Life /
A recent visit to Poland. First time after 12 years. [19]
1. While abroad, Poles still pretend not to be Polish. How sad.
Is this because they try and assimilate and try and respect the people of the host country? Brits and Yanks could do with a lesson in this.
I have been going to Poland on a regular basis since I was a kid amd since 2004 been going 4 times a year and I have seen plenty of changes. Even some of the horrible commie era tower blocks have had a makeover. Where did you visit? Oh, and your school has had 12 years of use since 2000.
3. The use of English words is as ubiquitous as it is ridiculously out of place and incorrect (Biuro Rachunkowe Estimate - wtf?!)
Yeah, I wish they wouldn't do that
4. People are just as rude and wary of strangers as before. One simply sticks out.
This sounds more like you have been to London. Are you sure you weren't in London, not Poland? Wow, you even found time to leave London and visit Yorkshire :)
7. Roads are just as bumpy and narrow as before, sidewalks just as crooked.
If they were smooth and straight then you'd say they were lifeless and lacked charachter.
8. Everyone wanted to know what kind of car I drove and how big my house was. As if they were keeping score.
They were sounding you out to see if you had room to take them in once they decide to emigrate :)
9. When I was trying to tell them a little bit about the life in the US, it was either, "Oh, yes, we have that, too..." or "Stupid Americans." I gave up.
Despite reports in the American press to the contrary, Poland is not a 3rd world country situated in the darkest depths of an Eastern European primeval forest. The outside world and 21st century consumerism has actually reached Poland.
How do you know Western stations aren't the ones doing the copying?
11. Clothes continue to be a status symbol. At the same time, everyone shops in consignment stores.
Paris? Milan? Madrid?
12. Travel agencies seem to focus mainly on third-world countries.
You mean like Thailand, Vietnam, Egypt and Alabama? ;)
13. Finally, people look tired and pooped. My peers look way older and they seem disheartened. Nobody seems to truly enjoy their lives, everyone is worried and constantly fretting over everyday stuff.
You mean your peers aren't the 1% the rest of us 99%ers work our socks off for so we keep them in their priveliged life styles?
I'm looking forward to flying out to Poland at the end of next month. I always enjoy my time there :)