Law / Is it compulsory to have visa or karta pobytu to get marry in poland? [10]


That won't count - it's only a administrative decision which says that they're waiting for a final decision on your case. In fact - I'm not certain that the stamp ceases to be valid upon a negative decision being received, subject to the usual appeal process.

You need the Karta Pobytu or long term category D visa.

Incidentally, on what grounds were you refused the Karta Pobytu? It can only be refused if you don't meet the criteria.

History / Why are Jews pestering Poland for "proper" WW2 monetary restitution/reparations? [750]


You don't have to care - the fact that you refuse to criticise terrorist acts by Palestinians says it all.

Perhaps people will take you more seriously when you look at such a conflict through netural eyes, rather than through Jew-obsessed eyes.

History / Why are Jews pestering Poland for "proper" WW2 monetary restitution/reparations? [750]

Your lack of criticism of terrorist acts by Palestinians suggests an agenda.


Holocaust denial is illegal in Poland - did you know?

History / Why are Jews pestering Poland for "proper" WW2 monetary restitution/reparations? [750]


They were. Poland refused to take them in - one of the more shameful incidents in Polish history. And one of the most bizzare - they had people who were almost certainly going to be very pro beating up Germany - and they treated them badly!

Study / Shocking! Test standards in Polish schools. [165]


Really? All the Finns I know have great English - one of them actually told me that in Finland, her mother is considered a bit odd for speaking Swedish but not English fluently - and this is in Rovaniemi.


Not if it's done properly - the usual idea is that the 3rd suspension is normally permanent. Kids then end up in special units (or at least, they used to - let's not talk about the failings of the UK system here) to deal with them and their problems - essentially, it's much worse of a punishment becaues they're then separated from their friends - and an exclusion on your school record is pretty shameful.

Do you remember the story from a while ago where some kid was beating up others in his primary school class in Bialystok? That's the sort of thing that suspensions deal with - it is absolutely insane that the kid can't legally be prevented from going to school.

History / Why are Jews pestering Poland for "proper" WW2 monetary restitution/reparations? [750]


What did Poles do to the Germans to justify such brutal actions towards them? As you say - they had to take up such drastic measures against them...

Oops, sorry, that doesn't fit into your holocaust justification (a crime, incidentally) - does it?

History / Why are Jews pestering Poland for "proper" WW2 monetary restitution/reparations? [750]


Yeah, so your grandfather says. He'll never admit to the truth, will he?


Actually, what's ridiculous is that you seem to support any actions against Jews, no matter how terrible. Yet you criticise them for doing the same sort of thing back - which proves your agenda.


Holocaust denial is illegal in some countries, you know.

History / Why are Jews pestering Poland for "proper" WW2 monetary restitution/reparations? [750]


And suicide bombs in Jewish areas aren't 'ethnic cleansing'?

Dearie me Des, do try harder.

Life / What is the reason for POLISH jokes ? [486]


I also think that he just doesn't understand the European humour - we all mock each other freely, no-one takes offence and everyone is happy. In fact, it's often said that Americans simply don't get European irony - and here is a perfect example.

Mocking Poles is meaningless - they mock us, we mock them and we get on with being Europeans. Meanwhile, Americans take offence on our behalf and succeed in pissing everyone off in the process.

Study / Shocking! Test standards in Polish schools. [165]

I'm not a fan of detention, but the idiotic way that schools can't even suspend them from school is mindblowingly stupid. Actually, the list of problems that schools have are immense - I'll reply properly later, but a lot of it is down to the way that teachers hands are utterly tied. The way that 13-16 year old kids need to be supervised in the corridor is just one example of where resources are needlessly wasted. Then there's the whole rubbish with teachers allegedly being paid "hourly" - so you get the situation where they work their 20 hours and refuse to do a thing more.

Don't get me wrong, there are many fantastic teachers - but most of them are tied up with the lunacy of the system here. You should ask her about "the programme" and how it must be obeyed at all cost.

Stu, beer soon? I'll be in your neck of the woods again in a couple of weeks

Life / What is the reason for POLISH jokes ? [486]

Why do I get the feeling that MediaWatch has never left America and certainly doesn't understand the European culture of us all mocking one another freely?

UK, Ireland / Obtaining driving License in UK or Poland ..which is easier [8]


4 different cameras, plus a microphone inside the car - and they routinely review the films. There was a big sting recently in Poznan with quite a few examiners being fired.


Mine was fantastic - truly passionate about driving, and he was keen to point out that much of driving was actually mathematical in nature. Not a crook at all - he had real passion for it, and he's now started his own school. Probably the best thing about him was that he was always pointing out other instructors mistakes - for instance, letting people sit forwards instead of back in the chair.

Generally though, instructors aren't too bad - there are league tables published of their ability to get students through the exams, so the bad instructors are often found out quite quickly. One big problem (and my instructor has solved this) is with the theory lessons not preparing people for the road - but he solved this by creating a custom-built simulator and making sure that people can work the pedals properly before going on the road.

Great guy - if anyone wants an instructor in Poznan, I'm happy to pass his details on. He's not the cheapest, but he was reliable and trustworthy. He was also quite happy to use the dual controls if he felt the need.

Work / Working and living in ELBLAG as an expatriate [11]

5000zl gross is a mere 3000zl net - it's going to be impossible on that.

Life / NEED HELP TO PICK CELLPHONE PLAN IN POZNAŃ (Abonament) [10]


The phones themselves cost more than 480zl a month for the cheapest new Android device.

News / Controlling the internet ACTA in Poland (Like SOPA) [34]


It's not quite so simple - after signing, it must be ratified by Poland. It's quite possible that it will stay in legal limbo for years - quite a few international treaties remain unsigned for decades, like the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic with some countries. I'm predicting that the Government won't dare to attempt to ratify it - especially because there's already a broad consensus against signing it.

Even if it does get passed by the Sejm/Senat - Komorowski has shown that he's willing to veto things when there exists clear public opposition to something.

UK, Ireland / Are Polish people importing a new wave of ancient racism into the UK? [402]

Exactly ;)

I suspect your average redneck Polish racist from the village who moved to the big city wouldn't have a hope in hell of understanding this.

UK, Ireland / Are Polish people importing a new wave of ancient racism into the UK? [402]


I don't remember where it was, but I saw a clip of a bunch of Asians (not just Sikhs) with weapons, with a "come get some, you bastards" expression on their face. Always did wonder if anyone was stupid enough to try...

(robbing Poundland...ffs :/)

Life / NEED HELP TO PICK CELLPHONE PLAN IN POZNAŃ (Abonament) [10]


You're not going to get an Android phone on a 24 month contract for 35zl/month.

As for where they speak English - go to T-Mobile on Dabrowskiego, near Most Teatralny. The manager there speaks fluent English. Or Play in Stary Browar.

However, shouldn't you be able to speak Polish if you're here long enough to get a contract?

Love / Any Polish Muslim girls living in Poland? [103]


Muslims are enemies?

News to me, especially considering Poland's history.

Anyway, you can "hope" all you want - it's not going to happen here. Such thoughts belong in the villages, and we will never let the villages take power.

Work / Teaching English in Krakow - where to start looking and the process? [21]

It certainly doesn't look dull - I spotted several good bars when I was there!

And Lublin isn't exactly far from Warsaw as well.

Travel / Trip from Boston, USA to Poland - cost of stay / places to visit? [14]

Why not?

I've traveled around Hungary, including going off the beaten trail where knowledge of English is minimal at best, and didn't have any problems. Heck, I've wandered around remote parts of Serbia/Montenegro/Albania before and didn't have any real issues.

I'd argue that if you want to discover Poland, avoiding the big cities is a must. While going to somewhere like Suwalki might be a bit crap, there's no harm in discovering Karkonosze, Bieszczady, etc...

Work / Teaching salary per hour, PhD in Architecture [28]


The latest figures do actually show 5000zl as being possible - I don't remember the terminology (pawian will, where is he?) - but a diploma teacher who also marks/creates exams and does a little bit more can make 5000zl brutto.

As Antek actually says - she'll be getting also extra money for teaching there, and with all the little bonuses for doing other things, 5000zl is quite realistic.


What makes you think that they even want you?

Work / Teaching English in Krakow - where to start looking and the process? [21]


You and ten million others are also looking.

If you want to work in Poland, go elsewhere. If you want to want to work in Krakow because "it's pretty" - then prepare for a life of unemployment.


Go to the small towns where they'll treat you like a princess. Seriously.

Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]


Sorry, but employers in major cities these days have no interest in such clowns. "quickly swotting up" won't help when you crash and burn in a trial lesson.

News / Poland now soft-pedalling ACTA signing [107]


It would seem likely that Komorowski will veto it anyway - ignoring mass opposition would be a disaster for him.

Food / Food coloring ingredients to buy in Poland? [7]

EchoTheCat - thank you for the link to the one in Poznan - I really, really appreciate it! :)

News / Poland now soft-pedalling ACTA signing [107]

Lived in Poland recently, have we?

Then again, I suppose you're a product of people who fled, rather than of people who opposed.

Life / Poles close to grandparents [32]


I can show you first hand evidence of this if you want to come to Poznan :) The way in which it's 'celebrated' is very much dependent on social class. And we're talking about old class, not new classes based on wealth (we all know that many rich people in Poland are still peasants inside).

As for "making up that it's viewed as a communist holiday" - I never said it was. It is a communist celebration that's somehow passed into the public consciousness as being "good". Although - those who know their history will reject it.


Hah, that's probably an invention of the card shops. There might be a 'day', but no-one cares about it.


Sure it matters. It is funny though - the ones screaming loudest about communists are the ones who also place the most emphasis on this. Absolutely hilarious.


Not many real ones, no. Plenty of people claim to be, but only about 10% genuinely reject it and the mythology that they brought - I'd say.

One of the stranger things about PiS was their inability to reject such things. Could it be because their electorate are also the ones who demand tribute from their grandchildren on this day, and with it, are the ones who scream loudest about 'Western Betrayal" and so on?

Sorry, but nothing you say changes the fact that the 'holiday' has its origins in Communism - and should be rejected by anyone who knows their history. Poland has many beautiful traditions from before Communism - why embrace their ones?

Love / Unmarried couples in Poland = pathology [310]


"Taste of Polonia" - try Busia Sofia's golumpkies here!

...scowl.

Real Estate / Poland's apartment prices continue to fall [1844]

Fuel costs have risen too, and has he had a child in that time, etc etc?


I can think of three things -

bread - 1.60zl in the local bakery, still 1.60zl.
tymbark lime juice in my local shop - 4zl then, 4zl now.
30 minute tram ticket - 3.60zl then, 3zl now.

What I suspect has really gone up is the cost of people's repayments for that flat screen TV, etc.