How to Politely Refuse a Drink in Poland

I think if you say that you can't drink due a health problems no one would be offended. For example in it's normal that if someone is driving a car doesn't drink and no one urges.

This is probably the best way, just say you're driving and that should be the end of it. You'll look responsible and anyone that would challenge you further would look irresponsible.

haha, that doesn't work here :)

Anyway, your best bet would be to send me a PM when you'll be around, and I will solve your problem for you.

it depends what people you hang with. Actually I don't know anyone who has ever driven a car under influence. In my family is something normal that those who drive don't drink. When I was on Open'er this year each day one person doesn't drink

Do you know such person convex? I don't like when people spread legends about "polish alcoholism"...

Now this is incredible! :D

the answer to this problem is to raise your hand a little.... in a way that says stop... and at the same time say thanks (in Polish)

thanks said in this fashion means no thank you. strange but true.

dziękuje

(spelling looks odd !)

yes, i don't know such person!
Maybe in USA is something natural but in my opinion only completely irresponsible people or advanced alcoholics drive UI.

it is irresponsible but people drive after a beer or two or after a keg...
it's less than the .08 per se limit in the us... DUI is very expensive and ain't worth it...
in Poland the limit is lower...

Yes, just particularly in the countryside where there are no night buses or cheap taxis to catch. Check out the statistics on road deaths in Poland (#1 in the EU!), how many of the drivers were under the influence.

As in the countryside there is many alcoholics and bUttheads... I live in big city - no wonder I don't know anybody... ;P

btw what about statistics DUI in Germany or any other country?

:)


google? :)

nie łap mnie za słówka ;)

There seems to be a lot of confusion among the foraigners how to politely refuse a drink in Poland.I feel you guys since I myself hate vodka ( and I am a Pole) and can't do more than 2-3 shots without risking terrible conseqenses the next day(the only alcohol I can drink in large quatities without risking dying the next day is tequila).I went thru this many times and I can tell how to act at the Polish party. So here is how you do it.When first asked you say "Dziękuję nie piję".This will buy you some time though not much since they will not belive you just don't drink vodka.Soon you will be asked again to have a shot.Of course you still want to be polite so just repeat "Dziękuje nie pije".There will be a some nagging since everyone is a bit drunk already but in general soon you will be left alone.Not for long though.Few shots later someone will realize that your glass is empty and will become annoying trying to make you drinking.Remember that unlike you they indeed were drinking all that time so just say "Nie,nie naprawde nie pije".You will have to repeat it couple times since everyone is well drunk now but you should be fine.As the drinking continues and everyone become more or less trashed there will be someone pointing out the fact that you are the only one who is not drinking and will become very annoying trying to change it.Now,this time you DON'T say "Dziękuje nie pije" nor "Nie,nie pije" instead you say "NIE PIJE KURWA I CHUJ,ODPIERDOL SIE CZLOWIEKU." It works,good luck!

LOL PP :))

I always head for the beer garden when that kicks off. After all - in old 80's Poland, when I was at such shindigs, beer was not considered to be alcohol.

???

No damnit .. drunk driving is not natural in the USA. Jeez these clowns on here. They take the cake.

lol. Police take drunk driving VERY seriously here. You lose your license, go to classes, get arrested, pay a fine. You do not want to get caught driving drunk in the US. It is a crime.

But In Poland there are many more accidents of DUI, they just don't take it seriously as a crime and many more Poles drink than Americans. I have seen all those pijaks going home after drinking all day. Living in a city with a large Polish population in the US, you will see polish pijaks pissing up buildings

..lol

I would say that most people have drank and driven at some point in their lives.

what's worse, drunk-driving or jogging on a (brim)full stomach?

It's definitely not something most Americans do. A handful, yes. but definitely the minority. I have never gotten behind the wheel of an automobile after belting down a few brews or sloshing my way through a vineyard.

I would say drunk driving. Puking on somebody is not likely to kill them. Unless they drown in it, of course.

A heavy weight glutton VS a drunk driver, who would win??

Glutton's special ability: Burning vomit (due to the high concentration of gastric acid)

Driver's special ability: Road-rage

Definitely the Drunk if he is in a Ford F350 Pick up. They have great wipers, so I am told.

yeah ok but that's unfair, let's even up the odds...

Glutton's weapon : a sturdy ladle

Driver's weapon: a leather-bolstered steering wheel

Wozem jestem...

Easy. The glutton would eat the driver's steering wheel, leaving the driver defenseless. At that point a quick whack on the head with the ladle, and the driver is a goner.

hmm I think the driver in his drunken road rage would honk the glutton to death...

Most people don't get arrested on the way home from an all-you-can-eat super buffet.

ahh so the drunk driver is the glutton, the plot thickens... (reminds me of Fight Club, let's call this one Fat Club)

Tell them you're a student at Moravian College and you are not allowed to smoke or drink.