UK, Ireland / Poles living in the UK returning home or not? [63]


I know some that have returned, and as far as I can see, educated people are returning to Poland as there's a future here for them. But many others are staying - I mean, is a minimum wage meathead really going to have much hope in Poland in the current day?

Law / Polish Cop Took My Car Registration :S [143]

I think there's a need for general information to be available in English - for instance, try finding out about the bizzare (to British ears) system used for school admissions. I'm not a fan of translating anythnig and everything, but general information would be good.

Jonni, do you do any translation work through your company? If so...I have an idea...

Study / Living in POZNAN in the Eskulap dormitory - big deal? [47]


No need, everything is available - even if it's not, you can easily order (without duty/customs applied) from other EU countries.


This is a different situation though. Expect there to be nothing, and what is available, will often be at a ridiculously high price compared to what you'd expect elsewhere. Pulses/vegetables are available, but for instance, lentils are seen as a "health" food in Poland and the price is accordingly high. Poznan is remarkably awful for any sort of "ethnic" food - and while you can get by, it's not easy at all.

Having said this, Warsaw is apparently becoming a fantastic place to obtain Indian supplies, so it might not be too difficult.

Why are you coming here, out of curiosity? If it's to study, then I might have a need for someone who can cook authentic Indian dishes once in a while :)

Law / Polish Cop Took My Car Registration :S [143]

Not anymore -


Actually - the legislation has changed. It used to be acceptable to produce a driving licence combined with a birth certificate, but now, no more. The birth certificate is still acceptable, provided it's a full UK birth certificate combined with a document showing a UK national insurance number. Driving licences are officially useless in terms of proving identity for work purposes - just as they've always been in (most) of the EU.

kids.org.uk/files/102249/FileName/ImmigrationAct-Advicetoapplicats.doc

(unsurprisingly, the UK Border Agency site is useless and doesn't actually give you the list)


Is it worth being arrested (can't prove identity, you're nicked son) and taken to a police station pending your ability to prove your identity and immigration status, just to get a translator to explain why you were stopped in the first place?


Ah, come on, the vast majority of British police won't speak another language. Sure, they'll get you a translator, but you'll get it down the station. Scottish law in particular is shaped in such a way that you get a solicitor/translator when they want to give you one, not when you think you should get one.


Wasn't there a huge row over that? I could've sworn that most people felt "what? get lost, you speak English in England!" with that. Even me - and I'm an Independent reader!


Would you be willing to be arrested, taken to the police station and held until they could rustle up a translator, and then charged with not being able to prove your identity when requested - just for the sake of having a translator to explain that you have to remove the tints and re-test the car?

Why are we talking about corruption anyway? He was nicked for having an illegal piece of kit on his car, no money changed hands at any point?


Ask the European Union that question, Schengen law was shaped by the original countries in Schengen - Poland has little influence on it. It's not a legal travel document under EU and Polish law - which means that it isn't a valid document for identity purposes when in Poland. The only acceptable piece of identity issued to a UK citizen is a passport - which is why we must carry it around in order to comply with the law.

Ultimately, it's our own fault for not having ID cards that can be carried easily.

(wasn't hiding, just working on an interesting property inheritance case that's exceptionally complicated)

Law / HELP IN IMMIGRATION SOUGHT " PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN POLSKA" [20]


This is true, sort of - they have 45 days to process it, so to keep on the safe side, you should do so. But at the same time, they're allowed to grant you legal residence until the decision has been made.


Yes, definitely - the window monkeys often know very little about things and will tell you all sorts of nonsense based on how they think it should be. The real people dealing with things are a bit more sensible.

Law / HELP IN IMMIGRATION SOUGHT " PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN POLSKA" [20]

What he has to do is go to the office with the law clearly printed out and tell them straight that they have to accept the application on the basis of the law. Such nonsense like this is common, but if you speak to them firmly and decisively, it usually yields results. However - has he actually applied, or is he going by what they tell him at the window? The window-monkeys are just front line staff and don't make decisions - if they fuss about it, tell them that their job is simply to process the application and not to make decisions.

If he's already applied and has been told this nonsense - you can pass my e-mail to him - office@lindenia and I'll be happy to advise further. I'm happy to do this for free - I'd like more experience with non-EU people and the problems they face.

Law / Polish Cop Took My Car Registration :S [143]


What do my Polish skills have to do anything? You're the one that was complaining because they wouldn't get you a translator! (which, by the way, pretty much confirms that you don't know the language)


I don't think there's will in Poland to pay for translators full stop. Certainly, in a country where there are huge social problems in some respects, paying for translators isn't really top of the list.


What's your point? You were busted for it, so stop moaning about the police!


Doesn't matter, the point is that on the day, you were driving with an illegal tint and got pulled up for it.


That's absolutely normal for policing. If someone is idiotic enough to drive around with an illegal tint, then it's very possible that there might be something else going on. As I said, you were lucky not to be detained pending your ability to prove your identity.


That's mature, giving a policeman a dirty look because he enforced the law! Do you have the same disrespect for the law in Canada? And if so, are you really surprised that other people disrespect you in Poland?


It's a pain in the ass, and forces you to remove the tints. Quite a good punishment really.


None of those forms of photo ID are acceptable under Polish law and certainly aren't acceptable under Schengen law. You'll find that the only forms of ID acceptable (on an official basis in order to perform border control and identity checks) are either EU ID cards issued to EU nationals or passports. Nothing else. There are some exceptions, but none of these apply to you.


I wouldn't go crying about needing a translator, because I understand the language not too badly, and I'd be able to find out what the punishment was and what I needed to do. Might not be in great Polish, but I'd get there.

News / New constitution In Poland? [57]


The American model has problems in that the President can't effectively represent America properly - as anything he agrees has to go through Congress. If I'm right, the French system allows their President to agree what he damn well pleases.

Maybe the more sensible system would be to force the President to be re-elected along with the Sejm and Senat? Get rid of the 2nd round, bring in STV for voting for President and voila.

Then again, I don't think there's much wrong with the Polish system - the seperation of powers needs to be more clearly defined, but there's nothing wrong with having a President with a veto - Klaus in the Czech Republic certainly did his job properly.

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]


It is true, but it's the same in many countries.

For instance, I had some teaching hours that I didn't want. I could've advertised it, interviewed people, etc etc - but it was simply easier and more effective to give the hours to someone I already knew than to bother advertising it. Most schools operate the same way - and it's a sensible way to do things provided you make sure to check them out thoroughly anyway. It certainly saves time - I knew what the guy was capable of and knew that he would be a perfect fit - and that I wasn't likely to find anyone better for the price.

Law / Polish Cop Took My Car Registration :S [143]

Polish police (as far as I can tell) seem to be quite pragmatic as a whole - I got lifted for crossing on a red light right in front of them (yes, I deserved it)..they let me go after realising that I didn't speak Polish and they didn't speak English.

The oxymoronic thing is that the Police really could do with toughening up considerably in order to sort out the terrible driving standards in Poland!

Law / Polish Cop Took My Car Registration :S [143]


Badly, but I don't expect anyone to speak English in Poland. It's always a pleasant shock to discover that they can speak English, but I certainly don't expect people to be able to do so.


Exactly. I'd rather not pay extra tax for translation costs!

And yes, I pay tax, and enough of it.


He admitted that the tints were illegal, so he has no leg to stand on. If they really were corrupt, they'd have made it clear that he either paid up there and then or face being taken to the station until he proved his identity. That would be corruption - but the police actually did the right (and most painful) thing.

I really can't see how anyone can argue with the punishment when it was very mild!

Law / Bureaucracy in Poland [53]


Jesus Mark, have you finally lost the plot completely?

I'm not aware of anyone who's life was threatened by an inability to understand someone at the Foreigners Office!

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]


Sure, but the only way to eliminate corruption is for people to blow the whistle. Given that the head of ZUS in Szczecin was recently busted for it, there is clear political will to do something about corruption in Poland.

Life / Do expats living in Poland speak Polish? [233]


That's why you're in Poland selling Polish language flashcards?

Why don't you just tell the truth and admit that you're unemployable in Poland?

Law / Polish Cop Took My Car Registration :S [143]


Oh come on, that's rubbish. A small child of 3 years old is more than able to understand and communicate in quite advanced language, so what's your excuse? You've been here long enough, so the fact that you couldn't communicate with the police and needed a translator is shameful.


In Canada this, in Canada that. If Canada's so great, why did you move here?

Poland doesn't have the money to go wasting it on translators for ignorant foreigners that can't be bothered to learn the language. I don't want to pay higher taxes to pay for translators - if they want to live in Poland, they should learn the language, simple!

I'm sorry, but no-one's going to feel sorry for a foreigner who admits to breaking the law and then who sulks about not getting a translator.

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]


If it was agreed beforehand, more fool him for agreeing to pay a bribe. If the demand was made afterwards, why didn't he inform the Central Anticorruption Bureau? And more importantly - who the hell would PAY to work for ZUS? It's hardly a pleasant place to work!


I don't think so. Graduates of useless things like psychology might be cleaners, but what use is a psychology degree if you're not 100% in the language?

Perhaps the people claiming to be law graduates while working as cleaners aren't actually law graduates whatsoever?

Life / Do expats living in Poland speak Polish? [233]


I think in relation to the foreigners office, it's a clear political decision not to place English speaking staff there. I can't say I find it a big issue - if you want residency in a country, you should be able to communicate in the language.

Work / Polish qualifications, what are they worth ? [137]


Isn't this the same all over Europe?


Happens everywhere. Look at France - where jobs and housing are very often given on the basis of personal contact and indirect bribery. Or the UK, where what public school you went to (the old boys network) is often far more important than your qualifications.


What's wrong with that? Better the devil you know, and all that. Look at ESL teaching - isn't it better to hire a teacher that you know and can rely on than an unknown? Personal contacts are *everything* in employment.


By who? The Bologna Process has done a lot to ensure mutual recognition - certainly, professional associations in the UK accept Polish qualifications!

Let's not forget that Poland demands qualifications for certain jobs in which unqualified people can do in the UK.

The only thing to bear in mind with Polish qualifications is that cheating is rife. And this is certainly to the shame of Poland - why on earth it hasn't been stamped out is entirely beyond me.

Law / Bureaucracy in Poland [53]


No they don't. The UK Jobcentres are staffed by people who know how to do nothing else except fill in forms - they're certainly not able to use their initative to find a job for you. The tax offices, for so long, a bastion of common sense - are now being turned into "by appointment only" - or of course, you can use the phones available to call someone who is following a script and has no idea about anything that isn't in their script.

Or we could talk about councils, with their complete inability to do anything that makes sense. The internet is full of stories of how UK councils have caused trouble for families - and we won't even discuss the way that social services very often have their own agenda.


Times are changing. I deal with the Urząd Pracy quite often, and every time I go there, it's a pleasure. I even can fax job adverts now straight to them as they know me - all in all, they're a dream to work with. Even with cases where legally, they shouldn't do something, they often do it with a wink and a smile.

Taxes? I have an accountant to deal with that. There are failings in Poland, such as the requirement for everyone to submit a tax return at the end of the year - but all in all, the system is working.

Of course there's elements of stupidity, such as the Poznan foreigners office refusing to accept private health insurance for EU citizens, but times are a-changing for the better. There's still some shocking examples, such as every document needing to be checked and stamped - but this is very much a governmental issue.

I've had some very satisfactory dealings with an office in rural Dolnoslaskie recently - they even provided an invoice by post after doing the service for me. This just shows that times are indeed changing - and at least in my experience, most problems are caused by the individual, not by the bureaucrat.

News / Freezing weather in Poland, 42 people dead in winter freeze... and no-one cares? [140]


Like a kick in the balls, to be blunt. I went outside wearing five layers and was still freezing :(

Real Estate / How do you comment on "Poland real estate analysis" of the biggest property site [24]

Hello, Mark...spamming again?

I spoke with one 30-something woman today who told me that she's never seen a winter like this before. It's a freak, cold winter in Europe full stop.


You really are bitter and resentful, aren't you? I mean - we all know you can't afford to buy in Krakow, even despite this huge imaginary drop in prices.


-15c in Poznan, it's not even that cold. There's no sign of -30 tempatures here!


So why do you live here, Mark? Is it because you're bitter because you can't afford to buy in Poland and all you can do is rent in a run-down part of Krakow?

Life / Lack of Spacial Acuity in Poland [69]


Their particular fondness for travelling at peak times really winds me up as well, especially in the centre of the city. It's particularly grating to have them come on a very busy tram and glare at you if you don't immediately give them their seat - like being nasty is going to encourage me!

I've also noticed that many old bats have their favourite seats on the bus : woe betide anyone who sits there!

All this simply discourages me from ever giving anyone a seat.

Law / Polish Cop Took My Car Registration :S [143]


I think they're quite pragmatic about it - if you're clearly British or Irish (and white!) - then a driving licence is more than enough. But if you're a non-EU citizen, you have to expect hassle from the police if you don't have your passport on you - it's no different than in many other countries. And certainly anyone non-white should always, always carry valid ID in Poland.


Nothing wrong with legal tints, as you say, they do serve a purpose. Aren't they becoming somewhat standard these days anyway? I know little about them, but apparently most new cars are coming with almost-illegal amounts of tint as standard...


He should be thankful that the police didn't take it personally! I'm surprised they didn't push the passport thing further to be honest, especially if he was clearly not an EU citizen.

Life / Lack of Spacial Acuity in Poland [69]

I had an interesting experience on the tram today.

I was dozing off (25 minute tram journey, yawn) when someone starts shaking my arm and muttering something. I thought I was just dreaming and ignored it, but yet again, the shaking and the "prosze (something)" being mentioned. I looked at the old bag, utterly mystified, then went back to staring out of the window idly. Yet again, she keeps shaking my arm - and then someone gave her a seat. I can only assume she wanted my seat, yet what did she expect me to do if she was bothering me?

I'm becoming rapidly a fan of charging old people exactly the same fares as everyone else!

Law / Polish Cop Took My Car Registration :S [143]


Unless I'm totally wrong, isn't the same idea in effect, that you have to remove the offending thing (tint in this case) and then show it to the police? It wouldn't actually be a bad idea to demand that people got a fresh MOT - if someone is driving about with illegal equipment, what else might be dodgy?


Bloody hell....are we agreeing?

Law / Polish Cop Took My Car Registration :S [143]


Really?


Doesn't matter how it was bought. The point is that a non-EU citizen driving around in a car with illegally tinted windows is enough to arouse some degree of suspicion as to what he's doing. Certainly, if the car wasn't compliant with Polish law, then it seems fair to insist that the car needs to be checked in order to ensure its compliance with Polish law.

And certainly, if someone started talking about how they paid for their car in cash in Poland, I'd definitely be wanting to investigate the authenticity of the documents.


It's in Polish law that you have to be able to identify yourself to the police if requested to do so.

fidis.net/interactive/wiki-on-id-related-law/wiki/Poland%20C1.%20Show%20ID%20-%20Criminal%20Law/

It's also within the provisions of Schengen that border control may be carried out anywhere at any time within the Schengen zone. If the police had decided to consult SISone4ALL - then without your passport, they would have been quite within their right to detain you pending the presentation of a valid identification document which proves your right to be in the Schengen zone. A Karta Pobytu is not a valid EU travel document - it's only valid in conjunction with a passport.


Given that you're subject to immigration control (the Karta Pobytu doesn't exempt you from this) - you are inviting trouble without carrying an valid identification document. As I said, Schengen law allows border checks anywhere at any time - and European police forces (if they can be bothered) will usually query the Schengen database at the same time as making a stop - which is why they wanted your passport.


The grass is always greener on the other side, isn't it?

Spanish bureaucracy can be a nightmare - ask any truck driver what they think of the authorities that check trucks. The Polish truck checking authorities are a dream in comparison, apparently. The Guardia Civil has been notorious for years now for fining Brits for petty offences too.

And don't even get me started on the inaccessibility of British bureaucracy - in Poland, I can go to the tax office and get a clear answer there and then. In the UK? Forget it.

Anyway, I fail to see what the problem is with causing inconvenience to a criminal. Certainly seems to be a far better punishment, forcing them to go through bureaucracy to get their registration documents back. It's no different to the UK punishment of getting people to go to the police station to produce their documents within 7 days - it's a pain in the ass, but far more effective than a fine.

Law / Polish Cop Took My Car Registration :S [143]

Which is how you get huge problems with the databases not being in sync - the police are automatically assuming that the database is right and the insurance documents are wrong.

(non-GB registered car owners need to carry all their documents on them at all times, incidentally - it's not a commonly known law. Even Northern Irish cars are classed as 'foreign')

Law / Polish Cop Took My Car Registration :S [143]


To be fair, you're not an EU citizen, you're driving an illegal car - I would want to check the authenticity of the document too. Poland had/has huge problems with car theft, which is one of the reasons why you must carry the documents at all times. As an non-EU citizen, you're also inviting trouble by not carrying around your passport - and they would have been quite within their rights to detain you until your passport was produced.

Taking the registration document is actually very effective - if you try and leave the country without it, then the car would more than likely be seized on the spot if/when the vehicle registration documents were checked. Given that European standard practice is for documents to be carried when travelling in a foreign car (even in the UK) - it's quite sensible.

It's likely that it was sent to Warsaw because they're issued centrally - likewise with driving licences. For that reason, if there was doubts over the authenticity of the document, it's sensible to have the expertise in one place.

And hey, the inconvenience of having to retrieve the registration is a far more effective punishment than a laughably low fine.

News / New Polish gambling law - outlawing gambling except in casinos [34]


There's a lot of rumour and misinformation flying around. I haven't heard anything definitive, but I'm not a lawyer and don't know if there was a provision in the Gambling Act to allow withdrawals to be taxed at that amount.

Anyway, anyone intelligent would simply get a Netteller account with associated pre-pay debit card. And this is what I suspect many have done - or even easier, simply open a bank account offshore.

News / Poland's Economy Is No Joke [63]


Private business going bust can't be compared to public sector workers not getting paid either.


If the govenrment attempted to not pay these workers for even one month, Solidarność would be rioting/causing trouble as always and PiS would be shouting about it from the rooftops. I'm also certain that public sector workers not being paid would be mentioned by the English-language media in Poland.

Still waiting for these mythical links too.

As for schoolchildren not getting dinners - since when in Poland has it been practice for schoolchildren to receive dinners anyway?