mafketis
8 May 2021
Travel / Poland in photo riddles - part 2 [1680]
sounds good...
moving your PRL riddle series to another thread
sounds good...
mafketis
8 May 2021
Travel / Poland in photo riddles - part 2 [1680]
PRL era "voluntary" action by... middle or high school students? involving cleaning up some public area (maybe at the beginning of spring?)
What is going on?
PRL era "voluntary" action by... middle or high school students? involving cleaning up some public area (maybe at the beginning of spring?)
mafketis
8 May 2021
Love / Do Polish people like Scottish people (friendship or relationship with a Scot)? [56]
People (and peoples) are likely to idealize a past (that didn't necessarily actually.... exist) to feel proud of when they don't have much to show for the present....
fixated with ancient history and millennia-old fallen empires
People (and peoples) are likely to idealize a past (that didn't necessarily actually.... exist) to feel proud of when they don't have much to show for the present....
mafketis
8 May 2021
Study / Various education and school issues in Poland. Opinions, stories, controversies. [1006]
What about the middle ages? Cause apparently that's covered in detail....
What does the curriculum say about Lech Wałęsa? I think that's more of an issue.... there's no consensus about what happened...
many history teachers are unable to fascinate their students with the subject
What about the middle ages? Cause apparently that's covered in detail....
What does the curriculum say about Lech Wałęsa? I think that's more of an issue.... there's no consensus about what happened...
mafketis
7 May 2021
Life / Jerzy Kosinski - Polish author and liar [127]
It's bigger than 'nasty Jews' or 'nasty Gentiles'....
Jewish values are, in some ways, a bit comparable to Gypsy values - maintaining group cohesion against a hostile outside majority is very important. This also requires ascribing negative attitudes to outsiders even when they might not be present.
This requires a delicate balance of irritating the majority but not enough to bring about serious reprisals and rigorous record keeping and the nurturing of grudges.
For a time (1950s-1980s give or take 5 or so years) non-Orthodox Jews were more interested in integrating into broader American society even celebrating the secular parts of some holidays. Then starting in the 1990s (roughly) it seems they decided that was a threat and they have to differentiate themselves more. Bye melting pot and welcome ethnic free-for-all.
I'm wondering if that coincided with (or was partly caused by?) the manifestation of strong anti-semitic feelings among more radical African Americans, which maybe debuted on the national stage in 1988 with Jesse Jackson's "Hymietown" remark (that was the first I heard of it at any rate).
real reasons for anti-semitism
It's bigger than 'nasty Jews' or 'nasty Gentiles'....
Jewish values are, in some ways, a bit comparable to Gypsy values - maintaining group cohesion against a hostile outside majority is very important. This also requires ascribing negative attitudes to outsiders even when they might not be present.
This requires a delicate balance of irritating the majority but not enough to bring about serious reprisals and rigorous record keeping and the nurturing of grudges.
For a time (1950s-1980s give or take 5 or so years) non-Orthodox Jews were more interested in integrating into broader American society even celebrating the secular parts of some holidays. Then starting in the 1990s (roughly) it seems they decided that was a threat and they have to differentiate themselves more. Bye melting pot and welcome ethnic free-for-all.
I'm wondering if that coincided with (or was partly caused by?) the manifestation of strong anti-semitic feelings among more radical African Americans, which maybe debuted on the national stage in 1988 with Jesse Jackson's "Hymietown" remark (that was the first I heard of it at any rate).
mafketis
7 May 2021
Life / Jerzy Kosinski - Polish author and liar [127]
Project much?
Possibly those Jewish swindlers learned their dirty trade from their Christian neighbors
Project much?
mafketis
7 May 2021
Study / Various education and school issues in Poland. Opinions, stories, controversies. [1006]
I'm just repeating what I say... they often seem completely unaware of issues related to the communist period like ration cards or zomo... once a group of students told me they didn't get most of the humor of Miś... (some of it is more... universal but a viewer needs to know something of the PRL to get other parts).
I can`t agree. The curriculum covers the period quite extensively in the last grade
I'm just repeating what I say... they often seem completely unaware of issues related to the communist period like ration cards or zomo... once a group of students told me they didn't get most of the humor of Miś... (some of it is more... universal but a viewer needs to know something of the PRL to get other parts).
mafketis
7 May 2021
Life / Jerzy Kosinski - Polish author and liar [127]
Well I guess that explains the shocking lack of Jewish people in the medical or legal professions (not to mention university environments) in the US!
So why don't they enlist in the armed forces?
Jews were prohibited from becoming doctors, teachers or lawyers
Well I guess that explains the shocking lack of Jewish people in the medical or legal professions (not to mention university environments) in the US!
So why don't they enlist in the armed forces?
mafketis
6 May 2021
Life / Jerzy Kosinski - Polish author and liar [127]
And under-represented in the military (though some American Jews (see Obama adviser Rahm Emannuel) are happy to fight for Israel... but for America? meh)
And over-represented in law.
And under-represented in the military (though some American Jews (see Obama adviser Rahm Emannuel) are happy to fight for Israel... but for America? meh)
mafketis
6 May 2021
Life / Jerzy Kosinski - Polish author and liar [127]
Who said they are?
In the US they are over-represented among financial swindlers and certain kind of high profile.... indecencies... (Do the names Weinstein and Epstein ring a bell?)
They are under-represented in violent street crime or gang violence.
They tend to irritate other people because like tend to interfere in things that don't directly concern them (a cultural feature they share with gypsies... in a very different way).
Jews are NOT the root of all evil.
Who said they are?
In the US they are over-represented among financial swindlers and certain kind of high profile.... indecencies... (Do the names Weinstein and Epstein ring a bell?)
They are under-represented in violent street crime or gang violence.
They tend to irritate other people because like tend to interfere in things that don't directly concern them (a cultural feature they share with gypsies... in a very different way).
mafketis
5 May 2021
USA, Canada / Your favorite USA kiełbasa? [37]
I've never had kiełbasa in the US (or I may have had something... called that but I don't much remember it)... I mostly didn't like sausage (apart from some Italian style sausage) until I came to Poland.
I've never had kiełbasa in the US (or I may have had something... called that but I don't much remember it)... I mostly didn't like sausage (apart from some Italian style sausage) until I came to Poland.
mafketis
5 May 2021
Genealogy / Which Polish first names are considered unpopular / obsolete in Poland? [124]
Didn't bother this guy:
youtube.com/watch?v=Gyk4pEWZddU
If my name was "Seweryn" I'd be embarrassed too
Didn't bother this guy:
youtube.com/watch?v=Gyk4pEWZddU
mafketis
4 May 2021
Life / Polish and Czechs [191]
My favorite commie tv series is probably Žena za pultem (Kobieta za ladą - The woman behind the counter). Interesting structure and fun and clearly drawn characters and stories that don't always play out predictably.
Yes
My favorite commie tv series is probably Žena za pultem (Kobieta za ladą - The woman behind the counter). Interesting structure and fun and clearly drawn characters and stories that don't always play out predictably.
mafketis
4 May 2021
Life / Polish and Czechs [191]
Czech definitely does good TV series, I've seen a few in recent years and they're very good and one (Pustina) was a masterpiece (just devastating, among other things the best filmed version of a generation gap.... ever the parents and kids are in completely different realities).
Czech definitely does good TV series, I've seen a few in recent years and they're very good and one (Pustina) was a masterpiece (just devastating, among other things the best filmed version of a generation gap.... ever the parents and kids are in completely different realities).
mafketis
4 May 2021
Life / Comparing Poland and Romania [108]
See what motivation and rewards can do?!
I would have preferred that they spend the rest of their miserable lives in a bad prison but killing them was probably safer.... (and certainly justified given their record).
The trial and the executions in 45 minutes!
See what motivation and rewards can do?!
I would have preferred that they spend the rest of their miserable lives in a bad prison but killing them was probably safer.... (and certainly justified given their record).
mafketis
4 May 2021
Life / Comparing Poland and Romania [108]
I've been to Romania several times (mostly Bucharest) and the last time (about 4 years ago) things had visibly and noticeably improved over previous times. Oddly places that might be of interest (like the site of Ceausescu's last speech a five minute walk from where I always stay) are kind of neglected.
I don't know how the country has dealt with covid though I've heard they haven't done a bad job in maintaining general healthcare (unlike Poland which has seen a mass shutdown).
Still, despite the improvement noticeably poorer than Poland with worse infrastructure (look at a ten story Romanian apartment building and then try to complain about Polish bloki... I dare you).
Service is.... mixed. On one trip twice cashiers tried to short change me but a couple of (polie!) words in Romanian and they immediately backed down and gave me the right change with apologies.
Overall though people are friendly and if you know a Romance language it's easy to pick up survival Romanian (and you might start understanding bits and pieces of conversations you overhear).
Romanian body language is very similar to Polish and many young women manage to combine Slavic and Romance looks in an... intriguing way.
Gypsies are a noticeable presence and they are usually up to activities that make a normal person feel worse for having them around....
Although I'm not a believer Poland was lucky to have the RC church during communism as it helped prevent some of the worst excesses in corruption, crime and violence that plagued more secular countries.
Romania in a few songs (a few years old)
Manele is the gypsy dominated Romanian equivalent of disco polo but often much more listenable...
This is a duet with the then queen of the genre (Denisa) and a very Indian looking guy, title: With closed eyes I'd also see
youtube.com/watch?v=bMt06xnqXbs
Lidia Buble (more conventional pop singer with a catchy number, title: I've also told the girls
youtube.com/watch?v=ccvs-fexwZM
What's up with a song that reminds me so much of early 1990s Poland that it's uncannny, title: Taxi
youtube.com/watch?v=irDhEwgRRMs
Romanian music is overall a lot more.... vital than Polish music partly because radio stations were/are? required to play a certain percent of local music and so they had an interest in supporting and helping musicians develop in ways that have never really happened in Poland...
Romania
I've been to Romania several times (mostly Bucharest) and the last time (about 4 years ago) things had visibly and noticeably improved over previous times. Oddly places that might be of interest (like the site of Ceausescu's last speech a five minute walk from where I always stay) are kind of neglected.
I don't know how the country has dealt with covid though I've heard they haven't done a bad job in maintaining general healthcare (unlike Poland which has seen a mass shutdown).
Still, despite the improvement noticeably poorer than Poland with worse infrastructure (look at a ten story Romanian apartment building and then try to complain about Polish bloki... I dare you).
Service is.... mixed. On one trip twice cashiers tried to short change me but a couple of (polie!) words in Romanian and they immediately backed down and gave me the right change with apologies.
Overall though people are friendly and if you know a Romance language it's easy to pick up survival Romanian (and you might start understanding bits and pieces of conversations you overhear).
Romanian body language is very similar to Polish and many young women manage to combine Slavic and Romance looks in an... intriguing way.
Gypsies are a noticeable presence and they are usually up to activities that make a normal person feel worse for having them around....
Although I'm not a believer Poland was lucky to have the RC church during communism as it helped prevent some of the worst excesses in corruption, crime and violence that plagued more secular countries.
Romania in a few songs (a few years old)
Manele is the gypsy dominated Romanian equivalent of disco polo but often much more listenable...
This is a duet with the then queen of the genre (Denisa) and a very Indian looking guy, title: With closed eyes I'd also see
youtube.com/watch?v=bMt06xnqXbs
Lidia Buble (more conventional pop singer with a catchy number, title: I've also told the girls
youtube.com/watch?v=ccvs-fexwZM
What's up with a song that reminds me so much of early 1990s Poland that it's uncannny, title: Taxi
youtube.com/watch?v=irDhEwgRRMs
Romanian music is overall a lot more.... vital than Polish music partly because radio stations were/are? required to play a certain percent of local music and so they had an interest in supporting and helping musicians develop in ways that have never really happened in Poland...
mafketis
4 May 2021
Travel / Poland in photo riddles - part 2 [1680]
German Schokokuesse (an extremely similar product) can be found at any Aldi and probably Lidl....
static2.redcart.pl/templates/images/thumb/7773/1024/1024/pl/0/templates/images/products/7773/2e82bfcdce9d5433dad98593aaa6173a.jpg
. I suppose they aren't being sold anymore these days?
German Schokokuesse (an extremely similar product) can be found at any Aldi and probably Lidl....
static2.redcart.pl/templates/images/thumb/7773/1024/1024/pl/0/templates/images/products/7773/2e82bfcdce9d5433dad98593aaa6173a.jpg
mafketis
4 May 2021
Life / Polish film and serial riddles [137]
But 'snatched' is funnier IMO. And since some of the humor can't be translated there's nothing wrong with adding some in other places when possible.
Actually I'd go for missing or disappeared (for a more political flavor) there and use snatch elsewhere....
To wszystko każe nam powiedzieć mocno i stanowczo......parówkowym skrytożercom mówimy NIE!
And this leads us all to say once and for all......to all those covert wiener snatchers: STOP!
('stop' works better than 'no' in this context IMO)
But that's more an issue for the translation thread....
they actually say it: te zniknięte
But 'snatched' is funnier IMO. And since some of the humor can't be translated there's nothing wrong with adding some in other places when possible.
Actually I'd go for missing or disappeared (for a more political flavor) there and use snatch elsewhere....
To wszystko każe nam powiedzieć mocno i stanowczo......parówkowym skrytożercom mówimy NIE!
And this leads us all to say once and for all......to all those covert wiener snatchers: STOP!
('stop' works better than 'no' in this context IMO)
But that's more an issue for the translation thread....
mafketis
3 May 2021
mafketis
3 May 2021
Life / Polish film and serial riddles [137]
She's talking about confusion stitched together with thick threads and she knows what kind of glue is hidden behind those threads...
She's talking about confusion stitched together with thick threads and she knows what kind of glue is hidden behind those threads...
mafketis
3 May 2021
mafketis
3 May 2021
Language / English sentences into Polish (want to test my knowledge) [27]
My version might be: W tym sklepie jest za dużo tuńczyka w puszce a za mało czegokolwiek innego. (a relatively freer translation)
What about: Horses are curious about what's going on in their environment.
Jest zbyt wiele puszek tuńczyki w tym sklepie, a nie dość czegokolwiek innego
My version might be: W tym sklepie jest za dużo tuńczyka w puszce a za mało czegokolwiek innego. (a relatively freer translation)
What about: Horses are curious about what's going on in their environment.
mafketis
3 May 2021
Genealogy / Which Polish first names are considered unpopular / obsolete in Poland? [124]
Yes, Waldemar is a name in modern Polish (there was a prime minister with that name).
There's also Włodzimierz (the Polish version of Vladimir) but in this case I would bet more on Waldemar (use Spanish vowels and stress the e )
Is there a Polish name like Waldemar
Yes, Waldemar is a name in modern Polish (there was a prime minister with that name).
There's also Włodzimierz (the Polish version of Vladimir) but in this case I would bet more on Waldemar (use Spanish vowels and stress the e )
mafketis
3 May 2021
Travel / Poland in photo riddles - part 2 [1680]
Is that early days of the construction of the Pałac Kultury in Warsaw?
What is going on?
Is that early days of the construction of the Pałac Kultury in Warsaw?
mafketis
2 May 2021
Language / English sentences into Polish (want to test my knowledge) [27]
There are too many cans of tuna in that store and not enough of anything else.
give me a sentence in English to translate into Polish?
There are too many cans of tuna in that store and not enough of anything else.
mafketis
2 May 2021
Travel / Poland in photo riddles - part 2 [1680]
And we are in the Polish thread. If that Michael of yours
mafketis
2 May 2021
Language / [SEX] Polish sentences/expressions [41]
Pretty literal translation:
A blacksmith (farrier) doesn't shoe a horse for a 'thank you'.
Za dziekuje kowal konia nie okuje
Pretty literal translation:
A blacksmith (farrier) doesn't shoe a horse for a 'thank you'.
mafketis
2 May 2021
Life / Litter in Poland [24]
The situation has improved a lot in built up areas, not nearly as much as there was even just a few years ago, but wooded areas are still disaster areas....
All over the place. Where I love people are not always.... consistent with them but they're there.
I rarely see such behaviour.
The situation has improved a lot in built up areas, not nearly as much as there was even just a few years ago, but wooded areas are still disaster areas....
Does Poland have free recycle bins available ?
All over the place. Where I love people are not always.... consistent with them but they're there.
mafketis
2 May 2021
Language / 'ucha' [23]
It used to be _extremely_ common among students...
Not so much. It is simply colloquial.
It used to be _extremely_ common among students...
mafketis
1 May 2021
Language / Anglos don't distinguish kasza from Kasia? [22]
I'm not the pope! I say czule... I just don't hear the difference most of the time.
do you say czule or ciule?
I'm not the pope! I say czule... I just don't hear the difference most of the time.