Real Estate / Why are toilets and sinks in Poland always separated by a door? [33]

I don't understand it either. A person walks out of the toilet touching the door handle to open the door leaving his germs on the handle. Then goes and washes his hands. Another person opens that same door, touching the germ ridden door handle, the germs are transferred onto their hands. They walk out and wash their hands, but if during their 'occupation of the toilet', they happen to touch another part of their body, e.g. face or arms, the germs are transferred there.

Anyone that can tell me that this is hygienic - gets my vote.

Life / How Safe Are the Polish Cities? [179]

Recently, on my last visit to Krakow, the small 'village' (by American standards) I saw just 3 people who had obviously come from India to work.

Life / How Safe Are the Polish Cities? [179]

No one can guarantee the safety of another individual, whether they are Polish, German, Swedish or from any other country. people get killed, have fatal accidents, get attacked. This happens to all people, of all colours, all religions, in all the countries in the world.

Study / Poland student visa interview [27]

Please remember in all cases of applying for a visa. Do NOT bring or HAVE any forged documents with you.
You will be asked in detail about every document you present.
If these are found to be 'false' you will be arrested by the police.

Real Estate / Who pays for the real estate agency's cost in Poland? [26]

Just read the whole thread.
The chances are that the students have willingly signed a law binding document provided by the estate agent. It is highly unlikely (bordering on impossible) that the agent would show them any rented flats before he got his agreement signed.

Unfortunately, it is no defence in court if they did not understand what they were signing. The contract is binding.

Life / Fitting balanced flue Gas Central heating boiler in Poland [32]

This only goes to show that you never know where and when you could meet somebody who will be useful to you.

Law / Laundromats in Poland? Good business venture or not? [90]

You could open a laundromat which is combined with an internet cafe or meeting rooms in a place where students are likely to congregate. Get good advice from someone who already runs something similar.

I know for certain, the one in Krakow (Frania) runs for 24 hours a day every day of the week and it is always full. They do washing for individuals, hostels, hotels.

You must do your market research thoroughly before starting any sort of business. This is a long term commitment.

Language / Ambulans displacing karetka - similar meaning of different Polish words? [19]

Re: Ambulance/Pogotowie
Very often you can hear the word 'ERKA', as on some of the ambulances, the letter 'R' is very prominent.

Study / From UK to Poland - studying for a Masters Degree in Warsaw [14]

Warsaw School of Economics - ok.

Study / From UK to Poland - studying for a Masters Degree in Warsaw [14]

I believe that the University course fees for International Students (even those from the UK) are FAR higher than for anyone on a Polish passport.

Study / Poland student visa interview [27]

No one can tell you IF and WHEN your visa will be granted.

Study / From UK to Poland - studying for a Masters Degree in Warsaw [14]

I am not sure of the information that if someone is studying in English they do not have to pay for their course fees.
as far as I was aware, in the UK you have to pay if you want to study a Master's degree, unless someone knows something different.

UK, Ireland / Common pitfalls for Poles learning English [187]

>>>>Only if they're into group sex.
...and who isn't?

Law / Poland student visa refusal - 'intention to leave' [51]

The pseudo schools are open for the same reason as such schools are open in the UK. They are willing to give students Mickey Mouse evidence of being a student. The schools take a cut, the student can get a job legally and all is well in the world.

Law / Advice needed on why my Poland National Visa D has been refused? [49]

Well, there is nothing else you can do. I don't know what you expect from us - if the Authorities tell you NO, then NO it is. End of story. You can always write to the President, but other than that - it is NO.

Law / Advice needed on why my Poland National Visa D has been refused? [49]

Wait to see what answer you get from your appeal. You do not tell us all the facts. If they felt that you 1. do not have sufficient funds, and 2. lied on your form - there is nothing anyone can do.

Law / Can non-EU spouse/dependent work without work permit in Poland? [26]

The employer has to apply for the work permit - you yourself cannot buy a work permit. First, you will have to find an employer willing to do that, and he has to prove that no one else in Poland can do the job for which he wants to employ your wife. This may prove extremely difficult unless your wife speaks perfect Polish. I am assuming that she does speak Polish - and then she can get in the queue and apply for the same jobs as all the Poles already living in Poland.

Travel / From Alabama to Warsaw - why not? Migration to Poland from United States. [2]

Poland is awash with IT people, unless you can offer something special. Look on jobs available in Poland to ascertain how much you could earn. Then remember, that any employer would need to apply for a work permit for you and prove to the authorities that he cannot find a qualified person in Poland who can undertake the same job.

This may prove to be the stumbling block for you.

Law / Can non-EU spouse/dependent work without work permit in Poland? [26]

It all depends on what your spouse is qualified to do and whether these jobs are available in Poland. I am assuming that she speaks Polish to a high degree and will not have trouble communicating with her employers.

Work / Studies In Poland, is it easy to survive on part-time jobs? [259]

It all depends on your ability to undertake any job (we do not know what you are qualified to do) and of course, your greatest barrier will be the ability to speak Polish, which I assume that you do to a good degree.

Otherwise there is no chance, unless you can suggest jobs which you feel you can do better than a native Pole, speaking Polish in Poland.

Life / Cost of living in Wroclaw (rent price too) [119]

I think he meant 45K per year, not month.

UK, Ireland / Common pitfalls for Poles learning English [187]

If an English person does not say 'please' after naming a price, we would think that he has no manners.

UK, Ireland / Common pitfalls for Poles learning English [187]

Generally Poles learning English have problems with articles (a, an, the).
Any reproduction of sounds (vowels and consonants) depends on how anyone has learned the language and in which locality. English words are pronounced differently in all parts of England - but that is normal. So if a Pole or anyone else was taught by a native from Liverpool or Birmingham or Cornwall - (who had a pronounced accent) his pronunciation of certain words will be different. What matters is that the correct/appropriate word is used at the time.

I notice that Poles are not taught to say 'please' when asking for payment if they are serving in a shop/bar/airport. Its just 10zl - but no please and that really annoys me. They have not been taught this.

Real Estate / Pitfalls of buying a Polish Flat built in 1950's [20]

I don't know any surveyors in Katowice. What you need is 'uprawniony inspektor budowlany' - look for them in google.
Secondly, ascertain how the water is charged, the monthly costs of building/renovation fund for shared facilities, the waste costs. These are the important things which normally you only find out after you purchase.

I have checked costs of buying a used flat for 375,000 on few websites. Minimum costs 25K - 28K. (assuming 3% provision for estate agent- some charge more). Add 3K for building inspection. Save 2K for emergencies - so my calculation of about 10% wasn't far out.

Real Estate / Pitfalls of buying a Polish Flat built in 1950's [20]

@mcrpolak
Most important thing - make sure that the seller is the owner of the flatand has a right to sell. Make sure that the KW (ksiega wieczysta) is CLEAN. Ask the owner for the number and check it yourself.

Add 10% for costs of buying the flat. You cannot do it any cheaper.
Do not trust what anyone says about the condition - make sure that you see evidence (paperwork/documents) of any renovation - electricity, gas, water - evidence and not their word. People usually just paint the walls and think it's ok, but underneath they have pipework/cables that are 30 or 40 years old.

Language / Polish dative case: Why do you use "mu" in this sentence instead of "go" [9]

I was always taught that 'mu' (as shown above) should in fact be 'jemu'.....

Life / Important: A Good Medical Center with English speaking doctors in Krakow [50]

There are some good private doctors on Plac Szczepanski. Go there. They will be able to say straightaway, and you may just get away with some antibiotics.

As you can see from your experience - looks can be deceiving.

Life / Important: A Good Medical Center with English speaking doctors in Krakow [50]

I'm afraid you should have thought twice about dipping your wick. Go to a doctor (you will have to pay) for advice. If may just be an infection, on the other hand she may have given you a little present. Even if you ring her, she will not admit to anything (remember she was a virgin before she met you) and tell you that it was you who has given her something. Either way, you will pay.

Study / Study in Krakow, opinions about the University of Economics [4]

You need to ask yourself what the chances are of finding a job after attending ANY University. Once you know that then you can study all you like, but for pleasure only.

Work / Checking Docs duration by company in Poland (diploma, transcript and passport copy) [10]

Don't ask me, ask the Polish Government....