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Posts by StevD  

Joined: 14 Jul 2016 / Male ♂
Last Post: 5 Aug 2016
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Posts: Total: 5 / In This Archive: 4

Speaks Polish?: Troche

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StevD   
22 Aug 2016
Travel / What is your opinion of Gorzów Wielkopolski? [11]

I have family there. I visited first in the early nineties. My first impressions were that the town seemed a mass of dull, grey concrete with a few old German buildings not in great repair offering some architectural contrast. There was a Russian soldier standing in the market selling whatever he had on him, stripping off as people offered to buy a belt, or his boots etc. The shops in the town centre were mostly old government stores midway through the process of transforming themselves into private businesses and tended to sell everything and anything judging by what was crammed into their windows. I also remember going into a small supermarket that sort of resembled a primitive Aldi. It had soft drinks in all sorts of colours unimaginable back home - blues and greys and even opaque brown - all unrelated to the supposed flavours. A triumph of science over nature.

The overall impression I had of the town was tatty, poor and neglected. I sort of liked it.

The thing that really stood out was amid all the drab local shops stood a branch of Benetton. Prices for their unremarkable knitwear was the same as in the west, i.e. upwards of £100 for a jumper. Ridiculous considering the average wage at the time. I doubt it sold a single item ever as the few Poles who could afford one would not be seen dead in Gorzów considering how close Poznan is relatively speaking.

More recently, the town featured in a TV programme in the UK about the rise of right-wing thugs in Europe. It seemed that there were large numbers of skinheads targeting ethnic minorities, whether immigrants or homegrown and particularly those in the company of local girls.
StevD   
3 Aug 2016
Language / Learn Polish or Russian [86]

Russian is only the world's eighth most spoken language and shrinking. French and Spanish are showing the most growth.
StevD   
31 Jul 2016
UK, Ireland / Dual nationality: British and Polish [68]

It is not as simple as applying in the nearest Polish consulate for citizenship if you have Polish parents. Due to a change of the law in Poland, while the consulate will accept your initial application, all replies from the relevant authorities in Poland will only be made to an address in Poland. This was done to ease the workload of the consulates. Furthermore, no certificates etc will be sent abroad or via the consulates. If you don't have contacts in Poland to act as go-betweens then the process is anything but straightforward.
StevD   
14 Jul 2016
UK, Ireland / Dual nationality: British and Polish [68]

I am also looking into acquiring a Polish passport via my parents who were Polish. I would be grateful if dolnoslask could also PM me some tips as to how he did it.