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Posts by al111  

Joined: 2 Sep 2009 / Male ♂ 		Last Post: 29 Jul 2011
Threads: Total: 13 / In This Archive: 11
Posts: Total: 89 / In This Archive: 76 		From: Poznan Poland
Speaks Polish?: Tak / Yes
Interests: Many

Displayed posts: 87 / page 1 of 3
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al111   
27 Nov 2009
Law / i have a british learners licence valid for 10yrs can i apply 4 polish licence?? [6]

Was just wondering if they're any foreigners out there who have obtained a polish licence.
I have a British Learners licence and just wanted to know if i can go for driving lessons here in Polska and then later apply for a driver's licence.My polish is not that good so i don't think it would be easy for me to start from the beginning like reading the learners driving code.

Your experiences and knowledge appreciated.

Dziękujemy
al111   
23 Dec 2009
Language / Why in the world there are three ways to write simple U ?!?! [54]

To all of u who are critisizing the polish language u have to know one thing The Polish Language is original. It hasn't changed much for many centuries whereas our English language comes from many other languages and started out as a slang. It's a language that evolves and keeps on evolving cause it's now being spoken in many parts of the world. It's probably the only language i know that has a complex vocabulary (just check out the new oxford dictionary how many words do we now have and how many do we use [i][/i]) if you are to put into mind that we aslo have American English which is somewhat different to The original British English. And as to 'OUGH' and the sounds it has yes to a none native speaker it might be difficult but try spelling the same words in American English and do the pronunciation for them and somehow it might make sense.

Remember that languages at once were only spoken and not written so as to the polish phonetic alphabet i can understand that it's difficult to write the different sounds.

To Microwac there is no magic formula to learning a second language especially as an Adult it's either u get on with it or just step aside.

But as u get to learn it gets better and better every day like me.
Ja uczę się codziennie
al111   
25 Jan 2010
Law / HELP IN IMMIGRATION SOUGHT " PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN POLSKA" [20]

I'm writting this on behalf of my South African Mate.

The story is simple he's going through hell with the Polish Bureaucracy trying to sort out his Permanent Residency. He is married to a lovely Polish lass and they have a Daughter together. They have been married for over 3years now and he has been living here together with his wife for all that time on KARTĘ POBYTU.The one renewed every 2years.

The law clearly states that if he is eligible for Permanent Residency now But the Woiwodship office in £ÓDŻ have told him to wait for another year to apply.

I know the 16 Woiwodships in this country are administered differently as part of the Complicated Bureaucracy but is this allowed? Coz he tells me that he knows someone who applied for his Permanent Residency Last year and got it after 3years of being married and residing in Polska. (In a different Woiwodship of coz)

I need your help folks is there anyone who has experienced something similar to this or has better knowledge on aquiring permanent residency through MARRIAGE???

I want to emphasize that getting permanent residence through marriage is different from getting it through the other way of residing here first with the 5 year Kartę Pobytu.

Dziękujemy
al111   
25 Jan 2010
Law / HELP IN IMMIGRATION SOUGHT " PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN POLSKA" [20]

Delphy you are a Star Matie.

The problem with me mate is he listens a lot to all them window monkeys for sure. they even told him that the last application for Kartę Pobytu was late according to the 45day period before expiry. I told him the same that he should make the application and not to wait to be told when to apply. He has'nt applied yet.

I'll definately give him your e-mail

Dzięki
al111   
25 Jan 2010
Love / Getting married - registry office in Gdansk - any experiences? [6]

you're pretty much sorted out mate. i think you have all the paper work sorted out.
Town offices can be a hassle sometimes but depends mainly on whether the people there have dealt with such cases before. And if not they tend to take you down that bureaucractic route we're all too familiar with. Besides that u're almost there matie..

All the best for the Future.
al111   
3 Feb 2010
Life / UPC phone line in Poland [7]

Was wondering if any UPC subscibers have experienced the same lately. I cant seem to get CNN anymore and a few other channels. I noticed the change sometime late last year. Is there anyone who has an idea as to whats happening before i change the provider?
al111   
12 Feb 2010
UK, Ireland / CAN'T ACCESS THE LLOYDS TSB WEBSITE FROM POLAND [8]

I have a problem and wondering if anyone out there has experienced the same. Everytime i try to access the Lloydstsb.com website from Poland i always get the message this link appears to be broken. Me wife tells me that the link only comes back a couple of times in 6 to 8 weeks even today the 12th of February she has tried accessing the website and the same message appears. Our IP is TP , I have spoken to the IT lads at Lloyds and they have said the problem should be with TP coz the website is working normally.

Does anyone have an idea of what it might be??

Dziękujemy
al111   
12 Feb 2010
UK, Ireland / CAN'T ACCESS THE LLOYDS TSB WEBSITE FROM POLAND [8]

Hidy-ho Hidemyass rocks cant believe my ip is actually blocked from the lloydstsb website. tried it first time an it works.Always thought that private proxy servers were quite expensive but i wonder how safe it is mate.

Thanks a ton for the link u're a real life saver.
al111   
3 Mar 2010
Work / Average monthly salary in Poland is around 1000 PLN (few hundred bucks). [387]

I have lived here for quite some time now and i have always wondered what these statistics mean to the ordinary folk here in Polksa. To me they don't make sense so i need a bit of enlightment here. I used to read Poland Monthly before it went Bust. I remember quite well in January2009 reading that the central statistics office had said that the average Salary in Poland was around 3600zł and the Minimum if i'm not mistaken was around +/- 1400zł. Considering the demographics of this country that more people are scattered around the country in small towns and villages than in large cities i found this hard to believe. I move around in the small towns and villages and what i have found is that no one is willing to offer any employee a wage above the national minimum. So i just wonder where these statistics come from coz many people in this country are struggling to survive on the +/- 1000zł wage. If i tell them about the AVARAGE WAGE in POLSKA They are all dumbfolded by such estimates some say its meant for foreign investors willing to invest in the country but far from the harsh realities of everyday life.
al111   
25 Mar 2010
Real Estate / How are Poland's properties priced? [51]

Have been in Polska for sometime now and i'm beginning to wonder how in the world are the Polish properties priced? I look at the Average Flat for starters and i'm talking of the ones built from the 70's to early 90's if you've been here long enough you know what i'm talking about.These flats were built from thin concrete panels sorry to say like Domino blocks probably in a child's play ground. Most of then are 4 to 5 stories high and the concrete is already cracking from the outside even though you can see some sort of fortification happening here and there.

One rule i know about these flats is that you are not allowed to knock down or move any of the so called walls with in which is quite logical. But there is a lot of upgrading happening in these buildings every day things like fittings, new bathroom units, double glazing and satellite dish fitting. Considering what is involved i always wonder what will happen enventually when the panels give into fatigue caused by all this upgrading.

So this brings me to my question how does one part with say 150 000zł for such properties knowing very well what is in store for them? How do they come up with a valuation for such properties? THIS TO ME SOUNDS LIKE A BIG JOKE I'D NEVER PAY HALF OF THAT AMOUNT TO BUY SUCH. There is'nt much difference with the Houses either you'll pay through your nose for a pile of rubble. Compared to the wages in the country it just makes me wonder if first time buyers can really get on to the property ladder.
al111   
26 Mar 2010
Real Estate / How are Poland's properties priced? [51]

something is worth what a person will pay for it. So a flat is worth what somebody will pay for it.

If thats what i was missing here in terms of valuation, then its best to conclude that it aint worth investing in Property in Polska. Considering that property is the biggest investment that most people will ever make in their lives then it would definately be rediculous to purchase a house or flat in this country.........
al111   
25 May 2010
Law / Applying for Polish citizenship through marriage. [116]

It used to be 5 years of marriage and residing in Poland. Has it been changed to 3? I just glanced at the first page of your link and saw 5 years mentioned but not 3.

It never was 5years for married couples people always misinterpret this with the normal way of gaining permanent residence without family connection. The law stipulates that after 3years of marriage and 2years of residing in Polska Permanently then one is eligible to apply for permanent residence and if PR is granted then within 6months application for Citizenship should be made. What this means is that if you were married outside the country for 3years you only need to come and reside in the country with your spouse for 2years to be eligible for PR. Word of caution though it's not as easy as it sounds as this law can be interpreted differently in all the 16 Woiwodships and the application for PR and later on Citizenship is a very complicated process that can take ages up to 2years from what i hear. If you want to know more it's always good to conduct your Woiwodship office for foreigners. Hope this will shade some light.

udsc.gov.pl/INSTRUCTION,FOR,FOREIGNERS,,704.html
al111   
2 Jun 2010
Life / Are there G U M Clinics in Poland?? [9]

Does anyone know what G U M Clinics are called in Poland? If so is there one in Poznań and where about??

Thank you all.
al111   
14 Jun 2010
Law / HELP IN IMMIGRATION SOUGHT " PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN POLSKA" [20]

Thread attached on merging:
My friend's husband is applying for permanent residence. Questions on paperwork.

My friend's husband is due to apply for permanent residence here in Poland,the paperwork and the stories doing the round are driving them nuts. They have not yet applied they are gathering information so i thought some of you who have experience here might help.

The husband is South African and her Polish. They got married in a USC office of the same town they still reside in, here in Wielkopolskie. When they got married as is the case here in Poland the Town Hall demanded His Original Birthcertificate which they have kept in their file and returned a certified photocopy. So their worry is they have heard that the office for foreigners here in Poznań might ask him to produce another Original Birthcertificate. To them it's a nightmare as it takes a very long time to apply for another one and later alone the questions they will be asked as to why they would require a second.

I have no experience in this type of Polish Bureaucracy YET. But i just don't think it's logical that they would ask him to produce another Original Birthcertificate considering he has already surrendered the only one he had at their local USC office and that he has been registered in the same town, same address from the time they got married.

Can anyone who has gone through this shade some light on this matter.

Thank you all..
al111   
14 Jun 2010
Law / HELP IN IMMIGRATION SOUGHT " PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN POLSKA" [20]

Well unfortunately they had to coz the guy in the USC office was instructed to get the original.Thanks for your help Delphy we called the Office and checked out the required documents on the website they can only ask for an original Birthcertificate if they got married outside Poland. But if married in Poland their marriage certificate will be just fine.
al111   
13 Aug 2010
Genealogy / HOW TO GET BACK YOUR ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE AFTER MARRIAGE IN A USC OFFICE [13]

So my mate is now in a difficult situation with his USC office. After he got married they retained his Original Birthcertificate (south african) and returned the notarized and certified photocopy. He wants his original back for the obvious reasons, his country will not issue out another one unless the first one was lost or stolen. The Big lady running the show at his local USC is refusing to budge saying the case is already closed. To me it sounds logical that he just wants his original back and give them the notarized and photocopy they were supposed to have retained in the first place.

Any lawyers out there with advice as to what next step to take for him to recover his original would be fully appreciated.

Dziękujemy
al111   
17 Aug 2010
Study / Polish schools and Polish educational system level in your eyes [135]

I can agree with many poeple on here that this whole skirmish we have in the schools goes down to lack of funding or should we say the polish way of doing things (the cheapest way possible). I am all for education but against paper qualification, people cant just go to Universities to earn Degrees so that they can work in Grocery Stores or do some clerical work. When u look at people who graduate, u will find that most are graduating with degrees in Art subjects (5 years of theory work not good for people who are practical) and less in Technical. Which is a bad thing coz right now there is a shortage of Technicaly qualified graduates in the Market and have to rely on other European nations to fill in the gaps.

The level has certainly gone down but there is need for legislation so that education moves in the right direction where students graduate with high skills that are equal to or even better than their peers in other prestigious universities around the world.
al111   
20 Aug 2010
Life / My own thoughts about life in Poland (have lived here for two years) [133]

Pubben from a foreigner's observation i'm sure u share many opinions about POLSKA with a lot of people here.Many expats i have met are here either because they have family connections or are very optimistic opportunists. It's a lovely country in other aspects and as of development it still has a long way to go, much longer as long as the young educated keep fleeing to the west.

As for Apteka's yes i did observe that the first month i got here. Once had a business plan to open a line of them coz they are doing very well, but then again who can blame them if doctors always issue out prescriptions just by looking at your symptoms without sending you for tests.Once heard of a neighbour who went to a Professor of Gynocology coz she had problems with her bleedings she was told straight away when she got there that she had cancer. Later turned out to be the type of tampoons she was using she was gutted coz she had spent over 500zł at "the specialist". Just goes to show sometimes what a joke the health care system is here in Polska.
al111   
22 Aug 2010
Life / My own thoughts about life in Poland (have lived here for two years) [133]

was able because it was only about 50thousand in 2003 yet i had two jobs,

That was in 2003 before many poles started sending GBP back home. You'll be lucky to pick up a bedsit (just below 40m2)for a 100 000zł. Try going to PKO or BZ WBK with a minimum salary job plus a part time and apply for a mortgage to buy a flat and see if they will approve. How in the world will you pay back the mortgage, fees and intrests if you're being paid 984zł NET. The only loans that all the banks are quick to approve nowadays are the ones for buying used cars +/-20 000zł.

It's never easy to get a mortgage in any country mate, especially these days. If you're still in the UK and you wanna come back and buy property someday just make sure you have a deposit of at least 40 000zł.
al111   
28 Sep 2010
Law / Problems with Polish Bureaucracy, residency [17]

What bothers me with the Bureaucracy in this country is that every law is prone to abuse by the same people who are supposed serve it. It is utter madness and totally rediculous the law should be more transperant and public service workers should be held accountable for their actions. The difficulties arise from the fact that they think they are actually the law. You can not get anything done beacause they have a different way of interpreting the law.

The other thing is even if you phone the Head Office for Home Affairs you get the same ignorant answer that "It depends with the official who is accepting the documents" nothing is clear and no one wants to be accountable.It's one country but it seems like there are actually 16different constitutions because of the people who administer the law.

How come in Warsaw you're less likely to go through what WhyMedSchool went through in Poznan. What is wrong with Poznan, in my experiences here on the forum and from what i hear why is it that Poznan specifically is a big Problem. Are there people out there who have noticed the same with the Poznan Office for Foreigners??
al111   
28 Sep 2010
Law / Your experience as a foreigner running a small business in Poland [43]

I'm just curious, but i know there are many of you on here running small businesses in the country. My mate went through hell just getting his registered, he'd moved down here because of the favourable conditions. He came coz the government had said they were looking for foreign investors and mainly to Small and Medium Enterprises. He thought coming here was going to be as easy as they'd said it would be.He detailed me what he went through and most of it i have since heard and experienced considering i have been here for quite sometime now.

My question to you all who are running small businesses as foreigners, for the benefit of those wishing to emulate you how difficult is it really to register and run your own company in this company? Your experiences will be greatly appreciated.
al111   
13 Oct 2010
Work / Residence Permit for an Australian in Poland. Applying for another one.. [41]

I hope the op doesn't mind me dropping in. I'm asking this for clarification from those who know. Karta Pobytu is the residence card and i guess even if you have a work permit you will need this to live in Polska legally. What then happens for non eu spouses of Poles who have the Karta Pobytu, do their employers in this case the private language schools need to apply for working permits on their behalf as well? Is there a difference as to how a non eu citizen on a Karta Pobytu can be employed? What is the difference between those who are spouses of Poles and those who are not in terms of the work restrictions considering that they both carry Karta Pobytu. Are non eu spouses of Poles allowed to work in any schools ( ones that are government certified and ones that are not) without the schools applying work permits for them. If you are non eu citizen on a work permit are u only allowed to work in government certified schools?
al111   
26 Oct 2010
Law / Permanent Residence in Polska: procedures, list of documents, etc. [59]

But it's different where non-EU citizens are concerned, due it being subjective.

Good observation Delphiandomine how different is it i'm sure we would all like to hear on this one, if i'm not mistaken that's what the OP is asking for....

To spaceman77 how did u acquire your citizenship are u Originally EU or non-EU?
al111   
2 Nov 2010
Love / Fell in love; I need to go back to Poland for 2 months - what to say at work (UK) [50]

Here's my take Danka, if you get into a realtionship with a negative notion you're only doing yourself a bad favour. This will affect you a lot and you'll just end up doing what your selfish self desires and in this case means going back to your boring lonely life. A relationship's about sacrifies and i believe your boyfriend who is here in Polska (if he truly loves you) would never have a problem moving up to be with you. You're quite smart and are at a very crucial stage in your life and i'm sure you don't wanna give up what u have worked hard for for the past 4years. So honesty is the key, and if you guys sit down and discuss this you'll find an amicable solution to your dilemma.If he's worth it and he values you then go for it. No matter how much advice we will give you here, the final decision's yours. You'll never get to experience it unless you try....