delphiandomine
22 Apr 2011
News / Poland's Lost Generation [172]
Because he's American ;)
I only have one question at the moment. Why did you join the US military?
Because he's American ;)
delphiandomine
22 Apr 2011
Travel / Travel to Vilnius from Warsaw by bus? [12]
Best bet is a company called SimpleExpress - good reputation, cheap, but not quick!
Best bet is a company called SimpleExpress - good reputation, cheap, but not quick!
delphiandomine
22 Apr 2011
Life / Rules of Etiquette in Poland [22]
Oh yes, you can definitely see it in Western Ukraine - I've been there a few times, always speaking Polish - and always received help, even if they didn't speak Polish. I'd like to think that Ukrainians would be treated the same way in Poland :)
I remember one time, spending about 20 minutes in a tea shop, trying to decide on the best tea to buy. I couldn't read the Cyrillic alphabet, but the kind shop assistant took the time to carefully explain everything to me in what seemed to be a mix of Polish and Ukrainian. Ended up coming back to Poland with about 300zl worth of tea/coffee due to the absolutely splendid service.
Oh yes, you can definitely see it in Western Ukraine - I've been there a few times, always speaking Polish - and always received help, even if they didn't speak Polish. I'd like to think that Ukrainians would be treated the same way in Poland :)
I remember one time, spending about 20 minutes in a tea shop, trying to decide on the best tea to buy. I couldn't read the Cyrillic alphabet, but the kind shop assistant took the time to carefully explain everything to me in what seemed to be a mix of Polish and Ukrainian. Ended up coming back to Poland with about 300zl worth of tea/coffee due to the absolutely splendid service.
delphiandomine
22 Apr 2011
History / United States of America Vs Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth [74]
In all fairness - if the United States and other countries told China "sorry, we're not paying" - there's very little China could do. China is in a very bad position in this respect - she doesn't have many allies, and an Russo-American axis of non payment taking in a lot of the Western world could put China in an awful situation - especially if it was accompanied by nationalisation of Chinese assets at the same time.
Then they call in your debt and bankrupt you overnight at which point you have to buy what they sell since your own economy just went south.
In all fairness - if the United States and other countries told China "sorry, we're not paying" - there's very little China could do. China is in a very bad position in this respect - she doesn't have many allies, and an Russo-American axis of non payment taking in a lot of the Western world could put China in an awful situation - especially if it was accompanied by nationalisation of Chinese assets at the same time.
delphiandomine
22 Apr 2011
History / The smallest Poland ever? [115]
It doesn't. It's actually one of the few EU states left where Americans can obtain residency legally and painlessly. It also doesn't demand a Polish language test in order to keep out racist Polacks who blacken Poland's name.
Jeez, your knowledge of history is about as poor as it gets. Kosovo was, as created by Tito, an autonomous province of Serbia - which was merely schematics, as Kosovo was more or less fully functioning as a republic within Yugoslavia. They had a vote on the Federal Presidency and were, to all practical extents, another Yugoslav republic - hence why they have a legitimate claim to self determination. And for what it's worth - those Albanians always lived in Kosovo.
Incidentally, why "sadly"? Have you managed to forget that Serbia was and is backed by Russia for many years? If you want to know why Poland recognises Kosovo - there's your answer.
For now at least. As long as it strictly controls who comes into the country.
It doesn't. It's actually one of the few EU states left where Americans can obtain residency legally and painlessly. It also doesn't demand a Polish language test in order to keep out racist Polacks who blacken Poland's name.
One of the key reasons why sadly Serbia lost territory, is because the territory it lost was outnumbered 7 to 1 by non-ethnic Serbs. That was a big argument used by those who wanted to take that land from Serbia.
Jeez, your knowledge of history is about as poor as it gets. Kosovo was, as created by Tito, an autonomous province of Serbia - which was merely schematics, as Kosovo was more or less fully functioning as a republic within Yugoslavia. They had a vote on the Federal Presidency and were, to all practical extents, another Yugoslav republic - hence why they have a legitimate claim to self determination. And for what it's worth - those Albanians always lived in Kosovo.
Incidentally, why "sadly"? Have you managed to forget that Serbia was and is backed by Russia for many years? If you want to know why Poland recognises Kosovo - there's your answer.
delphiandomine
22 Apr 2011
News / Poland's Lost Generation [172]
Indeed. The Polish system's complete failure to produce someone able to work after school is dreadful - and it's not helped by some completely idiotic educational requirements. Why the hell does someone need a degree to look after some babies in a creche, for instance?
schools and their reputation is a joke.
Indeed. The Polish system's complete failure to produce someone able to work after school is dreadful - and it's not helped by some completely idiotic educational requirements. Why the hell does someone need a degree to look after some babies in a creche, for instance?
delphiandomine
22 Apr 2011
Life / Where did the books of British Council go to [10]
Story of the British Council, and of British institutions in general - closing doors to the public and generally existing as a "jobs for the boys" club rather than anything of actual use or merit.
Compare this to other organisations, such as Alliance française - and it's utterly shameful.
turned out it closed about 2 years previously...
Story of the British Council, and of British institutions in general - closing doors to the public and generally existing as a "jobs for the boys" club rather than anything of actual use or merit.
Compare this to other organisations, such as Alliance française - and it's utterly shameful.
delphiandomine
21 Apr 2011
News / The best Poland ever? [125]
It's an interesting concept, and I think the Government should have been brave enough to completely privatise Ciegelski, the shipyards, etc very early on - creating the concept of "one worker, one share". The situation where Solidarity took control of the industries, but didn't have any ownership stake (and thus, no need to care when the Government was paying) was a complete disaster - as can be seen now. Certainly, subsidies should have been cut - and the factories left to fight on the open market under worker-ownership.
What do you think about 'the socialized enterprise'?
It's an interesting concept, and I think the Government should have been brave enough to completely privatise Ciegelski, the shipyards, etc very early on - creating the concept of "one worker, one share". The situation where Solidarity took control of the industries, but didn't have any ownership stake (and thus, no need to care when the Government was paying) was a complete disaster - as can be seen now. Certainly, subsidies should have been cut - and the factories left to fight on the open market under worker-ownership.
delphiandomine
21 Apr 2011
UK, Ireland / Holding a British passport. Married a Polish woman. Applying for Polish passport? [21]
Probably there should be compulsory exams first - or even better, compulsory courses.
Heck, the only reason why there isn't a compulsory language requirement is because of Israeli and American "Poles" who only discovered their nationality when an EU passport was on offer.
Mind you, to me it is logical that in order to obtain a Polish passport you need to speak Polish.
Probably there should be compulsory exams first - or even better, compulsory courses.
Heck, the only reason why there isn't a compulsory language requirement is because of Israeli and American "Poles" who only discovered their nationality when an EU passport was on offer.
delphiandomine
20 Apr 2011
UK, Ireland / Holding a British passport. Married a Polish woman. Applying for Polish passport? [21]
I've had a look - not a thing mentioned about it.
More's the pity, really. I guess the racist Polish Americans would scream blue murder if they were FORCED TO LEARN POLISH in order to get the EU passport that they desperately crave.
I've had a look - not a thing mentioned about it.
More's the pity, really. I guess the racist Polish Americans would scream blue murder if they were FORCED TO LEARN POLISH in order to get the EU passport that they desperately crave.
delphiandomine
20 Apr 2011
News / British man accused of molesting teenagers in Poland [74]
It is effective - but the problem is that it's *too* effective - people (especially men) are now staying clear of working with children, especially as one "paedo" accusation can ruin your career. The dearth of men in primary teaching is somewhat of a scandal - and almost certainly contributes to the amount of bad behaviour seen by boys in primary school.
Strange... I asked you earlier to discuss the effectiveness of the UK policy
It is effective - but the problem is that it's *too* effective - people (especially men) are now staying clear of working with children, especially as one "paedo" accusation can ruin your career. The dearth of men in primary teaching is somewhat of a scandal - and almost certainly contributes to the amount of bad behaviour seen by boys in primary school.
delphiandomine
20 Apr 2011
UK, Ireland / Holding a British passport. Married a Polish woman. Applying for Polish passport? [21]
Really? I haven't heard anything about this - source?
The new law is that you have to be able to speak and write in polish and a sort of examination will be conducted...then and only then you can have Polish citizenship.
Really? I haven't heard anything about this - source?
delphiandomine
20 Apr 2011
News / British man accused of molesting teenagers in Poland [74]
Child molesting is nothing new in Poland - I know someone who runs a foundation dealing with child abuse, and sexual abuse by guardians isn't unknown here. She was also telling me some terrifying stories of how sexual abuse was acceptable within the family during II RP times - so really, nothing new.
Don't forget, the attitude that "Children should be seen and not heard" is still strong in Poland.
Child molesting is nothing new in Poland - I know someone who runs a foundation dealing with child abuse, and sexual abuse by guardians isn't unknown here. She was also telling me some terrifying stories of how sexual abuse was acceptable within the family during II RP times - so really, nothing new.
Don't forget, the attitude that "Children should be seen and not heard" is still strong in Poland.
delphiandomine
20 Apr 2011
News / The best Poland ever? [125]
You must be kidding, right?
The opposition are incredibly weak - they don't have a coherent message, and have failed to oppose the Government on many, many issues where they could have opposed - instead choosing to focus on Smolensk and other trivial issues. In fact, the SLD are pretty much the true opposition right now - which is pathetic.
Most common people don't have problems in Poland with unemployment and poverty. And don't you think it's time that Poland started being optimistic rather than doom and gloom, as has been the case for the last 200 years or so?
What is "the truth"? The country is getting richer, even "poor" people are still rich in world terms - heck - Poland even manages to do a damn fine job of educating people to a minimum standard.
The strength of the PiS opposition is that they are not false, artificial and out of this world like Mr Sikorski.
You must be kidding, right?
The opposition are incredibly weak - they don't have a coherent message, and have failed to oppose the Government on many, many issues where they could have opposed - instead choosing to focus on Smolensk and other trivial issues. In fact, the SLD are pretty much the true opposition right now - which is pathetic.
We live in the officially optimistic society; official optimism tries to shore up what is failing - economy (unemployment, poverty), basically everything what matters for common people.
Most common people don't have problems in Poland with unemployment and poverty. And don't you think it's time that Poland started being optimistic rather than doom and gloom, as has been the case for the last 200 years or so?
Thus official optimism feeds despair rather than hope and in addition to that conceals the truth also.
What is "the truth"? The country is getting richer, even "poor" people are still rich in world terms - heck - Poland even manages to do a damn fine job of educating people to a minimum standard.
delphiandomine
20 Apr 2011
News / The best Poland ever? [125]
Of course.
Poland is now at no risk from her neighbours, she has a pretty much ethnically pure country (which helps when avoiding nasty debates about breaking up the country, ala Spain), she's wealthy in world terms, her people are respected, it has political stability - even despite the bad things said about PiS, they still handed over power when defeated democratically - really, what's to complain about?
Do you agree?
Of course.
Poland is now at no risk from her neighbours, she has a pretty much ethnically pure country (which helps when avoiding nasty debates about breaking up the country, ala Spain), she's wealthy in world terms, her people are respected, it has political stability - even despite the bad things said about PiS, they still handed over power when defeated democratically - really, what's to complain about?
delphiandomine
20 Apr 2011
News / British man accused of molesting teenagers in Poland [74]
Mindblowing.
Even if they didn't conduct a criminal records check - what the hell were they doing allowing him access there?!
You do realise that Serbs have a terrible reputation in Europe as a whole, especially for those little acts of genocide and for being friendly with Russia?
And what exactly can Poland do about it? She doesn't have the money to defend herself, NATO is about the only option there is.
it seems that this bloke had access to teenage girls in the changing room...
Mindblowing.
Even if they didn't conduct a criminal records check - what the hell were they doing allowing him access there?!
That's a terrible thing to say about Serbs. You should apologize for this anti-Serbian slur.
You do realise that Serbs have a terrible reputation in Europe as a whole, especially for those little acts of genocide and for being friendly with Russia?
but its good for Poland not to let other NATO countries take Poland for granted.
And what exactly can Poland do about it? She doesn't have the money to defend herself, NATO is about the only option there is.
delphiandomine
20 Apr 2011
News / British man accused of molesting teenagers in Poland [74]
Indeed. That's why any system must be simple and easy to adhere to. The UK has sadly gone down the road of tedious over-zealous checking - which doesn't work either, as people are now becoming too reliant on the checks and not doing their own homework. All too often, I've seen "he's got a valid CRB, he can't be a paedophile" or worse - "she's female".
Won't catch me arguing. The UK (and Irish) legacy of child abuse, particularly by Catholic institutions but not limited to them is one of the most sad and shocking tales in recent times.
So what good is that CRB check in UK if it's not adhered to?
Indeed. That's why any system must be simple and easy to adhere to. The UK has sadly gone down the road of tedious over-zealous checking - which doesn't work either, as people are now becoming too reliant on the checks and not doing their own homework. All too often, I've seen "he's got a valid CRB, he can't be a paedophile" or worse - "she's female".
Before you lecture Poland on child abuse because of a scumbag from UK, have a little moment of reflection on the 150,000 children that were institutionally abused by the British government.
Won't catch me arguing. The UK (and Irish) legacy of child abuse, particularly by Catholic institutions but not limited to them is one of the most sad and shocking tales in recent times.
delphiandomine
20 Apr 2011
News / British man accused of molesting teenagers in Poland [74]
I wouldn't have any problem with a system that was clear, straightforward and relied on facts rather than hearsay.
There's a middle ground between Poland's lack of checks and the UK's over-zealous checking.
One thing that scares me is that Polish employers don't even seem to do their own checks - I was hiring someone for a primary school job recently, and I thoroughly checked into their background before even considering anyone - including calling (not e-mailing) several past employers with difficult questions about what they've been doing there.
At least two out of the six originally considered turned out to have been lying about their past!
how can you do business in Poland with all those rules?
I wouldn't have any problem with a system that was clear, straightforward and relied on facts rather than hearsay.
There's a middle ground between Poland's lack of checks and the UK's over-zealous checking.
One thing that scares me is that Polish employers don't even seem to do their own checks - I was hiring someone for a primary school job recently, and I thoroughly checked into their background before even considering anyone - including calling (not e-mailing) several past employers with difficult questions about what they've been doing there.
At least two out of the six originally considered turned out to have been lying about their past!
delphiandomine
19 Apr 2011
News / British man accused of molesting teenagers in Poland [74]
Would you like to read articles about how Polish people abuse children, too?
Would you like to read articles about how Polish people abuse children, too?
delphiandomine
19 Apr 2011
News / British man accused of molesting teenagers in Poland [74]
Actually, the subject is a bit of both - it's sickening that someone came to Poland to do such a thing, and it's sickening that Poland allows people to have unrestricted access to children without any sort of criminal check. Yes, I know such checks aren't perfect - but at least they might discourage the real nasty ones.
Thankfully, good old Polish prison justice should be handed out to him. Can't imagine prison will be pretty for a child molesting foreigner, to be honest...
Indeed, the nationality doesn't matter at all.
Actually, the subject is a bit of both - it's sickening that someone came to Poland to do such a thing, and it's sickening that Poland allows people to have unrestricted access to children without any sort of criminal check. Yes, I know such checks aren't perfect - but at least they might discourage the real nasty ones.
Thankfully, good old Polish prison justice should be handed out to him. Can't imagine prison will be pretty for a child molesting foreigner, to be honest...
British, American, Polish... they should all be strung up by piano wire around their balls.
Indeed, the nationality doesn't matter at all.
delphiandomine
19 Apr 2011
News / Poland's Lost Generation [172]
Indeed, and this sort of thing is usually why they seem to be so bitter. There are several examples on this forum alone ;)
Well you need to guess again. This is how I picture you- Born in Poland and emigrated to the USA, you probably left PL when you were 8 -12 years old.
Indeed, and this sort of thing is usually why they seem to be so bitter. There are several examples on this forum alone ;)
delphiandomine
19 Apr 2011
News / British man accused of molesting teenagers in Poland [74]
So - just as Harry has been predicting on this forum, Poland's shocking inability to vet foreigners in charge of children has produced victims -
thenews/national/artykul153717_brit-accused-of-paedophilia-at-krakow-sports-facility.html
I'm surprised it's taken so long for this to happen.
So - just as Harry has been predicting on this forum, Poland's shocking inability to vet foreigners in charge of children has produced victims -
Prosecutors are investigating complaints that a British man has been abusing girls as young as 13 or 14 years of age at a sports facility in Krakow, southern Poland.
The TOK FM radio station is reporting that the suspect is currently being detained by police.
The TOK FM radio station is reporting that the suspect is currently being detained by police.
thenews/national/artykul153717_brit-accused-of-paedophilia-at-krakow-sports-facility.html
I'm surprised it's taken so long for this to happen.
delphiandomine
19 Apr 2011
USA, Canada / Opening a small shop, and selling many Polish items in USA. Do you think this would work? [32]
Then come and do your research.
However, as Fuzzy has already helpfully told you - you need to stock the products that Polish people miss, they don't neccessarily have to be made in Poland. Czech chocolate for instance has a far better reputation among Poles than Polish chocolate.
Then come and do your research.
However, as Fuzzy has already helpfully told you - you need to stock the products that Polish people miss, they don't neccessarily have to be made in Poland. Czech chocolate for instance has a far better reputation among Poles than Polish chocolate.
delphiandomine
19 Apr 2011
UK, Ireland / Poland and Britain? What has caused the downtur in the UK? [28]
I'd say it's not so much about the exam results as the "bit of paper" - which is sadly all too often fraudulently obtained.
From everything I've read - the Polish system is more demanding in terms of pure knowledge, but is far less demanding in terms of actual practical ability. One big problem that the Polish system has is that while self-motivated people can get ahead, it also produces a vast amount of graduates who expect jobs to fall into their lap. A lot of them also have the attitude of "work? during summer? BUT IT IS HOLIDAY TIME" - I know several employers who are specifically looking for people who have used their summer holidays productively and not fooling around the mountains or beaches.
Then again, the UK system does produce utter failures too - so in my opinion, neither system is perfect. But the UK system does offer far more choice and flexibility.
Polish children are still installed with the notion that it is essential to get good exam results to succeed in life and although the career opportunities are not that prevalent as they are in the UK, in time I think this will change - at least I hope so!
I'd say it's not so much about the exam results as the "bit of paper" - which is sadly all too often fraudulently obtained.
From everything I've read - the Polish system is more demanding in terms of pure knowledge, but is far less demanding in terms of actual practical ability. One big problem that the Polish system has is that while self-motivated people can get ahead, it also produces a vast amount of graduates who expect jobs to fall into their lap. A lot of them also have the attitude of "work? during summer? BUT IT IS HOLIDAY TIME" - I know several employers who are specifically looking for people who have used their summer holidays productively and not fooling around the mountains or beaches.
Then again, the UK system does produce utter failures too - so in my opinion, neither system is perfect. But the UK system does offer far more choice and flexibility.
delphiandomine
19 Apr 2011
Work / Poland Visa D and traveling-US Citizen [13]
It was entirely fine up until the introduction of Schengen. Since then, the rules have changed.
If they broke the 90 day limit, then they can be deported at their own expense and banned from Schengen for a year.
The problem is that the 90 day limit isn't always enforced - but it can easily be enforced at any moment from anywhere on the border or inside the Schengen zone. I've seen border guards carefully examine an American's passport to make sure that all the entries and exits added up - it's just not worth the hassle to break the law.
Anyway, it's the law, and should be respected. America doesn't want people overstaying on the tourist stamp, and neither does Poland.
It was entirely fine up until the introduction of Schengen. Since then, the rules have changed.
If they broke the 90 day limit, then they can be deported at their own expense and banned from Schengen for a year.
The problem is that the 90 day limit isn't always enforced - but it can easily be enforced at any moment from anywhere on the border or inside the Schengen zone. I've seen border guards carefully examine an American's passport to make sure that all the entries and exits added up - it's just not worth the hassle to break the law.
Anyway, it's the law, and should be respected. America doesn't want people overstaying on the tourist stamp, and neither does Poland.
delphiandomine
18 Apr 2011
Work / Poland Visa D and traveling-US Citizen [13]
Wrong. The presence of a stamp does not confer any residency rights - under Schengen law, the stamp is solely for informational purposes for the traveller. The deal is any 90 days in an 180 period regardless of what stamps are in the passport (or indeed, if any stamps are present at all).
For what it's worth, it depends when his mother obtained American citizenship as to his entitlement to Polish citizenship.
Wrong. The presence of a stamp does not confer any residency rights - under Schengen law, the stamp is solely for informational purposes for the traveller. The deal is any 90 days in an 180 period regardless of what stamps are in the passport (or indeed, if any stamps are present at all).
For what it's worth, it depends when his mother obtained American citizenship as to his entitlement to Polish citizenship.
delphiandomine
18 Apr 2011
UK, Ireland / Poland and Britain? What has caused the downtur in the UK? [28]
They are?
Everything I've heard suggests quite the opposite - anyone who wanted to work in Germany already is working there as a self employed contractor (quite legal). Given the dire economic situation in the Eastern borderland of Germany, it would seem rather unlikely that anyone will be commuting there for work.
Poles are also highly critical of Poland and many are just waiting for 1st May to head for greener pastures in Germany and Austria.
They are?
Everything I've heard suggests quite the opposite - anyone who wanted to work in Germany already is working there as a self employed contractor (quite legal). Given the dire economic situation in the Eastern borderland of Germany, it would seem rather unlikely that anyone will be commuting there for work.
delphiandomine
18 Apr 2011
News / Acquisition of HSW (Poland's building equipment maker) by leading Chinese manufacturer. [17]
Perhaps Polonius, you might want to start by looking at the power and influence of Solidarity on Polish owned companies. Who caused the shipyards to fall? Who caused Ciegelski to fall? Who is causing problems within PKP?
All can be traced directly to Solidarity mismanagement.
In fact, it's no surprise that real Polish success stories like Solaris have firmly kept Solidarność out of the workplace.
On Tuesday, traded unionists will start talks on a social packet, the works Solidarity chairman Henryk Szostak said.
Perhaps Polonius, you might want to start by looking at the power and influence of Solidarity on Polish owned companies. Who caused the shipyards to fall? Who caused Ciegelski to fall? Who is causing problems within PKP?
All can be traced directly to Solidarity mismanagement.
In fact, it's no surprise that real Polish success stories like Solaris have firmly kept Solidarność out of the workplace.
delphiandomine
17 Apr 2011
Real Estate / Poland's apartment prices continue to fall [1844]
No way. The prices in Poznan (except some very exclusive developments - so exclusive that no-one wants to live there) are between 4000-6000PLN per square meter.
Obviously it depends where and what. Something like 8-10K PLN per square meter in cities.
No way. The prices in Poznan (except some very exclusive developments - so exclusive that no-one wants to live there) are between 4000-6000PLN per square meter.
delphiandomine
17 Apr 2011
Life / $3,000-$4,000 a month - would we have enough money to live in Poland? [273]
They won't target him, they'll just target his alcohol ;)
I wouldn't put it past such guys to actually climb up/down on his balcony to steal the booze, especially spirits.
They won't target him, they'll just target his alcohol ;)
I wouldn't put it past such guys to actually climb up/down on his balcony to steal the booze, especially spirits.