Switezianka
9 Jun 2009
News / 20 YEARS ON A BETTER POLAND -- ALSO BETTER POLES? [21]
290th?
Better look it up
In recent days much has been said and written in Poland about the 290th anniversary of free Poland
290th?
Better look it up
Switezianka
7 Jun 2009
Food / What's your favorite Polish beer? [870]
Ciechan Miodowe is awesome. I tried some other honey beer (it was a dark one), but it was much too sweet; honey Ciechan is just right and still tastes like beer.
Also, yesterday, I tried Ciechan Porter and it's great, too. This one, for a change is quite bitter; it's got a very rich aroma, so the bitterness is just a part of the composition (unlike in just bitter mass-produced lagers). If you like Ciechan, you should try their Porter - I promise, it's not a girly beer like Miodowe.
I must try out all other Ciechans now.
Finally, there's some good, traditional stuff in the shops. I think it started being distributed all over Poland quite recently.
Ciechan Miodowe is awesome. I tried some other honey beer (it was a dark one), but it was much too sweet; honey Ciechan is just right and still tastes like beer.
Also, yesterday, I tried Ciechan Porter and it's great, too. This one, for a change is quite bitter; it's got a very rich aroma, so the bitterness is just a part of the composition (unlike in just bitter mass-produced lagers). If you like Ciechan, you should try their Porter - I promise, it's not a girly beer like Miodowe.
I must try out all other Ciechans now.
Finally, there's some good, traditional stuff in the shops. I think it started being distributed all over Poland quite recently.
Switezianka
7 Jun 2009
News / What's the stupidest question asked about Poland? [414]
Yeah, that's better. LOL, I didn't even know the word 'anserine'.
Let it by all and sundry foreign nations be known that Poles speak not Anserine but a tongue of their own."
Yeah, that's better. LOL, I didn't even know the word 'anserine'.
Switezianka
6 Jun 2009
News / What's the stupidest question asked about Poland? [414]
??????
Are people really that ignorant that they can't tell a political union from a continent?
And what, do they think e.g. Moscow is in Asia?
Niechaj narodowie wżdy postronni znają, iż Polacy, nie gęsi, iż swój język mają! (May all the other nations know that the Poles have not the language of geese but of their own - Mikołaj Rej, Renaissance writer).
And to be serious I don't see any reason why foreigner should recognize the sound of Polish language, but it's really an ignorance not to know, especially for a European, that there some Polish language in Poland. Polish is not one of 300 languages spoken in an African country with a former colonizer's lang. is he official one.
people generally associate Europe with the EU.
??????
Are people really that ignorant that they can't tell a political union from a continent?
And what, do they think e.g. Moscow is in Asia?
Now of course I and most educated people would have known the Polish people speak 'Polish' but its not surprising that a lot might not as they had no exposure to the language or pupulace.
Niechaj narodowie wżdy postronni znają, iż Polacy, nie gęsi, iż swój język mają! (May all the other nations know that the Poles have not the language of geese but of their own - Mikołaj Rej, Renaissance writer).
And to be serious I don't see any reason why foreigner should recognize the sound of Polish language, but it's really an ignorance not to know, especially for a European, that there some Polish language in Poland. Polish is not one of 300 languages spoken in an African country with a former colonizer's lang. is he official one.
Switezianka
6 Jun 2009
News / What's the stupidest question asked about Poland? [414]
So what? What does EU have to do with it, anyway? We already were in Europe 900 years before the idea of EU emerged.
Before 1989 travelling was restricted, but after it there was no problem obtaining a passport. Polish people have travelled freely all over the world for 20 years. What changed after EU accession was the time of crossing the boarders - before EU, you needed a little customs clearance, and now you just wave your ID and go.
Hmmm...
As far as I know, during the 80s, there was a lot of stuff about Wałęsa in international media. And, of course, there was the pope.
Well, I don't have access to Korean culture and entertainment, neither have I met any Korean tourist crossing the Polish boarder freely, but I know that in Korea they speak Korean and not, e.g. Chinese.
Well, Belarus had never been an independent country until 1918; then, after a year or two, it became a part of the Soviet Union and regained its independence only after the fall of Soviet Union. Poland started being an independent country in 966. After a few hundred years, it lost its independence and regained it the same year that Belarus declared its independence for the first time. And since then, it has never been incorporated to any other country. So if one thinks that the status of Poland as an independent country is the same as Belarus, then one is just very ignorant about the European history. Stable, independent Belarus is something new in Europe, while Poland has been there for some time.
What do you think, people of PRL didn't party? Of course there were discos! Maybe they weren't always as cool as the Western but in those times nothing was as cool. You have a strange idea about Poland before the fall of communism. We even had a big rock festival in PRL in the 80s, mainly associated with punk today.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jarocin_Festival
Afterall Poland only entered the EU 5 years ago, although listening to some here one would think Poland was one of its founders.
So what? What does EU have to do with it, anyway? We already were in Europe 900 years before the idea of EU emerged.
very few European people even met a Polish person nevermind heard what dialect they used.
Before 1989 travelling was restricted, but after it there was no problem obtaining a passport. Polish people have travelled freely all over the world for 20 years. What changed after EU accession was the time of crossing the boarders - before EU, you needed a little customs clearance, and now you just wave your ID and go.
There are no notable Polish people in the international media,
Hmmm...
As far as I know, during the 80s, there was a lot of stuff about Wałęsa in international media. And, of course, there was the pope.
none in entertainment etc and Polish culture etc wasnt known so its to be expected that a lot of the world knew nothing about you, or your language.
Well, I don't have access to Korean culture and entertainment, neither have I met any Korean tourist crossing the Polish boarder freely, but I know that in Korea they speak Korean and not, e.g. Chinese.
You must remember that until very recently Poland was considered along the same lines as Belarus internationaly, you still have a lot of catching up to do in peoples minds
Well, Belarus had never been an independent country until 1918; then, after a year or two, it became a part of the Soviet Union and regained its independence only after the fall of Soviet Union. Poland started being an independent country in 966. After a few hundred years, it lost its independence and regained it the same year that Belarus declared its independence for the first time. And since then, it has never been incorporated to any other country. So if one thinks that the status of Poland as an independent country is the same as Belarus, then one is just very ignorant about the European history. Stable, independent Belarus is something new in Europe, while Poland has been there for some time.
20 years ago you had no 'discos',
What do you think, people of PRL didn't party? Of course there were discos! Maybe they weren't always as cool as the Western but in those times nothing was as cool. You have a strange idea about Poland before the fall of communism. We even had a big rock festival in PRL in the 80s, mainly associated with punk today.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jarocin_Festival
Switezianka
30 May 2009
Language / Problems Polish People Have with Learning English [63]
Main problems:
-articles - Polish doesn't have any
-constructions with perfective aspect - no equivalent in Polish. You can either translate the so-called 'Present Perfect' into present or past tense.
-th and ng sounds
-words ending with voiced sounds. Instead of 'eggs' most Poles say 'axe' and instead of 'and' - 'ant', and so on
-phrasal verbs
Main problems:
-articles - Polish doesn't have any
-constructions with perfective aspect - no equivalent in Polish. You can either translate the so-called 'Present Perfect' into present or past tense.
-th and ng sounds
-words ending with voiced sounds. Instead of 'eggs' most Poles say 'axe' and instead of 'and' - 'ant', and so on
-phrasal verbs
Switezianka
25 May 2009
Language / Free and accurate Online Polish-English / English-Polish translator? [49]
There are no accurate online translators. Accurate electronic translators are, so far, science fiction. We are not enough technologically advanced to create a program, that would understand human language, and without understanding a sentence, you cannot translate it. To choose how to translate each word, you must understand its context - and that is something computers can't do yet.
So, just forget it!
There are no accurate online translators. Accurate electronic translators are, so far, science fiction. We are not enough technologically advanced to create a program, that would understand human language, and without understanding a sentence, you cannot translate it. To choose how to translate each word, you must understand its context - and that is something computers can't do yet.
So, just forget it!
Switezianka
22 Feb 2009
Genealogy / Why Polish aren't white?? [272]
It just reminded me of a cartoon in one of my school handbooks:
A black couple wearing some kind of traditional African clothes is standing in front of a clerk in a Polish office. The woman is holding a baby (as black as the parents). The clerk says (in a balloon): "Well, if you both have got Polish citizenship, it means Makumba is Polish, too".
It just reminded me of a cartoon in one of my school handbooks:
A black couple wearing some kind of traditional African clothes is standing in front of a clerk in a Polish office. The woman is holding a baby (as black as the parents). The clerk says (in a balloon): "Well, if you both have got Polish citizenship, it means Makumba is Polish, too".
Switezianka
22 Feb 2009
Life / Tribute to Stanisław Lem - recommended books to read? [13]
Hard to say... I really liked "Niezwyciężony" and "Solaris", but everything he writes is just great.
Hard to say... I really liked "Niezwyciężony" and "Solaris", but everything he writes is just great.
Switezianka
14 Jan 2009
Work / What jobs pay 10,000 zlotych per month? and Where can i find one? :o) [101]
But such people don't look for job where they're paid 10 minimum wages...
Why do Polish people who don't speak English want jobs in England?
But such people don't look for job where they're paid 10 minimum wages...
Switezianka
21 Dec 2008
Language / Chodzic versus Isc. When and why? [18]
to put it simply
chodzić: to go
iść: to be going
Chodzę do fryzjera - I go to the hairdresser's.
Idę do fryzjera - I'm going to the hairdresser's.
to put it simply
chodzić: to go
iść: to be going
Chodzę do fryzjera - I go to the hairdresser's.
Idę do fryzjera - I'm going to the hairdresser's.
Switezianka
13 Dec 2008
Life / Polish and Slavic Art [48]
more or less:
In 1800 prince Adam Jerzy Czartoryski bought the painting and gave it as a present to his mother, Izabela Czartoryska. It was on display in the Gothic House in Puławy. During the November Uprising it was taken to Paris. In the end of the 19th cent., circa 1880 it was brought to Kraków to the Czartosyski Muzeum that was founded there. In 1939 the painting was stolen by the German occupants and it served as a decoration in the Wawel residence of Hans Frank, next, it was taken to Germany, from where, in 1946, it was again brought back to Kraków.
How did Krakow end up with a Leonardo Da Vinci?
more or less:
In 1800 prince Adam Jerzy Czartoryski bought the painting and gave it as a present to his mother, Izabela Czartoryska. It was on display in the Gothic House in Puławy. During the November Uprising it was taken to Paris. In the end of the 19th cent., circa 1880 it was brought to Kraków to the Czartosyski Muzeum that was founded there. In 1939 the painting was stolen by the German occupants and it served as a decoration in the Wawel residence of Hans Frank, next, it was taken to Germany, from where, in 1946, it was again brought back to Kraków.
Switezianka
13 Dec 2008
Life / Polish and Slavic Art [48]
Oh, yeah, I spend quite a lot of time in the museum, sitting in front of the original and staring at it in amazement. Here, the size matters!
A great painting.
Oh, yeah, I spend quite a lot of time in the museum, sitting in front of the original and staring at it in amazement. Here, the size matters!
A great painting.
Switezianka
13 Dec 2008
Switezianka
30 Nov 2008
Life / Importance of Religion in Poland [187]
Why would they give up?
And they tell you about it? :):):) They haven`t given up yet? :):):)
They must be people of great enduring faith.
They must be people of great enduring faith.
Why would they give up?
Switezianka
29 Nov 2008
Life / Importance of Religion in Poland [187]
There are many religious people who actually can say why they follow this or that religion. This is how you can tell someone deeply religious and conscious of their choices from someone who blindly follows some rituals and repeats phrases they don't understand.
Have you ever talked to a Jehovah Witness? Each of them can give you a whole lecture on why they follow this faith.
That view is closer to agnostic than Catholic.
As far as description is concerned, most Christians describe God as merciful, almighty, just, all-knowing, full of love, wise etc.
There's no need - they willingly talk about it without asking.
There are many religious people who actually can say why they follow this or that religion. This is how you can tell someone deeply religious and conscious of their choices from someone who blindly follows some rituals and repeats phrases they don't understand.
You are expecting answers about faith from other people, but it is in vain.
Have you ever talked to a Jehovah Witness? Each of them can give you a whole lecture on why they follow this faith.
Can you define God? Can you describe God? No, you can`t.
That view is closer to agnostic than Catholic.
As far as description is concerned, most Christians describe God as merciful, almighty, just, all-knowing, full of love, wise etc.
Do you go to other forums and ask people: Why are you Buddhist?? What is Jewish faith?
There's no need - they willingly talk about it without asking.
Switezianka
29 Nov 2008
Life / Importance of Religion in Poland [187]
Embarrassing especially to the Catholic asked, who doesn't know the answer.
Embarrassing especially to the Catholic asked, who doesn't know the answer.
Switezianka
15 Nov 2008
Study / American Muslim girl thinking to go to Medical school in Poland... [87]
I live in £ódź and I'm a goth, so I know where and how people react to individuals who dress different. I have several years' experience in standing out in Poland; I also know other people who look different and their experiences.
I even don't dress in a shocking way (usually). I used to wear more fancy clothes, but now I've got tired of it. People sometimes get at me just because I wear a big hat or a long black coat. You don't need much to attract attention and provoke aggression.
I've never paraded in traditional Muslim clothing but I know one thing: the more you stand out, the more irritating the taunts get. It's something one can't cope with, but it might be a bit of a culture shock for someone who comes from a multicultural society. That's why I'm writing about it.
I live in £ódź and I'm a goth, so I know where and how people react to individuals who dress different. I have several years' experience in standing out in Poland; I also know other people who look different and their experiences.
I even don't dress in a shocking way (usually). I used to wear more fancy clothes, but now I've got tired of it. People sometimes get at me just because I wear a big hat or a long black coat. You don't need much to attract attention and provoke aggression.
I've never paraded in traditional Muslim clothing but I know one thing: the more you stand out, the more irritating the taunts get. It's something one can't cope with, but it might be a bit of a culture shock for someone who comes from a multicultural society. That's why I'm writing about it.
Switezianka
15 Nov 2008
Switezianka
15 Nov 2008
Study / American Muslim girl thinking to go to Medical school in Poland... [87]
Or to Limanka, Koziny, Widzew or any other blokowisko in £ódź.
You won't have problems unless You plan on going for excursion in small towns alone :D
Or to Limanka, Koziny, Widzew or any other blokowisko in £ódź.
Switezianka
15 Nov 2008
Study / American Muslim girl thinking to go to Medical school in Poland... [87]
Natural? I can't see any justification for verbal abuse or taunts just because someone looks different. It's natural to pay attention or to peep at somebody who looks interesting, but people don't limit themselves to staring.
I'd like to see more 'martians' in Polish streets. What I love about UK cities was the fact that people wear whatever they want in the streets - alternative fashion, ethnic clothing; Pakistani women with their beautiful colourful gowns, traditional African clothes, anything, Muslim women in burkahs - and nobody pays attention. In Poland it's enough to wear a hat to provoke taunts.
Natural? I can't see any justification for verbal abuse or taunts just because someone looks different. It's natural to pay attention or to peep at somebody who looks interesting, but people don't limit themselves to staring.
I'd like to see more 'martians' in Polish streets. What I love about UK cities was the fact that people wear whatever they want in the streets - alternative fashion, ethnic clothing; Pakistani women with their beautiful colourful gowns, traditional African clothes, anything, Muslim women in burkahs - and nobody pays attention. In Poland it's enough to wear a hat to provoke taunts.
Switezianka
14 Nov 2008
Study / American Muslim girl thinking to go to Medical school in Poland... [87]
There might be a problem. Not at Medical Uni, where idiots have no access, but in the streets, shops etc. - it can be irritating. There aren't too many non-white people in Poland, so you're going to attract attention, anyway; and people can be very rude to people who wear clothes that are different from average. So you must be prepared to be stared at, called names etc.
I live in £ódź, so if you've got any specific questions, PM me.
AFRICAN American
Yes, I wear traditional Islamic clothing (headscarf, skirts, and or long dress shirts and pants).
There might be a problem. Not at Medical Uni, where idiots have no access, but in the streets, shops etc. - it can be irritating. There aren't too many non-white people in Poland, so you're going to attract attention, anyway; and people can be very rude to people who wear clothes that are different from average. So you must be prepared to be stared at, called names etc.
I live in £ódź, so if you've got any specific questions, PM me.
Switezianka
14 Nov 2008
Study / American Muslim girl thinking to go to Medical school in Poland... [87]
I don't think you're going to have to deal with skinhead idiots while going to med school.
But if you happen to dress too different from the crowd, people are going to accost you or shout out stupid comments about you in the streets. The best thing to do is to ignore them.
Do you wear a kerchief or any traditional clothes?
I don't think you're going to have to deal with skinhead idiots while going to med school.
But if you happen to dress too different from the crowd, people are going to accost you or shout out stupid comments about you in the streets. The best thing to do is to ignore them.
Do you wear a kerchief or any traditional clothes?
Switezianka
2 Nov 2008
UK, Ireland / Hand washing at public toilets in the UK [75]
Yeah, it can kill you. Ever heard about this?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immune_system
Gosh I wouldnt wash my hands in a public toilet anywhere if you paid me to, its very dangerous,
Yeah, it can kill you. Ever heard about this?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immune_system
Switezianka
26 Oct 2008
Life / POLISH YOUTH compared to the youth in other Western countries? [57]
Can't you really see the stupidity of your question? Let me enlighten you: the only thing that all Polish youth have in common are nationality and young age. In all other respects they present various features, they come from differents backgrounds, have different attitudes and lifestyles. Some are begging for money for drugs on train stations, others have never seen drugs in their lives. Some find a new partner in a disco and have sex with them in the loo every Saturday, and some stay virgins until marriage. In some backgrounds some of these behaviours are considered normal, in some - unacceptable. So asking about Polish youth as a whole is stupid.
Typical Polak attitude. Who pissed in your cornflakes?
Can't you really see the stupidity of your question? Let me enlighten you: the only thing that all Polish youth have in common are nationality and young age. In all other respects they present various features, they come from differents backgrounds, have different attitudes and lifestyles. Some are begging for money for drugs on train stations, others have never seen drugs in their lives. Some find a new partner in a disco and have sex with them in the loo every Saturday, and some stay virgins until marriage. In some backgrounds some of these behaviours are considered normal, in some - unacceptable. So asking about Polish youth as a whole is stupid.
Switezianka
26 Oct 2008
Switezianka
7 Oct 2008
Switezianka
6 Oct 2008
Life / Disco Polo - No No No No No! [95]
When it was in and a lot of people listened to it, I hated it. But now I have a lot of laugh over it! It's so horrible that it's hard to take it seriously. I like it at parties: this 'music' is perfect for taking the p*ss out of it and having good time.
When it was in and a lot of people listened to it, I hated it. But now I have a lot of laugh over it! It's so horrible that it's hard to take it seriously. I like it at parties: this 'music' is perfect for taking the p*ss out of it and having good time.
Switezianka
24 Sep 2008
Language / WHY IS SMS MASCULINE ANIMATE IN POLISH? [9]
It should be. But the practise is different.
It is an inanimate noun ('cause it is, right?) and it doesn't end with 'a' or 'o' or 'e' or 'ę', so it's masculine.
People use this word not as an acronym but as if it was a 'normal' noun 'esemes'. If it was 'esemes' it would be inanimate masculine. And 'normal' words are more natural in use that acronyms, so in colloquial language people treat it as a 'normal' word.
It should be. But the practise is different.
It is an inanimate noun ('cause it is, right?) and it doesn't end with 'a' or 'o' or 'e' or 'ę', so it's masculine.
People use this word not as an acronym but as if it was a 'normal' noun 'esemes'. If it was 'esemes' it would be inanimate masculine. And 'normal' words are more natural in use that acronyms, so in colloquial language people treat it as a 'normal' word.
Switezianka
23 Sep 2008
Life / School system in Poland? [59]
I can tell you what they are like in liceum:
Polish
Foreign languages (usually English + one other language)
Maths
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Geography
History
Information Technology
WOS (Knowledge about Society) - sounds like Sociology, but it's more about the political and legal system in Poland
Przysposobienie Obronne - (military training?), you learn how to put your gas mask on, some stuff about military service, and later, you learn some first aid
Przedsiębiorczość (Enterprise) - how to set up a business + basics of economy
Physical Education
Religion (i.e. Roman catholic) - a student may not attend if the parents consent
In Gimnazjum it's quite similar, but you don't have Enterprise and PO
I can tell you what they are like in liceum:
Polish
Foreign languages (usually English + one other language)
Maths
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Geography
History
Information Technology
WOS (Knowledge about Society) - sounds like Sociology, but it's more about the political and legal system in Poland
Przysposobienie Obronne - (military training?), you learn how to put your gas mask on, some stuff about military service, and later, you learn some first aid
Przedsiębiorczość (Enterprise) - how to set up a business + basics of economy
Physical Education
Religion (i.e. Roman catholic) - a student may not attend if the parents consent
In Gimnazjum it's quite similar, but you don't have Enterprise and PO