Law / Difference between an expat and a immigrant (or permanet resident) in Poland [41]

I don't take immigrant as an insult. doesn't bug me. However, what I have at this moment is permanent residency status- I am not a citizen of the country which is what the goal of an immigrant is.

Life / Have many Poles had enough of one another? [198]

without bringing the pediophelia factor into all this- my issue with naked kids is the lack of sun protection- I also don't like seeing naked kids because I don't need to get a view of little johnnies butt while he bends over to pick up a shovel. It is all about consideration for your fellow person.

Law / Difference between an expat and a immigrant (or permanet resident) in Poland [41]


dumb Canadian broad. right. who is the unemployed one- me or you.

I am not an immigrant because I don't know if I am staying.

But I came from a rich country (Belgium) to a not so rich country (Poland) with the intention of staying.

I said usually.
I don't think immigrant sounds bad at all it is all in the way it is said.

Law / Difference between an expat and a immigrant (or permanet resident) in Poland [41]

It makes you just like me. Only I have a different nationality than you.
In my opinion an expat is somebody who only lives in a foreign country for a designated amount of time- they tend to stick to the expat community. An immigrant is somebody who usually is leaving a poorer country behind and usually has no intention of returning. (this is simplified of course). A permanent resident is somebody like me who has no idea what the future brings. Will I live in my native country or will I stay here. I own a business, have a family and all the other things you mentioned- but there is an uncertainty of where I will be in 10 years time.

Life / Have many Poles had enough of one another? [198]

I think that parents teach there boys from a young age that it is ok to **** anywhere. This past week end I was at the sea side at a beach bar. There was a family of four sitting next to us- the kid had to pee but instead of taking the kid to the bathroom, which was literally 15 metres away, the father pulled the kids pants down so he could **** in the bushes next to the table where we were sitting. seriously. why is this ok.

Life / Mosquitoes in Poland [40]

hiv doesn't live outside the human body.

Food / Where can you buy a crockpot aka slow cooker, in Krakow? [38]

I bought one off allegro last week.

Life / Where are the second-hand stores in Krakow? [14]

unfortunately, this is pretty accurate.

Life / Where are the second-hand stores in Krakow? [14]

your best bet is on allegro.pl

a few others are

euro-komis.pl/sklep/category.php?id_category=6
mega-komis.republika.pl
mega-komis.ovh.org/

but I have never been to them.

your ideal place is ikea.

Life / Have many Poles had enough of one another? [198]

I experience this with my in laws. they own a pre war house in a beautiful area of Sopot. The house is a dream. However, they insist on renovating it with crap- if you buy quality then it will last. I am not a snob- it is possible to finish a house with cost effective materials but they buy cheap garbage from China. There are European companies that have good quality materials at decent prices but most importantly it will stand the test of time.

I have before and afters of a 25 m2 flat in a communist block- i can pm you the website if you are interested in how it turned out.

Life / Have many Poles had enough of one another? [198]


ya, I have seen some of those blocks in Scotland- pretty rough. but this is not the norm. these are council flats, no?

I mean the old blocks that were built after the war- particularly during the 70's. In Warsaw there are loads in Ursynow, Bielany and Pruszkow. I am aware of these places. They house a family of four, two dogs and the mother in law. All in 50 m2.

I have recently done a renovation in one and it turned out great (this is my job), but there are many many many that are still in the same condition as when they were first built.

Life / Have many Poles had enough of one another? [198]

because they live in crappy communist blocks and work crappy jobs. meanwhile those who were hardcore communists managed to come out of communism and make bank while doing so. one only needs to look at Polish banks, orlen, media, and the gov't to see this example.

they got left behind. they fell through the cracks. they didn't want communism and when it was all over- they got nothing. I would be bitter too- especially when those who did all the preaching of the wonders of communism are now millionaires and their former lives have not caught up with them yet.

Travel / Driving Time: Calais to Warsaw [7]

great to know- thanks for the info. did you drive from Calais, straight to Holland then to Germany or did you take another route?

Life / Have many Poles had enough of one another? [198]

I am not going to answer for him- but give my opinion. I agree that those in the 45+ age range are spiteful. Almost like they have a jealousy for those in the younger generations that have more opportunities because communism is all but a distant memory.

Work / Salary expectations in Poland [373]

there are quite a few Danish in Warsaw too. I think your best bet is to get in contact with this Benz chap on this board- sounds nice enough. Another idea is to actually find Danish companies that have sites in Poland and perhaps send out your cv's in Danmark with the intent of relocating to Poland.

Poland is a great country- I have lived here for 9 years. Don't listen to the "haters" on the board- and 8,000 to 9,000 pln per month is not outrageous--all you can do is ask. I am sure this company is well aware of the social system in Danmark and needs to provide an equal standard for the applicant.

Life / Polish cigarettes healthier than American? [6]

no no no no no.

Work / Salary expectations in Poland [373]

I think that this job requires a specialist.--you should be able to earn good money. I wouldn't know where to start with an estimate but I would think something like 8,000 pln- if not more.

I live in Warsaw so this is not an outrageous amount.
I am not sure how much to believe about that guys story up there. I have lived in Warsaw for 9 years without any problems. My husband works with a Danish guy who is married to a Pole and he is quite happy here.

I would expect the company, even though it is international, will give you a low ball number- see if you can find an initial offer then judge from there. Also because you receive a lot of benefits living in Danmark- I mean health care, good education- you should expect it equally in Poland. You should have medicover paid for and quite possibly a relocation fee or something like that.

I have a Polish friend who works for Skanska- he has great benefits.

Life / Car or no car to commute in Warszawa? (Warsaw) [13]

that is a great map- thanks for posting this. how old is it- do you know?

Life / Car or no car to commute in Warszawa? (Warsaw) [13]

I live in Warsaw.
The city is building more bike lanes on the outer city- like Wilanow and Ursynow. Within the city there is not a lot. My husband did bike to work last week and it took him 5 minutes longer than it would have in the car. From where we live there is a bike path that goes close to centrum then he just drove on the roads.

warsaw is sort of bike friendly- it is not unfriendly but it doesn't have a vast amount of bike lanes.

But, if you plan on living in the city centre -you don't need a car, the metro line and tram lines are really good if you are nervous about biking.

Life / Have many Poles had enough of one another? [198]

55 is the typical age of retirement in Canada. We are a semi socialist country that seems to take care of its people. My mother and her husband were in the military right out of high school. They worked their way up in the ranks and were able to retire at 55. This is quite typical of military in Canada- they offer a lot of benefits that allow people to save money.

My dad, who was also in the military, died (at 46) when I was 21. Because my parents were divorced and my dad was the primary care giver- I received orphan benefits and part of his pension which helped to get my life in order.

Life / Have many Poles had enough of one another? [198]


yes, but again this is the exception and not the rule. A person in their 50's with a higher education is not usually looking for a job- they have been working their jobs for a while and are now hoping for retirement.

This problem is from communism. That generation got left behind- they should be thinking about retiring but unfortunately the gov't doesn't give pensioners enough.

my mother and her husband have been retired since 55. They were both in the military in Canada which really takes care of its people.

It really breaks my heart when people of this age still have to worry about work. They should be worrying what to do with their grandchildren.

Life / Have many Poles had enough of one another? [198]


exactly. and they are popping up everywhere. they cater to the smaller communities.

Life / Have many Poles had enough of one another? [198]

I am not a snob. In fact I am the opposite- but you don't know me so how would you know. As for the economic husband, time and time again the only person that brings this up is you.

where do you live again? Oh that is right. England.

There are loads of service industry, entry level jobs in Poland- in the cities and larger towns. When was the last time you drove through Poland? Do you know that in most smaller towns they are building Biedronkas like wild fire. And Lidl and Polo market and mini tesco and mini carrefour.

What if you can't find another job for various reasons? A good example is being over 50. A person over 50 even with higher education have problems to find a decent job because of age. When I was searching through rthe Internet to find a job for such person, everyone I contacted wanted a person younger than 45, there was one single announcement which the upper limit for age was 50... but it doesn't help since the person I was looking job for was over 50.

you are talking about the exception- not the rule. In Warsaw, this age group usually does security for osiedle's. Older women often work as cashiers.

If worse comes to worse- work as a cleaning lady.

my Ukrainian cleaning lady has been living in Warsaw for 8 years. She left an alcoholic husband that beat her. She has been living for most of this time in a room with 4 other people. 3 beds, 2 per bed- she was lucky she had her own bed. no hot water and no kitchen. i have been to this place. we give her our kids outgrown clothes for her to send back to her family in Ukraine.

She just got her own apartment. she is thrilled because it has hot water and a washing machine. she used to bring her laundry to my house.

she works every day and makes about 120 pln per day. not bad, eh. the most of this she sends back to the Ukraine. next month her daughter is coming to live and go to school.

my point is- there are jobs in Poland if you are willing to work.

Life / Have many Poles had enough of one another? [198]

maybe you could clarify then what you actually think the situation is. because the way I see it- if you don't like your job then find another. and there are others. there are loads in fact- depending where you live.

however, if there are not jobs--all the more reason to be good at the one you have instead of spreading the dreariness because there will be somebody waiting in the wings to take over.

clearly somebody with no education is not going to be a dr. They will be doing a service industry job.

Life / Have many Poles had enough of one another? [198]


you are lucky then. I have had the post office lose 5 parcels, the line ups are horrid and I always have a problem with my name.

It is better since we moved however- and now the security at my osiedle takes the parcels when I am not home. Our letter carrier is super- he always says hi to me on the street and he even stopped me once in the forest (I was walking my dog) and gave me my mail.

Life / Have many Poles had enough of one another? [198]


ahhh....my favourit---poczta!!

Life / Have many Poles had enough of one another? [198]

my cleaning lady is from Ukraine. Her daughter is coming to Warsaw to go to school on the week ends and work as a cleaning lady during the week. She is 20. She should be out talking about how stupid boys are or getting drunk off 2 beer---not cleaning toilets.

but, it is what she has to do to have a better life.

I have been working since I was 15 years old. Fast food, retail, restaurants---all while going to school. My husband worked as a dishwasher and a sandwich maker when he first immigrated to Canada.

Stepping stones to get where you need to be.

Life / Have many Poles had enough of one another? [198]

I am also curious.

and lets add the difference between CCC and Gino Rossi- both are Polish owned also.

If your salary was the lowest possible, no chances for promotion or self-developement, if you were overworked and still had nothing from life, only worries... would you be smiling?

wait a sec- it is still a job. I have encountered many friendly people working the cash at a supermarket- why is it some are happy and some are crabby hags?

What it boils down to is if you don't like your job then find a new one. There are always entry level positions available.

It also is possible to work somewhere like Auchan or Tesco and have in house training and work your way towards a better position.

Work / Jobs for non Polish speakers? [24]

I don't exactly know how advertising works- if they subcontract to a company within a country? I have a school mate who is a big wig in advertising- he started in new york, then to london, amsterdam and now paris. but the companies he has worked for deal with coke, ford---the big names. there is sort of a cult following in advertising- it is the most bizarre thing.

I don't know what the stipulation is for Poland- but advertising here is a complete joke. if there is free space then put up a sign. my husband was telling me that the majority of these signs are not even legal- they don't have permits but they put them up anyway.

I imagine Google would be a great place to start...aren't they in Wroclaw?

Work / Jobs for non Polish speakers? [24]

but that is what I mean. Send out c.v.'s from where he lives now with the intent of relocating to Poland. Advertising agencies most certainly need a western touch in this country.