Work / Education in Poland - system and structure [118]

That was my first impression too, Davie, until I saw that she had quoted :)

Education in Poland? Not used effectively :)

Food / Irn Bru in Poland [20]

D&B, wildrover? We got that up north. I liked it too :)

Chippies? That sounds about right for Irn-Bru. I often bought a can after swimming :)

Law / Poland's Online Services for TAX, ZUS, etc. [4]

You have to request them at the local offices. I've never received confirmation as I do a backdated check online through my bank account (there is a request document facility to go further back). That's my confirmation but for certain things, e.g credit clearance or worthiness, you need originals from their offices.

I hope that helped. If not, I can offer some more if need be.

Work / Education in Poland - system and structure [118]

Where is Madrit? I don't know the capital of a place I don't know. Madrid maybe? It has no capital but is the capital of Spain. I'm beginning to see now, Zeti ;) ;)

So what's the merit of the korepetycja system here? Another waste of time? The moment young people stop giggling like buffoons when they endlessly utter k****, Poland can move forward. Until then, the perspicacious among us can see through the hopelessly defensive pride in youngsters here.

Life / INVISIBLE MAN in shops and offices in Poland? [70]

Yeah, that's the best scenario. I keep my Polish well hidden in such cases. Nie mówi po polskiemu (nie mówię po polsku) is usually enough to let them know how crap you are and how futile a discussion attempt will be.

History / Lwów, Wilno ... kresy - Poland have lost enormoust part of our heritage... [389]

Without any shadow, yes. However, Russia influenced Poland for 43 years (much more really) ;) ;)

News / WikiLeaks Reveals Tense Foreign Relations Amongst Poland. [22]

There is a lot of rabble rousing and muck raking going on with this Wikileaks thing. Why can't people get over themselves and see it for what it is? I'll lay a bet with anyone that Russia won't attack Poland in the next 3 years, esp now that the missile shield has been shelved.

Life / INVISIBLE MAN in shops and offices in Poland? [70]

Well, the reassuring thing is that they do it to one another too. I love the 'do widzenia na odpie*dol się'. It's priceless.

Wildrover, you have to stare at them and make them feel really self-conscious. Non-stop gazing :) They'd still probably manage to ignore you in that case.

Any other stories on the thread, wildie? They make for great reading. If not, I could surely conjur up another from my past string of them.

Food / Irn Bru in Poland [20]

Maybe in Makro? I could check. The closest the Poles have is Oranżada but it's not the same. Similar to an extent but not the real deal.

Work / Education in Poland - system and structure [118]

Well, you SEE how education manifests itself, Zeti. Therefore, you can comment. You can tell educated people from uneducated ones quite far away.

Plus, are you really saying that stats are null&void in this case?

Work / Education in Poland - system and structure [118]

It's very good in some areas and not so good in others. Why say more? The most practical thing would be to establish bridges between said education and jobs. The unemployment rate in Poland wouldn't make for good reading if many Poles came back. That has to be borne in mind.

History / Lwów, Wilno ... kresy - Poland have lost enormoust part of our heritage... [389]

You are a bit of a Brest man then, convex? It does it for you? ;)

Joking aside, I would like to visit Belarus one day. It's not on the agenda for now but....

I'm guessing that the efficiency level in administrative offices is somewhat higher there. I waited for 2 hours just to get a letter and also some of my personal details changed. They are some of the slowest and dullest fools around in such positions here.

Sorry Nathan but they should be shunted across to Lvov. We don't want them! ;)

History / Lwów, Wilno ... kresy - Poland have lost enormoust part of our heritage... [389]

He will be a future target, that dictator. For now, he is not making enough waves to attract attention but he might in due course. Then objects might fly!

News / WikiLeaks Reveals Tense Foreign Relations Amongst Poland. [22]

Crow, I think that a potential disaster was averted when Obama was elected. I'm not his biggest fan (nor his biggest critic, I might add) but he steered a sensible course, unlike what John McCain would have done. McCain used the Georgian pretext to stir things up but he wasn't in control so stuff him. Obama is far more diplomatic in his tone and I don't feel that he personally has any war-like aspirations as regards Russia. People just like to live in their fantasy worlds but would get a REALLY nasty shock if a huge war broke out. It won't come to that!

History / Lwów, Wilno ... kresy - Poland have lost enormoust part of our heritage... [389]

Until the partitions, right ;)

Precisely. It's hardly a bustling metropolis ;)

No doubt :) Their one and only due to a limitation of funds :)

News / Poles don't have a heart for math... says The New York Times [84]

News ;)

Like the NYT really knows anything about Poland and Poles. They are probably still flipping a coin and trying to guess which State it is in.

News / Medvedev in Poland [28]

Aha, thanks for the explanation, Echo :) :) I usually remember vocab but this time....

So, Medvedev in Poland? What a waste of fuel. Please tell me ONE important and meaningful thing he said beyond rhetoric and verbal diarrhoea.

History / Lwów, Wilno ... kresy - Poland have lost enormoust part of our heritage... [389]

I'll watch it tomorrow, I-S. Thanks :)

Congrats on accepting those borders ;)

History / Lwów, Wilno ... kresy - Poland have lost enormoust part of our heritage... [389]

Exactly, I-S. Good to see that you have settled on the current borders :)

News / Poles don't have a heart for math... says The New York Times [84]

Absurd insinuations and allegations. How little they know!

News / Polish Foreign Ministry 'prepared' for new Wikileaks material [100]

His heart was in the right place but I can never get away from the fact that he is just another opportunistic businessman looking for a quick buck.

Food / Polish honey liquor called something like "vitatass"? [37]

Try Krupnik, it is better :) That reminds me, I still have some stashed away. Krupnik is great for warming you in winter.

News / Poles don't have a heart for math... says The New York Times [84]

What utter garbage! Many Poles do have the heart for Maths and are pretty darned capable. Another goon just looking for a story to print. He is well wide of the mark with his allegations!

History / Lwów, Wilno ... kresy - Poland have lost enormoust part of our heritage... [389]

Precisely, Nathan. That's how it appears to me anyway :)

True also on the second point. There was a program once about Poles in Belarus (Minsk, I believe) and, despite feeling it to be grey (like Aberdeen), they were generally impressed with the people and offerings of the city.

For the millionth time, here we go:

'"Don't criticize what you can't understand" (Bob Dylan, The Times They Are A Changin)

Don't attack that which you really know little of, esp if you are an Aussie with little gumption. Plastic Poles, a loathesome breed for the most part!

History / Lwów, Wilno ... kresy - Poland have lost enormoust part of our heritage... [389]

True, Delph. Even many Poles here haven't come into contact with a single Belarussian.

The 2 Belarussians I've known here speak fluent Polish and fit in very well. They see Russian as sth imposed, even to the extent that they have forgotten Belarussian language. If you claim that you don't know what external imposition feels like, you most certainly are not a true Pole as it's deeply rooted in their psyche. Try to understand how a Belarussian must feel. It's like me calling you a Czech person. Close enough, right? ;)

History / Lwów, Wilno ... kresy - Poland have lost enormoust part of our heritage... [389]

Well, some Belorussians still strive to be different though Russian is essentially imposed on them. Tell me, what connections does Poland have with Brest? What useful purpose would it serve Poland to occupy that space?

USA, Canada / Canada Increasingly a Gateway for Undocumented Polish Immigrants Entering the U.S. [150]

Well, there is said to be many Poles in the northern states of America. It is relatively easy to slip across into the US. However, I don't think many Poles believe in the American Dream that much anymore although the romantic idealists will still be taken in by it.

News / Medvedev in Poland [28]

There is still some governance going on ;) ;)

I certainly hope the taxpayer doesn't finance any of this, or any other, visit. Kommie can pay out of his own pocket. Nothing gets done, much like the peace process in the ME.

UK, Ireland / Why British men move to Poland [63]

I wonder if you could file for breach of contract if you get married based on pictures. You know, you choose a girl from a photo where she's slim and then a few months pass and she is huge.

I certainly wouldn't let them play the sit on the face and guess my weight game. They'd crush me.

News / Medvedev in Poland [28]

That's a little harsh, is it not?