Life / Polish Pay As You Go Phone SIMs - do all have compulsory recharging / top up? [11]

Thank you Harry, and Bolle. I much appreciate the very fast replies.

BTW, someone I know says "wRodzinie" (a network I assume) doesn't expect regular top ups. Now, I've no idea if that's true or not, but if anyone wants to read their Polish website and confirm it's true and if it's a good deal for PL consumers, please do... thanks.

Life / Polish Pay As You Go Phone SIMs - do all have compulsory recharging / top up? [11]

Thanks delphiandomine, will look into that one too.

I have looked into the wR SIM - it seems 20 zl buys a SIM and it doesn't need a recharge or top up for 12 months if you don't use the 20 zl. I am not allowed to post a link but if you google it then you should see. The card is it seems something to do with Era as the phone says wR and Era on it when that SIM is in.

I have gone on to Play for my SIM now. The outgoing calls from Play are competitively priced.

However, someone has told me it costs more to call a Play number than for example an Orange, or Era, etc etc. If that's correct, how much more typically (in percentage approx?).

Thanks if anyone knows.

Life / Mental health problem or one of the grieving stages? Death and denial in Poland. [93]


I have very gently suggested that on several occasions, she asks "what for?", when I say "because you need some help to come to terms with his passing" she replies "what are you talking about, you are sick, it's you that's not well, has my mother been speaking to you for you to come out with this cr*p?"...


I was fortunate enough never to have any denial when I lost my parents, I was very close to them, shocked and in pieces when each passed, but I never for a moment thought they were still alive. I hear of this denial stage a lot from articles I read but don't understand how denial can go on beyond the point of going to the hospital and speaking to a doctor who confirms death. I must confess my total ignorance at how anyone can deny a death beyond that point.


That's kind of my fear, from what I can gather that would not be a good outcome, not good at all given her personal circumstances (forgive me for not elaborating more on that).

I appreciate the above replies and any more that may follow, thank you.

Life / Mental health problem or one of the grieving stages? Death and denial in Poland. [93]


I have done my very best to sit down and very gently bring her mind back to the days before he died and the day he died. She remembers a bit of that day but when I say "and do you remember that I then said xyz because I had to xyz that day" it is all as if erased from her mind. When I show her an email to me where she mentioned she had received condolences from people she says those condolences were for another person who died in her family and not her father. When I say to her "do you recall the two hours on the phone when you were alone & very distressed just after the funeral so I called you from the UK to talk to you" she looks at me blankly and says I am confused, that it was when her father was ill, not anything to do with any funeral, and "what am I talking about?!"

So I have no idea how I could lead her gently towards the truth, I have been trying now for some months, a few times a week just very carefully trying to verbally get somewhere. It seems to be getting more and more hopeless.

Life / Mental health problem or one of the grieving stages? Death and denial in Poland. [93]


She says "I'm not really sure, it was definitely at least some months."

The reality would be over 2 years, of course.

Just today she said she was hoping to see him in the street near where he worked before he was ill. "I am always hoping to see him, you never know," she said to me.

"But he passed away" I replied, "No, don't be stupid, that's nasty!" she replied.


I don't see her co-operating with any suggestions, and her family will probably tell me to mind my own if I push the matter again, I have already brought it up with them privately a few times. "Time will heal" is their response, in a nutshell.

The day will come when either the memory will return and she will be devastated
or
it will return and she will carry on as if the whole period of denial never happened.

I don't know which scenario is worse when trying to ascertain future stable mental health, I really don't.

Life / Mental health problem or one of the grieving stages? Death and denial in Poland. [93]


Well, I remember the anger stage back then - she was very angry that the doctors had not attended to him and that a member of her family had not helped her speak up and get her dad moved to some other hospital with a specialist in his illness. She was heard to say to the effect that better care would have prevented him dying, I remember that and her floods of angry tears quite vividly. But since then of course, something's changed in her mind.

Life / Mental health problem or one of the grieving stages? Death and denial in Poland. [93]

Thank you all very much for replying, many of you really giving lots of thought and coming back with more suggestions, I appreciate it.

The oddest thing is she functions 100% fine in everything else, brilliant at her work, exceptionally bright academically, great sense of humour, just no way of knowing all is not well unless this subject is brought up.

Thanks again all.

Life / Mental health problem or one of the grieving stages? Death and denial in Poland. [93]


Yes, we all went to the graveside then. It is a family grave with her g/parents and also now her father. She stood nearby, said prayers and then argued with her mother, telling her off for affixing the memorial plaque marking the grave of her father. She said to her mother in a slightly raised voice but not raging or screaming or anything: "He is not dead, you can't wait can you? He will be back, you will see. You are very nasty, almost evil, to do this [marking a grave with my father's name] to me." However she resumed pleasant relations with her mother within a few minutes when they visited some friends' graves and some others there. I have already discussed it privately with her mother, she seems happy to wait it out rather than get her some help or counselling. Apparently her brother does not want to get involved and is rarely in touch with the mother anyway, indeed he did not even come to the graves.


She won't go. I have offered to pay, she asks me why she would need to go, she just doesn't seem to understand. The strangest thing is that moments after my saying to her that he is dead and she needs to come to terms with it or regain her memory, she dismisses the suggestion with a "don't be nasty" or "he'll be back, you should talk to him, he's very clever" and no argument or unpleasantness follows, she seems almost used to people telling her he's passed on as if everyone else were wrong. Sometimes her retort is so convincing that for a moment it seems as if I am indeed the one who has got it wrong and he is merely absent rather than passed away! It is so peculiar that if it were in a novel I would say "how far-fetched!".

I have recently suggested to her that we go the hospital he was last at for her to speak with them. She dismissed this and said the doctors will have no records as her mother discharged him (untrue, he died in the hospital there). She also says she has no parish priest or other close priest when I suggested that to her. At the same time she dismissed any ideas that she needed to discuss the matter with a priest, all she would say is "they don't know where my dad is, what can they do" although she added "but they could pray for him, we should all pray for him" - when I asked her to qualify what sort of prayer, she said "pray for him to recover and return to us soon to help us be a normal family again".

It may amaze some of you to read also that she was not bothered or cross when she caught me typing this message on the forum earlier. She seems perfectly convinced that it is others' mistake about her father and rolled her eyes that I was "still" being silly in thinking he was dead and even asking others for advice about her. Within moments she had changed the subject and talking about work and holidays etc.

Life / Mental health problem or one of the grieving stages? Death and denial in Poland. [93]


You're of course right, but I can't see how help will come, her family are yet to act on it and she won't listen to my suggestion to come along to the doctor's with me. You see, she thinks it's other people whose thinking is wrong on this, not her. Her mind seems to be saying to her "Oh those poor fools, why do they jump to conclusions like that? They should be humoured and not scolded." It's just like her memory has gone but she doesn't realise what's missing, like a hypnosis. When I say to her "But does it seem logical to you that he'd not be in touch all this time?" she makes non-logical responses, and usually it seems she is unaware it has been years and seems to think it's months. Recently I said "It has been several Xmases" and she seemed unsure how many. Time seems to be distorted for her.


She gets up very late in the day, say 11am, and is on Facebook or online until very late, going to sleep at about 2am or so most of the time. However, she seems very lively and efficient when at work, good mood, sings to herself a little, concentrates well, remembers all manner of academic stuff, speaks several languages flawlessly, dresses well, eats well, no drugs or drink or smoking. I edit to add, on the rare occasions when there are very early starts at work, she is always on time.

Life / Mental health problem or one of the grieving stages? Death and denial in Poland. [93]


I don't know. She is very religious in some ways, and she is an avid reader, she has various religious types as contacts on Facebook - I'm sure she's told me that before, but sects well I really don't know. Her mobile gets a lot of texts (SMSs), I know that. When she called me over to her computer once I saw an email from someone or a group or site called "TFP" and the email subject line said "Deathbed ..." something or the other. She is on Facebook a heck of a LOT though and gets a great many "friend" requests because I have seen them when talking to her on the screen behind her. I'm not on FB myself so not sure how it works or what potentially happens on SN sites.


Because crashing home realisations don't sound a safe bet to me, left unchecked with any sudden waking up to the facts, could be the same as letting a drunk driver drive on because he's not hurt himself or others - yet. I just don't feel comfortable with this time will heal business, even if at present there seems no other option than to try for that to become the case. It does however seem to be at least a year that time has not healed, possibly 2. I do not know, I have not been here all that time, and I will soon be back in the UK and unable to help her from there.

Life / Mental health problem or one of the grieving stages? Death and denial in Poland. [93]

Thank you Trener zolwia, Peter, et al.

Life / How popular is Radio Maryja in Poland? [163]


Hello Harry

Are you sure all that talk about Radio Maryja and TVTWRAM or whatever it's called is true? I heard all that stuff and looked into it when I got here, I didn't hear anything dodgy from those sources, I think worse is heard on some UK national news programmes when they have their round the table debates with foreign correspondents.

I am aware there is lots said online about RM et al, but I am yet to actually come across anything substantiated except the shirts off your back nonsense and the brainless tactless quip about the African-appearance priest or whatever it was.

Is the negative press about RM not really a load of hyperbole nonsense whipped up by anti-church types or anti whatever political party RM was supposed to be aligned with (allegedly!) ? Honestly, every time I tune in to Unfinished Conversations with someone else who speaks fluent Polish I don't hear anything anti-S or whatever, I think once some listener caller said something about Jews but they were given a sort of neutralising retort by the host and I don't recall any more than that since I've been here this year. I am aware there is a lot alleged online about RM that is negative, and possibly stuff might have been said before that I am ignorant of, but from what I see right now on their TV channel and what I hear on RM in the evenings it seems very mild or non existent compared to the rumour mill. Can I just point out I do not even in the slightest agree with or condone racism, anti-Semitism or homophobia.

Life / How popular is Radio Maryja in Poland? [163]


I share your disgust at anyone that is genuinely as you describe.

I can only speak as I find - so far I have not noticed anything to substantiate the Council's comments - I can only assume they are mistaken or the offences to decency were in the past.

I've not listened to RM night & day as am not Catholic nor even remotely religious, but I do tune in regularly and at random in the eves, and like some of their discussions on radio and TV. So far, as far as I can tell - nasty swearing 'mohair beret army' on Youtube or not - there seems little or nothing coming out of RM to substantiate the bad press and allegations. Obviously, whether I have missed the bad stuff in the past I don't know, but so far I have actually been somewhat impressed with the discussions and their tackling issues the MSM would not. In fact I like them more than I do Radio 4!! If I may inject a little humour, I am reminded of a fake ad for a spoof magazine periodical at (UK) satirical site The Daily Mash, it was in the style of The Oldie or some such, and the spoof mag was called "The Racist Nan" (eg a magazine for racist grandmothers in Britain). Having met a few elderly ladies there who are mildly (if there's such a thing) racist, I can with some sadness say that the satire is not lost on me.

Life / How popular is Radio Maryja in Poland? [163]

Just to be clear so I know if I am missing something, Harry could you tell me whether you heard offensive output yourself? If so, was it live (ie as broadcast at the time) or was it a recording found online said to be their output? Obviously something from them has wound yourself and others up, and Nazi or anti-S etc remarks would wind me up too, but so far I have not heard any, and what little I did hear was less worrying than I might hear to a phone in on some late night UK radio programme before the host cuts them off or plays a jingle over it as the 7-secs censor/time delay button is pressed.

Interesting discussion. I heard a lot about it before I came to Poland, so far I've not heard anything dodgy. All I can recall is a phone in one night when a listener might've been a bit offensive about another religion but they were sort of retorted and then cut off by the host. Nothing worse than you can hear on the UK's late night phone ins, and I've heard more offensive stuff from UK MSM foreign correspondents and debates on a Sunday morning on UK terrestrial TV.

So, I'm waiting to see what all the fuss is about.

Sure, the mohair berets on Youtube look and sound ghastly, the ones that were swearing etc, but surely that's not enough to condemn a whole radio station is it?

Most of their debates and discussions on topics diverse and away from religion I find pretty good and I like it more than Radio 4 in the UK. Yeah the religious stuff bores me, but the rest of the output is intellectual food for thought on topics I usually quite want to know about.

I'm not going to claim to be listening every night, but when I have tuned in at random I am yet to hear any of these supposedly controversial anti this and anti that remarks. If their listeners phone in and say them, well we can argue that the listeners are dinosaurs, but not sure you can hold a radio station responsible for its wider public having free speech, even if we disagree vigorously with the tone or content of that free speech. Anyway, as I say, so far I've not even heard anything that remotely matches what I had feared I'd hear. So far, though, so far...

(Apologies if I have missed what all the fuss was about, I can only speak following my irregular listening this year. All I am aware of is the shirt/Jews comment and some quip to an African priest, both stupid and immature remarks no doubt, but a mouth opening without first brain-engaging is a common phenomenon globally.)

Life / How popular is Radio Maryja in Poland? [163]

I've heard much of this stuff before, I think the witch comment was verified as correctly reported. The rest of it, people I know who listen to RM, laugh off as propaganda and nonsense. Having listened to RM myself and not heard anything, especially not any anti-Sem stuff which I'd find particularly vile and offensive, I don't know what to think. I too had heard the S American Nazi rumour etc etc and that too was laughed at by a listener I spoke with as utter nonsense.

However, if you randomly talk to Poles in the UK about RM, they will say it is an embarrassment & condemn RM. I did not find any that liked it.

When I put that to Poles here in Poland who like it and listen to RM, they say that people who criticise it have never listened to it and are just believing propaganda.

So, I don't really know what to believe - except to say I am as yet completely unable to find anything nasty when I listen myself. What I term as nasty is racism, homophobia, anti-Semitism, prejudice, xenophobia, to name a few.

Anyone want to enlighten me, who has heard 'bad' stuff live with their own ears, I want to get to the truth.

Life / How popular is Radio Maryja in Poland? [163]


There's other ways of asking a question than to put it in such terms, any real need to write so excitedly "what the hell"? The answer is plainly obvious, apart from the fact I understand some very basic Polish, I listen to it only when others who are native Poles are around and they interpret it. I have no reason to believe they omit anything.

I am keen to know why there is the hysterical dislike for RM, evident on this board, and in the people I ask about it back home in England. As I said before, as yet I've heard nothing, nada, zilcho, that I haven't heard said far worse on the UK telly in so-called news discussion slots.

I'm left to assume that either there is indeed a campaign against RM, or there is some grain of truth in it but not as bad as web posts suggest, or that whatever happened is in the past and they are now steering clear of the same controversy. It's an interesting quest for the truth, I'd have loved to hear something nasty in their output so that I could have reached a conclusion by now and condemned them with the rest of you. So they've either turned over a new leaf or, and apologies to the mods for saying this, the talk of them being deliberately anti whatever is actually a load of bollox. Goodnight, folks.

Life / How popular is Radio Maryja in Poland? [163]


I challenged them on that, I said before to a couple of them something like "Come on, you just don't want to admit that you've been donating to these people" (I assumed they'd been donating, apparently they haven't!)

I think I recall a caller ringing in and saying the word "Jew" in a negative way a few weeks back and this too was interpreted faithfully, the caller was given short shrift it seemed and they moved swiftly on to the next. I can't remember the subject, though, but it was the UC evening prog.


I do, that's why I'm here for an extended stay. Don't get me wrong, I think a bit of skepticism about people who post on bulletin boards is a very healthy thing, but let's not get carried away eh. I ain't no RM plant, at worst I'm a bit of a geek originally from Essex, minus the white socks and Ford Capri, but that's about the worst that could be said of me.

Life / How popular is Radio Maryja in Poland? [163]


I'm not actually, I am not interested in it other than from a psychological point of view, by that I mean I find it interesting to see people having faith in religion, and sometimes (my apologies if this offends anyone, not my intention) I find it a bit scary that they seem to be kind of under the control or whatever (can't think of the right word) of religion. I don't rule out the existence of a Creator etc, I'm more a pantheist than atheist. I do note that some people who quite literally put all their troubles and dilemmas "Into the hands of God" seem to not worry as much and seem to do a heck of a lot better than people like myself who don't really have any beliefs really. It's tempting for me to think I am more sophisticated by being not religious, perhaps that's a delusion I have, but I do tend to look at religious services and sermons and stuff like that and feel it is to put it politely a waste of time for someone like me. If the friends I mention in posts above hear me say that they get very annoyed, as you can guess, so I keep my thoughts to myself these days and respect their religious activities.

I like listening to RM and watching that TV channel TWAM or whatever it's called because it has no ads, has that world in pictures bulletin, and interesting discussions on non religious stuff fairly often. Now, if they are trying to push religion into those discussions then yeah I am too thick to notice, and it certainly hasn't subconsciously encouraged me. I am even less interested in becoming religious since coming to Poland than I was before. Although I have to say I do love some of the churches, they are impressive, and it is nice to see people going to church as a family and having optimism from their faith. Can't knock that and wouldn't want to, I say it's not for me but most definitely good luck to 'em!

EDITED to say I will definitely try to catch those programmes you mention, Jonni, many thanks.

Life / How popular is Radio Maryja in Poland? [163]

Jonni, I looked into RM a lot before I came to Poland using the web. I developed a great deal of irritation about them and expected to get angry here when I tuned in and got proper translations for the first time live. However, so far, a big fat nought. I even enjoyed a few shows on TWRAM when I think they discussed some local community issues and had cameras on location about roads or buildings in some area, another time I think they discussed water standards, can't remember now, anyway I remember thinking this is a bit of a novelty - roving investigative reporters in dog collars. They didn't go all Jeremy Paxman about stuff but nonetheless I have to say it was way above what I expected from a religious TV channel. Of course the rest of it with their religious services and prayers does turn me off, and their daft RMTV fanfare jingle sounds like it was off an old royalty-free cassette from the 70s, but then again they know their audience and that's what they like I suppose. By the time I'm 75, they'll probably be interspersing news bulletins with a jingle burst of Eminem & Rihanna...

Life / How popular is Radio Maryja in Poland? [163]

Isn't there some audio of Rydzyk on Youtube or somewhere laughing off suggestions he has a Maybach and joking that he should use his submarine or 'copter? I don't think I can post links or I would look for it and post.

Whenever I put the case to people here that support RM etc about the newspaper ND and the rest of it having a less than perfect reputation among the internet forums, I am told it is all propaganda to smear the good works of Rydzyk and that Rydzyk is hated because he and his press "tell everyone the truth" about various issues.

I have no idea what the truth really is, I am little more than a tourist here really and don't want to speak out of my backside, but that's what they say when I highlight the criticisms of his media empire and school. They say it's all lies about him, a campaign of smears, etc etc. They laughed hysterically when I said he had a Maybach, and added "Do you really think that is true? You are really gullible if you do." So is it me that's gullible or them? I am yet to find out, so far nothing heard or seen that worries me from their output which may of course now be all sweetness & light if they are under threat of having their licence pulled - no idea if that rumour is true or not btw.

The S American money man story - it has been called a smear by Rydzyk I think. No, don't ask me if it is or isn't, I haven't he foggiest! If it is true, shame on RM big, big time.

Jonni, don't all these religious types get nice cars? I can think of a charity in the UK that gave exec cars to its staff in the 80s - where's the justice in that? People weren't donating for ROver Sterlings to be bought, they were donating for the needy. Anyway, probably the UK's senior clergy get something a bit fancier than a 1998 Nissan Micra Equation too :o)

Life / How popular is Radio Maryja in Poland? [163]


Flippin' eck, there ain't many people who can say that! That's one for the dinner party eh (oh how middle class I am!)

Thanks for the info, Jonni, I shall say no more as not here long enough to know all the facts.

Wroclaw, when I tried to post links last time I got an error message saying I was not allowed to. I will try again now with that youtube link which I think is the one. Thanks.

youtube.com/watch?v=NC5RHXYxM1g

Life / How popular is Radio Maryja in Poland? [163]

Says here that Tadeusz Pieronek said some rather hurtful things about Jews:
aidanmaconachyblog.blogspot.com/2010/01/bishop-tadeusz-pieronek-jews-use.html

Life / What do you like about Poland? [100]

There's a lot of Ena Sharples-type senior citizens.

The younger people are more respectful of their elders.

The food is much better generally although you will find monosodium glutamate additives in more foods than in a typical UK supermarket.

The fresh milk is generally of an unpleasant smell, I have no idea why, I've tried different brands.

The best economically priced tea that tastes closest to UK tea is Saga (try 2 bags). Even Tesco's black tea is not recommended here. I also was very unimpressed with several other brands that I won't mention, just stick to Saga if you want something fairly like UK tea and get a good quality UHT to go in it, there are a few brands that do not taste like UHT at all and more like UK fresh milk and with no smell. Customer Services at some of the supermarkets here if you have a problem with a purchase is a far cry from the UK. At one well-known chain's huge store, customer service became sarcastic when asked to refund me for tea that tasted like dust. They carried ;o) on like this: "You should've bought xyz brand! Send it back to the manufacturer!" she laughed, and despite several protests, refused to refund the 4zl or so, repeatedly laughed in my face and then served the next customer. As did the managers. This was not the first time I'd taken something defective back and been told to as good as get lost. Mention EU consumer laws and they make excuses or laugh. Caveat Emptor - don't buy anything unless you are prepared to write the money off, some of the massive supermarket names here don't give a fig about customer satisfaction. Shop around too, I save 30% on some items simply by buying elsewhere. Even the cheapest of hypermarkets are sometimes undercut significantly on certain lines by grander supermarkets elsewhere, for example soya milk is cheapest by far at Alma.

The cakes are great, most supermarkets have a fab range. Cheesecakes in particular. Fresh veg is superb and your eyes will pop out at the size of cauliflowers and other veg, most of which are reasonably priced and delicious. If you don't cook here, you're missing out. You'll have to cook anyway, as the range of ready meals is very limited and what there is tends to be double or triple the price of that in the UK.

Beers, what can I say? I have been unable to go wrong.

If you're unattached, the majority of women everywhere take care with their appearance, are much slimmer than in Britain (generally), mostly well above average in looks, usually educated and friendly-ish. However, as I'm not any sort of adonis myself I can't say what they're like as girlfriends and I don't bother chatting anyone up etc, no experience of that side of things at all, other than they're usually polite and friendly to blokes like me (ie obviously not on the hunt).

Few people speak any significant English. However where they do, you may be a bit amused if you can detect they have lived in England and picked up a regional accent as they speak English. I couldn't help but smile when I met a security guard who spent 2 years in Birmingham, he was really Brum as he spoke English!

Religion plays a much greater role here than in the UK. Families and younger people embrace the church far more.

The roads are less safe and generally less maintained too. Cross at crossings or risk a fine for jay-walking, or so they say. Cars are often noticably reluctant to stop at pedestrian crossings, cross with caution.

Apart from the old bill, there are also a couple of police-like authorities, like UK PCSOs except they carry cuffs and a baton (not sure if they carry a gun) and presumably can arrest you.

Where I am the telephone service displays even international numbers, so you can see who's calling you from the UK. Pretty handy if you miss a call or want to ring them back at no expense to them.

They have many of the UK's popular game-shows on Polish TV with a Polish twist or slight modification. They have Family Fortunes, Name That Tune, Millionaire, to name a few.

A Santander Zero card may reduce the costs of withdrawing UK bank cash from ATMs here, if you've got one. Possibly the Halifax Clarity card is quite good too.

Fast food bars serve far better and more nutritional stuff than the UK versions of take aways. And much cheaper.

I am yet to find a launderette/coin-op laundry!

Beware when going to markets, just like the UK some clothes and other items are slight seconds, sometimes worse.

Consider Jajah IP telephony for phone calls home to chat to mates etc, cheapest way that I know of. No special phone needed, use any phone nearby and your computer or you can use Jajah direct if no computer (I think).

Bring thermals!

Enjoy Poland, its beautiful countryside and special places - have a great time!

Life / What do you like about Poland? [100]

Thanks Jonni, I wasn't aware that was the law here about defective goods, I assume the EU laws don't apply for some reason or apply yet? That's very disappointing but useful to know, thank you. In the UK, being told by a retail shop to take your defective product direct to the manufacturer would make a decent Trading Standards officer very cross indeed.

I forgot to say before - amazing how many Polish people have a dog! In the mornings it's a "walkies fest" round my way! Dog after dog pulling their owners along the (often very poorly kept) footpaths. But little or no dog mess around. And it seems Polish people are allowed to park on the footpaths? Everywhere I go, car after car in my way.

Thanks again Jonni.

Regarding the milk I recommend, I think it's a UHT, it's called Mleko Na 5 Plus by Spomlek,

The tea I mentioned and recommend as best budget buy in Poland by far for taste:

Life / How popular is Radio Maryja in Poland? [163]

FWIW when I put the above Wiki info page to people who listen to RM, they claimed the bulk of it is propaganda to discredit RM for various reasons, some of those reasons I can sort of understand/believe but some sound a tad contradictory or hard to envisage. Nevertheless, that is what people say. When I have cited the foul-mouthed women on the Youtube video saying various offensive things, the reply was that they are a fringe bunch of unsavoury characters and not truly representative of the RM listenership. I do not know if the Polish Wikipedia entry is less controversial - a quick run through via Google Translate suggests it is indeed far less critical.

Apparently there is a book in Polish out which claims there are propaganda lies against RM in the mainstream media. If I find the title, I will post.

I enquired about the geothermal thing with someone, I was told some exploratory or proof of concept drilling was completed to prove there was subterranean hot water or whatever you call it, whether that is less than what was promised I don't know, perhaps someone else can elucidate on what RM said they would do and what happened, allegedly :o)

Life / How popular is Radio Maryja in Poland? [163]

I remember listening to some of their recordings from an archive. I didn't hear anything dodgy, or the person translating omitted the dodgy bits (however, knowing them I doubt it).

Anyone here please post if you actually heard bad stuff with your own ears from RM, ie from RM editorial staff, not just daft callers ringing in.

Bad stuff may mean different things to different people, but just some in my book are:-
Racism
Anti-Semitism explicitly or masked by implying alleging Masonic or Banker plots to take over the world etc etc*
Homophobia

I understand that someone "distinguished" perhaps spoke on an RM programme (to plug a book by any chance?!) and alleged that various well-known Jewish and non-Jewish organisations are mere fronts for Masonic domination plots or vehicles for various parties to "extort" money from Poland and/or other countries. If that person was allowed to come out unchallenged with that sort of paranoid, almost certainly complete nonsense, RM do deserve a very hefty amount of criticism indeed. If you must in the name of free speech give the floor to a controversial person then do so, but have the decency to give the other side the right of reply, or editorially challenge them yourself if no one turns up from xyz org. Anything else is totally amateurish and invites accusations of whatever has been said online et al.

Anyway, people who have heard some questionable broadcasts that don't just fall into the category of village peasants phoning in and making a bigoted tit of themselves, please post which programme offended and if poss a link to the archive of RM recordings which I have been told is online somewhere at their site. I really want to hear the truth on this.

*Some views or facts, depending on your own take, about mason type stuff here: masonicinfo.com/bnaibrit.htm (I am not a Mason, my trouser legs stay down)

I also believe the old Pope had no problems with another organisation some have apparently criticised online if not on RM, see link

rotaryfirst100.org/history/headings/leaders/vatican.htm

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

I have been unpleasantly surprised that the response to the snow where I am has been less than impressive. The people who look after the flats cleared paths very quickly and then again after more fresh snow. But the transport system seems to have deteriorated somewhat just like it does in England - although of course not total cancellations as you get in Britain.

Also the airport seemed to have coped well and most of the flights got away on time here.

However, having observed the late buses and slow moving traffic on iced roads, I am left a bit puzzled as to why snow catches Poland out at all.

Another thing, I don't know what this winter tyres changing is all about. In the UK we don't, do we? I can't remember doing that.

I can remember one winter driving on the M27 in the middle of the night and the snow was so bad the wipers stopped moving, and I had to pull in at Rownham's Roadchef to de-ice them. By the time I managed to stop I could not see a thing out of the windscreen and drove by sticking my head out of the window off the motorway to the slip road. I have to say, I really hate driving in snow and am really pleased I forgot to bring my licence here to Poland.

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


I've not been there in 15 years, but I can tell you the old Welcome Break at Fleet (M3) used to make the best cup of tea anywhere, I couldn't make a cup as good as that myself at home!


Winter tyres have a tread that copes better with snow I assume, so why aren't they pushed harder in England? We do get snow there, and I was iced in last Jan after they ran out of salt. Several weeks we had terrible snow, my neighbour had to dig me out when the car lost traction on the ice outside my own front door.

Talking of cheap tyres, I saw a report on UK television say that in the UK the cheap tyres do not stop anything like as well in the wet, even if superficially the tread pattern looks the same. It all has to do with the grade of rubber used. So, a budget tyre is probably not worth it at all.

tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/Autocar-Tyre-Test-Budget-Tyre-Performance.htm