scottie1113
17 Oct 2016
Travel / £1 - 4.73 Polish Zloty [7]
You voted for Brexit? The decline in the pound was inevitable. Stew in your own juices.
You voted for Brexit? The decline in the pound was inevitable. Stew in your own juices.
scottie1113
26 Dec 2015
Work / Authenticity of offer in Poland (admin / cashier vacancies in shopping malls) [10]
No. And nobody provides free food and accommodation.
No. And nobody provides free food and accommodation.
scottie1113
4 Dec 2015
Life / Is it common for Polish people to speak English in Poland? [122]
Absolutely not true. I've been teaching English in a private language school in Gdansk for eight and a half years and during this time I have had only three students tell me that they prefer British English to American English. The others tell me that American English is easier to understand because of the difference in pronunciation between the two. That makes sense, as they watch American movies and TV series and listen to American music.
A few years ago we had a new teacher from Dover whose accent was so strong that even I had a hard time understanding her. Her students couldn't understand her at all. I was her mentor. During the first few days of working together, she told me that I didn't speak English, only American, and that the only true English was British.That's just wrong. What good does it do to speak "real" English when nobody can understand you?
I'm not biased. I'm just reporting my experience.
IME most Polish people are more interested in learning proper English than "American"...:)
Absolutely not true. I've been teaching English in a private language school in Gdansk for eight and a half years and during this time I have had only three students tell me that they prefer British English to American English. The others tell me that American English is easier to understand because of the difference in pronunciation between the two. That makes sense, as they watch American movies and TV series and listen to American music.
A few years ago we had a new teacher from Dover whose accent was so strong that even I had a hard time understanding her. Her students couldn't understand her at all. I was her mentor. During the first few days of working together, she told me that I didn't speak English, only American, and that the only true English was British.That's just wrong. What good does it do to speak "real" English when nobody can understand you?
I'm not biased. I'm just reporting my experience.
scottie1113
7 Sep 2015
Law / Laundromats in Poland? Good business venture or not? [90]
Laundromats might be OK but all the flats I've been in here in Gdansk already have washing machines.
Laundromats might be OK but all the flats I've been in here in Gdansk already have washing machines.
scottie1113
27 Jul 2015
Life / How much money should I save to move to Poland? [17]
The the three flats I have rented here were both fully furnished.
The the three flats I have rented here were both fully furnished.
scottie1113
9 Jun 2015
Food / Where to go for the best steak in Warsaw? [77]
These steaks aren't from Poland. They're not chewy, just tender. I don't have a broiler in my oven so I pan fry them in butter over a little heat on the stove. Flavor to your taste. You'll like them.
These steaks aren't from Poland. They're not chewy, just tender. I don't have a broiler in my oven so I pan fry them in butter over a little heat on the stove. Flavor to your taste. You'll like them.
scottie1113
8 Jun 2015
Food / Where to go for the best steak in Warsaw? [77]
I went to Biedronka yesterday for the stek kruchy. They didn't have any so I bought two antrykot packaged by Beef Master. Thick and marbled, they were even better then the stek kruchy. Try, and enjoy.
I went to Biedronka yesterday for the stek kruchy. They didn't have any so I bought two antrykot packaged by Beef Master. Thick and marbled, they were even better then the stek kruchy. Try, and enjoy.
scottie1113
24 May 2015
Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]
My basic mistake? ? Not at all. In eight years here, I have only communicated with students or their parents who speak English. Handicap? Not at all. I have or have had many "high-quality" students. My Polish is good enough to communicate with any prospective students or their parents, but since I don't/won't teach children, that's a moot point. They come to me-I don't advertise-because they want to improve their English, not speak Polish. I don't have enough free time in my schedule to accommodate all the requests I have, and they have all come in English.
You're just wrong to maintain this position, even for the OP, who isn't going to get any private students in his first year.
My basic mistake? ? Not at all. In eight years here, I have only communicated with students or their parents who speak English. Handicap? Not at all. I have or have had many "high-quality" students. My Polish is good enough to communicate with any prospective students or their parents, but since I don't/won't teach children, that's a moot point. They come to me-I don't advertise-because they want to improve their English, not speak Polish. I don't have enough free time in my schedule to accommodate all the requests I have, and they have all come in English.
You're just wrong to maintain this position, even for the OP, who isn't going to get any private students in his first year.
scottie1113
23 May 2015
Work / Advice on Teaching English in Poland [709]
DominicB, why did you tell Capetonian that it would be hard to build up a clientele of private students without being able to speak Polish? While I agree with you that it would be hard to do in his/her first year here, I don't see that speaking or not speaking Polish would make any difference. I don't speak Polish with my prospective students. They come to me for English lessons, not conversations in Polish. Just curious.
DominicB, why did you tell Capetonian that it would be hard to build up a clientele of private students without being able to speak Polish? While I agree with you that it would be hard to do in his/her first year here, I don't see that speaking or not speaking Polish would make any difference. I don't speak Polish with my prospective students. They come to me for English lessons, not conversations in Polish. Just curious.
scottie1113
12 Apr 2015
Travel / Visiting Gdansk - looking for ex-pat bars... [21]
Not too many of us Americans in Gdansk, but you might try the American Corner on Monday nights.
Not too many of us Americans in Gdansk, but you might try the American Corner on Monday nights.
scottie1113
4 Apr 2015
scottie1113
25 Feb 2015
Language / Problems Polish People Have with Learning English [63]
I have no idea what grammatics is.
The three most common mistakes made by Polish students are:
1. Articles
2. Verb tenses and forms.
3. Vocabulary
The two most mispronounced words are photography and photographer.
I have no idea what grammatics is.
The three most common mistakes made by Polish students are:
1. Articles
2. Verb tenses and forms.
3. Vocabulary
The two most mispronounced words are photography and photographer.
scottie1113
20 Feb 2015
News / SKM and surcharges - Fast Local Trains in Tri-City, Poland [25]
Because you can buy a ticket online with a smart phone, and many users will do that up to the point of pressing the buy button until they see a conductor on the train. Otherwise they ride for free. SKM is wise to this now and they can check the time of purchase. A friend of mine did this. Having purchased but not validated his ticket, he boarded, took a seat and then validated the ticket. A conductor saw him do it. Result-a 100 zl fine.
Do what Harry suggested. Buy a few tickets at a time. If you can't be bothered to validate one before boarding (I really can't believe that you're so resistant to this.) , walk to the front of the train and have it validated there.
You're making a mountain out of a molehill. Grow up, son.
Why do you have to validate your ticket before you get a train?
Because you can buy a ticket online with a smart phone, and many users will do that up to the point of pressing the buy button until they see a conductor on the train. Otherwise they ride for free. SKM is wise to this now and they can check the time of purchase. A friend of mine did this. Having purchased but not validated his ticket, he boarded, took a seat and then validated the ticket. A conductor saw him do it. Result-a 100 zl fine.
Do what Harry suggested. Buy a few tickets at a time. If you can't be bothered to validate one before boarding (I really can't believe that you're so resistant to this.) , walk to the front of the train and have it validated there.
You're making a mountain out of a molehill. Grow up, son.
scottie1113
17 Jan 2015
Travel / Is there an event or where we can try out free food in Poland? [4]
I've never heard of one and I've been here for 7 1/2 years. Maybe somebody else knows.
I've never heard of one and I've been here for 7 1/2 years. Maybe somebody else knows.
scottie1113
18 Nov 2014
Study / British Council CELTA in Krakow, how would you rate it? [60]
Is it the full time course or their online one?
Is it the full time course or their online one?
scottie1113
18 Nov 2014
Law / Poland's green card for American, and citizenship question [16]
That happened to an American friend of mine who was trying to get a karta pobytu-residency card. He was self employed but couldn't get a work permit based on that. He finally left Poland after 18 months.
Another American wasn't so lucky. He was deported for working without a work permit. Both had their own companies here. It's not as easy or as logical as you think. Good luck.
If I am contributing a lot of money and jobs to the economy and society in Poland....they would be crazy NOT to give me citizenship.
That happened to an American friend of mine who was trying to get a karta pobytu-residency card. He was self employed but couldn't get a work permit based on that. He finally left Poland after 18 months.
Another American wasn't so lucky. He was deported for working without a work permit. Both had their own companies here. It's not as easy or as logical as you think. Good luck.
scottie1113
12 Nov 2014
Travel / Christmas Fair in Gdańsk - worth visiting? [6]
I've been living in Gdansk for seven years. The Christmas Fair is small and nothing special. Come to Gdansk to visit Gdansk. You'll only spend an hour or so at the Fair, but there are a lot of other things worth doing and seeing here.
I've been living in Gdansk for seven years. The Christmas Fair is small and nothing special. Come to Gdansk to visit Gdansk. You'll only spend an hour or so at the Fair, but there are a lot of other things worth doing and seeing here.
scottie1113
10 Sep 2014
Travel / How much will taxi/bus or train from Gdansk airport to Slupsk cost? [16]
I did this on Monday. Cost was 3.60 zl.
Or take a bus from Gdańsk Port Lotniczy to Gdańsk Dworzec Główny (cost not more than 10pln time 0,5h)
I did this on Monday. Cost was 3.60 zl.
scottie1113
31 Jul 2014
Language / Problems Polish People Have with Learning English [63]
add to that verb forms (he speak) and tenses, especially conditionals and past perfect
Articles, pronouns, prepositions and pronunciation of 'th' sounds.
add to that verb forms (he speak) and tenses, especially conditionals and past perfect
scottie1113
27 Jul 2014
Food / What's your favorite Polish beer? [870]
Since Lamus opened about 3 years ago, it's become my favorite. Great people, great beer and it's only 70 meters from my flat. What's not to like? I've only been to Absinthe twice in the past year.
From memory Scottie prefers Absinthe to multi-tap bars.
Since Lamus opened about 3 years ago, it's become my favorite. Great people, great beer and it's only 70 meters from my flat. What's not to like? I've only been to Absinthe twice in the past year.
scottie1113
25 Jul 2014
Food / What's your favorite Polish beer? [870]
Rowing Jack is good, but Atak Chmielu and Imperium Atakuje by the Pinta brewery are much better if you like hoppy beer.
Rowing Jack is good, but Atak Chmielu and Imperium Atakuje by the Pinta brewery are much better if you like hoppy beer.
scottie1113
6 Jun 2014
scottie1113
20 Mar 2014
Love / Will I end up with a Polish man? [3]
bizz, it's bear with me. Bare with me has an entirely different meaning. :)
so bare with me lol
bizz, it's bear with me. Bare with me has an entirely different meaning. :)
scottie1113
18 Mar 2014
scottie1113
14 Mar 2014
Classifieds / Language exchange group, Tricity [60]
I'm still interested. I teach English at a private language school in Gdansk and my only free hours are in the morning on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Old Town locations are best for me as I live and work there.
I'm still interested. I teach English at a private language school in Gdansk and my only free hours are in the morning on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Old Town locations are best for me as I live and work there.
scottie1113
5 Mar 2014
Law / Query concerning long-term Residency Card for non-EU Citizen [4]
I'm also an American who has been here for 6 1/2 years with a karta pobytu valid until October 2015. I'm going to apply for a permanent card soon. As I understand it, I/you need to provide proof of our/your financial ability to live in Poland even if you don't have a work permit or a job. There may be more to it than that-married to a Polish citizen, for example-but I don't think so.My school told me to apply after receiving my current car, which I got last month, so after I file my taxes-PIT 37-I'm going to do jujst that.
I'm also an American who has been here for 6 1/2 years with a karta pobytu valid until October 2015. I'm going to apply for a permanent card soon. As I understand it, I/you need to provide proof of our/your financial ability to live in Poland even if you don't have a work permit or a job. There may be more to it than that-married to a Polish citizen, for example-but I don't think so.My school told me to apply after receiving my current car, which I got last month, so after I file my taxes-PIT 37-I'm going to do jujst that.
scottie1113
4 Feb 2014
Law / Is there a difference between karta pobytu and Europa card? [15]
Nor did I,and they never found me at home. What a surprise! They finally went to my school while I was teaching and accepted my director's statement that I wasn't a criminal. Oh, if only she knew. :)
I just got my new karta pobytu, my fourth in my 6 1/2 years here. Not once have I had a visit from the police.
Nor did I,and they never found me at home. What a surprise! They finally went to my school while I was teaching and accepted my director's statement that I wasn't a criminal. Oh, if only she knew. :)
I just got my new karta pobytu, my fourth in my 6 1/2 years here. Not once have I had a visit from the police.
scottie1113
29 Nov 2013
News / Poland to sign FATCA, USA will get information about bank accounts [67]
And it won't be until less than 10% of Poles going to the US quit overstaying their visas. Blame it on your countrymen, not the US. It's that simple.
And it won't be until less than 10% of Poles going to the US quit overstaying their visas. Blame it on your countrymen, not the US. It's that simple.
scottie1113
29 Nov 2013
USA, Canada / Polish or American Education? [180]
Balderdash. Complete ignorance of contemporary reality. But that's what I expect from PF these days.
Balderdash. Complete ignorance of contemporary reality. But that's what I expect from PF these days.
scottie1113
10 Nov 2013
Food / Prices of decent Polish Vodka in Poland? [15]
The vodka seems ridiculously overpriced, the Scotch only a little so.
The vodka seems ridiculously overpriced, the Scotch only a little so.