdown in society (after the Stalinist period) came between the end of the 1970's and 1983 or so. It's not often mentioned, but martial law was designed to restore economic order as well as political order. The economy was in ruins due to the massively bad investments made (and debts incurred) - and everyone was striking over really petty things at times - so martial law got people back to work, often by making the workplace a military one.
English WAS widely taught before 1990.
It surprised me too when I first found out that this was the case - but since then, I've met many older people with a very good command of English - all of it learnt under Communism.
delphiandomine
4 Jul 2012
Life / Individualism in Polish culture...Is it almost Nonexistant? [170]
They just aren't telling the truth - time is clouding historical truth. Moscow by the 1970's had more or less started to ignore minor internal issues in Poland (and other Warsaw Pact countries, except the DDR) - indeed, the most shocking thing about 1981 was that Poles had done it to Poles, when it was believed (by then) that the Polish institutions acted for Poles.
Sure, there was no freedom like in Western countries, but I'm not convinced that Poland in the early 70's was in any way more oppressive than Spain or Portugal (or even Greece) at that point.
And yet the actual historical record reveals otherwise. Again - you're basing Poland on the words of people, not on the reality.
The example that Boletus gives is nothing special - I know people who did the same, all without being Communists.
Fuzzy, you haven't got a clue what it was like. You socially mixed with people who were pretty low down the pecking order, and their experiences wouldn't have been representative of the society at that time. Don't forget that the Poland of 1975 for instance was radically different to the Poland of 1950.
and I've been repeatedly told that there was no freedom in Poland "za komuny" whatsoever and that the decisions were made in Moscow.
They just aren't telling the truth - time is clouding historical truth. Moscow by the 1970's had more or less started to ignore minor internal issues in Poland (and other Warsaw Pact countries, except the DDR) - indeed, the most shocking thing about 1981 was that Poles had done it to Poles, when it was believed (by then) that the Polish institutions acted for Poles.
Sure, there was no freedom like in Western countries, but I'm not convinced that Poland in the early 70's was in any way more oppressive than Spain or Portugal (or even Greece) at that point.
that was exactly my experience. unanimously they said that they had no freedom, couldn't travel, couldn't afford to even if they were able to, stores were empty, etc.
And yet the actual historical record reveals otherwise. Again - you're basing Poland on the words of people, not on the reality.
The example that Boletus gives is nothing special - I know people who did the same, all without being Communists.
Fuzzy, you haven't got a clue what it was like. You socially mixed with people who were pretty low down the pecking order, and their experiences wouldn't have been representative of the society at that time. Don't forget that the Poland of 1975 for instance was radically different to the Poland of 1950.
delphiandomine
3 Jul 2012
Life / Individualism in Polish culture...Is it almost Nonexistant? [170]
Bulgaria, probably - Spain was (at the start of the package holiday boom) still very much under the control of the Falangists, and not a particularly pleasant place for people from Communist countries ;)
And what has this got to do with how individualistic Poles are?
As I'm sick of saying - just because your lifestyle in Poland was small flats, kotlet schabowy and no job security doesn't mean that everyone is like that.
no problems with that but ask Poles if they rather traveled to Spain too instead to Bulgaria ;-) (talking back then).
Bulgaria, probably - Spain was (at the start of the package holiday boom) still very much under the control of the Falangists, and not a particularly pleasant place for people from Communist countries ;)
Poles: "Sir, you can go here, here, here, or here."
Brits: "Sir.....you can go anywhere you want."
Brits: "Sir.....you can go anywhere you want."
And what has this got to do with how individualistic Poles are?
As I'm sick of saying - just because your lifestyle in Poland was small flats, kotlet schabowy and no job security doesn't mean that everyone is like that.
delphiandomine
3 Jul 2012
News / SUNDAY WITHOUT MASS IN POLAND - Judaeo-leftist Wyborcza gloats [165]
Like anyone sane cares about who owns what.
Its obviously antisemitic to describe anything as Jewish owned because it implies that the owners are first and foremost Jewish rather than business people who happen to be Jewish
Like anyone sane cares about who owns what.
delphiandomine
3 Jul 2012
Life / Individualism in Polish culture...Is it almost Nonexistant? [170]
Indeed - Brits went on package holidays to Spain, Poles went to Bulgaria.
I was refering to proximity of the travel average Kowalski or average Smith was likely to undertake.
Indeed - Brits went on package holidays to Spain, Poles went to Bulgaria.
delphiandomine
3 Jul 2012
Life / Individualism in Polish culture...Is it almost Nonexistant? [170]
Did people in the UK (for instance) really go much further than Spain and Italy during the Cold War? Not really.
He won't admit it, it doesn't fit in with his image of Poland being a place full of backwards peasants.
Oh c'mon man, that doesn't count and you know it. It's like if I go from one state to another. In reality, all these countries were Soviet republics, we all know it.
Did people in the UK (for instance) really go much further than Spain and Italy during the Cold War? Not really.
Is that wide enough for you?
He won't admit it, it doesn't fit in with his image of Poland being a place full of backwards peasants.
delphiandomine
3 Jul 2012
Life / Individualism in Polish culture...Is it almost Nonexistant? [170]
How can you explain this, when three very conformist nations - America, the UK and Germany are all very well travelled as a nation?
And don't try and tell me that America isn't conformist.
You haven't got a clue how widely English was taught, so why are you persisting?
if you don't see how greater opportunity and exposure to "more" leads to individualism, then I can't help you.
How can you explain this, when three very conformist nations - America, the UK and Germany are all very well travelled as a nation?
And don't try and tell me that America isn't conformist.
seriously, just give up on that one.
You haven't got a clue how widely English was taught, so why are you persisting?
delphiandomine
3 Jul 2012
News / SUNDAY WITHOUT MASS IN POLAND - Judaeo-leftist Wyborcza gloats [165]
I think you only need to look in the mirror to find a definition.
How's the repressed homosexuality doing, Polonius?
PC-creeps like to toss about threatening-sounding buzzwords (anti-Semite, intolerant, racist, homophobe, etc.) without definintg terms in the hope of intimidating anyone who dares to hold a differetn view.
I think you only need to look in the mirror to find a definition.
How's the repressed homosexuality doing, Polonius?
delphiandomine
3 Jul 2012
Life / Individualism in Polish culture...Is it almost Nonexistant? [170]
Again - what has that got to do with being individualistic? Poles were never so poor (except, perhaps, in the chaotic 1980-1983 period) that they couldn't afford to travel to other countries. And furthermore, some of the most well travelled people (Americans) tend to be absolutely conformist as hell.
It was taught in some schools, it was taught in universities - that's pretty wide if you ask me.
Seriously - you need to stop basing Poland on your own experience of small flats and uneducated inlaws.
having more money provides more opportunity and greater exposure. this is common sense.
Again - what has that got to do with being individualistic? Poles were never so poor (except, perhaps, in the chaotic 1980-1983 period) that they couldn't afford to travel to other countries. And furthermore, some of the most well travelled people (Americans) tend to be absolutely conformist as hell.
we obviously have different defnitions of "widely".
It was taught in some schools, it was taught in universities - that's pretty wide if you ask me.
Seriously - you need to stop basing Poland on your own experience of small flats and uneducated inlaws.
delphiandomine
3 Jul 2012
Life / Individualism in Polish culture...Is it almost Nonexistant? [170]
You don't see it because you don't want to see it. You simply cannot believe it - you spent 5 years of hell in a low-paid profession with no job security, and the thought that Poles might have something positive is ghastly to you.
Common myth. Poles (along with Czechoslovaks, Hungarians and East Germans) had plenty of opportunity to travel to other Socialist countries.
What has that got to do with being individualistic?
English was quite widely taught even before the 1990's. If you'd actually met educated people in Poland, you'd know that English wasn't as inaccessible as one might have thought.
On paper, yes. But as a culture? I refer you to Gummi's answer -
They are a very, very individualistic society. They can't even agree on things such as standardised dress at work!
Man, I just don't see how.
You don't see it because you don't want to see it. You simply cannot believe it - you spent 5 years of hell in a low-paid profession with no job security, and the thought that Poles might have something positive is ghastly to you.
Communism not long ago, people weren't even able to travel, or couldn't afford to do so.
Common myth. Poles (along with Czechoslovaks, Hungarians and East Germans) had plenty of opportunity to travel to other Socialist countries.
Limited funds for years and years which simply exposes you to "less".
What has that got to do with being individualistic?
Limited international media exposure, especially those that don't speak English, which was nearly everyone until the 1990's.
English was quite widely taught even before the 1990's. If you'd actually met educated people in Poland, you'd know that English wasn't as inaccessible as one might have thought.
On paper, Poland is a recipe for "Vanilla". If Poland seems invidualistic to you, you probably need to travel more.
On paper, yes. But as a culture? I refer you to Gummi's answer -
the integrity of subsequent Polish states, especially compared to Poland's neighbors with their "zu befehl" on one hand
They are a very, very individualistic society. They can't even agree on things such as standardised dress at work!
delphiandomine
3 Jul 2012
Life / Individualism in Polish culture...Is it almost Nonexistant? [170]
I'd agree. Poles are terribly individualistic - they might superficially pretend to conform, but they'll do their own way and damn the consequences.
They don't despise each other. Who told you that, Busia?
I'd agree. Poles are terribly individualistic - they might superficially pretend to conform, but they'll do their own way and damn the consequences.
I suppose that's why Russians and Poles despize each other.
They don't despise each other. Who told you that, Busia?
delphiandomine
3 Jul 2012
News / SUNDAY WITHOUT MASS IN POLAND - Judaeo-leftist Wyborcza gloats [165]
There was a great article a while ago in it, written by a priest, that pretty much hit the nail on the head about the Church in Poland. As to be expected, the usual suspects started screaming and crying.
It's scary as an outsider to see how divided the RCC really is in Poland.
They know what's best for Poland!
I wonder if Dav....Dessie is a Gazeta Wyborcza hater?
Wyborcza prints a lot of stuff on Christianity and Catholicism in Poland in which discussions herds of Polish Roman Catholic priests take part.
There was a great article a while ago in it, written by a priest, that pretty much hit the nail on the head about the Church in Poland. As to be expected, the usual suspects started screaming and crying.
Some say that the Roman Catholic Church in Poland is divided
It's scary as an outsider to see how divided the RCC really is in Poland.
Hang around for a bit longer and you'll learn even more rubbish about the "Jew media" from so-called "Polish" Americans.
They know what's best for Poland!
I wonder if Dav....Dessie is a Gazeta Wyborcza hater?
delphiandomine
30 Jun 2012
Genealogy / How Polish am I? What is the correct formula? [58]
It would make you American.
What percentage would a 2nd great grandparent be?
It would make you American.
delphiandomine
30 Jun 2012
Life / If a Phone Gets Stolen in Wroclaw [11]
I use dropbox for this - everything automatically uploads to there whenever I'm connected to wifi. It's a great solution for backing up data :)
I wanted my SD card back which had some photos / videos
I use dropbox for this - everything automatically uploads to there whenever I'm connected to wifi. It's a great solution for backing up data :)
delphiandomine
30 Jun 2012
Real Estate / Poland's apartment prices continue to fall [1844]
The "Polish reality" of your inlaws and relatives has nothing to do with the reality for many Poles. That's where you keep going wrong.
But it is the norm already. It wasn't before - but nowadays? Quite normal.
It will only increase as people sell off Babcia's flat to pay for the downpayment on a house.
This has nothing to do with Europe as a whole. YOU fail to recognize that we're talking about Polish reality and that's it.
The "Polish reality" of your inlaws and relatives has nothing to do with the reality for many Poles. That's where you keep going wrong.
EXACTLY. The mortgage thing is new and the Polish economy is not ready for it to become "the norm".
But it is the norm already. It wasn't before - but nowadays? Quite normal.
It will only increase as people sell off Babcia's flat to pay for the downpayment on a house.