I'm a 22 year old male from Australia with mixed ancestry background (half Greek, quarter Serbian and quarter American). I'm planning on travelling to Poland for about 2 months, maybe longer, next year (depending on how things go when I'm there). I can't speak much Polish, English is my main language.
I'm going to meet with a young photographer girl (she is 18 going on 19) to check out her portfolio of work. I was connected to her through my contacts in photography and we have yet to meet and talk. Over the last few months I've been following what she has been doing with her photography on her personal blog and I'm really liking this girl's personality and talents.
My questions are these: How easy will it be for me to fit into Poland based on my background - will I be negatively viewed in any way? Also how easy will it be to make a good impression on this girl, based on my background and where I'm from? I want to make a good impression on her, but I have no idea how Polish girls act (I've never met one before) and I have no idea how to get her attention. Her main interests are photography (obviously), poetry, fashion, cooking/food.
Extra info: - I'm going to spend the 2 months in Tychy, that is where the girl is from. - I'm going to Poland around September 2013. - I'm heavily involved in music (as a contract singer and dancer - it is my main profession) and I want to learn photography.
- I'm going to spend the 2 months in Tychy, that is where the girl is from.
Do yourself a favour and don't stay there. Stay in Krakow or Wroclaw instead - there's really nothing to do in Tychy.
I'm going to meet with a young photographer girl (she is 18 going on 19)
This means that she's almost certainly still in school and possibly younger than you think (a real 19 year old would be finished school by next summer and would be going to university - not in Tychy) - be careful.
Most of my photography work was planned to be done in Tychy and some of the surrounding areas like Katowice and Bytom. At the last minute I found out about this girl and she happens to live in Tychy so I assumed it was a good idea to go straight there and arrange to meet with her.
I have no idea how Polish girls act (I've never met one before)
The same ways girls from other countries act. Treat her as an individual, not a research subject. She's a human being, just like you. You have an awful lot in common!
I married one myself and I can tell you they are pretty much the same as women everywhere, i.e. wonderful, infuriating, mysterious, affectionate, etc.
I just have no idea how to approach the situation. I can't speak Polish, she can speak English at the same level as your average Polish person - so her English isn't that bad. Being in Tychy (which I know isn't a large city) I think it might be even harder to establish a relationship and ask her out when I arrive seeing as I'm a foreigner.
If you wouldn't mind sharing some of your story that would be really helpful! :)
I am actually coming to work with and travel I just wanted to make a good attempt with her. I have one shot to make it right while I'm there and I wanted to make sure I do it right, as I'm new in the country and with the people (especially the young people like myself) I want to be the best I can be without coming across as a typical foreigner jerk. I don't know how people in Poland react to outsiders, especially in smaller communities such as Tychy I want to make a good attempt. You only live once!
Wrong. I'm heading that way either way. It isn't my only stop in Poland or in Europe. It is one of the places I am visiting and I want to make the most of my trip when I'm there. If someone wanted to get laid there are much easier and cheaper options available than travelling all the way out to a small city in Poland.
Just because someone travels to a location you think is useless doesn't mean that their reasons for going are negative in any way. I've been to poor cities before (I'm not saying Tychy or any surrounding city is poor) but some of the cities I've been to, the locals probably thought I was made for visiting. I loved the experience. Yes I'm planning on meeting up with a few different people in Poland, some are near Tychy. Yes there is a girl there who I'd like to know better. No, it isn't my main reason for travelling and no I didn't meet her on some seedy dating or other similar website.
Thanks for your answers.
I meant to say 'mad' not made - just a correction. I couldn't edit my original post.
You sound a likeable, reasonable guy, you don't come across as arrogant or self-centered, so I see no problem here. And you have something in common - the photography. That's a very good reason to spend some time together. Ask her to show you her work, get her to show you her city, places to take good pictures and so on and you'll both see how you feel in each other's company. There's nothing in your background or ancestry that could be perceived negatively even by very conservative folk here so it all just boils up to your personalities.
Thank you for this message. My main concern was that I could be perceived in not a good light based on where I'm from/ancestry background. I'm definitely not self centred or arrogant, if anything I'm probably a little bit shy around new people. It will be an amazing experience for me to travel there in the first place, I have an interest in Polish culture and history as it is (another reason for my travels, but not a huge one).
most girls in Silesia region will not speak good english especially if she is 18 going on 19. the ones that do speak english in those areas do not like foreigners and will not want to talk to you. local ladies will not be impressed with your english or photography or what you do simply because you are not Polish. even if you approach a young girl like this in Tychy or similar place and ask them to translate something for you - they will do it, but they will not want to continue a conversation with you. it is hard.
polish people think australia is this magical faraway place, so come armed with lots of bullshit stories about giant spiders, swimming with sharks and how you wrestle emus and ride kangaroos.
Polish people will not want to talk to him especially in Tychy Silesia places. Young girls there especially pretty ones won't talk to foreigners like Australians.
most girls in Silesia region will not speak good english especially if she is 18 going on 19.
Don't listen to this one Mark. My people are from Silesia, actually quite close to Tychy. If you are as you say, shy and not self-absorbed, this girl will be interested. Most of the teenagers I've encountered have a working knowledge of English.
Thanks for this Rybnik, I think my shyness will come from the fact that I'm in a new country exploring and talking to someone I want to know better who isn't of my background. Normally I do fine with general people, but this is new for me. Since I'm planning on going mid to late next year I'm doing much reading on Poland and the culture (which is very fascinating) to try and prepare myself for the country (and so I have some questions to ask her and others whilst I'm there). I'm also trying to learn some key words and phrases, getting the accent correct is somewhat difficult on longer phrases I must admit! Practice makes perfect.
you sound like a thoughtful and conscientious person. Good for you. Poles respond to respectfulness. Just don't act like a jerk of*! You'll be fine. PM me if you'd like some background info especially as you approach your departure date. Powodzenie (good luck)!
Thank you for this, I will be sure to contact you if I need some assistance with anything related to Poland and the Silesia region closer to when I leave. Dziekuje!
what if she has a boyfriend by that time? Polish girls tend to not be single for very long. Is there a way you could make sure she doesn't have a boyfriend by the time you get there? Let's assume she has a boyfriend when you get there, you still have a chance to woo her because you are foreign and different. as long as you don't come across as strong or desperate and have many things in common she will naturally be attracted to someone who is so different but with so much in common like any girls. anywhere would. if she likes for example photography like you said and cooking, music and fashion and you like all the same things she will like you and be interested in you because you are not the typical Polish guy. do you understand what im saying? a year away is a long time you need to think how you will approach girl to woo her.
when you speak to her the first time start friendly conversation and keep it short say interesting things you know she will listen to. name things you know you both have in common and say interesting things. you should be quick to ask to see her again after you meet for the first time, ask to get a drink later that day or the next day and meet with her again in Tychy. You should suggest a place to meet (do your homework before you go to find a place) and she will be impressed that a foreigner recommended to take her to a place in Tychy - that is rare! Greet her with a simple 'hi' in English and in Polish, Polish first. That will get her attention. You will woo her if you attempt some Polish to her, keep smiling, ask her two or three questions and give her details of yourself and what you like (photography, fashion, cooking etc) and ask to meet with her again to discuss these interests with her. Mention you know not many people in the city and would love to talk to her more about these common interests. If you word it and say it right, she will likely say yes to meeting with you again. I don't know girls from Tychy or if they will go for this but in Warszawa they might.
Very interesting thank you. Is asking her to get a drink right after meeting her for the first time appropriate or will it send the wrong message?
What you've described sounds like it will work in a perfect case scenario, life isn't a Hollywood movie! Maybe I'm over-thinking it and what you've suggested really is the best approach.
Merged: MEETING POLISH GIRL sooner than expected. I have entered panic mode!
Hi
Ok I had a thread about travelling to Poland to do some work with a few photographers late next year and there is one girl photographer there who I'd like to make a good impression on and date, if possible. Either way I'm still doing my Europe trip (old thread linked below for anyone that wants background) as soon as possible.
I've been talking with a few photographers I'm supposed to be meeting with in Poland next year to do some concept photography (fashion) and they have been telling me that there is a good possibility that they will all come down to Australia for about two weeks early to mid next year to start some concept work. There is three of them, two guys and the girl I like. The two guys know I like the girl and they are fine with it (they haven't told her, they are pretty mature and professional lads thank goodness). Assuming they do all make the trip over before I actually get to Poland I just wanted to hear anybody's advice on how to make a good impression on her and eventually ask her out. I've asked out girls before, this is a new situation for me and I'm completely lost. I don't want to mess anything up or make myself look like a fool. Her mindset will be on work so I don't know how to take it further from this starting point.
Background/Extra: *I've never met her before, only followed her work online. *She is 18 turning 19 next year. *This is her first time to Australia *I'm 22. *The other two Polish lads are in their late 20s and disinterested in anything but getting on with the job and doing their own thing.
*I've only just started to learn basic Polish phrases (hello, goodbye, the name of a cake I'm learning to cook - that's another story!)
*I've had an interest in Polish history for a while now (I don't want to talk to her about Polish history....I don't want to look like a librarian!)
*We are developing some concepts for photography...I won't bore you with the details, its basically concept fashion photography. Nothing pivotal to this issue.
*I know we have a few of the same basic interests (photography of course, cooking, musical taste) *I don't want to use the other two guys to 'get me in' or anything like that, that isn't right *I don't want to give the wrong impression
I don't know how to approach this situation. I'm nervous just thinking about how I can position myself into a good stance to actually get her attention. I don't know how to build up to actually asking her out from this point. I wouldn't blame anyone for thinking my idea was crazy, but I don't like wasting opportunities or taking things for granted; I really would like any advice anyone could give me.
