UK, Ireland / Daniel Pelka murder: Polish mother and stepfather face life sentences [96]

As I say you have been lucky. We personalIy had a couple of incidents which needed to be defused and know of hundreds of such cases (not particularly covering Poles but all minority colour) and many of which have been settled with compensation to avoid potential embarassment (not always warranted and unfortunately embarassment often followed). No win no fee is a major driving factor is such situations, of course this covers all ethnic minorities, races. But it does mean everyone is covering their backs first before making a move. This wasnt the case a couple of decades ago.

UK, Ireland / Daniel Pelka murder: Polish mother and stepfather face life sentences [96]

Well you have been lucky. In social care we are actively involved and its a problem. Its not something people are going to talk about openly unless they feel it wont come back to them so officially there is never a problem anywhere. But if you have to deal with it or someone that does shares their experience you will understand its a big issue. Again this is a uk problem, i havent come across it in poland as we dont have that fear factor here.

UK, Ireland / Daniel Pelka murder: Polish mother and stepfather face life sentences [96]

You can never be sure. If you are in business and you speak to recruitment and managers on a regular basis you will understand it to be a huge problem.

For example often you are forced to provide a reason for not employing someone to avoid a tribunal. People are all sorts but often some will try to take advantage of ethnicity or colour to advance there cause and so it puts people on the other side in an incredibly difficult position in first doing their job and second avoiding a potential issue which could harm the image of their company. And clearly individuals are going to consider the potential consequences of their action on their job whenever approaching such issues.

I could offer many many examples but mentioning individuals clearly can only lead to potential issues for those involved. Its enough to say that often cases (these can be anything from suspected neglience to theft etc) are only being brought forward officially once there is almost no doubt and legal departments are sure that their is no risk of damage to the firms image or bottom line. It has to be watertight and that often means certain people are getting away with a lot.

UK, Ireland / Daniel Pelka murder: Polish mother and stepfather face life sentences [96]

Someone failed at their job because they thought it a risk to their own job if they reported concern because if unfounded they would be taken to court for racism against a minority. It may or not have had a baring in this case but often does in everyday life in the uk these days. Rather than the authority going to court to person responsible is sacked and compensation agreed to avoid media exposure which could be damaging. If you are negligent incompetent or responsible for a given event, you should be at risk of the law, not sheltered by peoples fear of being branded racists or being discriminatory.

Law / A general legal question about inheritance in Poland - debts [31]

Well if you dont know this to be true you arent living in a proper polish village my friend. Maybe one specially reared for foreigners. Where do you think sprzedal go za 10zl comes from!

Law / A general legal question about inheritance in Poland - debts [31]

dolnyslask, you might be from England but with comments like that you are certainly fitting in well with the typical lower/non-income village Pole. Begrudge someone else a living and often prefer to see his neighbour do badly even if his neighbours success or failure has no direct effect on his way of life.

The matter is question is very serious and needs to be dealt with within 6 months of death or the full force of any debts will have to be taken on, fullstop.

UK, Ireland / Daniel Pelka murder: Polish mother and stepfather face life sentences [96]

This is in fact one of the many downside to the political correctness we are experiencing in the UK. Every year it has got worse and its because of this people know they should say or do something, but cannot in fear of this jobs. In Poland, there isnt this level political correctness compared to the UK, but the problem here is most people are uninterested in helping others and turn a blind eye as they have their own problems to deal with.

News / PiS to impose blanket retail tax in Poland [291]

Then is then, now is now.
I try to avoid contact with bench warmers as all they are looking for is 2zl for a loaf of bread. Of course when they get it they run off and by cheap wine. I once offered one some fresh bread and he threw in down on the ground in disgust.

As for Jelenia Gora, I have moved away from there but really its a hot bed for crime in the region. In the city itself avoiding evening walks down ulica grodza is paramount, especially where the lockups are. This is known as the bermuda triangle of jelenia gora, stuff there disappears never to be seen again.

Petty depends on who is in questions. The guy that steals a can or beer or a yoghurt for 3zl might not think much of it but if 5 or 6 people do it every day then thats 1000zl losses for the guys shop. Now thieves arent stupid they now go for chocolate and coffee which is expensive and easy to przehandlowac (brillant word) for alcohol. Here you are talking about losses of 10-15zl a pop. So it adds up. Not so far from Jelenia Gora is a small town where locals took apart an old council building, literally raising it to the ground. Many of those involved were gypsies but just as many natives looking for a quick buck. You cant fault the enterprise just why cant these people apply it to an everyday job.

News / PiS to impose blanket retail tax in Poland [291]

dolnyslask the town you speak of is called Asbourne, except that is in the Peak District in the UK. We have dealings all over the dolnyslask but I cant say I have come across such a town as the one you describe. Some rural towns on the whole have high unemployment with a high crime rate (phenomenal drink driving figures) and a drunk or two sitting on every council bench.

As for fuel, oil is now up 15% of its lows and given the weak zloty, the price of petrol in Poland will rise twice as fast as it came down.

News / Demonstrations in Poland in defence of democracy. [2554]

No need for demonstrations, PIS is digging its own political grave. Its not the first or last time you get a government doing this. Thats their choice, but they wont get in for 2 or 3 terms probably. They may get a bit better at their job and avoid doing some irrepairable damage, lets hope so. They probably mean well but dont have the ability to source the actions required to get the results they want. But in life or business meaning well is never good enough.

Life / Is Poland a poor country? [578]

Not so much the larger cities but in small towns drinking seems to be the national pastime. Its like they got to 18 years old and stayed there. And many seem to be happy to try to drink their problems away. So many broken families because of it. It takes someone from other way of life to notice it as its all very normal to the majority of them.

Real Estate / Details about purchasing a land for commercial use in Poland [5]

Nothing ever is a formality in Poland until you have it on paper. Its possible the estate egent is right, but quite possible that they will say anything to secure the sale as they are no longer accountable after the akt is signed at the notariusz.

If you are not buying land with building permission already secured (pozwolenie/warunki na budowe) I would contact the gmina/local council office and see what they have to say about your plans. Take all projects and architects plans with you. They wont be able to give you permission to build on someone elses land (which it still is) but you will have a good idea of the likelihood of getting permission to do what you want to do. You will likely have to contact the starostwo as well as they will probably be the ones that sign off your building. Your architect or firm involved would generally handle all of this so I would speak to them.

News / PiS to impose blanket retail tax in Poland [291]

NocyMrok if you have paid hundred of thousands into the system, you are entitled to claim. The problem comes when someone tries to claim from day 1, without ever having contributed.

News / PiS to impose blanket retail tax in Poland [291]

London is about 3% now and top outside that about 5%. Im talking top location where resale is a matter of a couple of weeks. In terms of outlay theres is a chasm in price and what you can buy. Here in Poland you can get 9-10% on a long term commercial, thats before squeezing the offer price which i think this year you will be able to do. The capital return aspect should start to outperform within 5 years and run between 5-10% for the following 5 years.

News / PiS to impose blanket retail tax in Poland [291]


Never a truer word spoken. Im undecided as yet. A proper dip in the uk property market might convince me as presently yields are awfully low for the red tape you need to jump through. I certainly wouldnt rely on a state pension here in Poland, but you can set aside for that. Health is another matter, emergency services are truely awful especially for elderly as you say. My grandmother fell into their hands recently and had no chance.

News / PiS to impose blanket retail tax in Poland [291]

Their is a lack of entrepreneurship amongst Poles, they are often too cautious and lack ambition because of it. Foreign companies move into spaces where they see a gap in the market. If the Poles had filled it they wouldnt be able to compete to the same manner. A lot of the time I find Poles worry about getting paid today, but not what happens tomorrow.

News / PiS to impose blanket retail tax in Poland [291]

That is you dolnyslask, you are from the UK and thats the way things tend to be done, most prefer to dogadac sie. And dont even get me started on guarantees!

Anyway the receipt lottery is being expanded to include doctors. I cannot remember when I last got a receipt from a doctor when I have gone private.

News / PiS to impose blanket retail tax in Poland [291]

There are millions of self employed Poles under declaring and even more paying paid cash in hand. The two often go hand in hand together since lower wages mean higher profits, the profits must be under declared, then both employer and employee happy but urzad skarbowy cheated. This is of course why you are guilty until you prove your innocence at the Polish tax office.

News / PiS to impose blanket retail tax in Poland [291]

Because the little guy is hell bent on lining his own pockets and not declaring earnings to avoid paying taxes, so the government doesnt benefit from his good fortune. So there is nothing to build on. The corporates at least stick to the rules. Any loopholes used as loopholes the government allows and chooses to leave open.

News / PiS to impose blanket retail tax in Poland [291]


Is it a crime to raise prices? In a free market the seller, if he can find a buyer, should be able to sell at the price he deems fit. Now if the government wants to subside lower prices then thats another matter, but I dont belive they do. Or at least I dont believe they are willing to spend their own money doing it.

News / Germans: Geh raus of Poland's business! [61]

How old are you 16? Poland was bankrupt after the fall of communism. The zloty was worthless. It needed foreign investment to get on its feet. Without that Poland would not have moved forward in anyway. There are some isolated examples in Poland where there has been no real investment in 30 years and in these cases the towns have gone backwards.

Life / Is Poland a poor country? [578]

Life in larger cities has moved forward hugely, its almost incomparable to 30 years ago. Nearly 50 billion invested in infrastructure has made the likes of Wrcolaw Poznan and others look no different to other european cities. However, the small towns and villages, in many cases, are worse than the 60's. And alcohol and cheap dangerous drugs are a real problem in places like that. But its also the mentality of some the people. I can give an example of a father that arranged a good job, a flat and a car for his son in Wroclaw, but the son ran away back to a slum village with 50% unemployed. He felt better hanging around with his mates on his housing estate.

Here re educate yourself. Over 100bn 2014-2010

msp.gov.pl/en/polish-economy/economic-news/4015,dok.html

An extract below underlining need to spend wisely:

Economists call for long-term vision in EU funds spending, underscore the need to invest in innovation

Obviously, economists point out, getting the EU money is one thing and spending them in a sensible way is another. PISM chairman director Marcin Zaborowski, alongside many others commentators, underscores the need to use the EU money to support innovativeness. "In the new [financial] perspective, a greater emphasis should be put on innovativeness. The government should pay much attention to this matter. Poland spends little on research. It is an aspect that does not have much support of entrepreneurs, and so the state should provide incentives," he argues.

News / PiS to impose blanket retail tax in Poland [291]

Thats the point, they dont teach to the same standard. Fee paying schools in Poland seem to have an even lower standard thanbregular. Common sense seems to be lacking more than anything else. A lot of the times you can predict outcomes to events and some people are genuinely surprised when things happen the wsy they do. Its like a slow moving car crash.

News / Why has the US dollar reached almost 3.99 zł in Poland? [56]

I see zloty weak all year. More vs euro and maybe gbp, less vs dollar. Normally gbp would be well over 6 like the rest of them, but because of Brexit fears, the gbp has been just as weak or weaker.than the zloty. This may change very shortly and we will see pound move a little over the 6 mark. If the Brits vote for no Brexit, then you might see the pound as high as 6.50. But if I had pounds to sell, Id sell above 6 as the referendum isnt a foregone conclusion and really 6 is what you got about 10 years ago, so a pretty good price anyway. The main problem the zloty faces is outflows from emerging markets compounded by a less investor friendly government, while neighbours Hungary are improving relations and give ample opportunity to make the switch for those that want exposure to the CEE region but dont want the risk of more political woes.

We might see 4.70 but Id think ahead of 5 euros there should be a lot of value investors hunting. Dollar might have its own problems so dont see it too much higher.

News / Demonstrations in Poland in defence of democracy. [2554]

dolny are you talking about that awful Biedronka beer? I swear you could use that stuff to degrease engines.

Life / Why is Orange Poland such a crappy / expensive network? [53]

Maybe Im not a demanding customer. I use and pay my bill.

Life / Why is Orange Poland such a crappy / expensive network? [53]

Shhh, I have to charge my new one or twice a day. But no I dont get rid in quite that state as 3 or 4 times. Hey as long as the guy at the phone shop wants to buy it off me its no problem.

Life / Why is Orange Poland such a crappy / expensive network? [53]

Mine come by courier and I always open the box and sign the contract with him. If you think about it you get a new phone worth 2500/3000zl and pay 100/m for 2 years which you would do anyway as you have to make calls. It makes sense. The upfront fee for a top line phone is about a grand but you can always sell the old model for about that money if you keep it in good nick.

Life / Why is Orange Poland such a crappy / expensive network? [53]

they ring you for renewal and you tell them the one you want - simple. Cant see how you dont get value. If you make a lot of calls it the way to go. You can get contracts all in for 40zl/m as long as you have your own phone. Free calls texts and a few gig of internet.

Life / Why is Orange Poland such a crappy / expensive network? [53]

For business contract is the only way. Probably 5 or 6 times cheaper for me.