Posts by enric

enric

16 Aug 2013

Travel / Mobile internet for tourists in Poland? [35]

Harry

Last question ;)

Am I correct to assume I just go to a news stand and ask for a "20zl SIM Play Online Card" from Play, as per their info here:

play.pl/uslugi/doladowania-play-online-na-karte ????

Do I have to do anything else to start using it?

Play doesn't seem to offer an English version of their site and the Google translation of this page is a bit, well, funny so I want to make sure I understand correctly.

enric

16 Aug 2013

Travel / Mobile internet for tourists in Poland? [35]

Gonna be mainly in Warsaw and Krakow... which one would you recommend then?

I'm most interested in Internet traffic (checking maps, googling things, etc.), therefore I look for reliability and good speed connection. If the card also offers calls is a plus, but not required as I'll have Skype.

Where should I get this card?. I'm arriving at Chopin Airport on a week-day at around 14:00... then making my way to Stare Miasto in Warsaw.

Lastly, any idea on which "plan" should I ask for?. I don't want to spend a fortune thought.

Thanks a lot

enric

14 Aug 2013

Travel / Mobile internet for tourists in Poland? [35]

Hi, I'm visiting Poland again in September for 10 days and I'd like if you could clarify (and advice) me on the issue of getting a SIM for mobile Internet.

My telecomms provider (from another EU country) is quoting me 0.45€ per Mb while roaming in Poland (around 2zl) while I've read somewhere that you can get on-the-go cards in Poland which give you 1Gb traffic + SMS + calls for just 15zl. That's nearly 1000 times cheaper than my f**ing provider is quoting me!

If that's so, I have some questions:

1.) Can I, as a tourist -that is no contract no Polish address, etc- get those cards? Where and from which provider?
2.) I assume I'm going to need an ID (passport?) to buy them, won't I?
3.) Is mobile internet reliable in major cities (WAW and KRA)? I supose you'll say yes but what I want to know is the real u/d speed, not the one advertised!

Thank you for your input and any other advice...

PS: ****!, this is the politics forum, can a mod move this post to the correct one ??? Thanks

enric

14 Aug 2013

Life / Temperament of Poles - my observations [23]

Well, maybe things have changed a lot but my experience differs a bit from Matt's. Back in the mid 90's I was working in London for a British multinational which set foot on Poland and I had the privilege to meet and work with some of those Polish colleagues. It was a short project for me I give it to you, but my perception is quite the opposite from Matt's in most issues. I found Poles to be cold at first (most like most Slavics, especially those enduring tough regimes for so long) but very warm once they get to know you. I myself am Mediterranean, hence quite 'friendly' -although I also have my share of bad temper!- and I found most Poles enjoying the "laid back" approach I normally use. Note: "laid back" as in being approachable, open and friendly on a personal level, nothing to do with being strict and professional in the work environment.

While it's true that it took me a while to create a true team spirit, Poles are as capable as any other nationality to work together. But one has admit that the country's individualistic personality is very useful in certain environments. In my case, it was great to see how someone to whom you assigned a responsibility was capable of working on his/her own without asking all the time whether he/she should do this or that as it happens in some other cultures in which individualism is not rooted (or simply, seen as a defect).

One thing I agree with Matt is that Pols are stubborn :)... but I suppose this has to do more with the person than rather the nationality.

Well, these are my five cents!