Work / Warsaw polytechnic or Krakow polytechnic? [3]

Trust me, Having a BSc does not make you an architect. Just have a look at what hurdles you have to jump over to become accepted as an Architect in Poland.

Take Polish, your English needs polishing up.

Life / Are people in Poland 'made' to give money to their parents? [25]

skysoulmate
You help your parents because that is your wish - you don't have to if you don't want.
However, in Poland, the LAW can force you to help. You will have money deducted from your pay if the Law decides that you must help them - and that is the idea of this thread.

Whereas in other countries you do it from your own free wish - in Poland you maybe fiorced to do it - only after a Court decision - but still.

Life / Are people in Poland 'made' to give money to their parents? [25]

>>>terri: ...How can you EVEN think that I was taking about my parents? Why would you NEED to feel sorry for them?

The one who raise such crazy ideas is likely to be suspected of owning large collection of "evidence" against own parents.

terri: Do you know me at all? I don't think so.
Neither you seems to know much about Poland. Bad apples you can find everywhere but especially Slavic people are known from holding strong family ties. I have heard many foreigners voicing such opinion in the past.

Would the person who DID NOT BELIEVE me and had the audacity to tell ME that I do not know much about Poland please send me apologies.

As you can see, there is such a law - so next time, my darling, before you attack me by letting your fingers do the talking and at the same time throwing insults at my deceased parents - get your brain in gear before you open your mouith.

Real Estate / Cost of a flat refurbishment per sqm in Poland [18]

Count on about 2,000-3,000 per sq metre.

Work / part-time job in Poland needs work permit? [40]

You could always try one of the Big Accountancy firms - PwC, KPMG - they are always on the lookout for staff.

Real Estate / Poland house prices recovered faster - Summary of 2010 [89]

Wraclaw Boy...

...I don't really think that I am concerned very much about the situation 10,000 years from now and no we will never evolve from the monetary system, as there is nothing else to replace it with.

Next you'll be telling me that the Government will provide everybody with housing, nobody will ever work and they will just sit on their bums watching TV...yeah, dream on...

And yes, I am absolutely positively sure that ...you can't beat the system...Many have tried, but you just can't do it and that's that.

Love / Your Thoughts about 20 Year Age Difference Between Men & Women in Poland? [74]

Fear of being ridiculed - aha, so now I understand perfectly ... I can only do or say the things other people approve of.
They will tell me who I can go out with, they will tell me how old he must be, they will tell me what I should do. O yeah...that's right. We must all listen to other people's opinions otherwise they will disapprove of us and laugh at us.

Yeah, right, that's the philosophy we must all adopt in life....

Real Estate / Poland house prices recovered faster - Summary of 2010 [89]

Wroclaw Boy-
If you haven't got the money - you learn to do without.

...Just for clarification...Please tell me what other way will people buy and sell properties and WHO will determine the price of a property/real estate......if not the market?

Sure, its unfair, as I remember when you could go on a night out, get drunk, have some chips on the way home and still get change from a fiver - good old days, but life moves on. And another thing - you can't beat the system.....no way.

Real Estate / Poland house prices recovered faster - Summary of 2010 [89]

For those 'in the know' - buying and selling property is NOT a Ponzi scheme. Stop insisting that it is, as you only show your lack of knowledge of what a Ponzi scheme is. You have no idea, yet speak with some authority on a subject that is beyond your comprehension.

People have been buying and selling properties/real estate since Adam was a lad and everybody is happy with the way the system works.
You want something, you know the price, you either accept it and buy it or you move on. This is the way it will always be....

Love / Your Thoughts about 20 Year Age Difference Between Men & Women in Poland? [74]

antionette
Give it a go - what have you got to lose? Well, tell me exactly what. A man who treats you like a Queen and you hesitate? .... Well then, go back to your older men who treat you like dirt if that's what you want, because you seem to prefer that.

Even if you only have 5 years with him - they will be the happiest 5 years of your life - but then again....you don't want to be happy, now, DO YOU?

Real Estate / Poland house prices recovered faster - Summary of 2010 [89]

After purchase, the price of a property/real estate can go up as well as down. If the market falls, then the property you purchased few years ago, may have to be sold for LESS than you paid for it.

A property is only worth as much as somone is willing to pay for it, so the fact that properties are on offer for X amount, does not mean they are worth that much.

When money is easily available, people can obtain mortgages (sometimes over 100% of the value of the property/real estate), however during unemployment and depression, banks do not lend, people can't pay and have to sell.

Properties are now being sold in Poland through auctions - where there is no chance of the vendor/seller getting the price they paid.

How is this a Ponzi scheme?

Travel / Coach Krakow to London [8]

Orbis used to have coaches, and there were other firms. But most people now use cheap airlines to get to Poland.

Law / Is it possible to open a home based bakery in Poland? [14]

Why not go to all the cake shops in the town and ask them if you could work for them decorating cakes. Take with you examples of your work.

Starting your own business without knowing the market in a town is dangerous. If you work for someone first, you get a feel for the market and even for the prices charged.

Study / The worst of Polish education. No wonder Polish universities are bottom of the list. [142]

I cannot for the life of me understand why students have to go and sit exams. OIn this day and age...
All Universities should just give out their Diploma without the students having to attend one lesson.
Students have better things to do than go and sit and listen to lectures and as for sitting exams - well, that just takes the biscuit.

No wonder, having a Diploma from any University has been devalued to 'paper' for wiping your bottom with.

Study / Polish language courses....Suggestions wanted. [12]

I don't think you have much chance - your English is below par, and I don't suppose that you know Polish up to University level.

Language / POIROT NEW SERIES - "Psia krew" Swearing in Polish? [10]

I will listen earnestly to every word he says from now on. And, not only that, but complain to Points of View the first time I hear Psiak....

Language / POIROT NEW SERIES - "Psia krew" Swearing in Polish? [10]

What???
Poirot! NEVER! - I watch every episode of Poirot on TV and have never heard him swear even in English.
What is the world coming to?
Standards are slipping...the end of the world is nigh....

Life / How many English native speakers in Poland? [28]

English native speakers approx 45,000
number has grown significantly over the last 5 years
still increasing

Law / GBP to PLN: Best way to get good exchange rate? [22]

One piece of really good advice: Never draw attention to yourself. Carry money in a Lidl/Aldi carrier bag, dress really down, that way people don't think you've got 2 pennies to rub together. And always, but always look round before you do anything. Imagine that you're being followed and act accordingly.

I never have trouble exchanging up to 5K into PLN, even if I have to go every day. You have to deposit money in a bank pretty quickly or go straight home (with your Lidl/Aldi carrier bag).

Law / GBP to PLN: Best way to get good exchange rate? [22]

I thought it also applied when you entered Poland from the UK - but I could be wrong. I will check this as going to Poland at the weekend.

Law / GBP to PLN: Best way to get good exchange rate? [22]

No. 1. WAIT till the rate is favourable for exchanging large amounts.
2. Go round and see what the various kantors are offering
3. When decided - Go to a kantor and ask them if they have a separate room - sometimes another door where you can exchange large sums - that is what I do.

4. Open a bank account - ascertain what the rates are for bonds (lokata) and place money in the best paying one.
5. If you go directly to the bank - they will charge commission (higher than kantor).
6. Read carefully the rules and regulations about taking large sums of money into Poland.. Better to take it in smaller chunks. (a few thousand.,.. - I took it to mean approx 15 to 20 thousand)

Law / How long is the waiting period after applying for Polish citizenship via marriage? [29]

I believe you have to pass an exam (written and oral) before they let you become a citizen. Otherwise, what can you give to Poland, if you can't speak the language.

And following the old maxim: Ask not what Poland can do for you, but what YOU can DO FOR Poland.

Law / Married to Polish Girl for 3 years do I have the right to apply for citzenship now ? [17]

I don't think the original poster is from the EU.

Real Estate / Is there a property tax in Poland? [3]

First thing - have you got your inheritance registered - as there might be some tax to pay and the property may not formally be yours.

Secondly, no one is interested whether you live in the property/farm or not. You have to pay land tax but once all the bills come to you and you pay then no one is really interested in anything else.

Work / What is the average age of graduate students in Poland? [17]

PgDip in English language from Uni of Manchester.

Work / What is the average age of graduate students in Poland? [17]

Thanks for that - it has cleared things up a bit.
I also have a Post Grad Diploma (ie MA without the thesis) so I'm not sure what that would be classed as in Poland?

I do see Post Grad studies advertised in Poland - but are they the same thing?
Many thanks

Work / What is the average age of graduate students in Poland? [17]

I'm also interested in the recognisable difference between
1. an English MA (studied in the UK) and a Polish MA (magister or not)
2. between an English BA and Polish licencjat.
3. What is the equivalent in Polish of a BA (Honours) (2.1 or 2.2)
I have English qualifications and want to work in Poland, but need to see how these qualifications will be recognised.

Work / Finance controller's salary in Wroclaw [4]

for jobs - go on any job site where salaries might be listed, but off the cuff - approx.3k gross per month (if that)

for flats - go on gumtree.

UK, Ireland / How to export a car from Poland to the UK [13]

In my view not a good idea. Check insurance companies to see who will insure a foreign car in the UK. Also you will have to 'adjust' you car to meet UK standards - otherwise will not get an MOT.

Work / Student considering a move to Poland; prospects of employment? [5]

My 2p's worth-
....Remember that in Poland, there are also students 9from good Unis) who have completed their MA or PhD studies, who speak Polish and English (very often additional languages as well) who may be competing with you for the same jobs.

You must show any prospective employer just what it is that you have/done that no one else has done and convince them that you are worth employing. This may prove to be harder than you think.