Life / Why are Polish so conservative and religious? [240]

Jon357 "the boondocks of Podlasie"

I've travelled a fair bit in Poland and I live in what you consider to be the boondocks. Perhaps it's been a while since you've visited the east of Poland. If so, you'd be surprised at the changes that have occurred in the last few years. I've been to much less developed places in what are considered to be more civilised parts of the country. As for Białystok, the younger generation have the same views as young people from any capital in Europe. They're much slimmer, though.

Love / What does my Polish work colleague's behaviour mean? [12]

balinina, I'm sure you have jerks like this in Italy, too. Confront him with a smile and something like, "Have I upset you? It's just that you seem to dislike me for some reason." You say he treats other women with respect, so he's obviously got some decency. Challenge him in a friendly way and see what his problem is. I don't want to appear flippant but it may be that he really likes you.

Life / Anti establishment Polish artist Pawel Kuczynski [20]

Wroclaw Boy "OK so this is a good one, thoughts?"
The man is living in the darkness and cold of his ignorance. The means to enable him to climb up into enlightenment are available to him, but he choose the temporary warmth of his ignorance because it is easier and comforting, so he ignores or destroys the means of his escape.

Work / Any Speed School of English in Poland? [54]

Wroclawrocks "suspect that the school management have got a friend to write it to try and balance out the well-deserved bad reviews this place has"

But if that were the case, it would mean that the school asked someone who worked there fifteen years ago for a testimonial. Surely they wouldn't have to go that far back for a good write-up. ;-)

Travel / Parking problems in Poland - no stopping signs [2]

Where I work the city guards and the traffic wardens are infuriatingly efficient and keen as mustard. I have twice been called in for a stand up interview for parking (a couple of centimetres) over the 1.5m line. I would have been happier to get a 50PLN ticket, but they use the embuggerance factor and make you waste time going to their office. I have to say it works. Now I park like a German.

Law / Are Car Damage by Pothole Claims in Poland Possible? [12]

krecil"I'd be laughed out of court"
Not at all. Your lawyer would encourage you to pursue this for years, and the judges, and their descendants, would enjoy watching you go old and grey. Dickens's Jarndyce v Jarndyce could have been based on the Polish legal system.

Life / Why are Polish so conservative and religious? [240]

Jon"I wouldn't go that far"
Well I would. I talk to about 150 of them each and every week, and while they might not dress as outlandishly as they do in Camden, they are tolerant and gentle. Last semester one lad briefly and affectionately put his head on another lad's shoulder in my class. The other students all quickly looked at me to see my reaction (none whatsoever), but they were all fine with having these lovebirds in their class. When I came here years ago students said the most horrible, intolerant things. Now they're cool.

The churches used to be so packed in my nearest town that there were fifty people outside the door. Not now. Things are changing very fast here. Twenty years is a generation, and even the boonies are coming alive.

Work / Any Speed School of English in Poland? [54]

Maximus. I'm glad they're looking after you. I would, too if I knew I could get you to work for nothing. Two months' experience in EFL hardly makes you an authority, but I take your point. If you are happy working for free, who am I or anyone else to spoil your fun. Just two questions: Were you asked to post here? Are you American? "gotten"

Anyway, good luck to you.

Life / Anti establishment Polish artist Pawel Kuczynski [20]

The shepherd is not a shepherd. Shepherds do not wear suits to work, unlike businessmen and politicians. He has a big stick at the ready, just in case the sheep take a wrong turn. His trusty dog serves the same purpose. The sheep are offered only one attractive place to go.

I like Kuczynski's work but it's a little heavy-handed and at the same time ambiguous. He's no Ralph Steadman. If he wants to make a clear political point, he should make it (as he does in many of his pieces); otherwise he can leave interpretation up to each viewer, in which case it's art. In any case, thanks to the OP for putting this up. Food for thought.

Work / Career/work opportunities in Poland for a guy with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology? [5]

Ethan "what kind of perspectives do psychologists have in Poland"
That depends on the psychologist. I think you mean prospects.

Law / Are Car Damage by Pothole Claims in Poland Possible? [12]

Olaf "you base this only on your presumptions"
True in my case. Having experienced a courtroom in the last year and seen incompetent, lying traffic cops flout procedure with impunity, and a judge decide for the plaintif against expert opinion and common sense, my view of the Polish judiciary is a little jaundiced. If your friends got a good result without having to go to court, good for them.

Law / Are Car Damage by Pothole Claims in Poland Possible? [12]

Harry "111zl very possibly well spent."
I so regret not having had one. I was t-boned by a mad old lady whose story changed with every telling. An idiot could see what had happened. I lost thousands and plenty of peace of mind. The worst of it is that the cops just went back to work.

Life / Why are Polish so conservative and religious? [240]

Jon "Are these students?"
Yes, first years.

Law / Are Car Damage by Pothole Claims in Poland Possible? [12]

Good advice. I've just checked out the cameras on Allegro. Is the one you pictured one you recommend or was it just an example? Allegro has them for as little as 59PLN.

Travel / Camping holiday - Mazurian lakes and Bieszczady mountains [6]

My wife and I were in the Bieszczady mountains for the May holiday. It was absolutely gorgeous. We stayed at a trout farm for 100 PLN/night and ate like Lord's bastards. There was a blues festival on at a nearby inn, where we drank bottles of wine for 50PLN and shared a table with some famous old rockers (inc.drummer from Dzem). Camping is all well and good if you're the hardy type and don't mind sleeping on the ground after a day's hiking, but I'd recommend staying in a hotel or guesthouse. You could, of course, combine the two.

Travel / Camping holiday - Mazurian lakes and Bieszczady mountains [6]

Przysłup, Bieszczady. Dom Pstrąga is to the right of this inn.

• 
  May2014_013.jpg
  

Law / Are Car Damage by Pothole Claims in Poland Possible? [12]

Thanks, Harry.

Travel / Camping holiday - Mazurian lakes and Bieszczady mountains [6]

We were there for only three days so we didn't do much exploring, just a long hike on the second day. This site gives more information on the region than I ever could.

en.poland.gov.pl/Bieszczady,National,Park,8312.html

Work / Finding English teaching jobs in Poland [19]

You can stop wasting your time looking now. It's the worst time of the year. Why Warsaw? Try smaller cities and towns from late August. You'll have a much better chance. Bear in mind that there are now excellent Polish teachers with lots of experience, so a first year teacher is likely to be offered poor pay. If I were you, I'd go to the Far East. Twenty-odd years ago, when I started in EFL, I was prepared to go anywhere to get work. China is the place to be for people in your situation in my opinion.

Work / Finding English teaching jobs in Poland [19]

Doug "Maybe [s]he doesn't want to go to China"
It was a suggestion, not an order.
"Plenty of work out there."It's really that simple."
Really? Come on, give the lass some advice. It's not simple at all.

szenoa, Warsaw, as you know, is expensive. A small school in a small city would suit you better than a soulless franchise in the capital. If you really want to stay here, explore the regions. There are beautiful places here that need people to teach English in their tourist infrastructure. They may not be party central during the winter, but you'd live more easily and probably enjoy life more than in Warsaw.

News / Has the mainstream media in Poland made too much of what 17 year old school girl said to premier Tusk [41]

When this happened I asked my wife and other educated Poles about this term of abuse. The unanimous consensus opinion agreed with what Jon has said. WielkiPolak, you are wrong. Suck it up.

Travel / Ryanair flying domestic in Poland? [46]

I'll be flying with Ryanair from Modlin to Bristol in July with no seat reservation and only a carry on bag. How worried should I be?

News / Has the mainstream media in Poland made too much of what 17 year old school girl said to premier Tusk [41]

WP"I wonder if the people you spoke to didn't like Kaczynski? If that is the case, then they would be saying that, wouldn't they?"

That may be how you work, but the friends I mention are educated and have no axe to grind. As a matter of fact they didn't particularly like him, but they wouldn't have let that colour their opinion. Intelligent people know how to separate personal dislike from objective analysis.

"Also, do these people you asked speak English fluently?"
Oh, yes.

Travel / Ryanair flying domestic in Poland? [46]

I intend to take every precaution. I read their pilots have to pay for their drinking water. Do they charge for the loo yet?

Work / Finding English teaching jobs in Poland [19]

It's a pity you have such a low opinion of my profession, Dominic. While it's true that I have never made a great deal of money, I have made a decent living and have got great satisfaction from my work.

szenoa. If you love teaching, stick at it. You'll never get rich, but I guess you knew that already, didn't you.

Travel / Ryanair flying domestic in Poland? [46]

Jon "Also think about reserving a seat."
Why? I've got a ticket, and by sod's law I'm bound to be between the whiffy fat guy and the screming baby even if I pay the extra.

Travel / Ryanair flying domestic in Poland? [46]

You talked me into it! 48PLN for a forward aisle seat both ways. Cheers, Jon.

News / Polish Pope, John Paul II has been canonized today [with John 23rd] [85]

"that wears completely faaaaabulouuuuuus shiny colorful gowns and funny hats. this is evidence of someone SERIOUSLY conflicted in their sexuality."

To be fair, the clothes most priests wear couldn't be more drab. It is, however, a global disgrace that the Church covered up child abuse comitted by its clergy for decades, if not centuries. Even the most rabid Radio Maryja Polish Catholic can't deny that the Vatican has accepted that fact. Then again, Rydzyks's people are loyal to him first and the Vatican a distant second.

UK, Ireland / Polish plane almost kills off UKIP leader Nigel Farage in 2010. [24]

Jon
"the pilot was never the same again"
Topped himself last December.

UK, Ireland / Polish plane almost kills off UKIP leader Nigel Farage in 2010. [24]

Neither.