Life / Foreigners commenting on Poland - a minefield? [30]

I haven't come across that one yet. Trying to catch you out seems to be a favourite for some. Pinning the blame and not taking any also. It would be hard to get a murder conviction here as they are never wrong.

Life / Expats in Poland - would you fight for your new country? [105]

That's true, Wrocław. However, that's the nature of war and you have to have a healthy dose of luck.

True, Trevek. Some might say that the SAS were Thatcher's skivvies in a sense.

Fighting for Poland is noble but good weapons would be needed.

Life / Why Poland is "surprised" by winter and snow every year? [192]

I don't drive here, no. I've just heard that winter tyres are largely for commercial profits. Let's face it, winter tyres or not, how much traction are you going to get as a lorry/truck on an icy slope (steep at that) and having to take off quickly?

Life / Foreigners commenting on Poland - a minefield? [30]

All the time as nobody else does it. I've worked out that they put in only as much as they need as it's often empty. Too much to be coincidental. Also, the files which I teach from are higgledy-piggledy. The photocopies are done wrong and placed haphazardly.

Also, the cleaner has a nasty habit of stuffing the paper towel holder full to the max so that you have to pull out way too much. It's just done maliciously.

Life / Expats in Poland - would you fight for your new country? [105]

I think it depends who the enemy is. If I had to fight Mujas as Serbs did, it would be a challenge but warriors will be warriors. It's in our blood!

Life / Foreigners commenting on Poland - a minefield? [30]

That's what I've experienced here too. If it's not in their contract, they tend not to bother with it. I chose to buy communal toilet paper (8 rolls) as nobody else would in the building where I sometimes teach. I had no obligation to and always brought my own paper. The Polish guy told me to take it into the room where we have our classes as he wondered why I wanted to help others out. I think that sums up the mentality of many here. He was protecting me against sharing with the unwilling but also advocating hoarding.

Life / Foreigners commenting on Poland - a minefield? [30]

If that is the case, I'd hate to see a Polish R&D dept ;) ;)

Life / Why Poland is "surprised" by winter and snow every year? [192]

Most of them change their tyres (tires), yes. Still, I can't talk for the whole of Poland but I think it's common enough to change them.

History / Poland, Lacking External Enemies, Turns on Itself [106]

Exactly! We are manly and upfront about it, not a pack of sleekit cow'rin tim'rous beasties!! (Thanks Rabbie for that)

History / Poland, Lacking External Enemies, Turns on Itself [106]

As a Scot, you will be partly used to it but they are off the scale. Life in Scotland has become harder in recent years but we are still well behind in terms of making enemies and being downright awkward. I've had to wake up and move my stuff around as I found out that a woman had called guys to move my stuff away from a storage point. That's theft, people! Leave my things alone. The sneaky cowards would have moved it without my permission to Lord knows where. Intrusive to the max!!

History / Poland, Lacking External Enemies, Turns on Itself [106]

Poles tend to cheat one another anyway. I've never met people with such ability to bicker and cause problems for others. The walking zombies or the barking little dogs, take your pick. Which is the lesser of two evils here?

Life / Expats in Poland - would you fight for your new country? [105]

We can all help, BB. That's the point! Don't forget that Scotland has access to nukes and Germany doesn't ;) ;)

Life / Expats in Poland - would you fight for your new country? [105]

We have a similar history in terms of resisting bigger powers. It's a hard question as there are individuals here that I'd fight to save but saving the country?

UK, Ireland / The more subtle differences: Ireland/Britain v Poland [310]

It's all in the eyes but I'm familiar with that Irish gesture :)

Yeah, the headcutting sign was a worry at first but I saw it plenty times after that :) :)

Life / Expats in Poland - would you fight for your new country? [105]

Hypothetically speaking? I don't do hypotheticals ;)

I would under the right circumstances, yes. However, I would use my judgement in all cases.

Life / Foreigners commenting on Poland - a minefield? [30]

Some can think on their feet and some can't. It has been said that many Polish women lack initiative but I don't know those 'many women' so I can't say. Most American guys I've known here say they are easily led but stubborn. Isn't that an oxymoron? ;)

Life / Why Poland is "surprised" by winter and snow every year? [192]

Well, I can't say for sure but it seems to be that way from what I can discern. I guess they just strip some of the tread from the summer ones so that they are not practical for winter. Nothing like making a quick buck.

USA, Canada / CULTURE SHOCK! (of my Polish finance who visited the US) [210]

I think the main thing that struck me when I first arrived was what I may describe as The Cattle Syndrome. They were pushing and shoving like there's no tomorrow at the airport. Getting used to that after having lived in Japan was not necessary as I'm not a frequent flier.

Life / Why Poland is "surprised" by winter and snow every year? [192]

I was talking about this today. It's just a money-making ploy. It wasn't the case in communism and people got by ok without making that change.

UK, Ireland / The more subtle differences: Ireland/Britain v Poland [310]

I don't have a larder ;) ;)

Other subtle differences? Maybe the logic of superstitions. I was asked about the throwing of salt over the left shoulder and one teacher here described the logic somewhat differently, as being an attack on the devil here in Poland. Maybe it's the case at home too but I was just told that it brought good luck as opposed to throwing it over your right shoulder.

USA, Canada / CULTURE SHOCK! (of my Polish finance who visited the US) [210]

Stingy or thrifty? There is a difference. The Greeks were a prime target for bankruptcy.

USA, Canada / CULTURE SHOCK! (of my Polish finance who visited the US) [210]

Black man's music is considered correct but what about black women? ;) That's why black music is fine IMHO. We can't be overly PC.

UK, Ireland / The more subtle differences: Ireland/Britain v Poland [310]

Yeah, some of them are inedible. I have some Heinz Beans stored away, I have to eat them after work :) The big Polish beans take a bit of getting use to.

UK, Ireland / The more subtle differences: Ireland/Britain v Poland [310]

Zeti, there is a famous poem amongst Brits:

Beans, beans, they're good for your heart
The more you eat, the more you fart
The more you fart, the better you feel
So eat your beans in every meal.

I think it was authored by wildrover though I can't be sure ;) ;)

Seanus (off to check with the Munich patent office)

UK, Ireland / The more subtle differences: Ireland/Britain v Poland [310]

Cross&Blackwell are pretty decent when you are looking to reexplore the taste of a decent baked bean :) The difference from the Polish offerings is not the subtlest thing here. They are huge in comparison.

Love / Good looking Polish women with ugly men [416]

I'd say so, yes. Sth in the jeans, more likely ;)

There are some in most countries but they are the exception to the rule.

Love / Good looking Polish women with ugly men [416]

You'd have to be blind but we live in the information age so you know where to get access to my photos. I hate to shatter your ego but I'm no potatohead and outstrip the Smiths crisps wannabes :)

Genealogy / Katarzyna Anna Paw born in Oswiecim [18]

naszaklasa.pl is your best bet. I'm sure Wrocław will say the same.

Genealogy / Katarzyna Anna Paw born in Oswiecim [18]

Exactly. Provide that and you may get your woman

Love / Good looking Polish women with ugly men [416]

Absolutely! The ratio is vastly disproportionate. I have to keep from laughing in clubs, seeing some spudhead trying to get a model-like girl.