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

A cracking thread by wildie :) It is often this way in offices. A woman was explaining a procedure to me and I think the only time she looked in my direction was when I was leaving. Again, I can't confirm that ;)

Love / Being Taken For A Idiot by my Polish girlfriend? [37]

Always remember, you are always second best to sth or sb else with many Polish women. She will do as she will do but don't be surprised if you have your experience repeated.

Life / Polish history questions on the streets; Poles are not doing great. [37]

Well, if it were ever possible to question everyone with tough questions, the Poles would fare really well. Such things designed to come across as representative are often not. Although I feel that Poles overestimate their knowledge sometimes, they should not be misrepresented through small-scale surveys.

Travel / Gourmet food shops in Gliwice? [6]

User, Zeti? User of heroin or people? ;) ;)

Joking aside, there is a good wine shop on Kosciuszki Street, not that from the Teatralny Bar (opposite a library). Also, one right in the centre near Hemingway, along towards the main church.

Fillet steaks? I know there is a steak place on Daszynskiego Street but that's further away.

I'll get back to you but please be specific. Normal steak, right?

Travel / Help with train from Berlin to Gliwice (and Katowice) [7]

I think they still offer that service, yes. It's PKP Intercity so yes :) Just be quick as it doesn't hang around Gliwice station long.

Food / Kotlet schabowy again. I love it. [47]

Exactly :)

Poles tend to overrate their food but there we go, c'est la vie. Each to their own. A good cutlette is great once in a while.

Food / Kotlet schabowy again. I love it. [47]

It could be a protest against Jews and Muslims, convex ;) ;) (the pork thing)

Pudzian has had to cut back on the cutlettes. He has lost 25kgs so there's sth :)

Travel / Help with train from Berlin to Gliwice (and Katowice) [7]

I've made that journey before as I did Gliwice-Berlin 6 years ago from a train coming from Katowice. The guys above are spot on. Gute reise! (sorry, Mods)

History / EU or Russian Empire, who taking/took more from Poland and Poles? [40]

Crow, Russians took away much of the Polish spirit. However, we must pinch ourselves as a reminder that communism was entered into by Stalin but not done away with upon his death. Poles had communists within their ranks too.

What has the EU taken away from Poland? We know what they have been given (generally good things) but taken away? Some autonomy but all signatories are in that position.

News / WHY IS POLAND STILL GIVEN THE COLD SHOULDER? [197]

Whose stats are we going by? That matters! Cross check sources and then we'll see.

News / WHY IS POLAND STILL GIVEN THE COLD SHOULDER? [197]

Changed my mind? Mariusz Belka has already got the ball rolling on the IMF front but I'm not aware of the key details and what they entail for Poland to the extent that I can rely on them for argument. I'd have to read a bit more but I know there are many bad eggs there that would scupper some Polish aspirations for their own material gain.

Seanny, spot on. If you have ever read books on Polish character (stubborness) and Change Management, you will know that overcoming obstacles to create a free market, as attempted by Balcerowicz, was always going to be like climbing a mountain. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Hungary failed abysmally in their transition and other states too as you mentioned. I've seen it first hand, though, Poland has many budding capitalists and many are not lacking in ingenuity. Many things take a long time to reach fruition. I see the word fruit there and I think of grapes, thus wine. The best things come to those who wait, especially wine enthusiasts. Sth similar should apply to Poland.

News / WHY IS POLAND STILL GIVEN THE COLD SHOULDER? [197]

All true but it still doesn't change the fact that Poland was stymied and not allowed to develop naturally. Would you call that fair? Now, with the level of stifling being significantly lower, we have witnessed a real increase in growth in GDP and inward investment. Poland rode the wave of the economic crisis very well and may avoid being thwarted by an IMF incursion. Put simply, it is unfair to understate Poland's key future role by pointing to present shortcomings. It's a bit like somehow slowing down the birth of a child (stunting it) and then blaming it for being behind. If I could draw an analogy, it's like Poland took longer to come through the whole zygote-embryo-foetus process due to external intervention and was thus at an instant disadvantage. When an emerging entity arises, it takes nurturing and not neglect for being lesser developed.

News / WHY IS POLAND STILL GIVEN THE COLD SHOULDER? [197]

I can see rychlik's point here. Tusk is cautiously building up his ties with other major EU players whereas Berlusconi is a livewire and playboy, likely to cause offence and put his foot in it.

Food / Kotlet schabowy again. I love it. [47]

It is really nice but I can't have it often. It's great as a Sunday dinner with some potatoes or Silesian dumplings. Oh, and some raw salad. If you lead an active lifestyle then you can burn it all off.

Law / Threatened to serve papers if I don't remove a review about a renting company in Poland [62]

A review is a review. Some can be scathing and that's just it. As long as it doesn't transgress into the realm of personal attacks/slander/libel, you'll be fine.

News / WHY IS POLAND STILL GIVEN THE COLD SHOULDER? [197]

It will take a while to ensure that key figures within Poland are prepared to take Poland where certain interest groups want them. Greece was effectively bled dry and Poles should now be allowed to enjoy some prosperity and not be led off down the garden path. Ciggies and other things have shot up in order to bring things in line with EU norms. If the cry 'Polska dla Polaków' (meant as a general preference and not an absolute one) is to have meaning, then a better balance has to be struck between EU harmonisation objectives and Polish daily realities for those that have to live there. That means listening to the people and not shunning them.

Law / Threatened to serve papers if I don't remove a review about a renting company in Poland [62]

Just make sure that what you said wasn't slander or libel. Poles leave negative reviews all the time, more than enough to make it a recognised form of behaviour. AFAIK, they don't lead to court cases. So, they can stick it and take what's coming to them for their lack of professional decency/courtesy.

News / Is Poland headed for a civil war? [30]

Poles were brought together by Smoleńsk and politics won't drive a wedge between them when push comes to shove. Many Poles like arguing and raising their voices but nothing really becomes of it. Battling, yes. War, no.

Study / Are there any other school apart from the Bell doing the CELTA in Warsaw? [12]

I am wanting?? there course?? Are you sure you want to do it? I think you are just having a laugh here. I recognise your nick and I think you are belittling teaching, quite frankly.

Life / Foreigners in Poland and what they think of us [54]

Well, you are in America so you will get ample chance to judge it.

Life / The central role of The Polish Balcony in Polish life :) [7]

I have to agree with this. Balconies are often looked at here and they can have a major influence on the valuation of a property. I was shown some today by my wife's dad and he was explaining a significance that most Brits just wouldn't think about.

I remember checking out an apartment which had a huge balcony for grilling but it was overly communal. Another flat I looked at didn't even have enough room to smoke. The place I bought doesn't have one but it doesn't bother me too much as comfortable furniture will be inside :)

Life / Foreigners in Poland and what they think of us [54]

What they said about administrative offices is generally true. I have encountered helpful souls but they are the exception to the rule. Even today I took documents given by the bank and credit authorities to the tax office. I was told that they had been revised and that they are no longer valid. Thankfully, they had other copies there but they were so abrupt and off-hand about it. What makes it worse is that it is all an act. When the clerk's mother came up to her, she soon changed her tune and was all happy all of a sudden.

News / WHY IS POLAND STILL GIVEN THE COLD SHOULDER? [197]

Think of the European dynamic. We always talk of the big 3 in Germany, France and the GB. It can easily be seen that Poland is an emerging entity and that some want to stem the tide of its development. I think some prominent politicians have (had) secret beefs with Poland, notably Churchill (Martin Gilbert may say differently). It goes well back.

Life / Is parity the answer for Polish women? [262]

Oh, some strive to get to equality but many strive for going beyond that, that's what I meant.

Travel / Information on Gliwice needed [41]

Some buses run to Arena, yes.

Most parts of town are fine and I never feel that I have to avoid any. It's not like my home city.

Yeah, it's called Balcerek. It has all kinds of stuff. There is also a second-hand shop opposite the bus station called Lumpeks. It's next to the Biedronka there. I sometimes pick up designer brands from there from cheap.

It is hard to get info on Gliwice, I agree.

Travel / Information on Gliwice needed [41]

Dworcowa also has Gazdówka, a top restaurant with super food for cold weather. There is a Greek place on the rynek too. Just ask for any specifics.

Travel / Information on Gliwice needed [41]

The Biedronka won't be on the map but Opawska street is. Go to the defunct tiny gas station at the traffic lights where you turn onto Kosciuśki street and then face due south. You walk maybe 80 metres from there and Biedronka is on your right. So, check for Opawska and Marzanki. It's at the end of Opawska closest to Marzanki.

There is a Mexican bar in the centre of the city on Bednarska St near Hotel Royal. I can say that it's pretty good for non-Mexicans. There are plenty of Italian places around. The best is probably Sorrento which is a bit further on from Wieczorka St and near the jail. There is also another place not to far from the rail station, right beside Chopin Park. It's a little tucked away but a gem to find. I can't remember the name. There's a new Indian restaurant now on the market square but I haven't been as it only opened last week. A steakhouse? It's a bit out of town but on Daszynskiego, I believe.

I have to go now but tbc.

Travel / Information on Gliwice needed [41]

I know there is a Żabka there for some supplies (not a supermarket but). I also live 2 mins from the cathedral on Nowy Świat :) There is a Biedronka very near, beside Marzanki street (on Opawska street) which is parallel to Nowy Świat. Literally a 3-min walk from where he'll be. Check Google Maps.

For live music, check out 22 Wieczorka street. There is a club called 4ART and it has some really good musicians. 15 mins from Nowy Świat.

The bar Hemingway on the market square is nice. Gramofon too, it's just off the market square.

Places are open but it is torn up on the rynek.

As for restaurants, I'll get back to you on that tomorrow as I have to hit the hay now. Please tell me what kind of food you like and I'll point out a few places.

Travel / Information on Gliwice needed [41]

Well, it's hard to tell you where the supermarkets are without a knowledge of the city (your knowledge, I mean). Gliwice guide in English? I would doubt it but I can tell you all you need to know about the city.

The city centre is in a state of transition as the market square is currently under renovation. There are some nice bars around it but the best one is 7-8 mins from it :)

Are you a tourist or.....?

Please tell me what you like and I can help you more.

Love / Are there Polish women who date black guys? [281]

Segregation is a harmful state of affairs and you are promoting it, jarnowa. It's not racist per se but why can't they integrate and enjoy freedom of association too?