Life / Why do people think that Poles are culturally isolated? [126]


It was shown on TV here during and before the Euro. I have no idea where to find it.
I say these things a little tongue in cheek because I know how it looks to people like HH. I have a sense of humor that is possibly difficult to understand for foreigners. For example I call the estate where I live "The Safari Park" because we have an example of almost every nationality. If you use certain voice tones it cannot be construed as offensive and most foreigners I have said this to have smiled after I've explained. It's funny using a word like foreigners because thats really not how I think it s just a word to convey context.


I think you are wrong with this. Lets take the Daily Mail for example. They write sensational stories based on fact. If there was no fact they couldn't do it. If a Polish man robs and beats an old lady, it is worthy of reporting and if an englishman did the same it is equally worthy and I assure you it would be equally reported. There have been some terrible crimes committed by Poles in the UK which helps explain why there is so much negative press in the UK. I know I am missing your point here but I am going this way to emphasize the fact, what people see is what they believe. We just don't see any positive news from Poland or Polish people here. Sorry thats unfair there is a little if you look for it.


I'm not married shes going through a 3 year divorce. Unheard of in England. To the point, I don't think your interpretation of that article is good although I only listened to half of it. Interpretation is consistently an issue with Polish and English. When I have documents translated for court in Poland, I must first make sure the translator understands the document or we could be in deep do do. Now I will say how I see it and be attacked by the usual. I think Poland has a good way to go before it catches up with its Western counterparts. Dive into the trench :-). Its certainly not a backwater and the message I was getting from the obviously very wealthy woman was that it wasn't what she or her friends imagined. If it came to it, I would have no qualms about living in Poland. In 2011 I spent the best part of six months there.


Please show me an abusive article. I would be interested to see this. I honestly don't believe that it was deliberately antisemitic. What it looks more like to me is that the judges do not like the loss of authority and were making a statement to Tusk. After all it was a pointless manouver on their part as it was going to be overridden anyway. It was a protest. Why waste their time. I'm sure you can see how it can look to Kosher meat eaters. Every nation within Europe needs to promote understanding and the judges made faux pas with this.


Its like bear baiting. Some are easily provoked.


Sometimes I agree with HH but he has the unfortunate ability to go too far. He is a vinyl record with a scratch that keeps repeating itself. I understand his annoyance and a lot of people in the UK feel the same, but its not going to change anything. He problably voted Tony Blair in and he will most likely vote Labour in again so we will get more of the same. Sometimes I feel embarrassed when I read his posts.

Life / Why do people think that Poles are culturally isolated? [126]


I only see what is presented to me. Some of its good. Some of its bad. I don't think think if you read the post thoroughly that I have condemned Poles or Poland in any way shape or form. All I have said is that a lot of Polish and Poland people could do better in promoting their country. Its all well and good saying "Come to Poland" in TV adverts but how many people would be remotely interested in going to Poland having the limited knowledge they have? Its an easy answer. The places they know of hold more interest.


So I answered the question myself with an answer that you should be able to understand is not my opinion. I was just trying to explain why I believe people have the opinion they do.


My geography is fine. I spent 7 months in Romania


Funnily enough while in Anestesewo last year I saw one or two. The only ones I have seen in Poland.


Reading your post, I think that describes you. I presented my opinion on why I think people think the way they do and instead of rejecting it with a reasoned argument, you attack me. Would you prefer I lied and said everyone thinks Poland is the land of perfection. What do you think other people think when they happen across this forum and see Poland is Pure, Poland is perfect like some Nazi Aryan mantra? Truth is some of its good and some of its bad. Just like everywhere else except almost nobody knows anything about it other than what they saw on TV donkeys years ago. Whys that then? Few get it across that its a good place. Pawian currently has a Castle thing going on. Lets see more of stuff like that. I have learnt a few things from this forum, for example, Marie Curie is Polish not French as I was led to believe at school. Polonious posts some really interesting stuff occasionally.

Not many take criticism well including me. I was attempting to be constructive and not destructive with that post. The problem is I guess, I'm not one of you because I'm an Angol. Thats fair enough. Unlike people like HH, I do have a good knowledge of Poland. My father was at Auschwitz shortly after the liberation. I grew up in a village with Polish families. From 2005 I employed quite a few Polish ladies in my factory, all of whom were great to work with. All of them carried baggage from Poland in one shape or form. Several have become long term friends. I doubt any will return to Poland. Contrary to whats posted here, although they were proud of Poland's heritage, none of them had a good word about life there.

When I first went to Poland with my current partner in 2010, I was quite taken aback. I had preconceived ideas about the splendor of her mothers apartment. Although it was temperate in the room we slept in, 4 to a bed (two kids), it was -12 in kitchen and I wasn't going to drink anything because the toilet held no appeal. A shower in the morning was an invigorating experience. I booked us into a hotel the next morning. Not because of the conditions, but because to me it was not acceptable to be in bed with children that were not mine. Following the hotel I rented a really nice apartment in a newly restored apartment block for a couple of weeks. Incredibly cheap to me but horrifically expensive to my partner. We had a good time, and I saw both sides of the coin when it comes to wealth in Poland. My partner had friends who lived in one room with communal toilet and no bathroom and couldn't afford medication, and friends who were bankers and solicitors. There seemed to be nothing in between. The have nots had nothing and the haves had a similar if not better lifestyle than their counterparts in the "West". I was also struck by the amount of homeless on the street in Poznan including one black guy in that incredible cold. I expected more from Poland. Instead I was left a bit disappointed. We were back several times before the weather warmed up, but when it did, its like Poland suddenly comes alive. Sitting in Stary Rynek with a meal and a beer, its vibrant with colour and people but you can't help thinking that the people here are the haves. Theres no way a lot of my partners friends could afford to eat here. In fact I doubt they eat properly at all.

I would hazard a guess that the majority of Poles that post here are in the haves bracket and know nothing of the have nots experience of life in Poland.

Life / Why do people think that Poles are culturally isolated? [126]


It's unsurprising you think like that.


Please read again. You may understand.


Apart from HH I haven't seen anything Poloniaphobic yet but he doesn't count really. Obviously you gleaned nothing from my post and you continue on your paranoiac way understanding nothing. Do you consider me Polonophobic? If so why? I say what I see. Nothing more or less. If you consider me polonophobic because of something I have seen and commented on, then we have a problem because you are obviously not liking what you read, which is about Polish people or Poland, so could you be Polonophobic in you own twisted way.


Not really but I made the offer so you could explain why you believe I am Polonophobic and I could explain why I believe I am not.

Life / Why do people think that Poles are culturally isolated? [126]


Something you are guilty of regularly


I don't often see Polonophobic posts on here except HH's. I see criticism which is sometimes invalid, sometimes valid, and I post valid criticisms occasionally. You may not agree with my criticisms but that is your choice and you are free to comment accordingly. Sometimes there are some antisemitic posts which I find distasteful. What I do see is several members on here that will turn any negative comment into Polonophobia including yourself. Why don't you ask the question as to why people think differently to you sometimes?


I'll give you my opinion based on my experience. First off people in the UK know little if anything about Poland. Simply it was shut for years and for the majority here thought it was part of the Soviet Union. The enemy. There was little or no news out of Poland until Gdansk. I remember people here wearing Solidarinosc Tshirts. I remember seeing the queue's outside empty shops on the TV. Thats the sort of visual that stays with you. Years later there was big news here on the state of care of the physically and mentally disabled in Romania and Czechoslovakia. Not at all connected in reality with Poland but probably connected subconsciously as Eastern Block countries. Lots of TV coverage at the time with lots of horse and carts. So we have a connection with Poland and horse and carts. Incorrect but still a perception in peoples minds. Move on a few years and we have the Polish invasion. Again you have a perception that Poland is a very poor country because otherwise they wouldn't come in droves. Sadly the vast majority of invaders are not at all interested in integration and formed their own communities. There are a few but they are definitely in the minority. They tend to be those whom are better educated. Those I socialize with, when returning to Poland for a holiday, often say they are going back to the shyte that is Poland. These are the uneducated ones. When you hear this from Poles what are you supposed to think? It doesn't help does it! I could keep going but I won't its boring.

So whats going wrong? Poland/Poles are not doing a very good job of getting across the positives of Poland. The narcissistic views often expressed on this and other forums don't help. Ridiculous judgments from the old guard, one recently saying the production of kosher meat is unconstitutional in knee jerk reaction to EU Laws coming into force doesn't help either. You cannot blame the people for thinking as they do when the majority of what they hear and see are negatives. They did a good job with the football though! The stupid tv advert saying "Come to Poland and meet the Poles" was a wasted opportunity when most people only had to step out of the front door in the UK to do the same thing.


There you go again. Perhaps you might want to expand and explain what your problem is. If your embarrassed to do it publicly, you can always PM me.

Life / Why do people think that Poles are culturally isolated? [126]


My partner had the same problem. After two years she can watch a full movie with very few questions. Her daughter was fluent and almost indistinguishable from an English child in six months. She is amazing! She is certainly more inquisitive than her older brother which I think helps. Mum sometimes has to ask the little one to translate sometimes.

I have employed quite a few Polish people over the years and I agree that women learn English far quicker. Polish women certainly don't display the same characteristics as their male counterparts which possibly lowers their potential for learning the language. Aloofness is probably a good description of the characteristic.

Life / Why do people think that Poles are culturally isolated? [126]


All to familiar I'm afraid. The most recent example is my partners brother. A couple of years ago I bought him a freeview satellite decoder to help him and his partner with English as in 18 months they had zero. Last week he switched back to Polish satellite because UK TV was so crap. Debatable I think. Real reason is he cannot after 3 and a half years speak in English although his partner can.

One of the more recent arrivals in my town came round for a haircut a couple of weeks ago. He claimed to be a former border guard and spoke of his pleasure in returning women and children to certain deaths. How he held guns to children's heads to get answers from their parents. How he shot people first and asked questions later. This cretin went on and on while his dumb village girlfriend lapped it up like a ***** on heat. He went on to say he was going to teach English people, not for one moment thinking I might possibly understand Polish. Then came the war wounds. Knife cuts all over his body from contact with the enemy in the forests. If there was one or two, it would be believable but he was covered, which made me think these were self inflicted. I just thought of another funny bit :-) He reckoned when he arrived at the UK BORDER CONTROL, they all knew him. He was flagged up because he could carry a gun. They then stripped him naked to check for firearms, shook his hand and said "Welcome to England".

Just one cretin like this, damages every Pole around him here. It's a shame we can't send nutters like this back. It's only asking for trouble keeping them.

He is banned from my house which is shame as I rather liked his young lady until he arrived on the scene.

Food / Cheese - first made in Poland! Kujawy actually ... [4]

and that sheep's cheese from Zakopane is an acquired taste especially when the in-laws send 5KG because you foolishly said you like it to make them happy.

UK, Ireland / Poles 2nd to Indians in UK [23]

You get funnier as the day goes on. Do you not see that everyone else sees your deliberate misinterpretations. Sort the nappy rash it may improve your debating skills. Your on a loser here.

UK, Ireland / Poles 2nd to Indians in UK [23]

Good morning boys.

I'm sure my partner would be equally amused by your insinuations as I am :-) Every day, you two stoop a little lower.


No. I think you will find that certain Poles/Russians have attempted to bring the "NightClub" to England. I'm quite sure there are natives at it locally, but they are not so obvious and don't cruise round in new black Mercedes and black BMW's. The "word" is from the punter delivery service so I would have to deduce from that its reliable.

The rest of your pathetic little post is not worthy of comment.

Life / How many children is a good number in Poland? [12]


Do you really feel stigmatised by this? You are intelligent so I don't think so.

UK, Ireland / Poles 2nd to Indians in UK [23]


Not seen that one. I'll get the other half to look it up for me.

There are plenty of Polish businesses being set. Some successful, some not. Restaurants, builders, shops and even accountants. I would advise anyone looking for an accountant to get the opinion of an English one as well as a Polish one. Two of my partners friends had to scoot back to Poland as the tax man was coming. Paying £100 a year tax on an average income just isn't going to wash with the tax man here for long especially if you buy flashy cars. You can get away with it for a while, but they usually win.

There is word where I live that the ***** houses are run by the Poles and Russians. I doubt they are working together but have no first hand experience (YUK!). It seems there is a lot of animosity between Russian and Polish males, but not with the females.

Life / Is Poland a poor country? [578]

I do not. I am very familiar with Poznan and the surrounding area. Poznan to me is a very attractive city. One criticism I would make is that too much money is spent on new buildings when you have such a wealth of beautiful historic buildings crumbling away. There are lots of things you do around Poznan, that can't in the UK and vice versa. It balances out on the whole. Poland is different in so many ways to England and I know so little about the rest of Poland, I have no right to criticise anything I do not know about or have not seen with my own eyes.

I am fiercely critical of your legal system because my partner who is Polish, is suffering at the hands of its archaic thinking. It needs to change and be on a par with the rest of Europe but it will take time and it needs organisations in Poland to speak out which I know is just starting to happen and as younger judges are coming through with more moderate thinking, change will accelerate.

Life / Is Poland a poor country? [578]


You are welcome to see for yourself but try and view it with someone who knows the UK well. It can look pretty grim in places and exceedingly good in others. People should see both sides of the coin before commenting on the UK. Wales, to me, is a fantastic country with extremes at both ends of the scale, and in its centre, you have the beauty of Mid Wales with miles and miles of hills, forests, lakes and moors. Especially nice this time of year with fewer tourists.


There is none, like most threads on this forum. Being rich is not how much money you have in your pocket, it's feeling loved and valued by those around us.

UK, Ireland / Poles 2nd to Indians in UK [23]

I grew up in a village which was close to a Polish WW2 Airbase. There were several Polish families in the village in the 1970's that I guess had settled post war. As it was not a large village everybody knew everybody and everyones business. I can remember nothing that made them any different to anybody else in the village. They attended social events within the community and went to the pub. I can't ever remember anyone pointing the finger, saying they are Polish. I guess they just integrated but they retained their identity because everyone knew they were Polish.

I don't see the same level of integration now. I know of only a small minority that socialise outside of their own community here where I live now. Maybe thats because the world is an easier place to get around now, and rather than view England as their new home, it is only a temporary residence. Personally I think it is a pity, that more don't get involved and that way, most probably their perception of England and English people would change. I think undoubtedly the perception of English people would change if Polish people were more involved in the local community. I don't think that will happen any time soon as there are so many this time round, that its just easier for them to stick to their own.

Just my experience and not aimed at offending anybody.

Life / Is Poland a poor country? [578]


You are funny TommyG

When you grow up you will understand that England is one of the richest, most diverse, most tolerant countries in the world.

Do you honestly think I know nothing about Poland? A small dose of reality may or may not come your way one day. Good luck if it does. You will need it in Poland.

I cannot dispute your figures but can you provide some comparative figures for Poland? I know that you cannot because the support organisations that collate this statistical data do not exist in Poland. Don't forget that Age Concern are producing these figures to suit their objectives.

News / PiS wants symmetry for minorites living in Poland [71]

The point the finger everywhere except at home where the problem lies.

Explanation :

Polish law provides remedies for a child that is removed from the territory of Poland without the consent of a parent with parental responsibility. It also provides that anyone acting as an accomplice in the act of removal should be punished. This part of the is compatible with the Hague. Polish Law does not provide a remedy for an abduction or illegal retention within the territory of Poland so it is possible to remove a child from one parent with parental authority by another parent with parental authority. In effect it is not possible to abduct or illegally retain your own child. The lack of law in this are is not compatible with the Hague.

You may or may not be able to see the problem now but I will explain by way of example.

Dad leaves the kids in England with Mum. There relationship is finished. Mum does not want to deprive the children of their father so unwittingly takes them to Poland to see dad. On the date of return Dad retains the kids. In Polish Law he has done nothing wrong. Under International Law he has illegally retained his children.

Sadly in most cases Mum knows nothing about International Law and asking a Polish lawyer what to do is not going to help her. 99.9% know so little they can only be described as dangerous. It is simply not taught. They are mostly limited to Polish law which is not going to help quickly. Under Polish law this could take well over two years to remedy.

What mum must do is start Hague proceedings from England, not Poland. She needs good, accurate advice as something as innocuous as giving her children a jacket could destroy her case. This is a minefield. There is a timetable set for Hague cases and they must be completed within one month. England fails to comply on this and averages 6 weeks. Poland on the other hand will take a minimum of 6 months.

Something the Polish media does not seem to grasp

The Hague convention is designed to help both children and adults. It is a tool to bring everybody involved back to a starting position prior to the abduction or retention. So in the example above the children should be returned to England and the mothers care. Once they are returned then the parents, if they are unable to settle their differences amicably, can use the most suitable court for the best interests of the children. It is the children whom are important, not politics, religion, nationality or parents.

While the Polish media and government ministers are spouting things like "Norway is trying to steal our blond blue eyed children" then it unlikely that the majority of the Polish public are ever going to understand this excellent law. And while Poland uses excuses like "the child does not speak English" when in fact the child is under one years old and does not speak, Poland is not only breaking the law, violating a childs rights, but looking pretty damned stupid in the eyes of the rest of Europe.

Life / Is Poland a poor country? [578]


Silly Billy. Improve your level of retention. You are wrong.


No you were not. You were using it so you could have a pop at poor old Hudson.


Highly intelligent reply. You must of spent a second thinking about that one.

Do I bash Poles? I don't think so but I do manage to upset you because you have surmised incorrectly I am Hudsons alter ego. I don't mind though, I'm older and my skin is thicker. For a while I thought you were someone else, but his posts are far more interesting but you have a lot in common.


Yes Really! And as a Pole you will be aware as it gets colder, more people will freeze in their homes like this poor fellow.


A hard fact of life when you are poor in Poland.

Life / Is Poland a poor country? [578]


You expose yourself everyday. It will bite you in the ass one day. What's Quatar got to do with this. Maybe this gives an indication of reality to you - it's not even really cold yet.

News / PiS wants symmetry for minorites living in Poland [71]

I will.

budapesttimes.hu/2010/01/23/german-court-allows-language-ban

The important thing to glean from this report is "Supervised Visits" so he cannot be trusted on his own with the children.

News / PiS wants symmetry for minorites living in Poland [71]


Are you the Polish Daily Mail Polonius? Maybe you should read the facts of that case from the courts and not what the parents said.

Law / You do not need to fit winter tyres according to Polish law. [13]


Not sure of the physics on that one Harry. The larger the surface area the more likely the tyre is to sit on top of the snow. Take a look at snow tyres on Rally cars they are narrow because they are more likely to cut into the snow.

ABS and snow is an interesting subject to. Forgot to switch it off on my BMW Adventure once. An interesting and expensive experience. They don't bounce like KTM's but they are much stronger than your bones. Ouch! I did ask my insurance company about turning off the ABS on my Subaru STI as you could feel exactly what was going on when you braked on snow, and therefore in my opinion had more control over your destiny on them super low profile, super wide jobbies that they come adorned with. That was considered a vehicle modification and the insurance would be invalid.

News / UN threatens ''Poland's windows of life" [24]

Partly adopted??

I think it is very difficult for someone who is not involved in adoption to understand. Your logic here is faulty but I understand why and its not a criticism. It was on the cards in this situation and in most adoptees situations, that at some point in their lives they would find out. As a teenager when views are formed this can be a trauma that most cannot imagine. Even as an adult when our thoughts are more rational, it can be traumatic. It is a terrible fact to hide and a great burden for some adoptive parents to carry as a secret. Living a lie is wrong.

There are lots of ways to ease this burden. The fact is, it is easy to produce a child, but far more difficult to adopt. In the UK it is a tortuous process that many fail to complete. My adoptive parents broached this with my sister and I at an early age by the use of a book. I still remember vividly this book, which was about a married couple who couldn't have children and the story of how they adopted a baby. Of course it flowered it all up but it introduced an understanding to me and my sister that protected us from playground attacks. Children are viscous in their assaults but we never ever had any problems because we understood, they were ignorant. I cannot say that in my teenage years I didn't have some issues and threw back that I would rather be with my real mother in arguments. I can't imagine the pain I gave my parents saying this and I feel ashamed now that I did this, but this is growing up. A couple of years after my sister and I were adopted, my parents, to their complete surprise conceived two children themselves. My sister and I felt no difference, we were a normal family.

There is no shame in being adopted and no shame in adopting. Leave out religious convictions and its a win win situation for all concerned. I have had a few instances over the years when good friends who knew nothing about my life, and have been trying for years for a child, have been left with only the option of adopting and have said very callous, ill thought out things about adopting someone else's b*****d child. Announcing to them I am adopted had a profound effect on them especially as some knew my parents and provoked long conversations over a period of months. Two of my friends went on to successfully adopt and give in one case four siblings a chance in life. The children's birth mother sees the children monthly.

There is currently not the same level of support in Poland as we have over here. It will come in time and better education will come with it as well. There will still be some who think differently, and some who let religious convictions get in the way but forget about them, they are dinosaurs.

The truth will always out.

News / UN threatens ''Poland's windows of life" [24]

Now here lies the rub.

I equally wouldn't like to think my mother was a *****.

I am adopted. For me, who my birth parents were, held little interest. For my sister (not by birth) who was also adopted, it was a necessity for her to round off her life.

In the UK we have organisations in place which guide you through this process and a good job they do in most cases. They cover every possible scenario with you, to help you determine if this is the right thing for you to do. For many it is not. Poland unfortunately does not offer the same levels of support but I'm sure they will eventually.

I believe most adopties would want to find out their roots but just knowing a name is enough for some like myself.

News / UN threatens ''Poland's windows of life" [24]

The mother had the choice on many levels as to whether she had the child. The child deserves the choice to know from where it came. Would you like to wonder through life thinking who, why, what.

News / UN threatens ''Poland's windows of life" [24]


I think if you compare the procedure to other European nations you might find the opposite is true. Didn't you have two siblings murdered by their adoptive parents recently.

Read this report it might change your thinking a little: crin.org/docs/CRIN%20OPSC%20Report%20Poland.pdf

UK, Ireland / Are Poles in the UK more prone to Thievery? [37]


I'm sure the English people that live in such places feel safe


I lived in a 16th Century house for seven years. It was crumbling too. I felt very safe the walls were nearly 1m thick.

The point I was trying to make is its all a matter of perspective. As a foreigner your senses are more acute. The only thing that really bothered me in Poznan was being constantly asked for cigarettes by well dressed males. Whats that all about?

Sadly it's looking increasingly unlikely that my partner and I can go to Poland again. She will miss it badly when it sinks in she really can't go home. I'll miss the Wodka championships with Tata.

UK, Ireland / Are Poles in the UK more prone to Thievery? [37]


It's a socio economic problem is it not. So if you live in a deprived area, thievery is likely to be more prevalent. As the majority of Poles living in the UK live in an area that will provide low paid factory work that they can do without having a good handle on English, it follows that this area is most likely to host a majority of low income families, benefit dependents and poorly educated people with low moral standards. By default I guess A Pole would feel unsafe in these areas. This area would most likely feel unsafe to an English native who came from the middle classes. I'm guessing these areas exist in Poland to. Parts of Poznan certainly don't engender a feeling of security, thats for sure. Some of the larger villages I have visited are very intimidating with groups of alcoholics hanging around the shops.

Sometimes I'm sure I look through "rose tinted spectacles" when I think of my home country, I'm sure you do too. I've seen too much in Poland and too much poor behavior from Polish people in the UK, to think we are that much different.

In answer to your question, if we are talking about shop lifting, burglary then I would say no. In my experience, the Poles here are very adept at playing the system,a kind of white collar thievery but thats not what this thread is about.

I feel both you and TommyG feel I am anti polish. I am not. I am anti your legal system because I have first hand experience, and understand as any reasonably educated person should, it has no place in a modern world.

News / PO-PiS again neck and neck [248]


In politics you need a vehicle to take you forward, Kaczynski chooses a Polski Fiat. Poland has moved on.

Life / How a Pole can contribute to the homeland? [27]


Could you be a fan of Winston Churchill?

A Quote

Life / Nice one Poland - saga of Polish woe continues [12]


You are wrong. Politics and religion are very much involved in Polish courts. An example is a Polish minister saying Norway is trying to steal our blue eyed blond children"


Would it help if I told you he was a Policeman. A Pies with metal