History / Why did Russia attack Poland in WW2? [178]

They were on an imperialistic drive for starters. Another point is for coal. The third was that potential soldiers for the future died in Warsaw whilst the Soviets held back and watched it happen. They wanted that result. Territory was important for Stalin too.

Life / Uptight Poles [262]

This is so visible as an aspect of life here. So controlling and so forthright so that nobody can lay anything on you. You can't be too soft in Poland as there are those waiting to pounce.

News / Kaczyński wants a people-friendly Poland [64]

Gumi, we'd say 'in his name'. You were close :)

The guy simply must work with what he has.

Life / Uptight Poles [262]

We do our best :)

Many Poles just seem to drift around at a leisurely pace and they don't seem to be uptight. Being in their own country seems to relax many. I think they'd be uptight in Pakistan ;)

Life / Uptight Poles [262]

Interesting way of looking at it. The basic truth remains, 'some are uptight and some aren't'. The old farts tend to be uptight but there's plenty of that in Scotland too. Come to think of it, in most places I've been I could say the same.

Maybe we can change the focus of it. How many Polish guys or guys that live with Polish women feel that they are uptight? Sometimes they are and sometimes they aren't, right, but let's have some stories.

Life / Uptight Poles [262]

So only one personal tale to show that Poles are uptight? ;)

Life / Uptight Poles [262]

Wherever you want, as long as it's on topic :)

Life / Uptight Poles [262]

Let's not get into a smoking debate here as there's another thread for that. This is about uptight Poles. Some are uptight and some aren't. I like those Poles that flick an arm in the arm as if to say 'it doesn't matter, it's ok', but that is not to be discussed here. Any uptight family members?

Life / Uptight Poles [262]

When was this, aphro? There has been a ban in all public places since Nov 15 2010. It's about consent, you are right.

Why did you choose the word 'uptight'? Was this a one-off instance or have there been others?

News / Kaczyński wants a people-friendly Poland [64]

Delph, he doesn't even have a bank account so it's hard to say. JK should personally walk around Biedronka (where he has been known to shop incidentally) and tell people to smile. That way people would get the message :) (then twat him)

Life / Uptight Poles [262]

Koala, do you shout out apologies with a megaphone to people that you pollute with the filth from your car or do you just put on a sticker when driving that says 'I'm sorry'?

Bars have to be places of tolerance and not filled with uptight individuals. I tolerate some of the rubbish I hear in bars but know that I can move, just like you or anyway else can.

Life / Uptight Poles [262]

I've also noticed that if some Poles are happy, they can be uptight not long after. Most tend not to stay happy for long unless they are naturally of that disposition.

News / Kaczyński wants a people-friendly Poland [64]

Gumi, I don't see what you mean at all. What is it that is eluding you?

News / Kaczyński wants a people-friendly Poland [64]

Look at the first post, gumi. The implication is very much there. It was a meeting, not a lecture ;)

You could say 'on their command' or 'according to their wishes', yes

What, Tusk doesn't want a people-friendly Poland?

News / Kaczyński wants a people-friendly Poland [64]

What do you mean, gumishu? No intellectual will tell me to smile or frown and I think many Poles would react in exactly the same way. It's none of their business. Govern the country. Oh, I'm sorry, they are not even in power ;)

News / Kaczyński wants a people-friendly Poland [64]

They haven't been in government since at least Oct 2007, Sok. Where is the sense in conducting projects when your people cannot carry them out? JK acts like he is in charge and he isn't.

News / POLISH COPS TO BREATHALISE CANOE USERS.... [30]

That's true! Drunken folk can often be drawn to water if it's nearby. Canoes don't feature in that.

News / Kaczyński wants a people-friendly Poland [64]

Feelgood factors come through making sensible decisions that are in the interests of the majority. Friendliness is sth that people create more amongst themselves, perhaps aided by government in some way but by no means largely.

Not necessarily, Wrocław. Several factors could have caused a low in the population, e.g Smoleńsk. PiS have just picked up on it but I can't see how they will change things.

What other thread, the uptight one?

News / Kaczyński wants a people-friendly Poland [64]

Further proof that JK is a desperate opportunist. What right does a group of so-called intellectuals have to decide if people smile or frown? Government is here to govern, not to set the mood of the people in that way.

News / Kaczyński wants a people-friendly Poland [64]

He was friendly to the Russians after Smoleńsk until his true colours shone through ;)

Life / Uptight Poles [262]

That is her prerogative, yes, but I think many have turned full circle after Nov 15 when the ban was introduced. It's a classic example of following the rules to a tee without any consideration of the exercise of civil rights that previous governments had given to them for many years. I can see why aphro felt her to be uptight.

News / POLISH COPS TO BREATHALISE CANOE USERS.... [30]

The police probably didn't ;) ;) They likely watched him safely make a fool of himself before stepping in to do their duty :) I think this may have stemmed from the recent decision of the police not to fine drivers as often due to them (the police) not getting a payrise. The govt has just broadened their (the police's) remit so that they can potentially fine more people.

Life / Uptight Poles [262]

What is biased about my story of the pedantic guy in the City Hall? He was uptight and up for a grumph, end of. You can question if you will but I was there ;) ;)

Yup, you didn't come across as uptight there ;) ;0

There's even a commercial about the level of uptightness. Not that that is definitive by any means.

News / Kaczyński wants a people-friendly Poland [64]

Everything starts with the desire/will of the people, Pol3. The thing is, too many would rather moan about it rather than do sth to change it. It's deeply ingrained in their mindset to do so so I suggest that JK drops his slogans and let people craft things as they will.

Law / What banks are people using in Poland? [50]

I think the title should be 'What banks are using people?' :) Millennium SA and Lukas Bank. Millennium's charges are awful.

Life / Uptight Poles [262]

Magda, please feel free to give me a chance to do that. I'll tell you real stories of all the positive experiences I've had. I've noticed that you come back to the negative ones too and it makes you appear uptight. This is about uptight folk so that's why I posted. You are more than welcome to create a hospitality thread or revive an old one. Until then, I will focus on threads that are relevant to me and I can comment on people being uptight here.

As I said before, I see this trait in administrative offices but people there are often of a certain type.

News / POLISH COPS TO BREATHALISE CANOE USERS.... [30]

Which post were you replying to, Magda? ;) ;)

If sb is silly enough to get blind drunk in a canoe then they need to accept the consequences of their actions. It's harm to others that I would be worried about. Breathalysing would then appear to be fair if sb gave off the impression of being drunk.

To the mods: Why don't you do your jobs properly and sweep off the rest of the irrelevant stuff above? Mine was far more relevant and that is abundantly clear. I've told you this umpteen times, I try and steer things back on track. I suggest that you target others more too.

I've never seen a drunken canoeist but checking them makes sense.

Life / Uptight Poles [262]

Many close to me, Wrocław. Maybe not many overall but...

We see uptight Poles here on the forum. That Family Guy poster is a prime example. Us Scots can laugh at ourselves but most Poles, Germans and Jews seem to have a problem with it. The defensiveness is bordering on the Jewish level.

Places to see uptight Poles? In any queues or in administrative offices.

Life / Uptight Poles [262]

I didn't decide for him. He was dripping off his hands which was my clear sign. Besides, no-one else was there urinating so I didn't inconvenience or embarrass anyone. In Britain, it's a normal thing to do and you are often thanked for it. Many Poles just look to set you up so they can then have a gripe and groan. He did exactly that!

It wasn't tragic, that's more of a Polish reaction to the situation. This is a forum where people discuss, not a court of law where everything against Poland MUST be defended at all costs ;)

Many of my closest Polish friends describe their own people as boorish. Please post your experiences on a British forum then, Magda. Ever thought of that? I keep reminding people of what Admin said. He wants to hear all stories, not just the positive ones!

Wrocław is spot on! I can see exactly where he is coming from with his comments! It often takes Poles to have a few drinks in them before they start laughing. More spontaneity and less anally pedantic behaviour amongst some would be better. Too many are governed by conventions/rules and where does it get them? Please tell me.

Life / Uptight Poles [262]

Uptight, anal, aloof. I do see these qualities quite often here but I try and ignore such people who exhibit such traits. One of the last episodes I remember was when I was in the City Hall. The security guy was washing his hands in the gents and clearly not going to be there for much longer so I left the door open for him. He proceeded to mutter sth about manners but I just walked on by. I was doing the guy a favour but he decided to wash his hands again and take his time drying them to make it look that I had left the door open maliciously.

Also, my Lukas bank experience was horrible. What gives these people the right to pour their life story on you? They are so tense and impatient, like they always have somewhere else to be because they are so important ;) I recommend some chillout music for such folk.

I think their uptight, prescriptive and proscriptive ways often come from the RCC.

I will finish by stating that I am merely answering the thread and staying on topic. In so doing, I haven't mentioned the many positive things I've seen from Poles lately. I've just selected those Poles that were uptight.