News / What do PO voters expect from the new Polish government ? [32]


The Labour party in the UK followed this principle. They ditched their ideology and gave the people what they wanted.

The British electorate loved it, three terms later Blair's hidden religious crusade tripped them up.

Given the lack of options, the British, rather then electing the right-wing Conservatives, split the vote to the Liberals, thereby preventing their worst policies.

'Do no Harm' is what the British want from their politicians, 'don't steal you f***ing thieves' is a bit too much to though.

It seems that the Poles also want politicians to serve them, rather than the other way round.


Toll charges? I would have thought, after improving the dire infrastructure, cutting bureaucracy is the most important task.

The vast majority of the country would love to see a road, toll or not.

Law / What are chances for Poland to join in Eurasian Economic Community? [100]


And why has this topic descended into anther Serb back slapping/wankfest.

Real Estate / Banks in Poland selling fewer mortgages in 2011, down 49% [285]


It may well happen, but not on the time scale you both expect, with 5% inflation all you have to do is stay at the same level for a few years.

Still, I don't have any solid opinion on the matter in Poland, the best advice to a potential house buyer is wait and see until the world economy recovers in a few years.

Real Estate / Banks in Poland selling fewer mortgages in 2011, down 49% [285]


Yes, because it hasn't happened.

Government support for the housing market is stupid, the net effect to the recipients is to increase property values by the level of the subsidy.


Calm down, there is nothing in that article except some simple figures, i.e. a 20% cut in in families average mortgage capacity. Prices can fall another 20% to compensate. Easy.

Love / Help me understand the different mannerisms and mentality of men in Przemysl area! [28]


Hitler offered Poland a pact, but the Poles didn't trust the Germans, obviously they were right not too, given his plans to do the same to the Catholics as he did to the Jews.

Life / Prices of cars in Poland? [88]

695,000 is about £140,000

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

My wife studies Nursery at Jagiellonian University, last year a group of students who were caught cheating were kicked out. So it is treated harshly in some cases in Poland.

UK, Ireland / Getting the most from my hard earned money (transfer money from England to Poland) [41]

Either country could claim tax residency, the UK defines it as 65 days (or less if they can prove you have UK links such as golf club membership)

If the UK/Poland have a dual taxation agreement then, if you are paying UK taxes, Poland cannot demand the same tax again. But the following year they can force you to become resident in Poland and pay tax here.

UK, Ireland / Getting the most from my hard earned money (transfer money from England to Poland) [41]


The customs (and Police, anywhere in the UK) can confiscate anything over £1000 in cash if they think its the proceeds of crime. Bring a bank statement and withdrawal slips showing you had it in a bank account.

Love / Help me understand the different mannerisms and mentality of men in Przemysl area! [28]


Err, the British persuaded Stalin to release Polish prisoners who made their way to Iran to join the British Army and air force. Whatever else they did (and their motives), the British fed, clothed and armed the Poles in Anders army. My father spent 3 years in Egypt and Greece training to be a flight engineer with the British air force. He settled in the UK, many others settled there and around the British Empire.

Research it further here

encrypted.google.com/search?q=forgotton+oddesy&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a#hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=VWL&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&sa=X&ei=JNuWTpucIq_Y4QTL9vGdBA&ved=0CBYQvwUoAQ&q=forgotten+odyssey &spell=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=4c76d6f44bd0f902&biw=1280&bih=587

The Russians, however, put the Poles in a concentration camp and half of them starved to death or they simply executed them in the case of the officers.

Food / Polish spice chocolates [11]

A mixture of Chilli and chocolate was an Aztec specialty, so its not a Polish concept.

USA, Canada / US Polonia 70% for Kaczyński [343]


As far as I know most countries allow expats to vote, UK and USA certainly. So I don't see why they think its so 'indefensible'.

USA, Canada / US Polonia 70% for Kaczyński [343]


Well, my wife's family is from there and I own a farm in PiS country, I'll move there when I can. The family are OP voters, even thought the males of the family hate the Jews/blacks/Russians/Germans/Gays, so you'd think they fit the PiS mould.

They have 'seen how the PiS operate and won't vote for them again'.

Love / Should I bring gifts? - help with a Polish wedding [46]


I was told giving anything buy cash is insulting in Poland. Mind you, you can always give both.

USA, Canada / US Polonia 70% for Kaczyński [343]


Its a bit silly isn't it? However, the support for PiS is exclusivity from the poor and er, backward part of Poland. I would expect most American Poles to had the benefit of a goodish education and not to be dirt poor. So there must be another reason for support of a socialist party.

How about a misguide belief that nationalism of hating your neighbours and the EU is actually good for Poland? If you are constantly subjected to anti-EU propaganda (EU=Socialist=Bad) they maybe you would conclude PiS is good for Poland, missing completely massive the economic benefit that EU is for Poland.

Another thought is that the outcome of the election is of so little concern to Polonia that the perceived pro-USA stance of PiS is worth voting for.

USA, Canada / US Polonia 70% for Kaczyński [343]

People who love their homeland don't vote for a party that damages its economy. Attacking your biggest trading partners in not in Poland's interest.

USA, Canada / US Polonia 70% for Kaczyński [343]

PiS is basically a communist party isn't it? Its appeals to basically the same electorate, so why would it appeal to richer, better educated, Polonia?

News / Poland Parliament elections in October 2011 [944]


Can someone please explain what this is all about.

USA, Canada / US Polonia 70% for Kaczyński [343]


The issue is that their views are in contrast to the general population and were voting for reasons at odds with Poles in Poland. The disenfranchisement is by the fact that someone who is going to be affected by the vote has their vote subtracted by someone who isn't.

In American terms , 'Not taxation without representation' was only a problem when they started to have to pay tax. So allowing a vote without responsibility for tax is equally unfair.

My personal opinion is Polish citizens should be allowed to vote, citizenship of a foreign nation is at odds with Polish citizenship, but its should only be a problem if its damaging to Poland in a significant way. As it is, a small pocket of extremists in another country is little different from the same small village in Poland B - irrelevant to the majority.


80% to 30% is radically out of step. Mind, could be because PO voters simply don't care.

USA, Canada / US Polonia 70% for Kaczyński [343]


Indeed thats the problem isn't it? Why do they have such radical views so out of step with the Polish population who will be affected by the vote.

Aside from the 'no Taxation without representation' argument (whereby Polish Tax payers are being dis-enfranchised by non tax payers), you have to ask why this selection of voters are so extreme in their views. Have they been affected by foreign influences? Something isn't right.

Maybe its demographics, the poorer, less educated who emigrated?


The election results have been welcomed around the western nations, the Poles themselves have voted for what they want and its certainly not PiS. They are damaging to the image and economy of Poland. Why vote for a party with such a non-productive leader? Poles need to become richer.

USA, Canada / US Polonia 70% for Kaczyński [343]


Hey, that means I can vote doesn't it? (UK citizen, Polish Father)

USA, Canada / US Polonia 70% for Kaczyński [343]


Aren't American citizens banned from having dual citizenship?
Edit: Apparently not, unless you actually apply for it.

This caught my eye, what teh US State Department thinks.


travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html

News / Will you be proud of tranny (transsexual) representing Poland ? [124]


Saves the life of many people and reduces the health costs of obesity. Its a good idea do gastric bands and for the health service to pay for it.

A few people die, but severe obesity is death sentence anyway.

News / Poland Parliament elections in October 2011 [944]


Currently up 3.86% against USD, so I guess getting elected was a very good thing for Poland.

Life / Looking to immigrate to Europe. How is life in Poland? [116]

Damn, I'm glad I don't live in Warsaw.

Real Estate / Luksa - Big problems with developer in Lwowska, Krakow [79]

Don't know. howerere they are bring out a law to protect customers. The same thing was worthless in Spain, it should be noted.

Food / Coffee in Poland: cheap and undrinkable / expensive and good [89]


I find that in a lot of diners etc. But polish people like their coffee double strength, so I don't think its the coffee thats the problem in the US.

I was slightly surprised when I was told that two large teaspoons of instant was normal in Poland - thats double what it says on the jar.

Life / How much money did you spend today in Poland and what did you spend it on? [33]


Just two mains, no extra's whatsoever. I gave a large tip 'cos I could beleive how cheap it was. The waitress was great.

Beer is 5pln

Life / Vandalism on cars in Poland [64]

I have been looking at a lot of cars (need to buy one) in Krakow and haven't noticed any vandalism. Out right car theft is another matter.

Life / Expats/Immigrants in Poland: Needy, Greedy or contributor. Which one are you? [118]


Agreed. I live in Poland, the concept of 'expat' is foreign to me. Its my home.

I've not met (well, spoken to) any non-Poles since I moved here two years ago.

It has got nothing to with earning a living. I'll go where the money is or starve like everyone else.