Work / Some cold, hard facts about teaching in Poland for newbies [101]

FUZZY is absolutely right! Without my private students, I'd really have to tighten my belt. In today's freedom of association (within reason) in the EU, why restrict yourself or be restricted? This is a world of consent and screw it if it doesn't harm anyone.

History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

Where does the word Lithuania come from and when was it first a country known as such? Was Vilnius always Polish?

History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

Koala, please don't insult my intelligence. I'm very aware of that fact but, with respect, you didn't answer my question. That's the second time you've sidestepped.

History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

Try to see it from the Lithuanian perspective. They are separate people who wanted their own land. The Russians helped them in that regard. Where else were they to go, the Soviet Union?

Sok, we both know the answer but why did they help the Soviets? For a love of the Soviets themselves? ;) ;)

History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

Lithuania was still a sovereign country though, Koala. Therefore, how can you condone invasion?

Work / Some cold, hard facts about teaching in Poland for newbies [101]

You just have to put yourself in the shop window. Building a reputation is key. Pay peanuts and you'll get monkeys ;)

UK, Ireland / Are Poles in UK really that big of a deal? [112]

One of the biggest problems is a lack of enforcement of EU Law. There is a Directive which requires immigrants to actively take steps to procure employment but nobody seems to pay heed to it. That is the fault of the British authorities who, rather than seeking to stamp such ignorance out, actively encourage it and also violate anti-discrimination laws. They make sure to get Poles directly into positions ahead of locals and it is these cretins that should be targetted, not the Poles.

Work / Some cold, hard facts about teaching in Poland for newbies [101]

My main advice would be to always bring the school back to honouring the contract as they will often forget what they signed to. Guaranteed minimum hours are often paid lip service. They will cut costs in whatever way they can but don't let them off with excuses which are mere fob-offs.

UK, Ireland / Are Poles in UK really that big of a deal? [112]

SHT, of course they mishandled things. Sweden, Ireland and the UK were the first to really open up and the UK got stung by excessive numbers of immigrants. The floodgates were opened by the signing of a treaty and normal, everyday people have to live with its implications. They didn't individually consent to it, it was thrust upon them.

The forecasts presented to the British public were hashed and FAR too wide of the mark to believe that any credible authority had put the stats together. The Poles were the new kids on the block and, as such, were convenient scapegoats for disillusioned Brits.

UK, Ireland / Are Poles in UK really that big of a deal? [112]

Well, it's a tough one, gumishu. I've heard from many of my friends that Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) was given all too easily, effectively a rubber stamp. Now, if sb can really prove they have been trying to get work but have been met with rejection then benefits are fair enough. However, some seem to just turn up and get them. Poles tend to research things back home first and then enter into their new set-up. That's what the EU Directive asks of them and most seem to comply. They are NOT the main problem at all. It's just as well Brits like curry and corner shops, otherwise many Indians and Pakistanis would be out of business very quickly. Poles do a lot of the factory work, which is important in its own way.

Life / How do Polish people see homosexuality? [152]

Remember, ZIMMY, gay meant happy back in the day. Don't let Jesus's beard fool you ;)

UK, Ireland / Are Poles in UK really that big of a deal? [112]

Yeah, many Poles accept almost squalor so that they can save and send money home whilst trash scoop up in true lottery style. Time to get off the Poles' backs and target the real problem people.

History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

No worries, Sok. It's good to see your input on the board.

His death was untimely to say the least. One man couldn't have changed much but his fighting spirit would have inspired many. A strong General at the helm!

History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

That alleged Piłsudski visit was never archived, Greg. I was pulling Sok's leg but the blunder was in not mobilising by ignoring France and GB.

UK, Ireland / Are Poles in UK really that big of a deal? [112]

What a shambles! I speculatively tried to get on the council housing ladder and benefits ladder years ago and it was made very difficult. Poles, I've heard, often get it easily. Britain treats Brits horribly. We need to ship out the scroungers ASAP. I mean like that Somali woman and so many others.

UK, Ireland / Are Poles in UK really that big of a deal? [112]

But try and see it through the eyes of some Brits, grubas. The government made a mess of things and they must bear the brunt of it. Call that fair? Many can't get back into work but the govt doesn't care.

UK, Ireland / Are Poles in UK really that big of a deal? [112]

Exactly! The Poles merely exercised their rights, those that were given to them by Brits in an incidental way. If they don't even have the sovereignty to introduce caps them that's their problem.

Food / Okocim double-hopped? [6]

Miller Lite is triple-hopped. I like Okocim but wouldn't say it was hoppy.

Life / Observation of Polish drivers, by and English anthropologist. [94]

Mafketis has the right idea :)

Life / How do Polish people see homosexuality? [152]

youtube.com/watch?v=ACb9w-4VNDg&feature=related
part 1 of 2. This shows how tricky it can be.

History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

That's why I asked, legend. What "earlier preparation" did you have in mind?

History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

And what years of preparation would have made a difference given the lack of funds to invest in modern equipment? What form would the preparation have taken?

History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

What do you mean by "earlier preparation", legend? Sok claims that Poland knew "all the time" so why was such a large army trampled on so quickly? He also denies the effectiveness of blitzkrieg so why the blunder?

History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

Neville Chamberlain wanted to give off the impression that peace was the sign of the times but Britain was preparing all the time. Appeasement is fine when what you give away isn't yours. You need to understand the British way of thinking, i.e selfish

I got the thread going. There was Polish intel in large doses but Sok always takes the bait. However, not acting on it unilaterally was a blunder. Yeah, diplomatic niceties being just that, they had to mobilise and prepare for impact.

History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

Then it was the next blunder, to trust Chamberlain and Churchill, two bumptious gits. I don't even know who the French PM was at the time. If you know, you prepare. End of!!

History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

He did when the war started, yes ;)

Believe that if it makes you happy, Sok

You were there to hear it, were you?

So you took orders from GB and France? Really? You had no care for your own safety?

Good luck with those revisionist history books, Sok.

History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

In which year were you aware of Hitler's plans?

UK, Ireland / Are Poles in UK really that big of a deal? [112]

Brits need to realise that their govt badly mismanaged things due to the classically British 'I'm alright Jack' attitude. Yes, some Poles stretched local and national resources but they also boosted the lower end of the economy and parts of the higher end. In life, you have to take the bad with the good.

History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

Yes, there was a lack of mobilisation due to a lack of information

History / Poland's biggest historical blunder? [341]

Not having a good foreign minister to see what Hitler was doing. Britain knew full well but let it all happen as it was on the cards. Britain had been preparing itself for some time whilst Poland was thumped all too fast due to a lack of information gathering. Of course, a lack of money didn't help but still.....