Life / Expats, are you happy with your life in Poland? [43]

Hmm...I didn't sense it that much in Macedonia when I was there.

Life's what you make it. I'm happy that I'm not flooded with Disney Land, hotdogs and junk-in-the-trunk sweathogs but I'd also like to ship off some of the old hags here to Bognor Regis on the south coast of England. Throw them all together for a real squabblefest :)

Study / AFRICAN STUDENTS INVASION in Krakow [197]

From what I can gather based on film accounts of themselves, many African students seem to be fun-loving and respectful folks. They tend to learn Polish very well and not transgress boundaries. They seem to be aware of their guest status which is more than can be said for lower-end Poles that travel. It's just a question of intelligence and those that study Medicine would certainly appear to hold their own and maintain their dignity.

Life / WHO IS CONSIDERED TO BE POOR IN POLAND? [8]

That will be me soon enough, Trevek :) :) Nowt wrong with 14PLN wines from there :)

Those that hand out fliers for 5PLN an hour must be near the breadline and paltry people of earnings.

History / Silesia occupation [49]

There's a lot of internet ping-pong about Silesian separatism but, frankly speaking, I've seen no rallies here in over 6.5 years. It's enough for some people to use the term 'gorol' and leave it at that. I'm glad that the British took a stand against the Russians as the Russians wanted to take control of the coal fields in the immediate aftermath of WWII.

Life / Expats, are you happy with your life in Poland? [43]

If you don't know what you want, you'll never get it. I'd first start by asking what reasonable expectations expats have of Poland. Also, what makes them happy?

There is one golden word that my second student mentioned this morning and that is 'freedom'. She made the point that salaries here may be small compared to the cost of living but that pales into insignificance when you can experience real freedom. One thing I'm happy about is the free astro-turf pitches scattered across Poland. Orlik is the provider of the service. In Scotland, you have to pay a small fortune to play and I don't think that's right.

Oh, the market square will soon be brimming with beautiful girls. Ever the aesthete, I will be sure to check out looks which are bound to make me happy :)

Travel / Why are some Taxis in Warsaw so smelly? [16]

Just wait for the summer season when everyone is clammy :) :)

History / Poland paid off American Jewry in 1960 [162]

I was talking about politics primarily :)

History / Poland paid off American Jewry in 1960 [162]

Ah, ok. I see your point in that case.

Sok is right on the second point. There are more than you think. FP.

Life / How could things have gone so wrong (Poland church dress code) [195]

Not my style ;)

Life / How could things have gone so wrong (Poland church dress code) [195]

And she did :) :) We bought a lovely shirt too :)

Life / How could things have gone so wrong (Poland church dress code) [195]

I wore a smart suit and tie :) :) Why do you ask? (we say this but it should really be 'why are you asking?' Angielski jest głupi)

Life / How could things have gone so wrong (Poland church dress code) [195]

So part religious and part spiritual then? ;)

People here are talking of covering their bodies with a fair bit of ambivalence I might add. Look at t-shirt and jeans. Plenty body coverage there but are they suitable? For instance, you can't get into a golf clubhouse with jeans so where does that put us with respect to the church? Please, some attempt to get to the logic of this without the futile 'that's just how it is' copout.

History / Poland paid off American Jewry in 1960 [162]

Let's not digress as the nationalistic dynamic is what cost many their lives there.

Tusk certainly appears to have placed emphasis on relations with Jews but his party has Jewish sympathisers in abundance.

History / Poland paid off American Jewry in 1960 [162]

It really startles me how we don't talk so much about Yugoslavia or Rwanda anymore and they are fresher genocides. The level of paying off is on a completely different scale when it comes to those conflicts. Granted, the vested interests are lower but nobody has really been playing on guilt that much.

Life / How could things have gone so wrong (Poland church dress code) [195]

He's an unsure agnostic ;) ;) Unsure of being unsure ;)

Warsz, a kilt doesn't always cover your knees so would it be acceptable?

History / Poland paid off American Jewry in 1960 [162]

It is certainly less legitimate, Sok. It allows them to defend any allegations put at them.

History / Poland paid off American Jewry in 1960 [162]

I've watched Defamation twice and there is no official policy of anti-Polonism. Stop being paranoid, grubas!

Sok, it really lowers peoples' estimation of you when you engage in tit-for-tat, mud slinging. 2 wrongs don't make a right.

History / Poland paid off American Jewry in 1960 [162]

Sok, you can't tar everyone with the same brush. There are many noble Jews. I believe this matter should have been dealt with long ago but, while there is business involved.....

Life / How could things have gone so wrong (Poland church dress code) [195]

Is a kilt really appropriate given that we wear nothing under it? Also, my shorts go every bit as far down as my kilt does. Ok, give or take a little. Modest apparel is the criteria so no leg showing. A skirt is perfectly respectable female attire but some are frowned upon. Maybe a measuring tape should be introduced to the Church entryway? ;) ;)

Life / How could things have gone so wrong (Poland church dress code) [195]

Yup, leave them at the door and collect them on your way out ;) ;)

Life / How could things have gone so wrong (Poland church dress code) [195]

They are but one part of Polish culture, pgtx. Isn't it a telling sign that others just got on with it?

Life / How could things have gone so wrong (Poland church dress code) [195]

So what if I was a devout Catholic Scot that went into a church here with a kilt on? Would that be considered as modest apparel? if there are no objective definitions then it is left to us to gauge the relevant cultural norm, right?

Life / How could things have gone so wrong (Poland church dress code) [195]

Pawian, the difference is that you are told to take your shoes off when entering a mosque. It was that way in Tirana when I was there. They actually enforced the rules.

Life / How could things have gone so wrong (Poland church dress code) [195]

"And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us". I wonder what the mohair beret brigade feels that this means :) :)

Luke 17:21, "the Kingdom of God is within you". Why is a priest needed when God is working within us?

newtestamentpattern.net/christianarticles/tojudgeornottojud ge.htm

they might want to read this before passing judgement on others. Scripture, folks, scripture. I really do my utmost not to judge in real life.

Life / How could things have gone so wrong (Poland church dress code) [195]

It is about cross dressing, Welshie, yes. I think many have missed frd's post (113). Now, Zabrze isn't as conservative as Gliwice but it's still fairly much so in Polish terms. It is strongly Catholic, that's for sure. If shorts are permitted there, what does that say for the code?

Life / How could things have gone so wrong (Poland church dress code) [195]

Fair point by warszawski, that's true! However, what is striking for me is how Welshie wouldn't know about it when he is so well versed in such matters.

NIV, 1 Timothy 2:9-10)

NIV, 1 Peter 3:2-5)

I wonder if anyone knows the above verses :) :)

NIV, Deuteronomy 22:5, this one too :)

Barefoot or cycle, warsz? You are referring to practicality, yes?

Life / How could things have gone so wrong (Poland church dress code) [195]

I'm merely commenting on the digressions that have been allowed. I've made it a point of mine now to try and bring it all back on course.

Life / How could things have gone so wrong (Poland church dress code) [195]

I wished to be married under God, the all-seeing! (who is all around me). I went to the Civil Registry :)

Given their lives? They got an Alfa Romeo and job security which is more than many people have :)

If I wished to confess my sins, I would pray by speaking to the One who will listen. He listens wherever I am :)

Jesus gave his life for US. He died for us all.

What does this have to do with shorts or long shorts or very long shorts, aka trousers?

Life / How could things have gone so wrong (Poland church dress code) [195]

I see you are trying to see both sides here, Nathan, and that's a good thing :) Where I would disagree with you would be where you mentioned "spiritual". The Church shouldn't trangress into the realms of spirituality. Its remit is religion which is not the same thing. Now, that brings us to Welshie's point. Where is the Biblical (religious) basis for no shorts?

Oh, can sb give me the function of a priest, please.

If mealtimes are regulated, Barney, then there is a rule for it :) :)

Life / How could things have gone so wrong (Poland church dress code) [195]

That's a very good answer, Nathan :) :) It's hard to counter that as I support the idea that the majority should be represented, of course. However, I wasn't aware of that norm and I also believe that forgiveness is a central concept in Christianity.

Different churches have different standards, to be fair. However, I say this as a matter of observation without lending either support or criticism to it. The RCC seems to advocate artificial constructs and what I may describe as 'add-ons'.

I'll go to the church tomorrow and enquire as to the dress code :)

Which is the liar, warsz? That is a serious question :)