Life /
What do you like about Poland? [100]
There's a lot of Ena Sharples-type senior citizens.
The younger people are more respectful of their elders.
The food is much better generally although you will find monosodium glutamate additives in more foods than in a typical UK supermarket.
The fresh milk is generally of an unpleasant smell, I have no idea why, I've tried different brands.
The best economically priced tea that tastes closest to UK tea is Saga (try 2 bags). Even Tesco's black tea is not recommended here. I also was very unimpressed with several other brands that I won't mention, just stick to Saga if you want something fairly like UK tea and get a good quality UHT to go in it, there are a few brands that do not taste like UHT at all and more like UK fresh milk and with no smell. Customer Services at some of the supermarkets here if you have a problem with a purchase is a far cry from the UK. At one well-known chain's huge store, customer service became sarcastic when asked to refund me for tea that tasted like dust. They carried ;o) on like this: "You should've bought xyz brand! Send it back to the manufacturer!" she laughed, and despite several protests, refused to refund the 4zl or so, repeatedly laughed in my face and then served the next customer. As did the managers. This was not the first time I'd taken something defective back and been told to as good as get lost. Mention EU consumer laws and they make excuses or laugh. Caveat Emptor - don't buy anything unless you are prepared to write the money off, some of the massive supermarket names here don't give a fig about customer satisfaction. Shop around too, I save 30% on some items simply by buying elsewhere. Even the cheapest of hypermarkets are sometimes undercut significantly on certain lines by grander supermarkets elsewhere, for example soya milk is cheapest by far at Alma.
The cakes are great, most supermarkets have a fab range. Cheesecakes in particular. Fresh veg is superb and your eyes will pop out at the size of cauliflowers and other veg, most of which are reasonably priced and delicious. If you don't cook here, you're missing out. You'll have to cook anyway, as the range of ready meals is very limited and what there is tends to be double or triple the price of that in the UK.
Beers, what can I say? I have been unable to go wrong.
If you're unattached, the majority of women everywhere take care with their appearance, are much slimmer than in Britain (generally), mostly well above average in looks, usually educated and friendly-ish. However, as I'm not any sort of adonis myself I can't say what they're like as girlfriends and I don't bother chatting anyone up etc, no experience of that side of things at all, other than they're usually polite and friendly to blokes like me (ie obviously not on the hunt).
Few people speak any significant English. However where they do, you may be a bit amused if you can detect they have lived in England and picked up a regional accent as they speak English. I couldn't help but smile when I met a security guard who spent 2 years in Birmingham, he was really Brum as he spoke English!
Religion plays a much greater role here than in the UK. Families and younger people embrace the church far more.
The roads are less safe and generally less maintained too. Cross at crossings or risk a fine for jay-walking, or so they say. Cars are often noticably reluctant to stop at pedestrian crossings, cross with caution.
Apart from the old bill, there are also a couple of police-like authorities, like UK PCSOs except they carry cuffs and a baton (not sure if they carry a gun) and presumably can arrest you.
Where I am the telephone service displays even international numbers, so you can see who's calling you from the UK. Pretty handy if you miss a call or want to ring them back at no expense to them.
They have many of the UK's popular game-shows on Polish TV with a Polish twist or slight modification. They have Family Fortunes, Name That Tune, Millionaire, to name a few.
A Santander Zero card may reduce the costs of withdrawing UK bank cash from ATMs here, if you've got one. Possibly the Halifax Clarity card is quite good too.
Fast food bars serve far better and more nutritional stuff than the UK versions of take aways. And much cheaper.
I am yet to find a launderette/coin-op laundry!
Beware when going to markets, just like the UK some clothes and other items are slight seconds, sometimes worse.
Consider Jajah IP telephony for phone calls home to chat to mates etc, cheapest way that I know of. No special phone needed, use any phone nearby and your computer or you can use Jajah direct if no computer (I think).
Bring thermals!
Enjoy Poland, its beautiful countryside and special places - have a great time!
