Posts by Cipher

Cipher

30 May 2012

Life / Require a few pointers on Do's and Dont's in Poland [25]

I am planning to visit a very good friend of mine in Warsaw. I heard from one of our mutual friends here that she wanted to hold my hand when walking in the streets of Warsaw. Since I am of East Indian descent, I am not sure about how the locals will view it.

I had an experience in China, when one of my friends held my hand and she was verbally abused by the taxi-driver in Chinese on why "she is holding the hands of a foreigner". The poor girl took it and never told me anything till we reached home. Since I didn't understand Chinese, I thought that the taxi driver was just having a conversation with her. Basically I don't want a repeat of the same incident in Poland.

I don't want to ask my polish friend about this because I know what her response will be "that everything is ok in Poland". And I know that she will say that coz the Pollacks I know in Alberta are very hospitable, have a very warm generous spirit and are quite polite, to say the least. But I don't want a few bad apples in Warsaw spoiling the trip by being rude to her since she is with me. That is why I am asking it in a forum since I hope that all you guys/gals will give me a totally unbiased opinion based on your experiences of living in Warsaw

And any other pointers on do's and don'ts in public too will be highly appreciated.....

Thanks in advance.

Cipher

31 May 2012

Life / Require a few pointers on Do's and Dont's in Poland [25]

Just meant that she kind of listened to what the taxi driver said and never told me anything till we reached home. Thats what I wanted to convey :)

And thank you, Paulina and Trevek.... Since here in Alberta sometimes we refer to Poles as Pollacks. I assumed it was alright to refer that way. Thank you again for clearing up my misconception :)....

Cipher

31 May 2012

Life / Require a few pointers on Do's and Dont's in Poland [25]

Hmmm...that is something I learnt now. Thank you, Jason, for that pointer.

Do you think it might be better to get the Lonely Planet Book to have a read through about Poland before I travel on its customs & socially acceptable behaviour since what seems socially acceptable here (Like the handshaking you mentioned) might seem rude or offensive.

Cipher

31 May 2012

Life / Require a few pointers on Do's and Dont's in Poland [25]

Thank you, Vincent. That thread was quite interesting :)

Hahaha....Jason. the way you narrated the handshaking incident bought a smile to my face :). You, Sir, do have a gift with words :)

And, I will keep what you say in mind, Paulina, when I go to Warsaw in June. Am looking forward to the trip :)

Cipher

5 Jun 2012

Life / Require a few pointers on Do's and Dont's in Poland [25]

Thank you, Paulina & Strzyga for giving me an insight into the handshaking paradox :)

Anyway, just wanted to let you know that next week I will be in Warsaw but i think I will err in the side of caution though. It will be a good break to go into warm weather from all this snowing ...... :)

Coming to this site after a while so thought I will update the people who helped me out (regarding polish customs) about my trip to Warsawa and Skierniwisa (where her parents live). :)

It was interesting to say the least. People were very friendly and no....people were actually ok to shake hands :). There were two times I felt a bit odd. One was in Skierniwisa when some old people walking down the street kept totally staring at me. So, I just smiled and waved at them. I think they were quite shocked to see that :).And the other was in Warsawa (near the place where they had the dancing fountains), when a drunk guy wanted to shake hands with me, but my friend told him something in Polish and after that he went and banged his head against the wall. I was quite shocked about that but she told me he is kuku...I think he had a pint too many though.

All in all, it was a fun trip . So, just thought I will pop by to say Hi and thanks for all your inputs :)....