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Posts by motylek  

Joined: 23 Jan 2010 / Female ♀
Last Post: 2 Oct 2010
Threads: Total: 2 / In This Archive: 2
Posts: Total: 15 / In This Archive: 12
From: Poznan
Speaks Polish?: somewhat

Displayed posts: 14
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motylek   
27 Feb 2010
Real Estate / Options for dealing with dishonest landlord in Poland [36]

Hello,

my former landlord is trying to tell me I must pay him a much much larger than usual sum for electricity. I disagree with the amount and he is refusing to look any further into the situation (I implied there were was either a problem with the meter or perhaps someone had tapped the line). He also refuses to tell me the amounts for the same time period in prior years.

What can I do? Do I have to pay him? What would happen if I chose not to?

Are there any sort of rental ombudsmen in Poland for foreigners?
motylek   
27 Feb 2010
Real Estate / Options for dealing with dishonest landlord in Poland [36]

When you say "several multiples" higher, my problem is that the bill in question is for mid December to mid February. It is nearly 15 times the amount of the previous bill, which was from the end of October thru mid December, a time period in which I was also using heat. Yes, 15 times higher. Granted, I knew the bills would go up when I started heating, and they did, the October and November bill was higher than previous bills. I just find an increase of this magnitude hard to believe, especially considering I was out of the country for one week for Christmas holidays and had everything off.

I also find it odd that he wont look into bill amounts from previous years, or any of my other suggestions and instead chooses to respond in a rather condescending fashion (eg telling me that the winter was cold). In addition, I have friends who live in a building of a similar age who also have electric heat, but have the old leaky windows and a flat twice the size with lower bills!

He says he is giving back my whole deposit, and he is crediting that toward the amount of the electric (yes, the deposit is LESS than this electric bill!)
motylek   
28 Feb 2010
Real Estate / Options for dealing with dishonest landlord in Poland [36]

What I do know is that there is endless grief between Polish landlords and non-Polish tenants

A few points - I have a Polish background, and can function in the language. The landlord speaks English as well. I asked about heat, and what the bills had run previous tenants. The windows were new and I don't ever put my heater to the highest setting. I know people in larger flats of similar age with OLD windows and their bills don't come close to mine.

If the landlord was truly being honest, why will he not show me the bills from prior years? (This bill is not in accordance with what I was told, either) Why will he not answer when I ask to look into how the bill jumped 15 times from the November and December bill?

**Aside**I believe he may have some financial difficulties as I was unable to get internet in the flat from INEA. Apparently something was flagged on his account to not have services installed in a flat owned by him. When I asked him to remedy this situation, he told me he had given me the necessary form to have it installed (he had) but I told him they wished to speak to HIM. He never called, and I was stuck using Play Mobile, which is ludicrously expensive.
motylek   
23 Apr 2010
News / Polish, non-speakers told to bring interpreters to municpal buildings [7]

Speak Polish in Poland

While I applaud the sense of nationalistic pride this shows, I'm not sure I applaud the xenophobia it also showcases. As an EU member, should they not also need to have government office employees who speak other languages? Perhaps at the very least English and French?

I believe the EU does prohibit discrimination based on language, so this to me implies there should be more than one option available.

Please note - I can speak Polish, so please do not tell me to learn the language. I am simply asking for others opinions.
motylek   
8 Jul 2010
Travel / Trains in Poland - Poznan to Gdansk [9]

Its about 6 hours from Poznań to Gdańsk, but not via Warszawa. To go via Warszawa would be 3 hours to Warszawa and then another 5 or so. Just go direct from Poznań. I would not buy the ticket online though unless you speak fluent unaccented Polish.
motylek   
14 Jul 2010
Food / WHY IN POLAND PEOPLE DON'T USE ICE? [142]

dude, i don't think i have ever been in a pizza hut that had free refills.. ever..

Even Pizza Huts in Poland have free refills! It would seem doubtful that you could have free refills here and not in the States.

The refill question is tricky. I think many people in the States take extreme advantage of it (does anyone truly need to drink 8 pints of Coke in one meal sitting?) but in Europe the 250 mls you get are barely enough to make it through a meal. However, I see nothing wrong with having to pay for another drink, especially as most places here do not have the fountain beverages.
motylek   
24 Jul 2010
Travel / Poland-My 9-day experience [239]

The choice of Katowice over Kraków seems like one of someone who truly didn't want to see anything they liked in Poland. Also, I can't understand choosing Warsaw over Kraków - didn't you read a guidebook? Also, unless I am either mistaken or there was another partition of Poland I somehow missed, you went to Gdańsk, not Danzig (the only Danzig I can think of from after World War 2 was that terrible metal band). Personally I find Gdańsk to have lovely architecture. What is it you felt Warsaw and Gdańsk were missing for you to see? Again, didn't you read a guidebook or do ANY research whatsoever before you planned a trip to Poland?

As for Poland being a beautiful country, there are many different types of scenery here and some are quite beautiful. But yes, it also has flat fields and farmlands that are rather boring to look at. I know this may surprise you, but often the nicest parts of towns and villages are not right next to the train tracks. Oddly, some people find the noise disturbing and don't wish to be very close to it. Regarding fares, I'm not certain because I have only ever used a Polish student ID card, but I was under the impression that with a valid passport and ISIC card you could also use the student ticket if you are not too old for it.

Also, I am curious. If you determined the adults here are overweight due to junk food and poverty, can you please explain why people in Western Europe and North America are overweight?
motylek   
12 Aug 2010
Love / Maintenance for child born between Irish/Polish parents. [60]

Even if you don't want or "need" the money, the child IS entitled to it. Go after it legally,and you really oppose spending it, put it into a savings for the child. Don't let this loser off the hook.
motylek   
5 Sep 2010
Genealogy / Polish nationality? Which of the following (if any) determine being Polish. [231]

To say immigrants to the United States weren't educated because they moved there and worked as laborers is misleading. Many were educated, but due to they ways society was at the time they came, job opportunities were limited. Many people of varying Slavic nationalities ended up becoming miners at the turn of the last century. Similarly, Irish people were mostly able to find work as postmen or cops.

Most Polish-Americans I have ever met speak at least some, if not fluent Polish. This goes also for the families of most immigrants I've met - other Slavs, Mexicans/South Americans, Asians. Many parents want their children to know both languages and cultures.
motylek   
6 Sep 2010
Food / Is Polish food still more natural than in the West? [142]

No, the meat you eat in Poland are mostly processed meat which I think is unhealthy. Fresh seafood is also non-existent in Poland.

"Mostly processed meat"? Where did you shop? Also, if I recall correctly, you went to some place called Danzig. Perhaps if you had gone to Gdansk you would have discovered some of the plentiful fresh seafood.