Genealogy / Gracyasz - can't find anything on family name or history [12]


Birthplace can't be Poland if the year is correct. It's either German Empire, Austria-Hungary or the Russian Empire. In case your family name is Grimm: that suggests non-Polish roots.

Real Estate / Poland Real Estate 2013 -drops in offer prices, lack of liquidity indicate market crashing [39]


They did the same in the US years ago and only now are real estate prices slowly on the rise again in some areas. It will take forever until prices are back where they were, and for many folks who are under water it will be too late.

Genealogy / Catholic church records 1850's - Gmina Ciasna / Molna (near lubliniec) [2]


Did you look under the name the town carried during the time frame you are researching? Guttentag was Prussian until 1871, when it became part of the German Empire.

A quick search at the LDS web site came up with a few records from the town of Guttentag.

Polonia / What are qualites of Germans? [60]


A proper schnitzel is made from veal.

History / What do nations of the world owe to Poland and Polish people? [58]


Doesn't happen very often that someone remembers Can. Good on ya! I love the band, especially the line-up with Kenji Suzuki.

News / American SM-3 ballistic missile site in Poland by 2018 [86]


Don't know. According to this web site, China has about 240 nukes. You only need a tiny fraction of them - say 5 in total - to make it to the west coast, and Seattle, Portland, San Franciso, San Diego and LA would be gone.

ploughshares.org/world-nuclear-stockpile-report

News / American SM-3 ballistic missile site in Poland by 2018 [86]


Forget about conventional forces in a hypothetical armed conflict between China and the USA. The very moment the Chinese realize that they've lost the war, they would use nukes and then ... bye-bye west coast.

Polonia / What are qualites of Germans? [60]

I mostly agree with jimborup above, but would add that Germans are often very direct. They tell you without hesitation what they are thinking, which might come across as offensive for some people who are not expecting this. After getting used to it I actually enjoyed that character trait of the Germans.

News / THE PARTYS OVER... NO MORE EUROS FOR POLAND'S ROADS [71]

That's why you comment? ;)

Life / Foreigners in Poland - the identities of our native or the host country [66]


You will not be able to prevent the influx of certain ethnicities in Poland. Many of these people are EU nationals and as such free to settle anywhere in the EU.

News / THE PARTYS OVER... NO MORE EUROS FOR POLAND'S ROADS [71]


There was no Poland to speak of during that time, so the Germans must have "robbed" their own country then. Pretty stupid of them, don't you think?

Life / Foreigners in Poland - the identities of our native or the host country [66]


Ain't going to happen because there are ethnic groups out there which barely integrate and even less assimilate. Look at the Turks/ Kurds in Germany or the Netherlands for example, or the Algerians in France. Many of them form "ghettos" and isolate themselves from the host culture. Even third or fourth generation children that were born and raised in these countries see themselves first and foremost as Turks, and maybe then as Dutch, French or German. They have no allegiance whatsoever to their countries of birth and many of them are still not fluent in the local language - giving them a major disadvantage on the job market.

Poland has yet to see an immigrant group which is large enough in numbers to be recognized by the local population and cause the problems that you see in western societies.

News / What should Poland do to solve the population crisis? [101]

Nah, not really. If it continues on the path it's currently on, India will destroy itself either through its uncontrolled population growth or through a (nuclear) war with Pakistan. China will go down the drain because of its tremendous environmental problems and the demand of its people for more freedom and democracy. Most of their industry is subsidized, which they cannot sustain over a long period of time without going bankrupt. Just look at the old commie system and how it ended. Besides, western countries are already (or will be) shifting their production away from China either back home or to a country with even cheaper labor.

News / What should Poland do to solve the population crisis? [101]


The nominal GDP doesn't take the size of the population into account, that's why it's better to compare the economic output via the GDP per capita. Where are Russia, China and India then?

cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2004rank.html

History / How Poland was losing her intelligentsia [19]

What about the people who left Poland after 1989 then? That was probably the third time Poland lost large (?) parts of her intelligentsia.

Australia / I am moving back to Poland - to live from Australia. Is it a good idea? [29]


Then do as many Aussies do: buy a station wagon and travel across the country, working wherever and whenever necessary. Unless you are really bound to a place, there is no reason to be under "house arrest" as you say.

Australia / I am moving back to Poland - to live from Australia. Is it a good idea? [29]


You are either happy where you live, or you're not. If you're not, leave.


It's roos and Abos... ;)

Australia / Poles invaded the wrong Anglo-Saxon country [29]


That's what you think. Try to live in Sydney on AUS$600,- a week and you will see what I mean...

UK, Ireland / Why are Brits so left-wing? [60]

Legend has it that Brits don't get excited at all about sex... :)

News / Warsaw is protesting against low wages and unemployment [7]

About very low wages and unemployment? :)

UK, Ireland / How might Britain`s withdrawal from EU affect Poles there and here? [474]


You just told me a few days ago that you wouldn't accept the decision of a majority in a popular vote to revoke the second amendment... :)


To allow = do everything in his power to avoid a referendum on EU membership. If unable to do so, pretend to have amnesia.

Language / Weird Polish dialect [15]


I don't believe that guy is German. Most people I've met over there had excellent English language skills. Must be a frustrated immigrant or something... ;)

UK, Ireland / How might Britain`s withdrawal from EU affect Poles there and here? [474]

I agree, much of it is political maneuvering.

UK, Ireland / How might Britain`s withdrawal from EU affect Poles there and here? [474]


The EU is far too important for Britain as an export market. I therefore don't believe that Cameron will be stupid enough to allow a referendum. He would kill off large parts of the British economy and the Poles would probably have to go home.

telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/industry/9816643/Britain-becomes-Germanys-biggest-trade-partner-as-Berlin-London-pact-deepens.html

USA, Canada / Better life in USA or Canada? - expats opinions and your comparison [143]


That's why the Kiwis leave their country in droves each year and settle in Australia...


You WALKED? In an American metropolis? In LA? Who does crazy stuff like that? ;)

UK, Ireland / Polonization of Britain - Tipping Point Confirmed in 2011 Census [97]


Although one could justifiably ask then: if it's not attractive to the immigrants, why did they come in the first place and chose to stay? But I agree with you that the "incentive" to adapt and exchange parts of your own culture with some of your host's depends to a certain extent on how attractive/ inviting (or whatever you want to call it) the culture is.


In the past that was definitely the case, but you know as well as I do that the number of Latinos is constantly increasing in the Southwest. CA has about 40% Spanish speakers already, NM 45%, TX has 38% - there is no need for these immigrants to adjust anymore. Do you remember the 'This Is Alabama. We Speak English.' thing from a few years ago? That says it all in my eyes. Before long, Spanish will be as important as English in the US; no doubt about it.

(couldn't find numbers for 2012, sorry)


Very true.

UK, Ireland / Polonization of Britain - Tipping Point Confirmed in 2011 Census [97]


Interesting. That's exactly what I hear about Latinos here in the US and what I heard about the Turks in Germany. With increasing numbers, the pressure to integrate into the host culture decreases. Probably one of the root causes for xenophobia all over the world.

History / Ukrainian-occupied Eastern Poland [135]

...says a Polish ultra-right winger in the USA who is dreaming of annexing parts of the Ukraine. I guess that makes you more of an expert... :)


How old are they? 80? 90? Young people don't dream about that nonsense - at least not the normal ones.

Love / Observations and experiences so far about Polish women [93]


You either have zero experience, or you've met the wrong chicks in your life. Only a certain type of woman commonly cheats and lies - usually referred to as sluts or sheilas... :)

The vast majority of ladies are just fine.

History / Ukrainian-occupied Eastern Poland [135]

Tim, except here on PF I've never met a Pole who had a nostalgic or nationalistic view about Lviv. My guess would be that middle aged or older Poles see the city pretty much the same way that older Germans see Danzig, Stettin or Breslau.