jon357
17 Jul 2016
jon357
17 Jul 2016
Life / Should I expect racism as a 'black' woman in Poland [149]
Indeed. Unfortunately it's coming at a time when there are various tensions in Europe plus the malign role of the Internet and social media in whipping up hatred.
Just tell him to sod off. Pure trolling.
there is still work to do
Indeed. Unfortunately it's coming at a time when there are various tensions in Europe plus the malign role of the Internet and social media in whipping up hatred.
"you didn't do much fighting in ww2 "
Just tell him to sod off. Pure trolling.
jon357
17 Jul 2016
Life / Should I expect racism as a 'black' woman in Poland [149]
That was a horrible thing; I hope they catch whoever did it.
leaflets left i Huntington
That was a horrible thing; I hope they catch whoever did it.
jon357
16 Jul 2016
Life / Should I expect racism as a 'black' woman in Poland [149]
One of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. Nevertheless her appearance does stand out - it's perhaps harder for her to 'pass' than most due to her height and of course she is very well known here. Nevertheless, before she hit the headlines she was subject to abuse sometimes.
In every country there's bad and good. Unfortunately in Poland there's a significant tranche of society who are not just passively but actively intolerant. Hopefully, in the areas a visitor is likely to be, there won't be many such people. Even most of the people who hold very racist views are likely to be polite to your face.
When I worked for a large firm here with several people of colour, both men and women, the ones with horror stories to tell were men with dark skin who had Polish wives or girlfriends. To a racist that can be like a red rag to a bull.
Anna Grodzka
One of the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. Nevertheless her appearance does stand out - it's perhaps harder for her to 'pass' than most due to her height and of course she is very well known here. Nevertheless, before she hit the headlines she was subject to abuse sometimes.
In every country there's bad and good. Unfortunately in Poland there's a significant tranche of society who are not just passively but actively intolerant. Hopefully, in the areas a visitor is likely to be, there won't be many such people. Even most of the people who hold very racist views are likely to be polite to your face.
When I worked for a large firm here with several people of colour, both men and women, the ones with horror stories to tell were men with dark skin who had Polish wives or girlfriends. To a racist that can be like a red rag to a bull.
jon357
16 Jul 2016
Life / Should I expect racism as a 'black' woman in Poland [149]
You've forgotten Maciej Nowak, Michał Żebrowski, Kasia Adamik and a few more. But that's only 6. There are twice that in the Tory benches in the House of Commons.
Nevertheless, although there may well be hassles visiting small-town Poland as a couple or if your appearance stands out, Warsaw is fine. I've had very little trouble (and in every case from feckwits that I repelled easily) in 20 years of living here. It helps if you look bigger and stronger than they do.
Openly gays in Poland :
You've forgotten Maciej Nowak, Michał Żebrowski, Kasia Adamik and a few more. But that's only 6. There are twice that in the Tory benches in the House of Commons.
Nevertheless, although there may well be hassles visiting small-town Poland as a couple or if your appearance stands out, Warsaw is fine. I've had very little trouble (and in every case from feckwits that I repelled easily) in 20 years of living here. It helps if you look bigger and stronger than they do.
jon357
16 Jul 2016
Life / Should I expect racism as a 'black' woman in Poland [149]
I think more than a few. Not quite on the scale of Athens but omnipresent in the cities.
Black visitors (and residents) usually have a good time here. Though exercising more caution than they would back home is appropriate.
a few
I think more than a few. Not quite on the scale of Athens but omnipresent in the cities.
So as a Black visitor you are welcome here by the majority of Poles
Black visitors (and residents) usually have a good time here. Though exercising more caution than they would back home is appropriate.
jon357
16 Jul 2016
News / Good-change government raising minimum wage in Poland, cutting SB pensions [213]
Maybe expand on that...
Yes, there is
Maybe expand on that...
jon357
16 Jul 2016
Law / Foreign currency accounts in Poland [49]
In that case it would probably be much better to do it via Transfer Wise or World First (I use the latter). They give you a better rate than those shops. Also, the transfer is usually instant and (assuming neither of the banks involved are obscure ones - this could be a potential issue with Alior) free of charge.
he can transfer his wages through a service that some of the Polish shops here offer for less than £10.
In that case it would probably be much better to do it via Transfer Wise or World First (I use the latter). They give you a better rate than those shops. Also, the transfer is usually instant and (assuming neither of the banks involved are obscure ones - this could be a potential issue with Alior) free of charge.
jon357
16 Jul 2016
Life / Should I expect racism as a 'black' woman in Poland [149]
Don't be silly, Dolno.
More than average in PL. Have you spent much time in Lodz?
Not for you, not for me. For some, sadly yes.
an English bigot
Don't be silly, Dolno.
You can find racists graffiti in any big city in Europe
More than average in PL. Have you spent much time in Lodz?
but never a green flag for racism.
Not for you, not for me. For some, sadly yes.
jon357
16 Jul 2016
Life / Should I expect racism as a 'black' woman in Poland [149]
I think people are more used to it there; that and seeing people whose skin is a different colour. Think of the U.K. Home Counties in the late 70s, early 80s and that's rather like larger cities in Poland.
I think people are more used to it there; that and seeing people whose skin is a different colour. Think of the U.K. Home Counties in the late 70s, early 80s and that's rather like larger cities in Poland.
jon357
16 Jul 2016
Law / Foreign currency accounts in Poland [49]
Worth checking on the website though (and checking that Alior is correspondent with the U.K. bank). If so, it could be as low as £10 or thereabouts.
Worth checking on the website though (and checking that Alior is correspondent with the U.K. bank). If so, it could be as low as £10 or thereabouts.
jon357
16 Jul 2016
Life / Should I expect racism as a 'black' woman in Poland [149]
I agree. I still wouldn't want to be a woman from a minority group walking through areas with lots (yes, lots) of graffiti, some of it showing Stard of David hanging from gallows, swastikas, 'white power' (written in English!) etc. You and I know that it's mostly aimed at rival football clubs supporters however the sort of people who might write that are best avoided, not to say shunned, by everyone.
Tourists coming to Poland should not only be careful not to spend too much time in areas with scummy people (this is a good rule everywhere in the world) and if there is anything about them that may attract unwelcome attention, they should think about being part of a group or spending as much time as possible in cultural attractions and upscale hotels & restaurants.
I think very few people would suggest that there is less homophobia in the UK than in Poland.
work of some stupid kids just to write something controversia
Would I like to be at night in some rough area of London or Glasgow....probably no.
I agree. I still wouldn't want to be a woman from a minority group walking through areas with lots (yes, lots) of graffiti, some of it showing Stard of David hanging from gallows, swastikas, 'white power' (written in English!) etc. You and I know that it's mostly aimed at rival football clubs supporters however the sort of people who might write that are best avoided, not to say shunned, by everyone.
Tourists coming to Poland should not only be careful not to spend too much time in areas with scummy people (this is a good rule everywhere in the world) and if there is anything about them that may attract unwelcome attention, they should think about being part of a group or spending as much time as possible in cultural attractions and upscale hotels & restaurants.
Homosexuality
I think very few people would suggest that there is less homophobia in the UK than in Poland.
jon357
16 Jul 2016
Law / Foreign currency accounts in Poland [49]
There's a cost for the transfer. It used to be something like £30 for a quick transfer or a less for a (very) slow one though nowadays it is sometimes a little less, depending on the bank and if there's no intermediary bank. It's possible that with a minor bank like Alior or if the UK bank is a small one like Yorkshire Bank they will not be 'correspondent banks' (and therefore send it via a bigger bank and in that case it will be the full £30.
It's usually deducted from the amount sent (i.e. receiver pays) however it's possible to pay it at your bank (i.e. sender pays) by arrangement. If you do it via a bank's website it's (in my case anyway) 'sender pays'.
The U.K. bank's website should have info about international transfers, costs, timescales, etc.
There's a cost for the transfer. It used to be something like £30 for a quick transfer or a less for a (very) slow one though nowadays it is sometimes a little less, depending on the bank and if there's no intermediary bank. It's possible that with a minor bank like Alior or if the UK bank is a small one like Yorkshire Bank they will not be 'correspondent banks' (and therefore send it via a bigger bank and in that case it will be the full £30.
It's usually deducted from the amount sent (i.e. receiver pays) however it's possible to pay it at your bank (i.e. sender pays) by arrangement. If you do it via a bank's website it's (in my case anyway) 'sender pays'.
The U.K. bank's website should have info about international transfers, costs, timescales, etc.
jon357
16 Jul 2016
News / Good-change government raising minimum wage in Poland, cutting SB pensions [213]
Is there an untrue kind?
Is there an untrue kind?
jon357
16 Jul 2016
Life / Should I expect racism as a 'black' woman in Poland [149]
So fashions and lifestyle are a race now? Does everyone have to favour the same shaven-headed sectors of society that you're trying to defend?
Sadly there is a political tendency prevalent of some of the housing estates - as seen by anyone who can read the graffiti. This is relevant to the OP who is a black woman. In her place would you walk around Gocław or Chomiczowka alone at night?
That doesn't make much sense.
Water off a duck's back. Haters love to hate and that is worth fighting against.
racist bigo
So fashions and lifestyle are a race now? Does everyone have to favour the same shaven-headed sectors of society that you're trying to defend?
why connect this to a right wing stereotype.
Sadly there is a political tendency prevalent of some of the housing estates - as seen by anyone who can read the graffiti. This is relevant to the OP who is a black woman. In her place would you walk around Gocław or Chomiczowka alone at night?
you of all people should know better.
That doesn't make much sense.
stick on this forum
Water off a duck's back. Haters love to hate and that is worth fighting against.
jon357
16 Jul 2016
Life / Should I expect racism as a 'black' woman in Poland [149]
There's something like that however it's more the educated and cosmopolitan elite at one side and the shaven-headed blokersy and churchgoing villagers (not all of whom are rural) on the other. Nothing new about this; it has been like that for centuries.
I'll grant you that what I've observed, Poland is indeed still fairly polarized between the average Neanderthal vs. cultivated hand-kissing aristocrats
There's something like that however it's more the educated and cosmopolitan elite at one side and the shaven-headed blokersy and churchgoing villagers (not all of whom are rural) on the other. Nothing new about this; it has been like that for centuries.
jon357
16 Jul 2016
Life / Hesitation to emigrate in Poland from Singapore with 8.000 zlotys a month job offer [9]
The average for 2015 was 4163,98 zł. Remember that the average is also made up of part-time workers, low-paid shop workers and civil servants etc. and people in the poorest rural areas. Plus expats generally have to pay a little more for housing, don't have the same access to credit and of course a visit home to relatives costs rather more than just a bus fare...
The average for 2015 was 4163,98 zł. Remember that the average is also made up of part-time workers, low-paid shop workers and civil servants etc. and people in the poorest rural areas. Plus expats generally have to pay a little more for housing, don't have the same access to credit and of course a visit home to relatives costs rather more than just a bus fare...
jon357
16 Jul 2016
Life / Hesitation to emigrate in Poland from Singapore with 8.000 zlotys a month job offer [9]
Is that after tax or before?
Either way, it isn't a great salary for an expat unless you're very young and no dependents. Even then...
8.000 zlotys a month.
Is that after tax or before?
Either way, it isn't a great salary for an expat unless you're very young and no dependents. Even then...
jon357
16 Jul 2016
Life / Are young Polish people following traditional values? [7]
Yes, similar in Spain, Italy etc. A lot is about the availability of accommodation.
Yes, similar in Spain, Italy etc. A lot is about the availability of accommodation.
jon357
15 Jul 2016
Study / Turkish guy to study at a university in Poland. Is that problem for Polish people? [139]
I doubt there will be any immediate effect for Turkish citizens studying at universities in Poland or planning to come and study here, most of whom are likely to be sympathetic to it. It isn't the first time this has happened there, gregy741, nor even the second. Everything will be OK.
What may be an issue is people planning to return home or come here over the next few years. I had a look at the departures board at Istanbul Airport and most flights are deleayed indefinitely.
I suspect the OP is rather busy right now, and unlikely to comment, assuming there is currently web access.
I doubt there will be any immediate effect for Turkish citizens studying at universities in Poland or planning to come and study here, most of whom are likely to be sympathetic to it. It isn't the first time this has happened there, gregy741, nor even the second. Everything will be OK.
What may be an issue is people planning to return home or come here over the next few years. I had a look at the departures board at Istanbul Airport and most flights are deleayed indefinitely.
I suspect the OP is rather busy right now, and unlikely to comment, assuming there is currently web access.
jon357
15 Jul 2016
Study / Turkish guy to study at a university in Poland. Is that problem for Polish people? [139]
Looks like things are suddenly improving in Turkey. Hopefully the coup will be a success and normality returns. Would that affect you coming to study here though?
Looks like things are suddenly improving in Turkey. Hopefully the coup will be a success and normality returns. Would that affect you coming to study here though?
jon357
15 Jul 2016
UK, Ireland / Polish in Britain - will I get decked if I speak Polish to these people? [63]
Quite. And even then, where I come from, "what's up?" means "what's wrong?".
And nobody gets stressed about it. In Poland however, there are quite a lot of people who can't get their heads around Polish being used by others.
'what's up'.
Quite. And even then, where I come from, "what's up?" means "what's wrong?".
but that is fine, we don't mind you slaughtering our language, we are used to it
And nobody gets stressed about it. In Poland however, there are quite a lot of people who can't get their heads around Polish being used by others.
jon357
15 Jul 2016
News / Streets closed in Warsaw during NATO summit [146]
And there are many.
Is popular in Poland.
For any Serbian transgression
And there are many.
NATO
Is popular in Poland.
jon357
15 Jul 2016
UK, Ireland / Polish in Britain - will I get decked if I speak Polish to these people? [63]
Spot on. A nice greeting is very different from someone interrupting a conversation you're having in Polish by suddenly speaking English because they either want to show off that they've had English lessons or somehow don't quite believe that an immigrant to Poland can (or should) speak Polish...
Spot on. A nice greeting is very different from someone interrupting a conversation you're having in Polish by suddenly speaking English because they either want to show off that they've had English lessons or somehow don't quite believe that an immigrant to Poland can (or should) speak Polish...
jon357
15 Jul 2016
Genealogy / Confusing on my lineage, Pomorski Hamot - my maternal side is 100% Polish [4]
The Napoleonic wars, particularly the ill-fated Russian campaign. Many soldiers stayed, not least because distances were greater then.
have heard that a lot of Poles moved to France in the 18th to 20th centuries but never the reverse?
The Napoleonic wars, particularly the ill-fated Russian campaign. Many soldiers stayed, not least because distances were greater then.
jon357
15 Jul 2016
News / Streets closed in Warsaw during NATO summit [146]
Yes, they were entirely justified. Mass murder is a reason for intervention. It had to be stopped and it was stopped. NATO were right.
actions against them justified
Yes, they were entirely justified. Mass murder is a reason for intervention. It had to be stopped and it was stopped. NATO were right.
jon357
14 Jul 2016
UK, Ireland / Dual nationality: British and Polish [68]
Very few; simply because there's no need. Most applicants are from outside the EU/EAA, especially Ukraine, Belarus etc..
You need to pass a government exam at B1 level; easy enough for people who use Polish daily.
I am not sure if so many people from EU applies for Polish citizenship :-)
Very few; simply because there's no need. Most applicants are from outside the EU/EAA, especially Ukraine, Belarus etc..
Plus- fluent polish is required.
You need to pass a government exam at B1 level; easy enough for people who use Polish daily.
jon357
14 Jul 2016
UK, Ireland / Do Polish People Litter their own country (just like they do in the UK)? [84]
"its", not "it's"...
it's
"its", not "it's"...
jon357
14 Jul 2016
News / Streets closed in Warsaw during NATO summit [146]
And Serbia's damage (to human lives) in Kosovo and Bosnia, the mass graves, the rape camps, far exceed that since human life is priceless.
If Serbia didn't want the free world to intervene and stop their atrocities, they shouldn't have sent their butcher generals to terrorise people.
And NATO is still very very popular here in Poland. Serbia is not.
damage to Serbia
And Serbia's damage (to human lives) in Kosovo and Bosnia, the mass graves, the rape camps, far exceed that since human life is priceless.
If Serbia didn't want the free world to intervene and stop their atrocities, they shouldn't have sent their butcher generals to terrorise people.
And NATO is still very very popular here in Poland. Serbia is not.
jon357
14 Jul 2016
Study / Turkish guy to study at a university in Poland. Is that problem for Polish people? [139]
@Lixt1 you come across as angry and argumentative. Do you realise that if you come here, you'll be coming to a place where arguing is pretty well the national sport? Much better to chill out and just be happy that you know you're right and they're wrong.
Plenty of people here from Turkey, by the way, there are very long-standing links between the countries and a Turkish prayer house in Warsaw.
@Lixt1 you come across as angry and argumentative. Do you realise that if you come here, you'll be coming to a place where arguing is pretty well the national sport? Much better to chill out and just be happy that you know you're right and they're wrong.
Plenty of people here from Turkey, by the way, there are very long-standing links between the countries and a Turkish prayer house in Warsaw.