Life / Poland's expats' colonial mentality? [176]


And fair enough but that's why I wrote back to you how I interpreted your words. So instead of just telling me I got it wrong could you clarify what you mean>


So Poles get to complain about the roads but if a foreigner working in Poland does so then this is interpreted as arrogance but only if someone complains about it for the wrong reason, like Jason did?


"You?" I was afraid you'd go there but okay, how should I do it and why should I do it? Give me your rules.


Who said we (foreigners) all think the same way? You've shown your face cards time and time again here. You're oversensitive and seem to stereotype foreigners, "you guys" as one homogeneous group of offenders to your sensibilities. Lighten up a bit. Can't we just remark about the same things Poles do without you trying to crucify us? What you wrote about Jason is rather amusing and I now I think I see the point you're making but why paint every foreigner with that brush?

On a side note, shoddy workmanship is something almost every foreigner I've met here has commented on (and I've seen it many times myself), is it wrong of us to discuss these things or do you recommend just accepting it cause, what can you do?


If you have dispensed facef*cks for such a cut-rate price then go ahead and do all the reflecting you need to do sister.
Withstanding that, it's such a stupid remark, I'm surprised you gave it any thought at all. Why even waste a moment of your time on such rubbish? The less audience those people gain, the better.


So now that I know you respond to that quality of post, I now have firm doubts about my own.
It looks like you give such replies more time than they're worth but how you interpret such posts as arrogant is lost on me. To me, those posts just don't look inviting.


sure, you even did it in the same post as this quote:



If you don't consider that childish then first let me offer my sincerest apologies and suggest that perhaps this would account for your views on some things.

Anyhow, I think I finally understand what you were trying to say from the beginning much more clearly.
I also think I understand your tendency to assume the worst of "us" from early on, stereotype "us" and be overreact to comments that are so profoundly stupid it makes me wonder why such a smart cookie like yourself would even care to respond.

I think we're done, thanks for the discussion.

Life / Poland's expats' colonial mentality? [176]


While I disagree with how this was said. I think I can attest to the observation being made.
Back home, no one asks me which country is "better;" there or Poland. People ask lots of questions but that one has never come up, not even once.

Here, regardless of the topic, THE question I am asked almost without exception (and I'm assuming there's an exception) is "Which country is better?"

If I don't just say "Polska" but try to explain different doesn't necessarily mean "better," those asking get offended.

So for those of you who know what people really think please tell some of us how that should be interpreted.


This seems as though you're pushing an agenda onto this discussion that shouldn't be here.

Life / Poland's expats' colonial mentality? [176]

On those two points we do share varying degrees of agreement.

Life / Poland's expats' colonial mentality? [176]

That's my point.
It seems as though, based on her examples, if I were to comment something needed fixing then, in her mind, it'd be an affront to all of Poland. It seems as though she claims to know the "true" intent of what others might say even if they don't.

Speaking of "the difference in mentality"

So there's only a difference in mentality about the things you say there is but all Poles think alike when you say they do about what you say?

Okay then, good to know that's how your mind works.
Maybe you're the type Paulina was trying to describe....

Life / Poland's expats' colonial mentality? [176]


From this here:

To me this suggests you don't or you think many Poles don't do anything about problem "x" due to not caring about problem "x." Not all things can be changed but again, if your response is "what can you do?" then that says you don't really care. And it's not a judgmental thing, it's a pure observation. You have your reasons, I am curious what they are but for heaven's sakes, I hope you wouldn't think me arrogant simply for commenting on things other Poles comment on. I hope I've got you completely wrong and that.


Well if I read that the majority of people thought that people where I'm from tend to do this or that I'd ask for some examples and try to get a clearer view of their perspective. I'd give it some thought, y'know decide if there's any merit to the point made, then, objectively reflect on my own habits and decide if i ought to change. I guess that's just me.


I just don't see the sense in being rude simply due to a misunderstanding. Please don't write "us" when I am responding to "you" (Paulina)- it is unfair/inaccurate. Perhaps you can see in this example what I mean about you (Paulina) being overly sensitive to perceived criticism.

I just wanted some examples of when you perceive this superiority complex to come out. I appreciate you taking the time to list those examples, I really do. But aside from pip's usual nonsense it seems you (Paulina) get offended when a foreigner says anything you might perceive as being critical of all of Poland. I was trying to understand your point of view more but your explanation/justification of it has suddenly become childish so good luck with that.

Life / Poland's expats' colonial mentality? [176]


Okay I get ya but are you saying all people from the west have this attitude? How do you perceive who does and doesn't have this attitude? When they "rub it in" what exactly does that mean? What do they actually do other than the example below? I am interested in hearing more of such examples.


I don't know how to answer that but for some people, we are simply remarking at what needs to be done and there is 0 emotion behind it- it just needs to be done and maybe the more that topic comes up, the more likely it is that something will get down about it. Wishful thinking? Perhaps. But even at it's worst, that's nowhere near as heinous reasons you've imagined.


So you're offended people are taking notice of things that really do need fixing because in reality you don't care about those things but it means one of "us" has a superiority complex if one of "us" mentions it more than the alloted times?


I see the merits of your point. I really do. What I mean is, it doesn't make sense to me so far but I think I have probably just missed or can't imagine, right now, the nuances of the situation you described and that likely ties it all together.

But, at the same time, I feel you're over-reacting a bit.
Why get so bothered about something you don't care to change anyhow? It would seem as though you're looking down your nose as much as they might be. I admit it may not be my or another person's place to point out what needs mending but I hardly consider that looking down one's nose at anything beyond shoddy repairing. Is that really something not worth pointing out? Would I be judged harshly for doing that?

Life / Poland's expats' colonial mentality? [176]


I don't doubt you or what you're saying. It's just that I am curious if I am allowed to, by some Poles' standards, remark upon my little experience how it deserves to be?

What remarks am I allowed to make?
And if I do so, is that looking down upon my nose, rightfully so, at some behavior? Would it depend on what I remarked?
Is that what they're talking about or is it something else?

I guess I am also still looking for examples of behavior whatever kind of behavior Polonius described (note that I'm not entirely sure what he "said") in the OP. I'm not saying it doesn't exist, I just want to know their experiences of it, purely out of interest.

If that makes no sense then there's an excellent reason for that: )

Life / Poland's expats' colonial mentality? [176]


That is interesting and your whole post was good food for thought.
I think I know what you're talking about and it is one of the reasons I limit the "expats" I actually spend time with.


Is there a difference between an expat and an immigrant in your understanding? I thought there was but I could be wrong.


Like what kind of things do you think or have you observed foreigners look down on?

Here's one sort of thing I find is more common among Poles than others that I've met; the ready willingness to screw over somebody else for the smallest of gains.

I was in the supermarket the other day weighing some things and couldn't locate the icon/picture for one thing. I looked and looked and the old guy behind me (which in Poland means he was actually trying to get between me and the scale) started telling me it was per piece and not per weight. I shrugged and figured he must be right otherwise I'd have found the silly picture by that time. As I left to go check, I heard him tell another old guy how he f*cked over some foreigner and told him his stuff was per piece and they both cackled like they really enjoyed that. He was actually right, it was per piece and he looked genuinely disappointed when I thanked him and told him he was right.

In your opinion, is it justifiable to look down on that kind of behavior even a little bit or am I just being judgmental and arrogant for not embracing that?

What do "expats" look down on that they should just accept or not worry about?

Anyways, I don't want to end on a sour note so let me just say I feel what you wrote previously and think I more or less agree when I apply my own experiences but I am wondering what you specifically meant and your own experiences.

Life / Poland's expats' colonial mentality? [176]


Attacking it how? I'm not saying foreigners don't attack these things but I am curious as to how you perceive these attacks are carried out.

Life / Poland's expats' colonial mentality? [176]


Hey, it was late, what can I say?
What was the point in your opinion?
I mean if you look at what I was responding to, there wasn't exactly a plethora of detail that Polonius really laid out on the table, was there?

Hey, it's early, what can I say?

History / Poland is a Catholic country [177]


steal?
bear false witness?
Are you trying to start a war here?

Rightly or wrongly those two actions tend to be associated with Poles and I find that ironic given the Catholic tradition here.

Life / Poland's expats' colonial mentality? [176]


Dude, no offense but have you ever visited countries which accept large numbers of immigrants AND observed those immigrants in said countries?
Expats in Poland have got NOTHING on those groups.
The bullsh*t I've seen Chinese people pull in Canada, the horsesh*t anyone who'd name their child Mohammad gets away with in UK, Ireland, France, Sweden and Australia, no sir there is no comparison, not even a little bit.

A lot of the stuff I tend to gripe about is stuff like the lady on the road today who didn't seem to be troubled that she was in the oncoming lane of traffic, it still seemed like a good time for her to stop and search for something inside her vehicle - that sort of thing is so hopelessly moronic yet so incredibly common in Poland.

The in your face corruption is another one that I simply marvel at. I can't do anything about it but if I pay taxes here and someone is wasting those funds then you're damn straight I'm going to speak my mind.

Life / Is multi-culti in Poland bankrupt? [73]


Take your own advice for starters and see where that gets you.


pray tell, what advice did I offer and to whom? You may disagree with my point of view but at least make some sense and try to do better than the clichéd trumpeting of Barry-O. Me thinks he got to where he is today by doing more than just one thing right.

Aaaaaand just to clear up your confusion on the matter, recognizing the failings of "multiculturalism" is in fact not akin to being a racist and a bigot. So don't play that way, that's what emotional 20-something poli-sci chicks do when someone points out the facts to them. But if you are a 20-something chick studying political science then play your role.


I wonder if the posters here will ignore this as much as the more biased media sources.


Going for curry is an event now, is it?

Life / Freedom of religion v animal rights in Poland? [38]

I'll make a note of it; )
Thank you for your honesty: )

History / Poland is a Catholic country [177]


Exactly. Is this seriously up for debate?

Life / Is multi-culti in Poland bankrupt? [73]

Guys, even heads of state have admitted multi-culti is a failure. Why not just admit you put your faith in the wrong thing and get on the conservative train? toot! toot!

History / Poland is a Catholic country [177]

Why anyone is even arguing this is not for me to say.
One can look at the number of people attending church on a regular basis here.

It may not be a law but if I had to describe the average Pole, I think the words "likely to be Catholic." just might be one of the descriptors I'd use.

Life / Freedom of religion v animal rights in Poland? [38]

If you had to choose one of those three options for yourself, which would it be?

Life / Is multi-culti in Poland bankrupt? [73]


Poland is not a person.
Try not to boil it down too much.
One oversimplifies things when they attempt to reduce the complexity of sometimes conflicting and sometimes unified wants and desires of 38 million people down to simply "Poland doesn't get to...."

I thought we were discussing what people in Poland want or think in regards to the current expressions of multiculturalism, not dictating what the law is for Poles in Poland, or have I missed the spirit of the thread?

Life / Freedom of religion v animal rights in Poland? [38]


Interesting point you raise. Again, for what it's worth, I believe that how animals live (up to the point of death for those of you who want to nitpick) is a more important issue overall but homing in on that key word does make me wonder about a future variable.

What would happen if it became a religious issue as to who did the slaughtering? Could that angle be used to "force" slaughter houses which took on this practice to employ only those who follow a specific faith?

I've seen some pretty far out interpretations of faith coming from both Muslims and Jews regarding Goyim and/or Infidels. I wonder how far some of those interpretations would make it in an E.U. court.

I'm sure that'll p*ss off some of you but it's an honest question so if anyone has any insight into the do's and dont's of ritual slaughter, feel free to contribute.

Life / Is multi-culti in Poland bankrupt? [73]


Can you explain in what way this responds to the rationale I provided as to why Poles who've elected to stay at home are not guilty of double standards regarding multi-cult?

Or more specifically can you explain how that makes hypocrites out of Poles (regarding an aversion to "multiculturalism") who've elected to stay at home instead of leave for greener pastures?

Life / Is multi-culti in Poland bankrupt? [73]


Okay


Can you explain in what way this responds to the rationale I provided as to why Poles who've elected to stay at home are not guilty of double standards regarding multi-cult?

Life / Is multi-culti in Poland bankrupt? [73]


True but I must inquire who's asking for it. It does seem (to me) like a vocal minority are trying to push something on an unsuspecting public; it wouldn't be the first time.

I think that the examples we have to behold in countries which have attracted a lot of immigration should be viewed objectively. I wonder how many people are really doing that.

Life / Is multi-culti in Poland bankrupt? [73]


I actually found the beginning of your post amusing because more or less, I have similar views but this last one just doesn't hold water imo.

It's unfair to put blame/responsibility of accepting this multi-culti horsesh*t on the shoulders of those who have remained in their country. If we're talking about those who've immigrated/emigrated then they are fair game but not those who've stayed put.

Life / Freedom of religion v animal rights in Poland? [38]

It matters how they live, not how they die.
You have to ask yourself as to what conditions the animals you eat lived in and then compare that to what conditions halaal or kosher slaughtered animals lived in. Proceed from there.

Life / Is multi-culti in Poland bankrupt? [73]


You may.


It is not. Play on.


And what about Poles who have remained in Poland, what's their voice count for? I mean, when they're not shouting obscenities at poorly rationalized patterns of behavior...

Life / Is multi-culti in Poland bankrupt? [73]


Based on the encounters I've had with Chechens here, they haven't declared war on the host society because established black markets already provide an outlet for such "talents" to be put towards such a use.

Whether or not they've formed their own ring is another matter but let's not pretend that we don't know what more than a few Chechens are up to in Poland.

News / Potheads detained in Warsaw [8]

jon and delphi are correct on this matter.

There is plenty of behavior much more detrimental to others which goes unchecked in Poland than what these kids were charged with doing.

priorities indeed.

Life / Is multi-culti in Poland bankrupt? [73]


What makes you think I hadn't done that?

Life / Is multi-culti in Poland bankrupt? [73]

If we were to weigh the benefits and detriments of "multi-culti" in its current forms, I'd wager the detriments would out-weigh the benefits. But these things can be so arbitrary and rather challenging to quantify so it's somewhat pointless to even attempt it. A fundamental question to ask is if people are happier for it than they'd be without it (in its current form). Again I'd wager that aggregate happiness directly resulting from established multi-culti has been lowered for those receiving immigrants. As for the emigrating and immigrating groups...I wonder.

I feel the real problem is this:
People feel the need to move from their homelands to distant countries and foreign cultures.

There are some, like myself who just like to see what the eye can see but from what I've heard and who I've listened to, it seems a great many migrants would have been happier to stay at home if they'd felt it was a good choice.