CashCache
25 Jul 2011
Language / How do Poles feel about foreigners learning their language? [105]
I am American and have been to Poland many times over the last several years. I don't speak Polish, but I continue to try and use Polish words and string them together in really ugly sentences. In my experience, Polish people love it when you try to communicate to them in their own language - even if you butcher it in the process. In fact, I once tried to buy ice cream from a little cart in Krakow. She refused to sell it to me until I could say Vanilla correctly. It took me about 5 minutes of trying before I could say "Waniliowy lodi, prosze". Once it came out correctly, I got my lodi and a bunch of people clapping around me. From that point on I promissed myself I would learn Polish.
I'm just getting started again trying to learn. It's hard but it's worth it. We're going again next summer, and I want to talk to friends and family in Polish this next time there.
-Scott
I am American and have been to Poland many times over the last several years. I don't speak Polish, but I continue to try and use Polish words and string them together in really ugly sentences. In my experience, Polish people love it when you try to communicate to them in their own language - even if you butcher it in the process. In fact, I once tried to buy ice cream from a little cart in Krakow. She refused to sell it to me until I could say Vanilla correctly. It took me about 5 minutes of trying before I could say "Waniliowy lodi, prosze". Once it came out correctly, I got my lodi and a bunch of people clapping around me. From that point on I promissed myself I would learn Polish.
I'm just getting started again trying to learn. It's hard but it's worth it. We're going again next summer, and I want to talk to friends and family in Polish this next time there.
-Scott