News / Warsaw no longer the most congested city in Europe! [16]


Every Pole I've told about this idea (standard in the UK) agrees with it. Unfortunately, the awkward grey squad is, as you know, quite loud and powerful here. I gave up using the bus ages ago. The sight of elderly people having long chats about their fare while workers were trying to get to work drove me nuts.

News / Is Poland a safe place to live? CBOS survey. [7]

It depends where you live, of course. In my village I lock the door at night as part of the routine, but if it somehow gets left open, I don't get a shock in the morning. I work in Białystok, and during the day, at least, I don't give any thought to my personal safety. The lock on my car boot/trunk has been faulty for months, but I don't worry about anyone stealing from it. I've lived in lots of cities, and Białystok is by far the safest.

Work / Typical rate for 1-on-1 English lessons in Poland (Krakow)? [37]

That depends on who you are and what you can offer. Spelling English with a lower case e doesn't bode well!

Love / Polish girlfriend told me we cant have sex because I'm not religious [40]


The whole world is "like that", or at least part of every society is. Poland is no different. I don't know why you insist on portraying Poland as some kind of chaste, olde-worlde idyll. It's a modern European country in most respects, and it's changing in those that aren't.


That's right. Free to have a sex life or not, as they choose.

News / Presidential elections and debates 2015 Poland [472]


Good for you. I've lost my right to vote in UK elections, but never did even when I had it and lived abroad. I voted for the incumbent as I still shudder when I think of the last PiS presidency.

Work / Why English Teachers stay long term in Poland [30]

It's true that TEFL attracts more than its fair share of slackers, drunks and loonies. One guy I briefly employed was last seen running down Lipowa in Bialystok pursued by two men in white coats, and a drunk I had to supervise in Russia as DOS fell down a hole and died. Where I think our young friend is wide of the mark is in saying that teaching in Poland is a hopeless waste of time. I didn't go into teaching to make a fortune, and I haven't, but I live pretty well, with my own house, free and clear, and the respect of my peers and students. Life is what you make it. If you are serious about what you do, you can make a go of it.

Gosc. How wrong can you be?

Work / Why English Teachers stay long term in Poland [30]

Looks like you have an ambassador in Poland, Dom.

Genealogy / Suminska surname. Is my Polish Grandmother a Jew? [9]


I'd be interested to learn more about Anglicanism in the latter city. There's no congregation to speak of now, as far as I know anyway.

UK, Ireland / Polish plane almost kills off UKIP leader Nigel Farage in 2010. [24]

Count still not in but looks bad for NF. I've put my adult pampers on in anticipation of the result.

Life / Why are Polish so conservative and religious? [240]

And that's why I find religious people scary.

Language / Is math in Polish different than in English? [59]

majkel. Last month I went to pay our accountant for my business and my wife's business. There was 145 PLN to pay for each. The woman in the office turned on her calculator and entered 2 x 145 = 290. Then she cancelled and did it again: 2 x 145 = 290. I can assure you that younger Poles are not as great at arithmetic as you suggest.

Study / Dorms in Wroclaw, Poland [11]

I can't speak for that particular place, but the standard often depends on the age of the place. If you are going during the summer, the uni will probably make their best rooms available.


Don't worry. It won't be like Animal House. If you are very concerned, why not contact the organisers and ask them to put you somewhere quiet? If it would be uncomfortable for you to see young women emerging from the showers wrapped in towels, (and let's face it who wouldn't be uncomfortable with that? ;-)), the dorm people might be able to do something for you.

Travel / Krakow for a middle-aged couple: sightseeing, places to eat, shopping [10]


Excellent point. After visiting Majdanek I was extremely depressed for a day or two (very unusual for me). I do not regret going, as we should all remember what happened in these places, but I'm glad I didn't visit during a holiday.

Wieliczka is a must-see, no doubt about it. I can't say I like the salt for food, but the mine is astounding.

Study / Dorms in Wroclaw, Poland [11]

Yes to all three. Cheap, too.
Is it important that dorms are mixed?

Work / Does Poland welcome overseas workers as much as the UK does? [34]


I guess it would have to be something like that, as Johnny has no experience whatsoever in Poland or England.
How could statistics account for comments like Brits having a silver spoon in their mouth? You live there. How many aristocrats do you know?


Are you Johnny's agent?

I personally know a Polish/French couple who bought a house in France on benefits, then sold it. How about that? Rent free for years, then a huge cash prize at the end.

Work / Does Poland welcome overseas workers as much as the UK does? [34]



What do you base your assertions on, Johnny?

Life / Little-known facts about Poland [45]

Why do shops stock tinned fish in the fridge?

Life / Little-known facts about Poland [45]

De Grasso gives you a little tub of ketchup and one of garlic sauce. Years ago I ordered a pizza and it came pre-drowned in ketchup. It could have been anything underneath; it just tasted of ketchup. Next time I went to that pizzeria I specifically asked for no ketchup. The guy looked at me as if I were a little simple, but went ahead and baked my order. Before closing the box he called me over, held a ketchup bottle over the pizza and, with an imploring look, offered me one last chance to come to my senses.

Life / Little-known facts about Poland [45]


Certainly somewhere without articles in their language. I wonder whether the revolting habit of drowning pizza in ketchup is actually dying out. Hand kissing definitely is. I haven't seen it in ages.

Law / Money with ZUS - what happens to it when I leave Poland and come back home? [23]

terri, I wrote to the National Insurance people (this must be seven or eight years ago). They dug out my record of working in the UK, and calculated what my pension would be (not much). I decided to let it be at the time, but one option would have been to take a lump sum and give up my right to a pension. Now I'm thinking about it again, but I'm too busy at the moment. Why not contact the authorities and see what your options are?

Life / Polish people are miserly?? [25]


Why would people pay for smartphones? Mine cost nothing. I get a new phone every two years, and my account is nothing fancy. I pay about 70PLN/month.

Law / Money with ZUS - what happens to it when I leave Poland and come back home? [23]


Not true. A few years ago I explored the possibilty but decided to defer my decision. As for getting ZUS back, forget it.

Life / Polish people are miserly?? [25]


I haven't noticed any jealousy expressed, Wulkan. Could you give examples?

Food / POLISH RECIPES! [287]

I have noticed that most women turn their nose up at tripe soup, usually on aesthetic rather than culinary grounds. "Liquid haggis". What an insult to both noble dishes. Well, you have the red water, and I'll have the cow stomach soup.

My mother-in-law makes the lightest imaginable faworki. A little vodka in the mixture prevents the faworki absorbing oil, apparrently.



No, stop, my mouth is watering. I come from pie 'n' mash country. I think Manzie's is still open in Woolwich, and Goddard's in Greenwich, hard by the Cutty Sark. But you don't really want to know that, do you Roz?


Yes. There are some very nice google images.

Life / Polish people are miserly?? [25]

In a country where you have to work hard to make your money, thrift is a virtue. During even harder times Poles had to make do and mend, and this mentality prevails. Why blow money you've sweated for? btw, how many people did you base your opinion on?

Food / POLISH RECIPES! [287]

Potato pancakes (with Bisto gravy!). It's a commonplace that Polish soups are great. A local eatery where I live used to have eighteen soups and two wines on the menu. Flaczki is wonderful.

Law / Money with ZUS - what happens to it when I leave Poland and come back home? [23]

Some of us would like to know what happens to ZUS money when it stays in the country.

Food / POLISH RECIPES! [287]


I thought it was Polish.


Oh, right.

Food / POLISH RECIPES! [287]

This is representative of various opinions on the net.

"Crumbles originated in Britain during the 2nd World War. As there was strict rationing the ingredients needed to create the bases of a normal pie weren't available. Pies would require too much flour, sugar and fat to make the pastry. So people in the 2nd World War got creative and made a simple mixture of flour, margarine and sugar and used this to make the top of the crumble. The dish is also popular due to its simplicity." Source: moonfruit.com"


That's an instant PF classic.

Study / Studying in University of Lodz as an Indian student? What's the city like - is it safe here? [56]

Then he should have a higher opinion of teachers than he does.