PolishForums LIVE  /  Archives [3]    
   
Posts by convex  

Joined: 25 Nov 2009 / Male ♂ 		Last Post: 28 Nov 2011
Threads: Total: 20 / In This Archive: 13
Posts: Total: 3928 / In This Archive: 3150 		From: Wroclaw
Speaks Polish?: un poco...wait
Interests: aviation

Displayed posts: 3163 / page 91 of 106
sort: Latest first   Oldest first   |
convex   
16 Feb 2010
Travel / Credit / Debit Cards to use in Poland [37]

Well I guess you have it all figured out then.

Yea, I have everything figured out. I know how banks work.

fter all complaining/arguing is the national sport.

Gotta be good at something...
convex   
16 Feb 2010
Travel / Credit / Debit Cards to use in Poland [37]

The fees aren't very high, and for some reason I think that someone that is not in Poland legally is going to bring much money with them. They don't make much money off of checking accounts that end up empty. They make money off of people taking loans and making large deposits. The fees cover costs.
convex   
16 Feb 2010
Travel / Credit / Debit Cards to use in Poland [37]

I doubt they're making a killing as they probably won't loan you any money...But they will give you an account. And they're friendly, speak English and German, and are cheap.
convex   
16 Feb 2010
News / Poland: In Top First 15 Countries in the WORLD by the number of CRIMES [286]

Maybe she did but that doesnt translate to "highering everyone they can get their hands on" in my book.

Apparently they have a finders fee, if you have someone with language skills looking for work, let me know...

You don't need luck, you need to choose a profession which is in demand, and to be adaptable to changes. I assumed that you were implying that luck is needed, I apologize if I misinterpreted that.

So to answer your question yes he had financial planning, he didnt forsee his child becoming ill and he didnt know a reccession would hit Poland.

Do you trust the health care system here? If you were planning a family, would you trust the life of your child to public health care, especially if you know how the system operates?

If he was making 1300 a month, which is minimum wage for a full time employee, maybe he should have looked for a job that paid a decent wage?

So what are the next steps? Is his wife still working? Is he planning on moving for work? kariera.pl
convex   
16 Feb 2010
News / Poland: In Top First 15 Countries in the WORLD by the number of CRIMES [286]

It would be if it was true, the fact is most Poles remained in the UK as its easier over there. Which brings us back to "they couldnt make it in Poland" for all the reasons were discussing here.

Yes, it is easier. Again, we're talking about easy vs. not being possible. It is easier to make money in the UK. It is possible to make middle class money in Poland. It is an option. It is easier to move to the UK, work in a factory, and earn the same Polish middle class money, without having to go through all the trouble of studying a useful skill.

Anyway, what's up with "Wracaj do Polski"? Why would the Polish government spend money increase unemployment numbers here and benefit payments? That seems rather odd.

another lie, i have many Poles applying for employemnt with me that are highly educated, i always refer them to IBM and HP in Wroclaw.

That's funny, my girlfriend got a job. No connections, just applied. She's got a bachelors in philology. Her not so bright schoolmate was just picked up at Volvo.
convex   
16 Feb 2010
News / Poland: In Top First 15 Countries in the WORLD by the number of CRIMES [286]

I meant that they can't pay for the insurance even and that's before buying the car. Not 'nevermind' the car in that sense. A loan is a help AND a hindrance.

You don't need a car when you're a student. The only reason for a car is consumption, and the only thing you should be consuming in university is alcohol.

Gumtree is not the most reliable. 500 perhaps. That's a lot of money when you are only working PT.

That is a lot of money, 125 hours worth of handing out fliers... Wait, students have the option of living in the dorms, and students are means tested and provided with a stipend if they come from a low income family.

So they are not comfortable exactly. You have just proven my point. You can't pick and choose and sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. That's what I was saying. Few people can just waltz into jobs that pay more than 10k a month. Some realism is needed.

Which means that no one is comfortable the world over, and Poland is just as horrible of a place as the UK. We were talking about "living well" economically so that one didn't have to steal, and if that was possible or not here.

Two people here fresh out of university earning middle class money, say 2800 a piece, living as expensive as possible (not in municipal housing, not in friend of a friends flat, not in grannies flat), will pay a third of household income for a roof over their head. That leaves almost 3000 a month for food, expenses, and disposable income.

How do you get to that point? Study philology and apply at HP after getting your bachelors degree. They are hiring along with IBM, anyone they can get their hands on.
convex   
16 Feb 2010
News / Poland: In Top First 15 Countries in the WORLD by the number of CRIMES [286]

Yes, students. Poles start university later than we do, at around 19 after their MATURA. They can legally drive at 17. Many want the mobility that a car provides but their PT job will barely cover the insurance, nevermind the car. OK, few go for a pad so early but they pay for their student digs.

Yes, the car was a terrible example. Regarding a place to stay, how much does a room in Gliwice cost? How about one at the dorms? Looks like rooms on gumtree in Katowice run about 400 all in.

Are you comfortable doing sth which completely doesn't fit you? Would you be stressed and uncomfortable?

A job, firstly, is a means to an end. There are very few people that wake up and do exactly what they want and get paid for it. Even research scientists aren't doing exactly what they want. They're doing what the boss is telling them to do. Same goes for pilots, teachers, doctors. This is an international phenomenon...

Again, this wasn't meant to be a philosophical conversation, just realistic. I still believe that one can achieve a comfortable middle class life in Poland based on the choices that they make, no dumb luck needed. I was trying to back up my statement that there is no reason for someone in Poland to have to steal to survive.
convex   
16 Feb 2010
History / WAS KATYŃ GENOCIDE? Polish officers were killed [237]

Are you refering to this:

Also, both sides agreed in the final protocol that the Polish nation should be completely moved out by the year 1975, either by mass murders or by deportations to remote areas of Siberia (by that year, 95% of the Poles still alive were going to be deported to the shores of the Jana river, located in northern Siberia, about two thousand miles north of Vladivostok).

If so, you might want to check your sources. It seems that the site you linked to lifted the wikipedia article and added sentences like that. None of the sources in the article make any references to the above sentence.

The Soviets set out to rid Poland, and the rest of the empire, of a certain class of people.
convex   
16 Feb 2010
History / WAS KATYŃ GENOCIDE? Polish officers were killed [237]

The word ethnicity is not as specific as you think. Both groups can be considered ethnic groups. Poles would be a more specific ethnicity while you could also argue that Slavs are a broad lingo-ethnic group.

You're absolutely right.

Getting back on topic. Did the Soviets try to murder an entire ethnic group, or a class within the ethnic group?

Bed time....
convex   
16 Feb 2010
History / WAS KATYŃ GENOCIDE? Polish officers were killed [237]

Convex, it's actually quite easy to distinguish Poles from Russians and most other Slavs. The Slavs are a very general and broad group.

Are Slavs an ethnic group, or are Poles and ethnic group?

Nonetheless, the Soviets targeted a specific group of Poles, not all Poles. That makes it a crime against humanity, not genocide.
convex   
16 Feb 2010
History / WAS KATYŃ GENOCIDE? Polish officers were killed [237]

The Khmer Rouge killed a social class as well as ethnic and religious groups.

During the trials of Khmer Rouge leaders, the two main charges were "crimes against humanity" for trying to eliminate an entire social class, and "genocide" for trying to exterminate a number of religious and ethnic groups (Muslims, Vietnamese, Thais).

Edit:

For instance;

Cambodians who were lawyers were targeted

Cambodians who were farmers weren't targeted

Muslims who were lawyers were targeted

Muslims who were farmers were targeted

That's the difference between genocide and crimes against humanity. It doesn't change the fact that both are horrible.
convex   
16 Feb 2010
Life / Do expats living in Poland speak Polish? [233]

This basically comes down to laziness and money.

It's more laziness than money. You don't have to speak Polish, you can get by with English. You know it, your brain knows it. Go hang out in a village for a couple of months...
convex   
16 Feb 2010
History / WAS KATYŃ GENOCIDE? Polish officers were killed [237]

Right, but Poles were not targeted by the Soviets for extermination, just a particular class of Poles. Parts of what the Khmer Rouge did in Cambodia was genocide (extermination of Cambodias muslims for instance), the majority was crimes against humanity. Which in my non legal opinion, is what Katyn was, a crime against humanity.
convex   
16 Feb 2010
History / WAS KATYŃ GENOCIDE? Polish officers were killed [237]

The original question is "Was Katyn Genocide?"

The answer is no, it was mass murder. Genocide would mean that the Soviets set out to exterminate an entire nationality, or race, or religious group, not just subgroups.
convex   
16 Feb 2010
History / WAS KATYŃ GENOCIDE? Polish officers were killed [237]

Poles are Slavs. The only way of distinguishing a Pole from a Czech is nationality. That's why we're different.

The intent was to murder an entire social class. That's what they did. Even if we say that Poles are an ethnic group, they did not murder all Poles, only a certain class of Poles.
convex   
16 Feb 2010
History / WAS KATYŃ GENOCIDE? Polish officers were killed [237]

A Pole living in Russia is still ethnically a slav, if they decide to take Russian citizenship, they become part of the Russian national group.

If the Soviets killed all slavs, it would be genocide.

If the Soviets killed all Poles, it would be genocide.

If the Soviets killed an entire social class, it would not be genocide.

Katyn was a horrible, horrible mass murder.
convex   
16 Feb 2010
News / Poland: In Top First 15 Countries in the WORLD by the number of CRIMES [286]

I'm talking about people who have chosen a given path because they feel it is what they are meant to do.

chosen being the key word.

But my point is that they don't want to take out extra loans as they probably have loans out on a car or are making downpayments for a pad.

A student??

The rest will come tomorrow :)
convex   
16 Feb 2010
History / WAS KATYŃ GENOCIDE? Polish officers were killed [237]

indeed it is not, but surely ethnicity includes everyone regardless of nationality. So why bother including national groups, unless they mean something different.

National groups would mean Soviets kill all Poles

Ethnic groups would mean Soviets kill all Slavs

Religious groups would mean Soviets kill all Roman Catholics

The Soviets didn't do any of those.
convex   
16 Feb 2010
News / Poland: In Top First 15 Countries in the WORLD by the number of CRIMES [286]

That's my point!

Now we're talking about the fairness of a system vs. the opportunity to succeed in it. I'm not arguing that it's fair for the person that decided to study philology and is now painting houses, that's the difference here. You're talking philosophical, I'm talking here and now.

Loans need to be paid back and some can't due to not getting employment. Sorry but this was commonplace in Scotland and probably still is. Loans are not gifts. Just describe a loan to me and you'll see what I mean.

If they used the loan to fund, say, an education in IT, or medicine, or law...the chances of being employed are high, very high. That is an investment. If you take a loan for say studying sociology, well, more of a consumer loan.

The issue at hand is can one live comfortably in Poland, is it possible. Not, can one live in Poland comfortably doing what they enjoy.
convex   
16 Feb 2010
History / WAS KATYŃ GENOCIDE? Polish officers were killed [237]

Bosnian is not an ethnic group. Bosnia has multiple ethnic groups, multiple religious groups, and different races.

And the Soviets did not indiscriminately murder Poles, they murdered Poles of a certain class.
convex   
16 Feb 2010
History / WAS KATYŃ GENOCIDE? Polish officers were killed [237]

after all isn't nationality indicative of ethnicity, or does nationality include groups within a nation like different classes.

No, you can have a country...say....Bosnia, with different ethnic groups. Class transcends ethnic groups, nationality, religions.
convex   
16 Feb 2010
News / Poland: In Top First 15 Countries in the WORLD by the number of CRIMES [286]

Some don't study and we all know how paper-heavy Poland treats them.

School is free here. If you're poor, you get a stipend from the government. Student loans aren't that difficult to get.

You still haven't answered my question about a loan and a gift.

Their preferred career, you hit the jackpot there. Unless you're borderline retarded, you know where the money is at. If you choose not to go that route, guess what, you won't get compensated at the rate that you expect. Masters in anthropology, good for you, it won't pay the bills.

What exactly is your question regarding a loan and a gift? Capital should be borrowed for investment.

Define comfortably please.

Seriously, you don't think people have an option here? Do you think they're willing to work for it? Everyone wants a Ferrari, some people make it happen, some people hang posters on their walls. Comfortable is a roof over your head, food on your plate, and the opportunity to further yourself.

And look at what research scientist at the pharmaceutical companies here in Poland are earning. I would suggest that those Brits move over here.
convex   
15 Feb 2010
News / Poland: In Top First 15 Countries in the WORLD by the number of CRIMES [286]

Yeah but there isn't in Poland and that's my point. They are offered peanuts and can barely make ends meet. There aren't many openings either.

Education is free here, why would you have to work a unskilled job? What's barring people from going to school?

1200PLN gives you what, only the roof over your head or all utilities with it as well?

Depends on what you need. Do you need an apartment, or a room? Are you a pair of teachers making 3600 a month? Are you working an entry level job at HP making 2800 a month?

Fly a plane? Probably yes as there is a defunct airport here but it's still used for those with private aircraft and other flying options.

It was an example, Katowice isn't far away. There is a Citation operator out there that are looking for first officers right now.

What is the principle of a loan? In your eyes, is there a difference between a loan and a gift? There should be! You invest in studies, fair enough, but there are no guarantees at the end and many can vouch for that.

It depends on what you study. Again a question of choice.

My thoughts are based on the places that I've been, and the people that I've met. My point in this entire thread is that if you want to live comfortably in Poland, you have the option to. A bit of common sense and there is no reason that you can't live comfortably. Europe has an entitlement culture that is only second to the US.

There aren't enough jobs in many areas, convex. Bring back 800,000 people and that'll make it even worse. Look, think of it this way. Look around you at how many individual flats/houses there are in any given city. In Gliwice, around 210,000 people. You can't tell me that there are enough jobs for all of them. That's absurd! There are jobs for unskilled labourers here, they just aren't well paid.

And we're talking about options, right now, now hypothetical situations. Does a person in Poland right now have the opportunity to live comfortably. Is it possible?
convex   
15 Feb 2010
News / Poland: In Top First 15 Countries in the WORLD by the number of CRIMES [286]

No minimum wage? Ok, let's look at that. I've heard of people earn less than 4PLN per hour here (giving out flyers). That's under 1 pound. Britain has a minimum wage of 5.15 or 5.35, sth like that (pounds). Germany wouldn't pay that low, sorry. Ask BB.

In Germany there is a minimum wage for certain jobs, google translate will probably do a good job translating this.
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindestlohn#Situation_in_ausgew.C3.A4hlten_Staaten
Remember, azubis aren't included.. Right, handing out fliers, it's a student job, and under the table.

Rent is through the roof here and there is a thread on it should you care to read it. It's about most Poles not being rich enough to afford a good place with modern heating options.

Domiporta gives me 200 multiroom apartments in Gliwice for under 1200zl. At the peak of the unemployment crisis, how many people did you see on the street?

There aren't enough jobs in many areas, convex. Bring back 800,000 people and that'll make it even worse. Look, think of it this way. Look around you at how many individual flats/houses there are in any given city. In Gliwice, around 210,000 people. You can't tell me that there are enough jobs for all of them. That's absurd! There are jobs for unskilled labourers here, they just aren't well paid.

I'm still waiting for my dream network engineer in Warsaw. Also, if you know someone that can connect a monitor and a printer to a POS terminal, let me know. I have a job for them as well. Hey, got anyone that can fly a plane? There is a shortage of pilots here. I understand that HP and IBM are hiring like mad here in Wroclaw for anyone with foreign language skills.

Poles taking extra loans, LOL. Can't you see a credit crisis looming here if that happens? It'll create a major headache for credit enforcement authorities. Just ask Mister H about the position in the UK.

There is a difference between taking a loan for consumption, and taking one for investment.

How coherent is all this? Losing it a bit?
convex   
15 Feb 2010
News / Poland: In Top First 15 Countries in the WORLD by the number of CRIMES [286]

What millions?? witin two years?? i rest my case. Its all in the stats im afraid thats the best thing about FACTS they are FACTS.

Yes, migration to Germany from Turkey in the 60's, and that was controlled. The UK government basically opened the floodgates, if you could work as a teacher in Kielce for 1800zl a month or work as a cook for 1800 a week, would you leave? The Greeks, Italians, and Turks also stayed in Germany over the long term, are the number of Polish immigrations to the UK still increasing year on year? Isn't it bizarre that when the pound started to fall against the zloty, people moved home?

Yeah but I bet that you can buy more in Germany than you could buy in Poland for doing unskilled labour.

Not so sure about that, remember, no minimum wage. Potatoes aren't cheap, neither is rent.

Convex, there just aren't enough jobs for everyone. As WB said, facts are facts.

There aren't enough jobs for unskilled labor. I'll give you that.

You have just given me an extra string for the bow. Poland has traditionally not charged for education but that is starting to change.

Rightfully so, let people take loans to pay for it. Don't subsidize it so that prices stay low. Of course, that will never happen :(

Fighting, fair enough, but I think your definition of comfortable and that of WB's are 2 very different things.

Likewise
convex   
15 Feb 2010
News / Poland: In Top First 15 Countries in the WORLD by the number of CRIMES [286]

Well, the cost of living in those countries is higher and the languages a huge barrier. Many went to Norway as it was somehow easier to learn and they wanted Polish dentists/doctors.

Path of least resistance.

Wages are maybe lower in Germany for now as they haven't fully emerged from their mini recession. However, that's by no means a constant. The Germans can easily get themselves out of trouble.

Wages in Germany for unskilled labor have always been fairly low...I don't think that'll be changing anytime soon.

The reality is that you just cannot put everyone in work in a capitalist system. There will always be winners and losers that way.

Sure you can. We have way, way too many children already. Without the infrastructure to teach them the skills they need, you have a bunch of workers that can't do anything productive, more unskilled labor.

Regarding communism, I still have no idea how the most resource rich country in the world screwed that one up. Gross mismanagement.

I don't think anyone would deny that it is possible but having 2 kids (the so-called nuclear family) and a car is a major burden. Without kids, car and any shopping whatsover, my standard expenses are at least 2200PLN a month. All because of this skewed perception that I am rich because I have my own business. What garbage! I will wake up eventually.

Yea, it's tough. But it's possible. And quite a few people do exactly that. The market is trying to disincentive having kids..higher food prices, energy prices, education costs, but we keep fighting it.

I'll get back to my epic battle with a bottle of rum.